Chapter 152: Art and a Good Project Delivered to Your Door

[Chapter 152: Art and a Good Project Delivered to Your Door]

Marion Cotillard was born into a family of filmmakers; her father was a modestly known French actor and mime theater director. She grew up in theaters and had played small parts in several films, mostly just a line or two.

It was only last year that she got the opportunity to star in a TV movie called Chloé, where she played a young woman forced into prostitution. The movie didn't get good reviews, and Marion was quite disappointed. Watching the performance of her compatriot, Juliet Binoche, on screen, she envied her and said to her friend Julien Rassam, "She's amazing. I think she's going to become famous in Hollywood and worldwide because of this film."

Julien Rassam replied indifferently, "Fame isn't always good. For actors, you don't want the audience to know you too well. So, who are you?" He calmly turned his head and asked Charlie, who had just appeared.

"Charlie Corleone, a producer," Charlie showed the pass hanging around his neck, then politely moved past Julian to sit at Marion's right.

"Hello, ma'am. I just saw you in the back, you look familiar. Have you been in any movies?" Charlie's shameless, bold approach surprised Marion. Julian frowned sharply, "You're interrupting us."

"Oh, sorry. I just wanted to meet some new friends," Charlie smiled warmly. "Why don't you introduce yourselves?"

After a brief hesitation, Marion introduced them both. Clearly, Charlie's brazen confidence and handsome face made him quite approachable.

'Rassam? Assam, like the tea? This guy's brooding charm and good looks almost match mine,' Charlie thought, then ignored him to chat with Marion. He pointed to the screen with his chin. "This movie is currently doing well on the North American art house circuit, having grossed over $40 million. It's likely to get some Oscar nods. I personally estimate the worldwide box office could reach about $200 million. It's a success both artistically and commercially. Harvey made a good call; he's always got a good eye. But there's one issue -- the return on investment for this kind of commercial film is slow. Total profit is small."

Marion looked curiously at Charlie and replied, "$40 million at the box office... The North American market is so strong. By the way, do you know Mr. Weinstein?"

Without turning his head, Charlie pointed over his shoulder with a thumb. "Yep, he's right over there. That bastard invited me to this festival."

Marion's eyes widened in surprise. She didn't want to be too forward by approaching Harvey but said in awe, "My God, Mr. Corleone, you really are a producer? You look so young."

"More precisely, I'm the owner of Lion Corleone Film and Entertainment Group," Charlie smiled. "It's a movie company I founded last year. We've already produced the films Fifty Shades of Gray and Wrong Turn. We have a lot of projects in development. Are you interested in coming to Hollywood?"

"Wow, I remember hearing about Fifty Shades of Gray. It's about to be released in French cinemas. They say it's a film that really touches women's hearts, adapted from the novel of the same name. The author apparently has the same last name Corleone."

"That's me," Charlie said.

"Unbelievable, Mr. Corleone, you're so young and have already produced well-known films."

Julien Rassam interrupted, "I saw Fifty Shades of Gray. It's worth nothing artistically."

Charlie stretched back in his chair, glasses fixed on the screen. "Art? When you go through the test of time, you realize what so-called art in theater really is... From a filmmaker's perspective, I think art is just mirroring the natural world -- like the family dynamics of lions or gazelles, full of ethical competition. Putting aside film techniques like camera work, set design, sound effects, and dramatic structure, I believe real art in the human world is the mundane, everyday life full of warmth and simplicity."

"Nonsense!" Julien Rassam scoffed.

Marion thought seriously for a moment, "I don't completely agree, but your perspective is interesting."

---

While Charlie chatted away, charming the ladies, in a small screening room, Maggie Cheung and many friends were admiring and discussing the Taiwanese film The River by the Malaysian director Tsai Ming-liang, which was shown at this festival.

No film screening was held on-site; the producers hoped to promote the film through peer support.

Maggie, as a juror, was busy but had a good relationship with Tsai Ming-liang and his group, so she had to socialize.

When a short man dressed walked in, the room buzzed.

"The big brother's here!"

"Hello, big brother!"

"Big brother, how come you came to the Berlin Film Festival? I heard you're in Hollywood and have a project?"

Jackie Chan greeted everyone and spoke briefly with the main organizers, including Tsai Ming-liang.

When things calmed down, Maggie tapped Jackie's shoulder familiarly, "Big brother, why did you come to the festival? I didn't hear you have any films in competition."

Jackie laughed wryly, "Oh, Maggie, stop teasing me. I know I can't compete with your achievements in Europe."

"Haha, big brother, how's the Hollywood project?" Maggie asked.

Jackie sighed, shaking his head, "Not going well. Rumble in the Bronx is kind of a success. Some Hollywood companies have started inviting me. The new project is good, fitting, but it's been stuck in development for a year on and off. Now Joe Roth, an executive at Disney Studios, got involved, saying the $30 million budget's too high. They don't think I can handle it."

"So what now? Will you come back to make films here?" Maggie asked concerned.

"Roth plans to sell the project. I'll have to wait and see if any studio picks it up," Jack said helplessly.

Maggie seemed to have an idea, "Hey, big brother. Have you heard of Corleone Studios?"

"Yeah, a newly established company. The owner's a very impressive young guy, only 19," Jackie said, puzzled, "Why? You want me to contact them?"

"Yeah!"

"I don't know if they'd take the risk. Thirty million isn't pocket change, especially for a new company. I'm not an outsider."

"Just try. I met Charlie Corleone today. He's seen a few of our films and actually understands and likes our work," Maggie encouraged enthusiastically.

"Really?" Jackie asked several questions, feeling more hopeful the more he heard.

He wasn't worried about Corleone Studios' strength or funding; his agent had mentioned they had some sources and their two films had earned tens of millions.

He decided immediately to think about how to contact them. First, he would look for an agent. He could also contact Spike Lee through Martin Lawrence, a black actor who was a senior executive of the Corleone Company!

"Thanks, Maggie. I'll figure something out. Hearing you say that makes me feel hopeful too."

*****

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