America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

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Since Cannes does not have an airport, crews coming to attend the film festival have to fly into Nice and then take a car to Cannes.

Martin emerged from the airport, joined Mene and Bruce in the same car, and had not even left the parking lot when he received a call from Nicholson in Los Angeles.

"You've arrived in France, right? There's something I need you to keep an eye on," Nicholson said, timing his call with the flight schedules. "The 'Burning Plain' crew will be presenting at the Cannes Film Festival. Jennifer Lawrence is there in Cannes, and I've told her to contact you if she runs into any trouble."

Martin was loyal and replied, "No problem, your little girlfriend is in my care."

That comment was a bit ambiguous, and Nicholson specifically remarked, "I'm asking you to look after her, not to take her to bed, you bastard!"

Martin got angry, "You old bastard, do you think I'm that kind of person?" He retorted, "Go around Los Angeles and Atlanta and ask, who doesn't know that I, Martin Davis, value brotherhood above all else!"

Nicholson burst out laughing, "Just letting you know, normally there shouldn't be any issues."

Martin hung up the phone.

Mene frowned in thought, "The movie 'Burning Plain' sounds somewhat familiar."

Martin had not heard of it, "Sounds like an art film."

Bruce, however, was aware, "Our neighbor, Charlize Theron, is the lead actress in that film."

Martin nodded, "A victim of the Oscar curse, she won Best Actress and then took on a big commercial production, aiming to become a box office-fighting star like Julia Roberts. But when the box office bombed, she returned to art films."

Mene asked, "Boss, the Oscar curse applies only to Best Actress winners, doesn't it?"

"Pretty much," Martin replied without recalling in detail, casually saying, "Most male stars who win the Oscar for Best Actor then see their careers climb to a new level. There may be some unlucky ones, but the ratio is much smaller compared to Best Actress winners."

The crew arrived in Cannes and checked into the five-star Wuyang Hotel.

This hotel was located just over 100 meters from both the Festival Palace and the Seaside Boulevard beach and was filled to capacity every year during the film festival.

Since neither Warner Bros. nor Paramount Pictures were intent on competing for Best Actress, Kate Blanchett planned to arrive from England on the day of the film's premiere, rather than coming over early to work the scene like Martin and David Fincher did.

The three major European film festivals likewise have Oscar-like game rules.

In each festival, the influence of the head of the jury in that year's awards selection is terrifyingly significant.

When actresses like Isabel Adjani, who leads her sect, chaired the jury, she not only quarreled with all the jury members that year to ensure directors and films she appreciated won awards, but also caused a scene like the characters she played, fighting tooth and nail with the Cannes Film Festival Committee, ending up with a shared Palme d'Or that year.

Such situations are not uncommon at the three major European film festivals, like Quentin promoting his ex-girlfriend Coppola at the Venice Film Festival and so on.

It just goes to show that wherever there are people, there will be conflicts and strife.

After checking into the hotel, Martin, David Fincher, and Producer Kathleen Kennedy took a brief rest before joining up with the French production manager, Henri, and headed to the reserved conference room.

The Cannes public relations manager, Melanie, employed by the crew, was already waiting there.

She shook hands with each of the four, had her assistant turn on the projection screen, stepped up to the head of the conference table, and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, there's been a change."

Martin looked toward the projection screen, which displayed the list of this year's jury members.

Melanie said, "Because of internal issues within the film festival committee, this year's jury was announced a week later than normal. The jury president is still Isabel Huppert, and other members include Shu Qi, Lee Chang-dong, James Gray, Aisha Akido, John Travolta..."

Kathleen Kennedy stated, "Two are from Hollywood; James Gray has worked with DreamWorks, I can handle him."

Martin raised his hand, "Lee Chang-dong is South Korean, I have a way with him."

David Fincher spoke honestly, "I make films, networking isn't my forte, and I'm not familiar with any of them."

Melanie glanced at Fincher, switched on her laser pointer, and the red dot landed on Isabel Huppert's name. She got straight to the point, "The jury president's opinion is most important. If we win Isabel over, our chances of victory greatly increase."

Everyone in the room knew this.

If Isabel Huppert favored the film and it similarly garnered the support of two or three other jurors, it was certain to win a major award.

The award sharing at the three major European film festivals was even more blatant than at the Oscars.

As a professional in Cannes public relations, Melanie had already done her research and explained, "Huppert may seem gentle and easy to get along with, but she's extremely stubborn, even aggressive, earning the nickname 'the actress's fascist' behind closed doors in the French film circle.

Once she makes a decision, she rarely changes her mind and will push it through with great force, much like her arch-rival Adjani."

She emphasized, "She is tough to deal with. Having had a three-decade feud with Adjani and being crushed during the '80s and early '90s, she emerged as the sole Isabel in France, demonstrating how capable she is."

These two Isabels stood at the very pinnacle of the French film actresses' circle, with others like Sophie Marceau not even in the same league in terms of status, acting skills, or awards.

Martin caught the implications of Melanie's words but said nothing further.

Kathleen Kennedy asked, "Has the festival not yet begun and Huppert already has a favorable Palme d'Or pick?"

Melanie directly replied, "Among the films competing this time, there's 'The White Ribbon' directed by Michael Haneke."

At this point, David Fincher also understood, "The director of Huppert's signature film 'The Piano Teacher'."

"Isabelle Huppert claims to be Michael Haneke's student; she is both his mentor and friend," Melanie said. "As long as 'The White Ribbon' is of decent quality, winning the Palme d'Or would be a certainty."

This wasn't the first time something like this had happened; people like Kathleen Kennedy and David Fincher could accept it.

All Martin could do was lament internally that the Cannes Film Festival hadn't started yet, but four-fifths of the Golden Palm was already in the hands of a certain film.

As a hired public relations manager, Melanie's primary task was to ensure that the crew could win a major award, so she and her team could continue to build their reputation and make big money next year.

Of course, all of this was grounded in reality.

She added, "In my opinion, the first award we should strive for is Best Actor, while placing the Palme d'Or as our second priority."

Kathleen Kennedy looked at David Fincher. Even at her level, she still took Fincher's opinions into consideration.

David Fincher said, "Our top priority is to ensure that the crew can win a major award."

"Martin has high renown in France," Melanie said. "My people can reach Isabelle Huppert, and we will recommend Martin to her specifically."

Kathleen Kennedy stated frankly, "For the film's premiere, make sure you invite Huppert and several other jurors." Continue your journey on My Virtual Library Empire

According to the film festival rules, once the festival begins, jurors are not allowed to have any private contact with members of the competing films' crews other than at premieres.

"I will ensure to invite Isabelle Huppert and at least three jurors," assured Melanie.

Remembering what Martin had mentioned earlier, Kennedy asked him, "Did you handle the Koreans?"

Martin nodded, "I'll make the call right now." He pointed to the projection screen and asked, "Is John Travolta a member of the Church of Scientology?"

David Fincher, who felt sidelined at the festival despite his prowess in filmmaking, finally heard a question he could answer and quickly said, "John Travolta and Tom Cruise are two of the most famous members of the Church of Scientology in Hollywood."

"I'll try to secure John Travolta's support," said Martin.

Kathleen Kennedy had a feeling of relief. If every actor were as proactive and resourceful as Martin, how much worry would it save the producers and financiers?

Martin left the meeting room and returned to his own room. He called Jessica first, asking her to handle communications with the Koreans, and soon received a positive response.

Afterward, he found Tom Cruise's private number and dialed it.

Martin hadn't expected to use the favor from Tom Cruise so soon.

But such favors, if not used in time, would no longer be as effective.

Now was the perfect moment.

The call connected quickly: "Hi, Martin."

With a smile, Martin said, "Tom, I need a little favor…"

...

With the Cannes Film Festival about to open, the main personnel from crews eager to vie for prestigious awards had already arrived in Cannes early.

"Inglourious Basterds" was one of the films competing.

Harvey, a master at working the awards circuit, had also noticed the connection between Isabelle Huppert, Michael Haneke, and "The White Ribbon," knowing that competing for the Palme d'Or would be too challenging. He thus shifted his focus to the Grand Prix and Best Actor awards.

During the quiet of the night, Harvey and Quentin knocked on the door of a room together.

John Travolta opened the door, let them in, then quickly shut the door behind them, saying, "You shouldn't have come."

Harvey chuckled, "The festival hasn't started yet."

Having previously collaborated on "Pulp Fiction," they were acquainted and casually exchanged pleasantries before Quentin got straight to the point: "We're old friends, this time you've got to support me."

John responded, "I definitely support you guys personally!" He spread his hands, "You know how the judging works at the festival. I'm just an ordinary juror; my personal support can't guarantee your win. Isabelle Huppert is the key."

Harvey was confident, "I'll take care of Huppert."

He felt the Oscars would have appeal to her.

John nodded, "That settles it for me."

Harvey and Quentin didn't stay long and soon took their leave.

As John saw them off, his phone began to ring; it was the call from the Sect Hierarch. He answered with a few words, then hung up and remained silent for a moment.

This time, he would have to apologize to Harvey and Quentin.

John, of course, wouldn't mention it; if they inquired, he would give an evasive answer.