章 278: Chapter 278: Preparing for the Future
The Cannes Film Festival has always been the most commercial film exchange in the international market compared to the Venice Film Festival and the Berlin Film Festival. Cannes is more commercial.
France, as the center of European cinema, naturally makes the Cannes Film Festival one of the sanctuaries for independent filmmakers and a hub for international film distribution!
After Arthur and Yu Feihong arrived in France, Arthur went to Paris first, and Yu Feihong headed to Cannes to attend the festival.
In a detached apartment near Neuilly on the Seine's west bank and near the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, the beautiful Christiana Reali lay on Arthur's body and playfully tapped his chest with her fingers. "Why didn't you go to Cannes directly for the festival and came to Paris instead?"
Arthur fondly stroked her smooth back, responding with a lingering sigh, "I missed you. It has been five months since the New Year."
Christiana smiled and gave Arthur a lengthy French kiss, reminding him, "I heard Miramax is very interested in the American rights of both The Piano, and Farewell My Concubine!"
It was normal for Christiana to be aware of this since she was now part of the French branch of Galaxy.
"Miramax, haha, they're also interested? But both the movies had long been pre-booked by Galaxy," Arthur reclined against the headboard, lighting a cigarette.
"However, Miramax, now with Disney's support, has become quite generous. I've also heard they have already bought several films!"
The number of films traded during the Cannes Film Festival is enormous, with each film's rights being sold for multiple regions.
Many films' rights for different regions are negotiated before the festival, but rights for major markets of significant films have to be auctioned.
"UGC will distribute The Piano in France, not Gaumont," explained Christiana, informed since Galaxy owned the North American rights for both films. "The main creators of The Piano arrived in Cannes early and the film will premiere in France first."
Arthur was not particularly concerned about these things.
"Hmm," Christiana Reali kissed Arthur's chest. "Then you came to Paris for nothing else? Why did you ask me to gather information on Euro Disneyland?"
Arthur smiled, "I purposely came over to visit Euro Disneyland in Marne-la-Vallee near Paris. This Euro Disneyland is the fourth Disney park worldwide.
Since its opening last year, it has had a pretty rough time. Last month, Disney announced severe losses and budget overruns for Euro Disneyland in their financial report."
Arthur had been closely watching the film merchandise market. For Galaxy to become a giant in the entertainment industry, the consumer products market was key.
How to expand the consumer products market? Disney's practices provided an answer. The first overseas Disney park, Tokyo Disneyland, opened in 1983, generating staggering profits.
Although Tokyo Disneyland is owned by a Japanese company and the only park operated under franchise, Disney earns a licensing fee based on revenue every year.
These overseas Disney parks bolstered Disney's brand value, making Disney renowned in Asia thanks to Tokyo Disneyland.
"There's that," Christiana showed disdain, "Do you think the French like these American cartoon characters? The fact they're not protesting is already something."
When Euro Disneyland opened in the suburbs of Paris last year, they wanted to invite the French President and Paris officials, but they were completely ignored!
"The cultural gap is significant," Arthur analyzed. French culture is not just influential but the French also have immense cultural pride and confidence.
Not just the Americans, they even look down on British culture. Being the center of European arts is not just a title.
"Earlier this year, Disney had to close a large hotel there due to lack of visitors!" Christiana spoke with schadenfreude.
Arthur kissed her, "Let's go check it out this afternoon then!"
Arthur had visited Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland in Anaheim, Disney World, and Universal Studios in Orlando.
After visiting Euro Disneyland near Paris, Arthur planned to visit Tokyo Disneyland in Japan next.
Preparing for Galaxy Group's future consumer products market division, Pixar Animation Studios in hand, Galaxy had to make good use of it - Planning ahead!
...
When Arthur flew from Paris to Cannes, it was already May 20th, leaving only three days until the Cannes Film Festival's closing ceremony.
At the JW Marriott hotel near the pier, Miramax chairman Harvey Weinstein had just finished discussing the North American distribution rights for a new film Queen Margot with representatives from the French company AMLF.
The new film Queen Margot, based on the novel by the famous writer Alexandre Dumas and starring Isabelle Adjani, was a biographical film AMLF was preparing to shoot.
"Is The Piano premiering today?" Harvey asked his female assistant.
"Yes, there are many film professionals attending. The initial screening received a lot of praise," the assistant explained.
"Damn, isn't Galaxy usually focused on commercial films? Did last year's The Crying Game change their approach? They bought both The Piano and Farewell My Concubine," Harvey Weinstein was definitely displeased because Miramax had also taken an interest in these films.
Without these two films, Miramax had to settle for acquiring a British erotic comedy called Naked, which had been nominated for the Palme d'Or.
Meanwhile, they also refocused their efforts on some upcoming new films.
Suddenly, Harvey Weinstein noticed a beautiful woman sitting on a nearby sofa, someone he felt he had seen before.
He then instructed his assistant to find out more.
Kate Beckinsale was attending Cannes for the first time to promote Much Ado About Nothing.
Having scheduled a meeting with Arthur Smith here, she was waiting in the seating area.
Suddenly, someone came over to ask about her situation. "Yes, I'm a new actress, and I played a supporting role in that film Much Ado About Nothing a few days ago."
Harvey Weinstein's assistant, noticing how pretty Kate Beckinsale was, pointed out, "That man over there is the chairman of Miramax, a Hollywood company. He thinks you have potential and is willing to give you a chance. Maybe, you should go to Weinstein's room to discuss the script!"
Kate Beckinsale was taken aback, "I already have an agent; shouldn't this be discussed with my agent?"
The assistant shook her head, "You might not know yet how influential Mr. Weinstein is. You should learn to seize opportunities. Mr. Weinstein is in room 606; just go upstairs when you're ready!"
Shortly after, Kate Beckinsale saw the assistant leave the seating area with a heavy-set man and enter the hotel elevator.
"She's a British newcomer, 20 years old, and a student at Oxford University. She played a supporting role in Samuel Goldwyn's comedy Much Ado About Nothing," the assistant explained in the elevator to Harvey Weinstein.
"Oh, the Kenneth Branagh-directed Shakespeare adaptation?" Harvey Weinstein quickly recalled, "With stars like Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, and Keanu Reeves involved, Samuel Goldwyn Films has big ambitions."
Miramax had definitely been unable to compete with Samuel Goldwyn Films, but now under Disney's umbrella, things were different.
As for the newcomer actress, Harvey Weinstein wasn't worried that she wouldn't come up. After all, very few newcomers could resist the lure of a film role.
However, little did Harvey Weinstein and his assistant know that, shortly after them entering elevator, Kate Beckinsale saw Arthur Smith.
"Arthur, over here!" Kate Beckinsale happily waved when she saw Arthur.
Arthur walked over with a smile and warmly embraced her, "Kate, have you waited long?"
"Not too long, I just got here," Kate Beckinsale smiled back, "Want something to drink?"
Arthur shook his head, "No, how about we take a walk by the beach and enjoy the night view of Cannes?"
"Sure," Kate Beckinsale grabbed her bag.
Soon, Arthur was walking with Kate Beckinsale on the beach, "Did your crew return already?"
"No, the director and producer of Much Ado About Nothing are still here, but the Hollywood actors have gone back home," Kate Beckinsale explained.
Arthur smiled. While Much Ado About Nothing was nominated, its acclaim paled in comparison to Farewell My Concubine, The Piano, and Naked, making it unlikely to win any awards.
*****
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