Chapter 70: Intertwining Relationships

Belman’s first reaction: this is impossible!

Who do you think you are?

In Hollywood, aside from a few major directors, even Li An cannot secure control, let alone you, a... a director in his twenties with a Golden Lion?

Hmm? In his twenties! Two Best Actress awards in one year!

Such a young Golden Lion-winning director who can also elevate actors—if one could bind him to oneself, how could a small company like Sony Pictures Classics contain two giants?

A thought kept churning in Belman’s mind: bind him, agree to him, agree to everything he wants; this is the future, this is power, this is everything...

"Mr. Cao, we have been cooperating very happily, and I am also very optimistic about your future, so some things can only be said in private.

Hollywood is different from your country, and it is also different from Europe; it is a very realistic, very clear-headed, and extremely ruthless place.

As a newcomer director entering Hollywood, even if you have won the Golden Lion, that only guarantees recognition of your directing ability, but it does not represent recognition of your box office capability.

According to my understanding of Hollywood and my own experience, for projects over ten million dollars, it is very difficult for you to have much autonomy; for those under ten million dollars, you can only be guaranteed a bit more freedom, and that is just a bit."

Even a few million dollars is not a small sum, and it didn't fall from the sky; who knows what kind of mess these art-house directors, who fancy themselves artists, might make with this money if left unchecked.

Fortunately, Cao Yang has two major advantages: he is young, and he can elevate actors.

"Relative freedom, you say?"

Cao Yang began to think quickly. What is so-called relative freedom? Can it override the producer? Probably not.

To stand firm in Hollywood for the time being, the first film must either explode at the box office or win awards.

"If—and I mean if—I can win another Golden Bear or Palme d'Or, can I have greater freedom in Hollywood?"

"That is impossible."

Belman shook his head regretfully and said to Cao Yang candidly: "Cao, I think your current path is wrong."

"Oh?"

"You have now won the Golden Lion, which fully proves your directing ability. Whether you win a Golden Bear or Palme d'Or in the short term doesn't matter; the impact won't be too great.

But there is one point that will have a huge impact on you."

Belman saw that Cao Yang was listening carefully, so he continued: "Your advantage over others is that you have produced two international Best Actresses within a year; this can also make Hollywood actresses look at you differently, and it even holds huge appeal for certain actresses who want to win awards."

"Does Mr. Belman mean?"

"Prove yourself! Prove yourself in this regard. As long as you prove once again that being able to produce a Best Actress or Best Actor is no accident, then it is more useful than winning a Golden Bear or Palme d'Or, more welcomed by Hollywood capital, and more welcomed by Hollywood stars."

"Is that so?"

"Mr. Cao, don't doubt it; a director who has won the top three European awards is definitely not as popular in Hollywood as a director who can produce a Best Actress or Best Actor."

Belman thought Cao Yang didn't believe him and hurriedly explained: "It's a very simple truth: films by Golden Lion-winning directors generally don't have very high box office returns unless they win Oscar awards.

But what about a director who can produce a Best Actress or Best Actor?

Those stars and superstars who have already proven themselves at the box office will definitely take a pay cut to join for the sake of awards, and some might even join for free. With their box office draw, the film can easily break ten million at the box office upon release; that is the reason."

Capital chases profit; when stripped to the bone, it is still driven by the word 'profit'.

"What if I produce another Best Actress from the top three European festivals?"

Belman said with a very certain tone: "As long as you can produce another Best Actress, it proves you have the extraordinary ability to coach actors. By then, when you go to Hollywood, let alone ten million, even for a twenty-million-dollar investment, there will definitely be companies very willing to give you complete autonomy."

Cao Yang carefully considered Belman's words; this line of reasoning should have some validity.

For example, suppose a superstar from the Hollywood twenty-million-dollar club, like Leonardo DiCaprio or Brad Pitt, wants to win an award and takes on an art-house film; what about their salary? Still twenty million plus points?

Don't make me laugh.

Leonardo DiCaprio later, in order to win an award, took a ten-million-dollar pay cut when filming *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* and didn't ask for a cut of the profits. Brad Pitt also took on this film and similarly took a ten-million-dollar pay cut, also without asking for a cut.

Taking a pay cut and not asking for a commission is one thing, but the most important thing is that with Leonardo and Pitt, the box office had a guarantee.

*Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* had a global box office of 329 million dollars, a North American opening weekend of 40.35 million dollars, and a total North American box office of 143 million dollars.

A box office explosion.

In the end, Pitt relied on this film to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor as he had hoped, while Leonardo cried himself to sleep in the bathroom.

It seems a director who can elevate people is more popular than a director who only knows how to win awards.

Cao Yang felt, should he seal away the script in his hand and shoot another film that can elevate people?

The next day, Cao Yang attended another private cocktail party hosted by Marco Müller; this time the scale was smaller, and there were no "desserts."

Very few people attended; besides Cao Yang and Old Tian, there were a few people from the Venice organizing committee and several members of the Venice selection committee—these were all roughly "his own people."

During the event, Old Tian asked Marco Müller if he could take the position after Venice chairman Alberto Barbera retired next year.

Old Ma lowered his head and considered for a while before shaking his head and saying in Chinese: "It's difficult. My current team is all in the selection committee, and only a few people in the organizing committee support me; the possibility of me being elected is very small."

!

"Who will take it? The chairman of the organizing committee?"

"Barbera won't let him have it."

Old Ma smiled and raised his glass to Cao Yang, who was listening from the side, and said: "But don't worry, no matter who takes over next, they won't hold all the power alone anymore, and good films will be easier to stand out."

Cao Yang nodded thoughtfully; does this mean that as long as the film quality is guaranteed, the awards will also be guaranteed?

It seems Old Ma has already stood his ground.

Old Ma is actually grateful to Cao Yang; the few people from the organizing committee here all came together with him through this cooperation.

Because he had just become the artistic director of the Venice Film Festival, he originally had no hope of moving up in next year's transition, but now at least there is a possibility of being elected.

The purpose of Old Ma hosting this cocktail party was to build relationships.

He now attaches great importance to Cao Yang; after winning the Golden Lion, he is not only one of Venice's "own people" but also a partner of Venice, the kind that achieves success together.

Perhaps at some point, he will be invited to become a member or chairman of the jury, mutually leveraging their reputations.

Cao Yang coincidentally helped him open up the situation, so he is no longer a vassal of Barbera.

"Mr. Müller..."

"I've said it before, just call me Old Ma; I like that address."

Cao Yang immediately followed suit.

"Old Ma, I don't think you and Barbera are enemies. Your foundation is in the selection committee, and you have support in the organizing committee. If you appropriately show weakness to Barbera and selectively agree to some conditions, maybe he will support you next year."

Old Ma thought carefully for a while and felt that what Cao Yang said also made sense. He could first test Barbera's intentions; if the conditions were not too harsh, as long as he could become the chairman of the Venice Film Festival, what would it matter to agree for the time being?

Furthermore, if Sony Pictures Classics knew he was running for chairman of the Venice Film Festival, they should be very happy too, right? Who wouldn't want a powerful ally?

As for mk2, their main connections are in Cannes, but they all operate in the European film circle; who can be sure they don't have hidden connections in Venice? Wouldn't they want to have a Venice Film Festival chairman as a backer?

Everyone working together, it wouldn't be bad to try.

First of all, thank you all for your consistent support, thank you brothers for your monthly tickets and recommendations, and thank you "Shiguang 1979" and "Banbanzhi" for the tips over the past two days. Sorry, I am only posting a message to thank everyone now. It was mainly because I was affected by the comment section a few days ago, which led to me being a bit out of state these past few days. I haven't written a novel in over ten years, so I care a lot about the reading experience of you brothers. I basically read every comment, and I reply to most of them. Seeing the feedback affected my rhythm a bit. I will adjust as soon as possible. Thank you all again for your support, thank you.

(End of chapter)