Exploiting Hollywood 1980

The chairman of the jury has a great influence on the Cannes awards. This year, the chairman of the Cannes Palme d'Or jury is an old handsome guy - Yves Montand (Yves Montand).

He is a famous singer and star with dual nationality of Italy and China. Among a jury of Souville directors, British producers, Polish directors, and American novelists, he stood out.

"Why let a crappy actor who is a singer be the jury president?" Ronald sat down to dinner with manager Richard and Daydream's distribution manager Michele Cannold. Holding the journal, he was very puzzled by the taste of the organizing committee.

"Ha, Ronald. You should understand. The film festival itself, like a movie, needs a publicity gimmick. In Hollywood, the marketing cost of a movie without a star is more than double that of a movie with a star." .”

Richard has been here for a few days, and he has seen too many promotional materials of the film festival, Yves Montand's old face, and knows that Cannes has chosen a star to be the chairman for its own popularity.

This old handsome guy also has a certain reputation in America. Like Alain Deron, he is one of the most famous handsome stars in Western European countries.

Americans are most familiar with his affair with Marilyn Monroe, who starred in one of Monroe's last films, "Let's Make Love".

"Being a judge is a very serious matter, and it is also very difficult. There are 300 films submitted for selection in Cannes a year, and only 20 films are selected for the Grand Jury Award and the Palme d'Or. We judges are like lumberjacks. Hack, chop, chop...it hurts my heart that all choices have to be judged on the basis of art."

Yves Montand was being interviewed on TV, and Cannold's assistant could speak French, and he translated on-site for those present.

Ronald sees Yves Montand on TV,

The bags under the eyes are swollen, and the eyes are dull. It can be seen that the face is swollen caused by excessive indulgence. I thought to myself, how dare this person talk about art?

"Behind all these movies are the great efforts of the director. We can't blame the director for the problems of the finished film because of other people's mistakes. Maybe the actors are not in good condition today, or the lighting person is distracted, or the editing A man cuts the body into three parts, and puts the head and tail back together..."

"Puchi..." Ronald laughed until the water spewed out of his mouth, and he quickly wiped it off with a napkin. Everything in Cannes is expensive during the film festival, and the price of mineral water has caught up with the usual Bordeaux red wine.

This Yves Montand, I don't know why he started to praise the director. The author-director theory that Mao people insist on is that the director controls all aspects of the film and is responsible for the final effect of the film. When it comes to Yves Montand, mistakes can be shirked to others, and the honor belongs to the director.

"If only I was making a movie in Hair Country, I would be praised like this."

"Uh... I'm afraid Cannes doesn't like our film very much, and it's impossible to even enter the minor competition. We're just doing the premiere at the film festival." Michelle Cannold thought that Ronald wanted to participate, and said quickly I made my own observations.

First of all, Cannes doesn't like blockbuster movies, and they don't like classic narrative methods that please audiences. Finally, they hate Hollywood and think that commercial movies have gone astray.

"Don't worry, I'm just joking," Ronald certainly understood that he had no chance at Cannes. Moreover, I have also filmed "Top Gun", a film that touts America's military strength. If American directors were not anti-war, they would not be popular in Cannes at all.

"But it's enough for us to be welcomed by the audience."

Cannold took out the finished poster, which showed Jennifer Gray's flying skirt and Patrick Schwyz's muscular body.

"Very good, how about our audience reservations?" Ronald put down his knife and fork, and asked about the attendance of the premiere.

"Very good. The audience here still remembers your 'Breakdance', and they are very enthusiastic when they see you bring another dance movie. Tickets for our premiere are hard to come by, and we are trying to find a way to screen another one."

"Very well, I'll go find Minahan and see if he can do anything. Cannonball is now the biggest producer and sponsor of the Cannes Film Festival, and the roadside from the airport is full of their advertisements."

That night, Ronald fell jet-lagged in a small hotel in Cannes. Every time the awards season comes, the hotel is fully booked, and the price of this small hotel is also ridiculously expensive.

He took off his shoes and socks and curled his toes on the carpet like a fist.

Ronald remembered the little trick he dreamed about on the plane, and did it a few times, and it felt a little effective. The congestion at the extremities of the whole person due to flying has improved a lot.

Since practicing the breathing method of yoga, Ronald seems to be more likely to dream about movies. However, this kind of triggered dream is not as long and clear as before, and there is often only a small clip, and I don't know which movie it is.

The pace was so slow at the beginning, and it took a minute to shoot after getting off the plane. I'm afraid it's a slow-paced feature film?

Ronald found a notebook and wrote down the scene, took a hot bath, and fell asleep.

This sleep was very heavy, and Ronald didn't dream of anything. The morning sun shone through the window on the bed, and the warm feeling woke Ronald up.

"Go find Minahan." After breakfast, Ronald walked to the hotel where the cannon man stayed with his manager Richard.

"The current Cannes (es) Film Festival is really going to be renamed the Cannon () Film Festival."

On the roadside billboards, there are also movie posters of Cannon Pictures everywhere. There are two at most, one is "Superman IV" and the other is Masters of the Universe.

The strong figures of Christopher Reeve and Dolph Longer above attracted many girls from China to stop and watch.

"Why are there no posters of other movies? There are many logos of the Cannon Company?"

Ronald didn't quite understand the arrangement of the cannons. These advertising spaces definitely cost a lot of money. Why didn't they display movie posters, instead they vacated them for the company logo?

"I heard that many Cannon films have been postponed this year, and the main focus will be on these two films." Richard participated in many activities in Cannes and told Ronald some of the news he heard.

"Oh," Ronald nodded. These two movies have a lot of special effects. Minahan also said that the two movies are still in post-production, and they must be a blockbuster, bringing Superman back to the American audience.

"Minahan, where's Minahan?" Arriving at the hotel where the Cannon Man stayed, Ronald saw a group of people surrounding their president Yoram.

He was wearing a white long-sleeved T-shirt, beige pants, and a pair of big sunglasses on his face. People around him surrounded him like they were treating a king.

"Where's your money? Why hasn't the money been paid? I've always done business by handing over the money and delivering the goods. Everyone competes fairly."

Most of the people around are movie buyers from all over the world. Many of them can't speak English, and they can't understand the outline of the story on the poster. They only know that it is Superman. Lunger.

But this is what makes them wave their checks and buy a copy of Yoram's cannon to play. Hollywood big stars, who doesn't like to watch? Anyway, if it's Superman, or Seaman similar to Superman, if he can't understand what he says, it won't prevent the audience from understanding the plot.

"Ronald", Yoram saw Ronald coming in, and immediately parted ways to hug him.

"I'm so glad to see you again in Cannes. I'm reminded of the past when I was here. How about this dance film, will it be released overseas and handed over to Cannon? You know my reputation Yes, payment has never been a problem."

"Okay, you have already talked with my subordinate Michel Cannold, and I will hand over the issue to him."

Ronald didn't know much about overseas distribution, so he entrusted Kannold with carte blanche. Anyway, the price is high.

"Everyone, do you know him? This is Ronald Lee, the director of our previous Cannon dance blockbuster, Breakdance. He made another dance movie this year. If you are interested, you can talk to him and me Okay, we're all good friends."

When those buyers from various countries heard that Ronald was the director of "Breakdance", they immediately rushed up to surround him, speaking English with various accents, and wanted to buy his movies.

"Break dancing" has become all the rage in Europe and Asian countries in recent years. The closing ceremony of the 1984 Olympic Games was broadcast globally, which led to a wave of break dancing all over the world. Just scratched in these backward countries.

Their fashion trends are always one or two years behind America.

"Okay, you guys go talk to my manager Cannold about it. We have a premiere in a few days, and you can watch it if you like."

Ronald was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of these people, but Richard helped him block some people.

"How? Our cooperation is a match made in heaven. Your film is popular with audiences in the third world, and we have a complete global distribution channel."

"I still say the same thing, find Kannold. Under the same conditions, I will definitely find you Cannon. By the way, where is Minahan? Why didn't I see him." Ronald didn't want to be taken advantage of, so he casually shirked the appointment Ram asked him to let go of his request now.

"He's talking about the production with a few star actors, and he's in the room. You...you take Ronald up to find my cousin." Yoram ordered an assistant to take Ronald upstairs.

"Relax, relax, we will praise you as Stallone's successor, it just takes a little time. Do you think you are worse than Stallone, Dove? But fame takes time. If your Masters of the Universe) fame, you're a star, right?"

When Ronald entered the door, he saw Minahan chatting with the muscular Dolph Lundgren.

"Minahan!" Ronald called to him.

"Ronald, let me introduce you. This is Lundgren, another action star of our Cannonball." Minahan was very happy to see Ronald coming.

"I've seen your performance, and it's impressive." Ronald shook hands with Lundgren politely. In the Rocky series of movies, he played the boxer of the Suwell League. In the first two movies, Rocky killed his opponent, friend, and coach, the black boxing champion Apollo.

Of course, Ronald was being polite. Lundgren only showed off his muscles in that movie, and he had no acting skills at all.

However, this kind of explosive muscles actually does not require acting skills to play a villain. A block bigger than Stallone, the audience knew it was a Russian Hercules at a glance.

"Minahan, I don't care what you say, I will be interviewed by the media myself. Sorry, Ronald, we meet under this condition."

Lundgren puffed up his biceps at Minahan. Make a gesture to frighten him. Then nodded with Ronald and went out.

"Ronald, I made you laugh. Duff wants to become famous, but his film is still in the final stage and it has not been released in Cannes. He is a little unhappy that he has no chance to hold a press conference after he comes."

"Oh, are you okay?" Ronald thought to himself, if he was fooled by Minahan like this, he could only help sell copies as a model at the exhibition, and didn't have the chance to enjoy celebrity treatment and accept media interviews, I'm afraid he would be dissatisfied.

"It's okay", it's just fine for me to go down for a walk with you.

The two went down the stairs, and Minahan didn't mention the "Dirty Dancing" thing, "Now Yoram is in charge of most of the distribution and pre-sale business, and I am mainly in charge of production. So when your movie is released, I will let Yoram Talk to your people. We still talk about movies, and at heart, I'm an artist."

"Of course..." Ronald sensed the rising and falling power of the two brothers within the cannon. He did prefer to chat more with Minahan, who was determined to make a movie.

The two walked out of the hotel, put on sunglasses, and walked in the Cannes sunshine.

"Minahan, you liar, why did you agree to invest in my movie?"

The two of them walked for a while, when an actress with heavy eyeshadow, combed hair high, wearing a black leather jacket and high heels suddenly rushed in front of them and began to curse.

"Ah..." Ronald was taken aback and jumped a step to the side.

This woman was dressed like a medieval witch. What was especially important was that her leather jacket was still low-cut, and her tall white figure appeared right in front of Ronald.

"Cassandra, Cassandra, the Lost City of Gold, failed at the box office, it's not our fault. Who let that actor named Stone screw up all the performances? The script I promised you must also Will be shooting.

But you have to be patient, patient. The most important thing to make a film is patience. "

"Hmph, how many months have you told me to be patient? I'm already impatient. Wouldn't I be able to shoot 'Ecstasy' without you? I'm dressed like this, my wife, just to find some big money backers in Cannes , shoot by yourself."

"Cassandra, come on, did we agree? This will be your famous work. Right, you don't trust me, don't you trust Ronald?"

Minahan said, pushing Ronald out.

"Hello, Cassandra." Ronald remembered the actress who played the female villain in the Indiana Jones flick, "The Lost City of Gold."

"I remember the one who gave you a business card. Do you have any good scripts? Go talk to my daydreaming script assistant."

"Really? When I get to Los Angeles, I'll look for it right away..."

"Is this your costume in the script?" Ronald asked her, looking at the strange costume.

"Yes, yes, I dressed up like this on purpose to find a rich man who is willing to invest."

"Then good luck to you." Ronald shook hands with her, which was really impressive.

"They always ask for too much, too fast. We, Cannon, also have a long-term plan for cultivating stars." Minahan lost face in front of Ronald, and hurriedly tried to make up for it.

"Of course, Stallone is still there, and the audience won't go to see Lundgren's muscles." Ronald echoed.

The two walked to the beach, where the spring breeze was blowing, and the sun was very comfortable.

"Have we not taken a photo for a long time?" Ronald felt that the blue sky, white clouds, sandy beach and coast are very beautiful here, so he wanted to take a photo with his old friend Minahan.

"I have a camera here." Minahan pulled out a small Rollei camera.

"Excuse me, can you take a group photo for us?" Ronald found a young man and woman with their backs to him, and asked them politely for help.

"Ronald, why are you?"

"Yeah, why is it you? Isabella, who is this?"

Ronald realized that the person wearing a plain T-shirt, trousers and sandals, no make-up, who looked like a tourist rather than a film practitioner was actually Isabella Rossellini.

Ronald and she haven't been seen much since her divorce from Martin Scorsese. All I know is that she became a model for Lancôme and took pictures of her boyfriend David Lynch's "Blue Velvet".

But this time, the man next to her was not Lynch, but another European-looking man, about the same age as Isabella.

"My mother likes Hair Country, and used to live here for a while every year. I also want to enjoy a peaceful life. Not so many people here recognize me."

Isabella Rossini wore no make-up and was plainly dressed. At first glance, it is not very recognizable.

"Ah, it's impossible. Anyone who has seen Ms. Bergman's movie will not fail to recognize you." Minahan stepped forward to hold Isabella's hand and shook it vigorously. He is a loyal fan of Hollywood's golden age, and he was overjoyed to meet Bergman's daughter.

"This is Mr. Minahan Golan, the spokesperson for Cannon Pictures."

Ronald introduced each other to them, "This is?"

Now I have to introduce it if I don’t, so Ronald had no choice but to ask if Isabella went on a secret trip with her lover.

"Hahahaha..." Isabella saw the expression on Ronald's face and guessed his thoughts, "This is Roberto, my brother."

"Oh, it's been a long time", Ronald thought, it's really a long time. Isn't this the pregnant child that led Bergman to leave her husband and elope with Italian director Rossellini?

"Hi, let me take pictures for you." Roberto took the Rollei camera and asked Ronald and Minahan to stand together to take a few pictures. Then there's a photo of Isabella with the two of them.

"This year is the 40th anniversary of Cannes. The organizer will hold a birthday party. Will you go, Ronald?"

Isabella is a supermodel, she posed in a few random poses, and took a photo with Minahan, which made him laugh happily.

"I'm not a director participating in the competition. The organizing committee probably didn't give me an invitation."

"How can I do that? I'll ask someone to give you one." Because of her parents, Isabella has many senior acquaintances in the film industry in Hair Country and Italy. If she hadn't developed in America, it would have been easy to enter the European film circle.

"You must come." Isabella asked about Ronald's hotel, waved to him, and left with her brother.

"She really looks like Bergman." Minahan was still sighing.

Ronald shook his head, this buddy is too obsessed with the Hollywood of the past. The current audience, the market, is completely different from the past. Television attracts most of the adult audience, only the stars they are interested in, or the plot can attract them back to the movie theater.

Repeating the classic movie plots of the past like this will definitely not make a big-selling movie.

"Hey", Ronald didn't know what to say, and patted Minahan on the shoulder. This old friend is actually a movie buff, and he wants to restore the glory of Hollywood in the past, and he also wants to restore the era of big studios, when stars and studios are bound, and the rhythm of making four or five movies a year.

Is it because he has a deep love for classic Hollywood movies, or is he only eager for a sword?

In any case, the glory of Hollywood movies in the past has long gone with the advent of television. To make a movie now, you still need to use some new thinking.

"I said, you don't seem to have many films shown in Cannes this year." Ronald asked Minahan on the way back.

"The special effects of the two major productions that were originally scheduled to be released in Cannes are still being produced, so there is nothing we can do. Fortunately, Cannon has a good reputation, and those movie buyers from all over the world still trust us."

"Then do you have any extra screenings here that you can share with me for 'Dirty Dancing'?"

"Of course, your overseas release... Forget it, let Yoram talk to you. I can't wait to see your second dance movie."

Minahan regained his enthusiasm and pulled Ronald to chat about "dirty dancing".

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