Chapter Five Hundred and Forty-Two Puzzling Invitations

Allen just shrugged slightly when he heard Claudia's words. Eric, who was looking through the documents, noticed the assistant's small movement and shook his head helplessly. Please search (&￥) to see the most complete! fastest updated novel

His move this time is indeed different from the past. When he invested in companies such as Cisco and America Online, the development prospects of these companies were relatively clear, and the funds involved were not too much. Even the three network companies such as Yahoo invested and established, the initial investment was only at the level of tens of millions.

But this time the situation is very different. As a large-scale group company in Finland, Nokia is in trouble, but according to the collected financial data, this camel who is about to die still has 1.1 billion The book assets are around US dollars, and from Eric's personal opinion, of course, the more shares he gets, the better. If he can swallow them all, he doesn't mind throwing all the funds from Firefly Investments.

Eric stayed in Berlin for a few more days, then moved to Paris with the creative team of "Jurassic Park" to prepare for the film's French premiere.

At this time, the time has come to mid-July. "Jurassic Park" has been released in North America for six weeks, and the box office easily exceeded 300 million US dollars. For "Jurassic Park" still has a strong stamina in North America. The media has changed from the astonishment of breaking 100 million in the first week to the current numbness. It is almost no suspense that the North American box office of the film will exceed 400 million US dollars in the next few weeks. The discussion does not seem to be so heated. After all, whether it is 400 million or 500 million, for most Hollywood films, it is like a person looking up at the stars in the sky. Few people will think about whether a certain star is far away. One hundred light-years, or one thousand light-years, those seem too far away.

"Jurassic Park" also surpassed $300 million at the overseas box office in its sixth week, bringing the total to $600 million. Among them, the UK box office, which was released at the same time as North America, was particularly eye-catching. The box office reached 57 million pounds in six weeks of release, and the total box office is expected to exceed a high of 70 million pounds. At the same time, "Jurassic Park" in France, Spain, Japan and other overseas ticket warehouse countries will also be released in the near future. Especially Japan, which is a country obsessed with monsters. Although there are no specific numbers in Eric's memory, the box office of "Jurassic Park" in Japan definitely exceeded 100 million US dollars.

Although "Jurassic Park" is reaping wildly at the box office around the world. Create one box office miracle after another. But this miraculous film was not able to arouse a positive response from the local media in any country or region. In recent months, the media in many European countries have used an almost wolf-like tone to evaluate "Jurassic Park", especially in France, where Eric is based at this time.

as the birthplace of film. The French have always been very proud of their country's film industry, and French films have indeed had a very glorious period. In order to welcome the box-office monster "Jurassic Park" and defend the "dignity" of French films, the French The most expensive film in film history, "Budding", was placed on the same schedule as "Jurassic Park".

The production cost of this film, adapted from the French literary masterpiece "Sprouting", reached 164 million francs, which is about more than 30 million US dollars. It was jointly invested by more than ten French film companies. Highest movie.

Eric had only one thought in mind for the French's reaction. Why bother?

"Sprouting" tells the tragic life experience of French miners in the late 19th century. It lasts for nearly three hours. It can be said to be an absolutely boring film. Take such a film and the entertaining "Jurassic" Park" was a hard hit at the box office, and Eric couldn't think of the second outcome at all.

Moreover, the timing is very sensitive now, this year is the last year of GATT negotiations. In order to establish the World Trade Organization, after years of wrangling, North American and European countries finally reached a consensus on most of the terms. Right now, the U.S. government is striving for Hollywood movies to have the same economic status as physical properties, but European countries have proposed 'cultural Exception' argument, for that. Some famous Hollywood directors have also set off an airborne debate with European filmmakers.

With Eric's current position, of course he wants to stand on the side of Hollywood. In order not to stir up the emotions of the French media, after the simple premiere, Eric canceled most of the crew's promotional schedule in France, and sent the other creators to the next stop in Madrid, Spain. Anyway, "Jurassic Park" The topic is already high enough in Europe, and some publicity activities are scaled back. It won't affect the French box office of "Jurassic Park" too much.

While promoting the movie, Eric has not stopped discussing Nokia matters with Chris by phone in private. Chris has decided to bring the Firefly Investment team to Europe in person, and Eric has temporarily stayed in Paris.

Compared with the resistance of the media and cultural circles to Hollywood movies, the local French film production and distribution companies are extremely eager to invest and distribute Hollywood movies. Astute businessmen can see that the decline of French movies is irreversible, and capital is chasing profits. OK, French studios certainly know what to do.

In a hotel on the banks of the Seine in Paris, Eric was sitting leisurely on the balcony of the hotel, with a touch of heat from the coffee cup on the small round table beside him. The Eiffel Tower soaring into the clouds.

Hearing the sound of the door slamming, Eric looked back, and Allen walked in with a stack of documents.

"Eric, the first-day box office news of Jurassic Park and Germination has been counted," Allen put the information in his hand on the round table beside Eric, and took out a copy and handed it to Eric. he.

Eric walked around the street in the dark last night, and several movie theaters passed by had parties buying tickets, so he had already anticipated it, and did not rush to open the information handed over by Allen, but He took out a floppy disk from his laptop and handed it to Allen: "This is a script idea I thought of a few days ago. Send it back to Los Angeles and ask them to register the copyright."

The script on the floppy disk was exactly the "Wonderful Night at the Museum" that came to mind after accompanying Caroline to visit Berlin's Museum Island that day. Eric also used his spare time to type out the script.

Allen didn't ask much, put away the floppy disk, introduced the materials just sent, and took out an invitation letter from the folder: "This is from Mr. There's a celebratory reception for a movie tonight. I want to invite you."

Eric opened the box office data of "Jurassic Park" and "Germint", frowned slightly, and asked casually, "What movie?"

"The name of the movie is "Fang Fang". I just checked it. It is a love movie. It was released in early June and starred two famous French movie stars. Vincent Perez and Sophie Marceau, The film has been well received in both European and Asian markets." Allen briefly introduced. I didn't talk about the box office data of "Fang Fang". After all, in the face of "Jurassic Park", the box office of this love movie seems to be a bit insignificant.

Eric still had a hint of helplessness in his brows. Hearing Alan's introduction, he didn't even think about it. He asked casually based on his memory: "Sophie Marceau paid 1 million francs for leaving Gaumont. Liquidated damages, aren't the two sides deadlocked, why are they cooperating again?"

Ellen didn't know about it. Sophie Marceau's influence is more in France and the Far East, and Hollywood has not noticed the French Rose: "I don't know about this, Eric, do you want to check it?"

Eric was stunned for a while, then he reacted, shook his head and said, "No, I just suddenly thought of this."

Sophie Marceau broke up with Gaumont for the filming of Zuraski's "Wild Love". Most of the time, they appear in the actress's magazine articles. In the final analysis, it is just to beautify the actress' image, and there are more elements of publicity. Moreover, the conversion of one million francs is less than two hundred thousand dollars, for a well-known European actress. It's not too big a financial burden. Maybe Sophie Marceau and Gao Meng Film Company just couldn't talk for a while. Everyone went their separate ways temporarily. To be more realistic, now that European films are in decline, there are very few companies capable of producing commercial films, and the French Rose has few choices.

"Then." Allen pointed to the invitation letter: "The reception tonight?"

Eric shook his head. He didn't know what the so-called celebration party was, because during this time, the French media had hyped the situation of the confrontation between "Sprouting" and "Jurassic Park", if there were any media present. , will definitely be asked about the box office of "Jurassic Park" and "Sprouting". With a sigh, Eric took another look at the data in his hand. "Jurassic Park" was 6.6 million francs on the first day in France, and "Jurassic Park" was 6.6 million francs. Jurassic Park, which was released on a comparable scale, only had a box office of over 1 million. No matter how he answered, or even if he did not, as long as his figure appeared in the newspaper tomorrow, it was estimated that he would be fired.

Allen could also feel some of Eric's concerns and said, "In this case, I will call and reject the other party. In addition, Mr. Hansen will arrive in Paris at about ten o'clock tomorrow morning. I have already reserved the hotel room. K, is there anything else to add?"

"No, that's it."

Allen nodded, turned and left Eric's room. As soon as he came to the corridor, the mobile phone on Allen's waist rang. After a few words, Allen pushed Eric's phone away again. The door, came to Eric and handed over the mobile phone: "Eric, Mr. Jack Valenti's phone."

Jack Valenti?

Eric was a little confused. Jack Valenti was the chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America. Eric had only seen each other once at the Motion Picture Association annual meeting last year. He was a little confused about how Jack Valenti called him. here.

However, Jack Valenti has been the chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America since 1966. He has been in this position for nearly 30 years, and it seems that he will continue to do so. The chairman of the Motion Picture Association, a politician, has been Committed to the expansion of the Hollywood film territory in the world, so his status in Hollywood is very respected. Eric did not neglect, and quickly took the mobile phone handed over by Allen. The two chatted briefly and hung up. on the phone.

Allen just faintly heard the voice coming from the microphone was a little rushed, but he didn't know the content. After Eric hung up the phone, he said to Allen: "Get ready, I will go to the Gao Meng Film Company tonight to participate in the event. "Fang Fang" held a celebration reception."

Noticing Eric's solemn appearance, Allen asked, "Do you want to prepare another dress for you?"

"No, the outfit you wore at the premiere is fine."

Eric returned the mobile phone to Allen, still thinking about the reason why Jack Valentine appeared. Judging from the current situation, Eric expected that the other party should be for the GATT that was being negotiated.

The Motion Picture Association of America is not only the agency responsible for the classification of Hollywood films, but also the spokesperson for Hollywood's interests. The Motion Picture Association of America must be involved in the negotiations on the film aspect of the GATT. Although the interests of Firefly are also involved, Eric Can't think of a reason why Jack Valenti contacted him directly.

...

At night, the hotel's limousine slowly drove into a mansion on the banks of the Seine in the western suburbs of Paris. As soon as Eric got out of the car, he saw a group of people warmly greeted him.

Seeing these people at first glance, Eric realized that this celebration reception was unusual. Nicholas Seydoux of Gaumont Films was no surprise, and Jack Valenti also said hello beforehand, but , what is the matter with the president of the German Konstantin Films I just met last week, and some other familiar faces.

"Eric, I'm glad you came over," Nicholas Seydoux took the lead in hugging Eric warmly, and then introduced the others to Eric one by one.

Needless to say, the president of Constantine Films, in addition to the German New World Film Company, the president of France's Fourth Television Station, and the head of the Vivendi Group's film department...

What surprised Eric even more was that even John Cali, the president of MGM Pictures, appeared here, and the current actual controller of MGM Pictures is Crédit Lyon.

In general, these people are basically the heads of the most famous film companies in Europe. At the end of the introduction, Eric can only socialize first with the mind of a soldier coming to block.

"Okay, guys, give me and the little guy some time," Jack Valenti said aloud after Nicholas Seydoux finished his introduction. Everyone agreed, and Jack Valenti sent Eric a message. With a glance, the two walked all the way into the villa of the mansion, passed through the crowd of guests in twos and threes, and led them to a suite under the guidance of the waiter.

"You must be very confused now, right?" Jack Valenti asked Eric to sit down on the sofa with a smile on his face.

The gray-haired and sharp-eyed old man in front of him is the most solid spokesperson for Hollywood's interests. Eric nodded without concealment. Although he has realized something, Eric is not worried that the other party will do something bad for Firefly Pictures. Otherwise, Jack Valenti would not have been able to hold the position of chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America for decades. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)

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