Five Hundred and Fortieth Chapters Really Stupid

Jack Valenti smiled unabated, and said to Eric, who was full of doubts: "Little guy, Jurassic Park has caused me a lot of trouble for this old man during this period of time."

Eric had already guessed something and asked, "About the GATT?"

"Yeah," Jack Valenti nodded and said, "You should know that I have been working on the film clauses of the GATT for the past few years. Many things have already been negotiated, but Since the release of "Jurassic Park" in early June, there has been a relatively strong rebound in European countries." Jack Valenti said, looked up at Eric, and continued with a smile: "I last month I wanted to talk to you about this from the beginning, but you, this little guy, has been erratic, and I am very busy with my personal affairs, and I can't always find the right time. This time I finally caught the opportunity."

Eric was very aware of the final negotiation result of the GATT, so he was not too worried, and said, "Mr. Valenti, then this time..."

Jack Valenti waved his hand and said, "Listen to me first. Regarding the negotiations on the GATT, we Hollywood did not intervene in other aspects, but in the negotiation of movies, apart from the normal process, because With Hollywood's absolute dominance, we also need to win over these local European film forces to speak for us, so as to force European governments to the greatest extent possible to agree to include films in the final agreement of the GATT. The 'breaking point,' the power Washington has even mobilized, everyone is working hard for this."

Eric heard it very clearly. If he was not the owner of Firefly Pictures, Jack Valenti would not have said it so straightforwardly. In the final analysis, it was a 'benefit' to win over the local film forces in Europe. Some of the efforts of European officials are naturally not to worry about in seven aspects. Hollywood is related to millions of jobs in the United States and an annual trade surplus of billions of dollars. It is impossible for the Washington authorities not to do their best. However, in terms of movies, the Seventh Congress must make its own efforts. The most violent conflict with Hollywood. Of course, there are local film forces in European countries. If these people cannot be appeased, then, under the strong interference of such a force, even the government of European countries intends to compromise. Relevant agreements are also difficult to sign.

At this point, Eric had basically guessed the reason why Jack Valenti contacted him.

"Mr. Valenti, are those people outside?" Eric pointed to the direction of the hall outside the door.

Jack Valenti nodded and said, "So, little guy, this time, I'll ask you to be more generous and give these greedy guys some sweetness, so that they won't come out and make trouble, and even speak for Hollywood."

Although Eric respects this old man who is running around for the benefit of Hollywood. But you can't be a good-fortune boy like this for no reason: "Mr. Valenti,

This should be done by Hollywood, right? "

"Of course, everyone should do it together. I have talked to Warner, Universal, and Paramount film companies separately. However, you should have heard the saying that the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility. With such a dazzling performance in the past year, it should be paid more."

Eric realized there was no escape this time. Although this matter is not compulsory, if other film companies do what they should do, Firefly refuses to cooperate, maybe someone will make a note in the notebook.

Jake Valenti just mentioned that "Jurassic Park" brought trouble to his work. He didn't complain too much, but Eric was able to see the huge resistance that Jurassic Park brought to the GATT negotiation from the recent European media trends, and smiled helplessly: " Mr. Valenti, all I can say is do your best, I'm not a superhero, if they're lions talking. I think it's better for them to go to Captain America."

Jack Valenti laughed and said, "It's enough to have you."

Eric asked again at this time: "Mr. Valenti, may I know what the conditions offered by Warners are?"

Jack Valenti nodded and said, "Of course, the main promise includes the priority to authorize the distribution rights of Hollywood movies, and to receive a certain amount of European capital every year to participate in film investment indiscriminately."

Investing in the production and agency distribution of Hollywood movies can be said to be the two main ways for overseas capital to join Hollywood. The current promise is nothing more than the two words of priority and indiscriminate.

There are also good and bad Hollywood movies, and movies that sell well at the box office will definitely attract more competitors in the process of overseas distribution. At this time, if you have the priority, it will be easier to get an agency distribution contract.

Undifferentiated investment is equivalent to putting a certain amount of capital into most of the films of a film company on average, instead of investing in projects that the film company is not optimistic about, or investing in the projects of independent production companies, as in the past. Among them, this model is equivalent to sharing profits and losses with the film company. If the film company makes money, the investors will definitely make money. If the film company loses, these investors will also lose money. In recent years, not many movie companies have lost money among the seven Hollywood giants.

Eric thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Valenti, the issue of distribution rights is negotiable, but indiscriminate investment is more difficult for Firefly to accept."

"These are all things that can be discussed," Jack Valenti said with a smile, "Of course I know the situation of Firefly. Last year, Firefly's profit was the envy of many people. However, I just want you to know, Airi K..." Jack Valenti took his expression and even changed his official name: "This negotiation concerns the interests of the entire Hollywood, so it is definitely not the time to be stingy. If this negotiation breaks down, the next I don’t know how long it will take to negotiate this kind of progress. The GATT has been wrangling since 1947. It has been entangled for more than 40 years. During this period, it has broken down many times, and this time is the one with the highest degree of completion. "

After listening, Eric nodded solemnly. Although the GATT in 1993 was successfully signed in his memory, Eric was not sure if he would mess up something that should have happened because of his butterfly. .

Jack Valenti noticed Eric's expression, smiled with relief, and reached out and patted Eric's knee. Said: "Eric, you know, I can't force you to agree to any conditions, what you do is for your own sake. I can't get any benefit from this old man, although you are very young, but since you are at this age To be able to make such an achievement, I think you must understand the stakes. Although the Hollywood Seven has always been a competitive relationship in China, in the face of external forces, the interests are always the same, and in major events related to the future of Hollywood Everyone should do their best.”

Eric was able to realize that Jack Valentine was so earnest and sincere because he still felt that he was too young, so he could only nod solemnly again: "Mr. Valenti, I will do my best."

"This way I can rest assured," Jack Valenti stood up and said, "I don't know their specific requirements. You need to communicate with each other in person. Let's go, these greedy guys must be waiting."

Returning to the outside hall, the reception has already begun. In the bright and brilliant lights, the hall is crowded with people, gathering in twos and threes, or toasting or whispering, and there are also couples of men and women on the dance floor accompanied by gentleness. The sound of music danced slowly.

but. But when the door of a room on the west side of the hall opened, the whole hall seemed to be quiet for a second, and then the atmosphere just returned. The group of people who first greeted Eric in person also gathered again one after another.

Eric talked to these people with a constant smile, and the group came to a relatively quiet corner unknowingly. There is a sofa set here.

The waiter brought champagne to everyone, and Nicholas Seydoux, the host, asked, "Eric, you don't seem to have a female companion?"

Because she had several movie contracts with her, after Claudia signed her endorsement contract, she hurriedly returned to Los Angeles, and even the follow-up commercials had to be shot in a Los Angeles studio. Of course it is impossible to stay in Europe with Eric all the time.

"Who made me not have a girlfriend," Eric shrugged.

Everyone laughed lightly, and Nicolas Seydoux continued: "Girls in France are very warm and romantic. You can chat with them later."

Eric glanced at the men and women walking in and out of the hall, and said with a smile, "I want to chat with them more now."

There was another burst of laughter in the corner.

A group of people said a few innocuous words. At this time, different forces basically got together, and even belonged to different countries, and in this situation, of course, it was impossible to talk about specific things, Eric just In the subsequent chat, he revealed that he would continue to stay in Paris for a week or so, and hinted that Firefly would cooperate with them, and everyone quickly dispersed with satisfaction. Jack Valenti didn't stay at the party for long. In less than half an hour, the old man received a call and had to leave in a hurry.

Eric shuttled through the party hall, took business cards one after another from the people just now, and made a preliminary appointment for some time. Although there were no substantive issues involved in the conversation, he would wait for these things to be done. After that, more than an hour passed quietly.

Eric was just about to rest for a while, and accidentally saw a brunette in a black halter evening dress in the crowd, and then he remembered the theme of this evening's party, the celebration reception of "Fang Fang".

Although the film "Fang Fang" is like many French films, the plot is a bit scattered as always, but the details are full of delicacy, the first meeting on a rainy night, dinner in a strange mansion, waking up on the beach, staring at the mirror And so on, they have left a deep impact on people, and Eric's favorite is undoubtedly the shot of Sophie dancing in the mirror with a brisk jazz little girl.

"Hello, Miss Marceau," Eric changed a glass of red wine from the waiter's hand and walked over without hesitation. The young man who was chatting with Sophie Marceau saw Eric and raised his hand consciously. Raised a glass and walked away.

Sophie Marceau seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. When facing Eric, the irritability between her brows was still clear. As the most eye-catching woman at the party, there must be many people who came to talk to Sophie Marceau. Although Suo knew Eric's identity, his tone did not appear to be very warm, and said lightly: "Hello, Mr. Williams, nice to meet you."

Eric didn't mind the girl's indifferent tone, and looked at the French rose up close. It looks more pure and moving, Sophie Marceau feels like a delicate work of art to Eric, even in her movies, this woman is really beautiful. So beautiful that Eric often thinks that such a stunner shouldn't even be in those rough art films with blurry quality.

Noticing the look between the girl's brows, Eric asked, "Is there something bothering you, Miss Marceau?"

"No, Mr. Williams." Sophie Marceau shook her head with a light tone, and gestured to Eric with a toast.

Eric took a sip of red wine and said, "Then, let me guess, do you not like this party very much?"

"So what?" Sophie Marceau raised her eyebrows slightly and said.

Eric smiled and said, "If that's the case, maybe I can help you solve this trouble?"

"How to deal with it?"

Eric said, "How about I take you away?"

"This is too rude," Sophie Marceau shook her head.

Eric smiled and didn't answer immediately. He made a gesture of invitation to Sophie Marceau and walked out of the crowd. Sophie Marceau hesitated a little and followed. Eric took Sophie Marceau away from the crowd and came to the terrace of the villa, and a man and a woman who had been chatting on the terrace noticed them coming. The girl was about to say something. The young man just patted the girl on the back, smiled and said hello to Eric, and left with his girlfriend.

The terrace is in the same style as this villa. Outside the finely crafted stone guardrail is a small garden, which looks lush under the bright street lamps of the manor. At this time, there are also twos and threes in the garden.

Eric leaned comfortably on the stone railing, looking at the girl beside him who couldn't help taking a deep breath. Said: "Is it a lot easier?"

"Don't you like parties either?" Sophie Marceau asked rhetorically.

"Party is a place that should be able to bring joy to people, and no matter how bad it is, it should be able to make people relax after a long day of work. If the whole party is approaching you with various purposes I don't think anyone can get the fun they deserve from a party like this."

Sophie Marceau followed Eric's example, leaning against the railing, dragging the red wine glass that was almost finished in her hand. A girlish slyness suddenly appeared in his expression: "Then what is your purpose of approaching me?"

"I think I should have known you in my last life, so I came up to say hello," Eric said 'truthfully'.

Sophie Marceau was stunned for a moment, and suddenly laughed. The twenty-seven-year-old woman still had a little baby fat on her face. Her smile was natural and innocent. The girl raised her glass and touched Eric, saying: "Thank you, Mr. Williams, for the funniest conversation I've ever heard."

Eric took a sip of red wine and said, "What do you think is the success rate of my approach this time?"

Sophie Marceau tilted her head and said with a smile: "From the current situation, zero points, you must know that girls are the men who hate rhetoric the most."

Eric sighed regretfully: "It seems that I have to work harder."

Sophie Marceau said: "I think if you change the target, the success rate may be full in an instant."

Eric pretended to nod, looked in the direction of the hall, and seemed to be picking something, and then, very fittingly, a small figure in a princess dress stomped on the floor and ran towards the two of them.

This is a seven- or eight-year-old girl, who is small and has a white and tender baby face.

"Eric, are you Eric, right, the director of the big dinosaur movie?" The girl was not interested in Sophie Marceau at all, she jumped in front of Eric, raised her face and asked in French without any fear road.

Eric doesn't know much French, just some very simple words for daily communication. He doesn't have much time to study French in his current situation. During the whole party, most of the people who speak to him will actively use English. If it weren't for the unusually clear 'Eric' in the girl's pronunciation, Eric wouldn't even know what the little girl was talking about.

Helpless, Eric could only look at Sophie Marceau for help: "Sorry, Sophie, I don't know much French, can you translate it for me?"

"Of course no problem," Sophie nodded. "The little guy is asking you if he is the director of the big dinosaur movie."

The little girl saw that Eric ignored her, and instead chatted with Sophie. She pouted in dissatisfaction and said a few more words of French, which Eric couldn't understand at all.

Sophie smiled and continued to translate: "She said you were rude to treat a little lady with such an inattentive attitude."

Eric looked at Sophie innocently: "Then how should I answer him?"

Sophie smiled, pointed to Eric and said a few words in French to the little girl, and watched the little guy say a few more words, Sophie smiled again with great interest and said to Eric: "She said She forgave you and said you were stupid, she could speak fluently at the age of two and a half, but you haven't learned it yet in your twenties." (To be continued.)

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