Cannes Film Festival

Cannes, a small city in southern France near the port city of Nice, bordered the Mediterranean Sea and was a famous resort destination!

During the annual Cannes Film Festival, it was even more packed with people, drawing huge numbers of tourists.

By the time Aaron and Nicole Kidman arrived in Cannes, the opening ceremony had already been held. Aaron immediately turned his attention to the other films selected for the main competition.

The key members of Sex, Lies, and Videotape—director Steven Soderbergh, lead actor James Spader, and lead actress Andie MacDowell—arrived in Cannes shortly afterward;

Distributor Miramax had specially arranged a press conference for the film at a hotel.

"Aaron, it's so beautiful here!" At the Carlton Hotel on the Promenade de la Croisette, Nicole Kidman hugged Aaron from behind and kissed him.

Aaron turned and kissed her back, waving the documents in his hand. "An Australian film was also selected for the main competition. It's called Sweetie, directed by a New Zealand woman named Jane Campion."

"Do you want to sign her?"

"That depends on whether she wants to develop her career in Hollywood." Aaron was not particularly interested in works that were too arty. If they had no commercial appeal, how was he supposed to make money?

Nicole Kidman smiled. "Sex, Lies, and Videotape has received very strong reviews at its Cannes screening."

"Quite a few international distributors have come asking about the price lately!"

Aaron caressed Nicole's cheek. "There's no rush yet. In a while, I'm going to watch an Italian film in the competition. Want to come?"

"What movie?"

"Cinema Paradiso!"

"I'll go with you later." As she spoke, Nicole Kidman sat in Aaron's lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a sweet kiss.

Aaron held Nicole in his arms and returned her passionate kiss!

Cinema Paradiso told the story of Toto, an eight-year-old boy living in a small town in Sicily, Italy, at the end of World War II, and Alfredo, the projectionist at a cinema called Cinema Paradiso;

The two formed an unlikely friendship through film. Encouraged by Alfredo after growing up, Toto left his hometown to make his way in the world and eventually became a renowned director!

The film used both montage and flashbacks, with two narrative threads: one was middle-aged Toto's memories, while the other followed Toto's growth from childhood to adulthood. The two threads alternated throughout the film.

However, the movie was too straightforward. At over two and a half hours long, it was indeed somewhat flat!

"Director Giuseppe Tornatore is one of Italy's new generation of young directors. He's only thirty-three this year, and a few years ago, he gained some recognition in Italy with The Professor."

"Cinema Paradiso is his second feature film. When it was released in Italy last year, it performed poorly. The director re-edited it and released it again, but it still didn't do well."

"At the beginning of the year, Cinema Paradiso was entered into the Berlin Film Festival, but it received a terrible evaluation from the festival chairman. The director withdrew the film and then came to the Cannes Film Festival!"

In the sparsely attended theater, Aaron and Nicole Kidman sat in their seats watching the film, and Aaron explained it to her as they watched.

Nicole Kidman smiled. "Looks like you've taken a liking to this film, haven't you?"

"That's right. I'm going to meet its director, Giuseppe Tornatore, later!"

In his previous life, Aaron had watched plenty of foreign films while he was in college and running a movie theater. This kind of classic work had left a deep impression on him.

By evening, Aaron brought Nicole Kidman to meet Gabrielle Carosi, the representative of Italy's Cristaldi Film, as well as Giuseppe Tornatore, the director of Cinema Paradiso!

"Good evening, gentlemen. I'm Aaron Anderson, an agent with CAA." Aaron smiled and handed them his business card.

"Good evening, Aaron!"

Aaron looked at the two men. "I think highly of Cinema Paradiso, and I'd like to represent you in handling its distribution in North America."

"Ah, you two may not know me, but Sex, Lies, and Videotape, which is currently screening, was promoted entirely by me!"

"I see." Neither Gabrielle Carosi, the production company's representative, nor Giuseppe Tornatore, the film's director, had held much hope for Cinema Paradiso to begin with;

Now that an American agent was willing to handle its distribution rights, they naturally had no objections!

Just like that, Aaron quickly signed a contract with Cristaldi Film, the production company behind Cinema Paradiso.

"By the way, what day is the festival's screening event for Cinema Paradiso scheduled for?" Aaron asked at last.

"Three days from now," director Giuseppe Tornatore replied promptly.

Aaron nodded. "There's enough time. I'll try to arrange a press conference for Cinema Paradiso then and invite the director of Sex, Lies, and Videotape to attend."

Holding a small film press conference under CAA's name would not be difficult. Aaron was fully capable of doing that now;

Before he came, CAA had already said it would support him within its means!

Over the following days, Aaron arranged for Steven Soderbergh and the others to attend various receptions while also discussing the distribution rights for Sex, Lies, and Videotape with several international distributors;

At the same time, the screening event for Cinema Paradiso went smoothly and received good reviews. The Cannes Film Festival seemed to have a particular fondness for this type of work!

That evening, at a reception at the InterContinental Hotel on the Promenade de la Croisette, Aaron arrived in formal attire with the beautiful Nicole Kidman.

"Oh, dear Aaron, you've been quite the busy man lately," Harvey Weinstein said with a smile as he approached.

Aaron had an arm around Nicole Kidman. "This is Harvey Weinstein, the head of Miramax."

"Harvey, this is Nicole Kidman, also an actress. She starred in the Australian film Dead Calm last month!"

"Good evening, Mr. Weinstein!"

Harvey Weinstein's eyes flickered as he looked at Nicole Kidman before him. "You're truly beautiful, lovely lady!"

"Mm, thank you." Nicole Kidman felt that his gaze was far too aggressive.

Aaron pulled Nicole Kidman close and sat down, then looked at Harvey Weinstein. "It seems Miramax has had quite a haul this time!"

Harvey Weinstein had bought the North American distribution rights to several films.

At Aaron's words, the muscles in Harvey Weinstein's fat face twitched. "I didn't expect the Italian film Cinema Paradiso, which I had my eye on, to be snapped up by you first!"

"Let's talk. You know how Cinema Paradiso performed in Italy," Harvey Weinstein said, unwilling to let Aaron name an arbitrary price.

Aaron smiled and kissed Nicole Kidman on the cheek. "No rush. Tomorrow is the Cannes Film Festival's closing ceremony. We can discuss it in detail after the awards ceremony is over."

The good word of mouth from Cinema Paradiso's screening was what had made it famous. With an award behind it, things would be much easier;

As for the European and Japanese distribution rights to Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Aaron had already spoken with several distributors, but the final result would have to wait until after tomorrow's closing ceremony!