Hollywood starts with a broker

Cannes, a small city in the south of France, is located near the port city of Nice, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, and is a famous resort!

The annual Cannes Film Festival attracts a large number of tourists, especially during the event.

When Aaron and Nicole Kidman arrived in Cannes, the opening ceremony had already taken place, and Aaron's attention was directly focused on other works shortlisted for the main competition unit.

The main creators of "Sex, Lies, and Videotape", director Steven Soderbergh, and lead actors James Spader and Andie MacDowell, also arrived in Cannes subsequently.

The distributor, Miramax, specially held a press conference for the film at the hotel.

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

Aaron turned his head and kissed her, waving the document in his hand, "There is also an Australian film shortlisted for the main competition unit, called 'Sweetie', directed by a New Zealand female director named Jane Campion."

"Do you want to sign her?"

"That depends on whether she has any plans to develop in Hollywood," Aaron was not very interested in these highly artistic works, without any commercial attributes, how could he make money?

Nicole Kidman smiled, "The Cannes screening of 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' has received high praise;"

"Recently, many international distribution companies have come to inquire about prices!"

Aaron touched Nicole's face, "There's no rush now, I'm going to appreciate an Italian work shortlisted later, want to go?"

"What movie is it?"

"'Cinema Paradiso'!"

"I'll go with you later," Nicole Kidman said, then sat on Aaron's lap, wrapped her arms around the man's neck, and offered a sweet kiss.

Aaron also hugged Nicole in his arms, responding to her passionate kiss!

"Cinema Paradiso" tells the story of 8-year-old Toto, who lives in a small town in Sicily, Italy, at the end of World War II, and Alfredo, a projectionist at a cinema called Cinema Paradiso.

The two formed a friendship because of the movies. When Toto grew up, he was encouraged by Alfredo to leave his hometown and venture out, and later became a famous director!

The film simultaneously employs montage and flashback narrative techniques, and there are two narrative clues: one is the memory of middle-aged Toto, and the other is the growth process of Toto from childhood to adulthood. These two clues also appear alternately in the film.

However, the film is too straightforward and narrative, and the length of more than two and a half hours is indeed a bit bland!

"Director Giuseppe Tornatore belongs to the new generation of young Italian directors. He is only 33 years old this year. A few years ago, he gained some fame in Italy with a film called 'The Professor'."

"'Cinema Paradiso' is his second feature film. This film did not perform well when it was released in Italy last year. The director re-released it after editing, but it still didn't work."

"At the beginning of the year, 'Cinema Paradiso' went to participate in the Berlin Film Festival, but it was badly reviewed by the chairman of the Berlin Film Festival. The director directly withdrew the film and then came to the Cannes Film Festival!"

In the deserted theater, Aaron and Nicole Kidman sat in their chairs, enjoying the movie, while explaining it to each other.

Nicole Kidman smiled, "It seems you have taken a liking to this movie, right?"

"Not bad, I'm going to meet the director of this film, Giuseppe Tornatore, later!"

Aaron had watched a lot of foreign films when he was in college and running a movie theater in his previous life. These classic works were deeply imprinted in his memory.

In the evening, Aaron took Nicole Kidman to meet Gabriele Carolosi, the representative of the Italian Cristaldi Film Company, and Giuseppe Tornatore, the director of "Cinema Paradiso"!

"Good evening, everyone, I am Aaron Anderson, an agent from CAA," Aaron handed the two his business card with a smile.

"Good evening, Aaron!"

Aaron looked at the two of them, "I am very optimistic about 'Cinema Paradiso' and would like to represent you in underwriting the distribution in North America;"

"Uh, the two of you may not know me, but the currently screening 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' was promoted by me alone!"

"I see," whether it was Gabriele Carolosi, the representative of the production company, or Giuseppe Tornatore, the director of the film, originally had no hope for "Cinema Paradiso";

Now that an American agent is willing to underwrite the distribution rights, of course, they have no objections!

In this way, Aaron quickly signed a contract with Cristaldi Film Company, the production company of "Cinema Paradiso".

"By the way, what day is the screening event arranged for 'Cinema Paradiso' by the film festival?" Aaron asked finally.

"Three days later," Director Giuseppe Tornatore quickly responded.

Aaron nodded, "There's still time. I will try to hold a press conference for 'Cinema Paradiso' and invite the director of 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' to participate."

Holding a small film press conference in the name of CAA is not difficult. Aaron can do it completely now;

Before coming, CAA had already stated that it would support him within its capabilities!

In the following days, Aaron arranged for Steven Soderbergh and others to attend various cocktail parties, while discussing the distribution rights of "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" in Europe and Japan with several distributors;

At the same time, the screening event of "Cinema Paradiso" was also successfully held and received good reviews. The Cannes Film Festival seems to have a special preference for this type of work!

In the evening, Aaron and the beautiful Nicole Kidman dressed up and attended a cocktail party at the InterContinental Hotel on the Croisette.

"Oh, dear Aaron, you have been a busy man lately," Harvey Weinstein walked over with a smile on his face.

Aaron put his 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!"

"Mr. Weinstein, good evening!"

Harvey Weinstein looked at Nicole Kidman in front of him, his eyes flashed, "You are so beautiful, beautiful lady!"

"Um, thank you," Nicole Kidman felt that the other party's eyes were too aggressive.

Aaron put his arm around Nicole Kidman and sat down, looking at Harvey Weinstein, "Miramax seems to have gained a lot this time!"

Harvey Weinstein has purchased the North American distribution rights for several works.

Listening to Aaron's words, the muscles on Harvey Weinstein's fat face trembled, "I didn't expect that you would also get ahead of me in the Italian film 'Cinema Paradiso' that I was optimistic about!"

"Let's talk about the screening situation of 'Cinema Paradiso' in Italy. You also know," Harvey Weinstein didn't want the other party to quote a price at will.

Aaron smiled and kissed Nicole Kidman's face, "No rush, tomorrow is the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival, we can talk in detail after the awards ceremony is over."

The good reputation of the screening of "Cinema Paradiso" is the reason for its fame, and it will be much easier to have the blessing of awards at that time;

Aaron has already talked with several distributors about the European and Japanese distribution rights of "Sex, Lies, and Videotape", but the final result will have to wait until the closing ceremony tomorrow!