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Chapter 168: Cannes Red Carpet
🕑 Added 2025-01-01 09:54:40 +0000 UTC"Wow, you really know how to enjoy life, renting out an entire beach like this," Sophie Marceau exclaimed in amazement.
Compared to the bustling neighboring beaches, this one was relatively secluded. Gilbert had rented out the whole beach to enjoy a more private moment.
Rich people tend to do this sort of thing—they call it aristocratic living, or having refined taste.
One has to admit, in a capitalist society, being rich is truly advantageous. No wonder many wealthy people in Gilbert's previous life in China thought about transforming the country or moving abroad.
Although they already lived in great comfort, it never seemed to be enough.
Of course, for ordinary people, China was still better. After all, this place was too "free," free to the extent that every day felt like living in a "Grand Theft Auto" game.
"Just sunbathing, nothing too indulgent. By the way, maybe I should buy a small island in the Mediterranean for vacationing. What do you think?" Gilbert asked.
Sophie Marceau didn't doubt whether Gilbert could afford it and responded, "I think Hawaii would be a better choice. The scenery there is amazing."
"Cannes isn't bad either—pleasant climate. Maybe I should buy a property in Paris and stay there when I need a break," Gilbert mused. Wearing sunglasses and beach shorts, he lounged on a deck chair, basking in the Mediterranean sunshine.
After last night's French language practice, and with this beach being rented out by Gilbert, there were very few people around. Sophie Marceau and Emmanuelle Béart became a bit bolder in their actions.
Compared to the exaggerated curves of other Western women, Sophie Marceau and Emmanuelle Béart had more proportionate figures; Emmanuelle Béart could even be considered quite slim.
Pinching Emmanuelle Béart's fair, slender thighs, which were no thicker than his calves, Gilbert joked, "Emmanuelle, you need to gain some weight. Being too thin doesn't look good."
Emmanuelle Béart vigorously shook her head. "No way. I still want to lose weight and keep my figure in check."
Gilbert realized that whether a woman was fat or thin, "losing weight" was always on their lips. The aesthetic trend of this era leaned toward a skinny, long-legged look with small busts.
Frankly, Gilbert wasn't a fan of this trend. A truly beautiful woman, ignoring internal qualities like temperament, should have curves where they matter.
Of course, everyone has their preferences. From Gilbert's point of view, actresses like Yifei, Shishi, Yuanyuan, and Mimi were more beautiful.
Oftentimes, dating these Western women wasn't just about their looks. Their immense fame played a significant role—famous enough that even many Chinese people in Gilbert's previous life had heard of them.
Think about it: having names like Naomi Watts, Charlize Theron, or Sophie Marceau associated with you—just the thought of it gave a rush of fulfillment, a sense of conquest that was hard to match.
Frankly, this was more addictive than drugs.
However, Gilbert had remarkable self-control. If he wanted, the line of women willing to climb into his bed could stretch all the way down the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Sophie Marceau squeezed out some sunscreen, then sat gracefully on the deck chair beside Gilbert. She rubbed the lotion between her hands and gently began applying it to his skin.
A healthy body was the foundation of everything. Though Gilbert had strong genes, he still maintained a consistent workout routine. While he might not have an eight-pack, his six-pack abs and V-line were still very pronounced.
Sophie Marceau traced her fingers along the contours of his abdominal muscles, eventually slipping her hand beneath his beach shorts...
Wearing a bikini, Sophie Marceau pressed herself against Gilbert, her breathing growing heavier.
"Emmanuelle..." Sophie Marceau gave a signal with her eyes, prompting Emmanuelle Béart to pull down Gilbert's beach shorts and move closer.
"Sophie, Emmanuelle, even though this is a private beach, don't you think your behavior is a bit too bold?"
Gilbert might have said this, but he was clearly enjoying it.
Despite having rented out the area, occasional staff members would walk by, so the trio refrained from making too much noise, fearing they might attract attention.
If anyone discovered Gilbert engaging in such intimate acts with Sophie Marceau and Emmanuelle Béart, he'd likely become the envy of every man in France. Some might even challenge him to a duel.
"Let's go back, darling," Sophie Marceau whispered into Gilbert's ear.
A staff member had just walked by, and her soft gasp nearly gave them away.
While such occurrences were probably commonplace for the staff, Sophie Marceau, as France's "national treasure," still cared about her public image.
"Alright," Gilbert agreed, putting his arms around Sophie Marceau and Emmanuelle Béart as they returned to the seaside hotel.
When they passed through the hotel lobby, Gilbert's sunglasses and the women's sun hats and shades drew curious glances.
The men murmured enviously, "Peau de fesse! This guy's so lucky, having two women at the same time. What a blessed bastard."
Some even commented, "I should head to the beach later. I'm sure I can do better than him."
Luckily, no one recognized the two women as Sophie Marceau and Emmanuelle Béart. Otherwise, the men might have dreamed of rescuing the "two princesses."
Women, too, couldn't help but stare. Though Gilbert's face was partially obscured by his sunglasses, his sharp jawline alone hinted at his handsomeness. And his well-built physique, visible in his beach shorts, only added to the allure.
"Oh my God, a night with such a man would be heaven!" one woman thought to herself.
Determined, she decided to put on her most revealing swimsuit and try her luck on the beach, hoping to encounter someone like him.
Unbothered by the attention, Gilbert and the women returned to their suite and resumed their "French lessons."
The intense "study session" left Sophie Marceau and Emmanuelle Béart so exhausted that they could barely lift their arms.
It wasn't until the afternoon, after a long rest, that the two women finally recovered.
Sophie Marceau, once again radiant, began preparing her gown for the Cannes red carpet, where she would accompany Gilbert.
Compared to the Oscars, the Cannes red carpet was equally glamorous, if not more so.
In Gilbert's previous life, many Chinese actresses had made it a trend to attend Cannes, hoping to "steal the spotlight" and return home with headlines declaring them "the belle of the ball." This strategy of "exporting to import" was effective despite its self-deceptive nature.
However, some actresses stood out. Before her scandals, Bingbing was invited annually by luxury brands to walk the Cannes red carpet, a distinction younger actresses couldn't rival.
As for Gilbert, he chose to walk the red carpet with Sophie Marceau.
In such a setting, it was best not to provoke the French public unnecessarily. Otherwise, even Emmanuelle Béart might have wanted to join them.
Being a fashion capital, France hosted countless luxury brands and fashion magazines. The Cannes red carpet wasn't just a platform for actresses to flaunt their beauty but also a battlefield for major brands to showcase their creations.
Fashion magazine photographers, meanwhile, aimed their lenses at the most popular stars, vying for the best shots.
Men generally played it safe at such events. Most wore either black or white suits, occasionally opting for other colors but rarely anything too unconventional.
Sophie Marceau, on the other hand, dazzled in a fitted white gown that accentuated her curves. Her outfit, sponsored by luxury brands she represented, made her look like an angelic vision of elegance.
When Gilbert and Sophie Marceau stepped onto the red carpet, the flashes from the cameras were relentless, seemingly capturing every moment.
While Gilbert was famous in North America, this was Sophie Marceau's home turf, where she commanded the spotlight.
After posing for the cameras and signing the wall, Gilbert laughed, "Thanks to you, I got a taste of what it's like to be a big star today."
Sophie Marceau playfully rolled her eyes. "As if I don't know? You're as popular as any top Hollywood actor in North America."
"Hahaha," Gilbert chuckled. "It's all thanks to the fans. Maybe I should've tried acting instead."
Sophie Marceau thought seriously for a moment before replying, "I think you'd do great. With your face alone, you'd draw countless fans to the cinema."
Gilbert considered it but shook his head. "Nah, I'm not comfortable in front of the camera. I prefer being behind the scenes, pulling all the strings."
Red carpet ceremonies around the world were more or less the same. After signing autographs, posing for photos, and answering questions from the host, the event was over.
"How does it feel to attend Cannes for the first time?" the red carpet host asked Gilbert.
"I'm thrilled and honored," he replied. "The Cannes Film Festival is an inclusive and open platform where you can meet the best filmmakers and their incredible works from around the world. It's a privilege to be here."
Having attended Cannes before, Sophie Marceau was well-versed in such occasions and said a few polite words, concluding the red carpet segment.
Objectively speaking, the Cannes Film Festival had an international character, unlike the Oscars or the Hong Kong Film Awards.
While the Oscars were globally renowned, they remained fundamentally regional, requiring Hollywood involvement for eligibility.
The Hong Kong Film Awards were even stricter, requiring local investment, actors, and crew members to qualify.
Cannes, however, was a different stage—far more international, though French films undoubtedly received a favorable bias given the festival's location.
For many, attending Cannes wasn't just about the prestige but also about money.
Winning at Cannes significantly increased a film's appeal to distributors, making it more likely to be purchased.
Although people talked about art, at Cannes or the Oscars, it was ultimately about business.
How many people make movies purely for the sake of art, without caring about money? Aside from a few eccentric exceptions, everyone needed to eat.
Under the starry skies of Cannes, the annual film festival commenced once more.
Though Saving Private Ryan had already been released in France, its role as the opening film still drew a large audience of fans.
Lucky attendees even had the chance to catch glimpses of stars like Tom Hanks or Gilbert.
During interviews, Gilbert often emphasized the friendship between the United States and France, referencing their camaraderie during World War II and their shared fight for freedom and peace.
Such lofty sentiments, combined with his identity as the director of Saving Private Ryan, didn't seem too pretentious.
With the nine-day festival underway, the Saving Private Ryan team prepared to move on to their next promotional stop after the opening ceremony.
Before leaving, Gilbert and Sophie Marceau discussed their "French lessons" once more.
Exhausted from their "intense discussions," Sophie Marceau traced a heart on Gilbert's chest with her finger and asked, "When will you come to France to see me again?"
"Why don't you come to Hollywood?" Gilbert suggested.
Sophie Marceau was tempted but ultimately shook her head. "Not now. I'll wait until everything settles down."
"Alright," Gilbert said, stroking her hair. "I'll wait for you in Hollywood."
His words carried a double meaning. Hollywood represented both a place and an opportunity. Few French actresses had managed to succeed there, and Gilbert's words were a promise to support Sophie Marceau in her endeavors.
After two days in Cannes, Gilbert and the team departed for Tokyo, the next stop on their promotional tour.
While the combined European market was larger than Japan's, the latter remained Hollywood's biggest international market.
Despite Japan's economic stagnation, its film market still attracted significant attention from Hollywood.
Gilbert was moderately popular in Japan, with several of his films performing well there.
Upon arriving in Tokyo, the team was greeted warmly by local fans.
Japanese celebrities also joined the promotional events to boost the film's visibility.
Back in North America, Saving Private Ryan grossed $56.29 million in its second week, pushing its total to $98.52 million. It was poised to cross the $100 million mark in its third week.
Given the film's restrictive rating, this was an impressive achievement.
In the current market, films often had long theatrical runs. A movie could stay in theaters for twelve weeks or more, with some lasting up to eighteen weeks.
The rule was simple: as long as a film continued to generate revenue, theaters wouldn't pull it.
After twelve weeks, however, most of the box office earnings went to the theaters.
For high-investment films like Titanic, which stayed in North American theaters for twenty-two weeks, special revenue-sharing agreements were likely in place.
Otherwise, the bulk of the profits would go to the theaters, leaving the investors with significant losses.
While Gilbert wasn't sure about the specifics of such agreements in his past life, if given the chance to invest, he would have advised 20th Century Fox to opt for long-term revenue sharing over short-term profits.
By setting a reasonable box office threshold, theaters would likely agree to such terms.
