Chapter 211

Christmas is approaching, temporarily putting Sophie Marceau's matter aside, Duke gave the crew in preparation a vacation, and he flew to New York to spend one of the most important festivals with his mother.

Partying is a necessity in life and social life in this country. Before Christmas, Duke accompanied his mother to attend some high society parties in New York. Not to mention the income he earned in the film industry. Net worth is also growing, especially after the company relocated to New York, it has become more closely connected with the fashion industry. My mother has already passed the hurdle of billions of dollars in wealth. In addition, he has close ties with Jewish groups in New York. One of the upper echelons of this city.

Participating in parties is a need for social interaction. On Christmas Eve, as in the past ten years, there are only Duke and his mother in the restaurant at home.

"The commercial you made was aired ahead of time."

After cutting the roast turkey, Mrs. Leah handed it over, and after Duke took it, she said, "I heard Irene say, did you suggest some publicity?"

"I just said a few words casually." Duke said while cutting the turkey meat, "Irene is very smart, she is the executor."

"The advertising response is very good." Mrs. Leah sat back in the chair. "Last week, Irene came to meet me. According to her disclosure, the Lauder Group would like to sign another advertising contract with you."

"I can only refuse."

Swallowing the turkey in his mouth, Duke shook his head, "Now is the awards season. I have to cooperate with the film's plan and prepare a new film. I can't spare time."

Shooting commercials is also not a simple matter. Shooting may only take a few days to complete, but preliminary preparations often take several weeks.

In fact, when he returned to New York, he and Irene Lauder spoke on the phone. The advertisement was released this year in advance to match the hype about Elizabeth Hurley. Hugh Grant was despised by the prostitute scandal. As a girlfriend, he forgave and faced it bravely. Elizabeth Hurley won A lot of praise, her news can be said to be a hot spot some time ago. Lauder Group launched an advertisement on the trend, and the effect was surprisingly good.

Irene Lauder also told Duke on the phone that Elizabeth Hurley wanted to meet him to express her deep gratitude, but he refused. Duke respected the special thanks to the other party.

The reason is simple. Duke is not sure if Elizabeth Hurley has hooked up with the one in the White House and does not want to ask for trouble.

He once saw a scandal between Bill Clinton and Elizabeth Hurley. I forgot the specific year in which it happened, but I still remember the content.

One of Elizabeth Hurley's ex-boyfriends accepted the invitation of the White House to be a guest because of the work. When they had a dinner together, they mentioned Elizabeth Hurley. Clinton straightforwardly asked him for the phone number of his ex-girlfriend Hurley. .

It is said that Clinton had no scruples at the time, so he stood in front of the ex-boyfriend and called Hurley, and directly contacted a plane to pick up Elizabeth Hurley.

Hurley was in Los Angeles at the time. At the stage of dating Hugh Grant, but only a few hours later. She arrived at the White House and stayed there for four full days.

Later, there was news that Clinton and Elizabeth Hurley's underground romance lasted more than a year. Clinton found that he had begun to fall in love with Hurley. In order to avoid falling into a complicated situation, Clinton decided to cut the mess quickly. The two sides broke up completely.

Zipperton's romantic past is no less than that of any Hollywood director or celebrity. In fact, Duke still appreciates the famous quote of this federal president circulating in the media-I will not talk about love with those women who are rolling in Vanity Fair. When I find that I start to fall in love with you, I will break up with you.

Dinner went very slowly, and Duke and his mother were talking while eating. Maybe it was really old, or maybe it was not seen for a long time, the mother said a lot more than before, and he was very concerned about his career and life.

In Mrs. Leah's eyes, Duke's private life was messed up, and he didn't bother to say anything, mainly talking about work.

"Is there any hope for best director and best film?"

The Oscar is coming, and Mrs. Leah hopes that Duke will receive several honors, "How are your preparations."

"The specific publicity and public relations work is done by the producers and distributors."

Although I have seen some cases, seeing and executing are two different things. Duke is basically a layman for Oscar public relations, just in line with the overall strategy of Warner and Fox. "The best director may be nominated, and there is no hope for winning. Warner and Fox's focus on public relations is the best film. They have done a lot of work in light of this year's special situation. I think the chances of winning the prize are great."

In such a time period, if the soldier loses the best film, the pressure on the academy must be ten or even a hundred times heavier than before.

"I've also seen some analysis." Mrs. Leah put down the knife and fork and took a sip of the wine. "The favorite for best director is Mel Gibson."

"It's true, mother."

By this time period, almost all the award-winning films have been released or selected. Compared with "Brave Heart" and "Saving Private Ryan", the directors of other works, whether it is Ang Lee of "Sense and Emotion" or Mike Figes of "Escape from Las Vegas", the gap is very obvious, and this gap is not something that PR can make up.

Shrugging his shoulders, Duke continued, "Although William Wallace's'freedom' shouting is very artificial and exaggerated, and even many ordinary audiences have expressed disgusting, but he does meet the appetite of many judges, and Gibson His age has an advantage. If there is no accident, he is more than 70% likely to take away the best director Xiaojinren."

"So there will be accidents?"

Mrs. Leah knows exactly what her son's temperament is. She has also heard of some conflicts between the two. She absolutely does not believe that Duke will sit back and watch the other party win the prize, "Speak up if you need it."

"Not for the time being, Mom." Duke looked very confident, "I have already figured out what to do."

Zach Schneider and Sophia Coppola were responsible for the preparation of "Chicago" in Los Angeles for the time being. Duke simply gave himself a short vacation and spent more than a week with his mother in New York, with Irene in the middle. ? Lauder met. Duke did not return to Los Angeles until he stepped into this world in 1996.

Preparing for "Chicago", writing a new screenplay, and occasionally attending several events with the producer. These are what Duke did in the first half of January. Over time, more and more Oscar-nominated films and related personnel The more obvious, even though film critics like Roger Albert use their influence in private. To lobby the judges not to choose "Saving Private Ryan", but this year's general trend dictates that "Saving Private Ryan" is the same as the "Brave Heart" they touted, and is considered to be the winner of the Oscar nomination list.

In the face of the general social situation, a group with a total of only a few hundred people, wants to go against the trend, and it is hard to imagine.

Most film critics are not stupid, at least they did not publicly criticize "Saving Private Ryan" in the column for not being suitable for awards, and their target is Duke himself. Not just Oscars, they want to prevent Duke from winning any award for best director.

In the announced New York Film Critics Association Awards, Chicago Film Critics Association Awards and Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards and other outpost awards, Mel Gibson easily defeated Duke and won the best director. "Yes" just picked the best film.

Next, at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Directors Guild Awards, and Producers League Awards, which are extremely important and more iconic than any other award, Mel Gibson once again won the best director, and "Saving Private Ryan" also won the film award. "Brave Heart".

The situation seems to be clear, and the annual Golden Globes are about to kick off.

"Are you sure. Sophie?"

In the black Bentley, Duke is answering the phone. "I want absolutely reliable news."

"Mel Gibson will attend the Golden Globes, and as long as he wins, he will attend the celebration party after the Golden Globes."

The voice on the phone seemed to tremble, "I promise this! He also met with me yesterday, urging me to do it to you before the Oscar nominees luncheon."

"Thank you for the news."

Hang up and Duke starts the car. Drive to the coffee shop scheduled with Tom Cruise.

Half an hour later, he first walked into an extremely quiet cafe in Malibu, and asked for a booth in the corner. After waiting for about ten minutes, Tom Cruise entered the cafe alone. Seeing Duke beckoning, he walked over immediately.

"Tom..." Duke looked at the actor who is about to star in his movie, "the opportunity is here."

"I can't wait!"

The two had communicated beforehand, and Tom Cruise lightly hammered down the coffee table, "Mel Gibson insulted me, I must return it!"

He doesn't like the person opposite, but he doesn't like the savage even more now.

"I heard that you also accepted the Golden Globe invitation?"

Seeing Cruise nodded, Duke said, "Gibson will attend the celebration party after the Golden Globes. Will you attend?"

Tom Cruise froze for a moment, then nodded, "Of course I will participate, I want to see Gibson's sad face after losing the Golden Globes."

"If nothing else, Tom," Duke shook his head, "Mel Gibson will take the best director."

"He took the Golden Globe Award for Best Director?" Cruise didn't understand. "Then he will win the Sentinel Award, and this **** will get the best director Golden Man."

"Tom, he is our common enemy."

"Yes!"

Everything else can be tolerated, but Cruise cannot tolerate Nicole Kidman and Mel Gibson staying in the same hotel for a long time. This has long become a thorn in his heart. As a member of Hollywood, what does this mean? He can think of it with his toes.

"So, what are we going to do?" Tom Cruise asked.

"What you have to do is simple."

Of course Duke wouldn't be so stupid as to drag his thoughts out of his mind, he just whispered a few simple words. (To be continued...)