Chapter 193: Little Women

In the morning, Arthur woke up and didn't see Winona Ryder next to him. After freshening up, he found her in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

Wearing a white nightgown, her fluffy hair gave her a lazy yet sexy look.

"Darling, up so early?" Arthur hugged Winona Ryder from behind.

"Alright, breakfast is almost ready. Aren't you hungry yet?" Winona Ryder poured the fried eggs onto a plate and turned to kiss Arthur.

"Hmm," Arthur responded, as he reached into her nightgown, feeling the warmth and passion!

"Arthur, let's eat breakfast first," Winona Ryder pressed herself against Arthur, "I have something to tell you."

Arthur smiled and let go of her, "What's up?"

Soon, they were sitting at the table enjoying breakfast. Winona Ryder explained, "When filming Emma, Ms. Pascal showed me the novel Little Women. She really likes this long novel by the famous American female writer Louisa May Alcott from the 1860s. She wanted to adapt it back when she was at Columbia TriStar. But such films focusing on women's stories aren't very popular. During the shoot of Emma, she said I would be perfect for Little Women."

Arthur nodded, "Amy indeed has an interest in films centered around women. The novel Little Women is so famous, I think it was adapted once in the 1930s!"

Little Women depicts the daily life of the March family in a small New England town during the American Civil War.

While Mr. March was away fighting, the four daughters, under Mrs. March's family education, continuously overcame their flaws and grew into outstanding women - tolerant, industrious, independent, and kind.

The novel contains a lot of puritan and feminist thoughts, which were brought over to America by British Puritans where they took root.

Little Women is a timeless piece of American children's literature, coming-of-age literature, family realism literature, and early feminist literature, and is a classic in American literary history.

"Arthur, you don't mind, do you?" Winona Ryder asked with a smile.

Arthur shook his head, "Amy Pascal is the president I hired for Orion Galaxy Films. Why would I oppose adapting such a literary work? Moreover, I also think this work is quite suitable for you!"

However, Amy Pascal first needs to secure the adaptation rights to Little Women.

"Oh, it's a pity I won't have time to be involved in the project this year," Winona Ryder mentioned, as she still had to film The House of the Spirits and The Pelican Brief; her schedule was full.

Arthur smiled, "We've seen the rough cut of Emma, and to be honest, you fit that type of role very well.

Your features are delicate and suit the classical look, not to mention your dynamic acting. When you first started a couple of years ago, playing youthful, energetic girls was natural for you.

Now, you've matured, and your acting skills have become more refined, from managing expressions to understanding your characters' psyches; you've made great progress.

Once Amy secures the adaptation rights to Little Women, Galaxy will surely support it. Such projects don't require huge investments!"

Of course, provided they don't hire big directors like Martin Scorsese or Francis Ford Coppola, who love to spend lavishly. Those guys are too fond of using big stars and spending extravagantly on sets and real locations!

Since this year's Oscars ceremony was held in late March, Winona Ryder would head to the UK after attending the event.

Arthur would accompany her to the UK, and then to France and Germany.

However, in March, Galaxy would release Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. Leveraging the Oscars' attention, a small-scale release of these artistic films was a strategic move.

Further, the Orion Cinema in East Hollywood would open next month, and Arthur was quite looking forward to it.

...

Arthur returned to Santa Monica to wait for Winona Ryder for the upcoming Oscar ceremony.

On March 29, Los Angeles had clear and sunny weather for Hollywood's annual grand event, the Oscars, held at the Los Angeles Music Center.

The grand ceremony, long red carpet, and numerous fans and media gathered in bright sunshine.

In their room at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Arthur sat on the sofa reading a magazine while Winona Ryder picked out jewelry in front of the dressing mirror.

She was in a black evening gown, the low neckline accentuating her fair skin and exquisite features, brimming with charm.

"Arthur, do I look better in a pearl necklace or a diamond necklace?" Winona Ryder asked.

Arthur looked up, put down the magazine, walked over behind Winona, and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Both look great, but try the one with the gemstones. It should match well with your skin."

Winona Ryder smiled and touched Arthur's hands on her shoulders. "So, how confident are you?"

"In what? The Oscars?"

"Yeah, Best Picture. Last year, although Dances with Wolves from Orion won, it was mostly Kevin Costner's doing," Winona Ryder explained with a smile. "But this year is different. The Silence of the Lambs owes a lot to you. If it wins, it will mean so much more!"

"Of course I'm confident," Arthur said, bending to press his face against hers, his hands caressing her through the low neckline of her gown. "This should be Galaxy's breakout moment."

Besides, The Silence of the Lambs was just the beginning.

Winona Ryder turned to kiss Arthur, then patted his roving hands on her chest. "The award ceremony is about to start. Behave yourself."

Arthur smiled, withdrew his hands, and picked up the pearl necklace to place around Winona's neck.

The two then took a luxury car to the Los Angeles Music Center.

The flashing camera lights and the fans' screams always made the Oscars one of Hollywood's most important events, showcasing its stars on the grandest stage. Compared to the uniformly dressed men, the competing ladies in their dazzling dresses always became the focal point.

On the red carpet, Arthur encountered Brad Pitt and his girlfriend Juliette Lewis, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Martin Scorsese's Cape Fear.

Highly acclaimed members from the Thelma & Louise crew directed by Ridley Scott were also present!

At 5 PM, the 64th Annual Academy Awards officially began. Arthur and Winona Ryder sat among the team from The Silence of the Lambs.

Additionally, The Addams Family was nominated for Best Costume Design.

Arthur sat next to Winona Ryder and The Silence of the Lambs director Jonathan Demme, suddenly asking him, "Are you feeling nervous about Best Director and Best Picture?"

Jonathan Demme, with his hands on his knees, responded calmly, "Well, not as calm as you. My heart is already racing faster than usual."

Arthur laughed. "The ceremony has just begun; the tense moments are still to come."

Just as Arthur finished speaking, the curtains on the stage drew open. Host Billy Crystal, wearing a mask, was 'carried' out by two 'doctors' in white coats.

The audience immediately erupted in applause as he impersonated "Hannibal the Cannibal" from The Silence of the Lambs.

Even Anthony Hopkins laughed as he put on his glasses, joining in the applause. Billy Crystal straightened up, walked off the stage, and interacted with Anthony Hopkins.

"I've planned dinner with a lot of people tonight. What do you think?"

Anthony Hopkins stood up promptly from his seat.

*****

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