Chapter 208: Controversial Film

Arthur was leaning against the car outside the theater, smoking, and had already seen Christiana Reali preparing to come out. Suddenly, a man in his fifties called out to her. They exchanged some words and then seemed to have an argument.

Arthur shook his head, flicked away the cigarette butt, and walked inside. He overheard the older man say, "Do you believe I won't give you any more roles in the future?"

"Dear, what's wrong?" Arthur pulled Christiana Reali into his arms and pointed casually at the older man. "Who is this guy?"

He certainly wasn't her father.

"Arthur," Christiana Reali wrapped her arms around Arthur's waist and responded, "This is François Huster, the owner of the theater company. He doesn't want to grant my leave, saying that if I take leave, he won't give me any roles."

Christiana Reali had started learning French after moving to France, but later, during her studies, she also practiced English.

Arthur was smart. He could tell that the old man was using theater roles to try to control Christiana Reali out of lust.

"This little theater barely has any audience. Just leave," Arthur said, not bothering to say much more. He kissed Christiana Reali on the lips and added, "If you want to act in theater, there's no need to stay here."

Christiana Reali thought about it. There were many theaters in Paris. Movie roles were hard to find, but theater jobs weren't.

She then looked at François Huster seriously and said, "Mr. Huster, I don't think it's suitable for me to stay. Thank you for your care."

"Arthur, let's leave," she said, taking Arthur's arm and preparing to turn and leave.

François Huster was stunned for a moment and then stepped forward. "Christiana, think carefully. I'm well acquainted with many theater owners around here. If you leave, it will be hard to find another suitable theater."

"What did he say?" Arthur asked Christiana Reali.

Christiana Reali translated François Huster's words.

Arthur looked at François Huster as if he were an idiot. "Does he own the theater?"

Christiana Reali shook her head. "It's a rented theater. He just runs the company."

Arthur smiled and wrote a check for 5 million francs. "Go, poach the important roles from the theater so he can't operate."

"Five million francs?" Christiana Reali was surprised. "Our theater company's annual income isn't even that much."

Five million francs was about $900,000.

"No problem. You can negotiate with the theater owner to kick this guy out and form a new company," Arthur suggested.

"Arthur, let's just drop it," Christiana Reali said, then turned to François Huster and said something that made his face change dramatically with fear.

"Get lost," Arthur, seeing the situation, knew the guy had caved. He pushed him aside and said in broken French, "Don't bother Christiana Reali again!"

François Huster watched them leave, still shaken. He couldn't believe the young man was a centi-millionaire.

"Arthur," once in the car, Christiana Reali hugged and kissed him passionately.

Arthur held her and laughed, "We have plenty of time tonight. Let's get something to eat first. Tomorrow, we head to Cannes."

"So soon?"

"The festival has been open for four or five days. This is for you," Arthur said, handing her a box as he started the car.

Christiana Reali opened it and found a Boucheron diamond necklace. "It's beautiful!"

"As long as you like it…"

That night, in the bathroom of the Raphael Hotel, Arthur leaned against the wall while Christiana Reali kissed his chest. The warm water created a steamy atmosphere in the bathroom.

"I recommended you to the director of Three Colors: Blue, White, Red today. You can play a supporting role," Arthur said, caressing her smooth back and moving to her chest. 

"Hmm, also, keep the check for 5 million francs and buy a house in Paris after we return from Cannes. I'll be visiting often, or you can move to the U.S.," Arthur suggested.

"Okay," Christiana Reali, filled with desire, agreed and then climbed up.

The small episode with François Huster was already forgotten by both of them.

In 1992, the Cannes Film Festival seemed to have more Americans, possibly due to the recent riots in Los Angeles.

Sophie Marceau, the opening ceremony guest, was the highlight on the red carpet.

When Arthur arrived in Cannes with Christiana Reali, Amy Pascal had already come with the crew of The Bodyguard.

This year's most controversial film at the Cannes Film Festival was Basic Instinct, a Hollywood thriller. Directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Sharon Stone, this violent, bloody, and erotic film caused a huge stir due to its infamous "leg-crossing" scene.

In a suite on the Croisette in Cannes, Amy Pascal saw Arthur and couldn't help but joke, "This European trip has been quite fruitful. Even Rupert Murdoch publicly commented on the joint acquisition of Mirror Group."

"Just a small matter," Arthur said, putting down the newspaper that discussed the controversy surrounding Basic Instinct among critics and audiences.

"Paul Verhoeven is really something else, with his deep exploration of violence and sex."

Amy Pascal laughed, "The initial version of Basic Instinct was rated X. Paul Verhoeven had to revise it at least 15 times to get an R rating. But the box office is real. It's already grossed 90 million in North America, and crossing 100 million is just a matter of time."

Arthur shrugged, "For a film like Basic Instinct, the major box office revenue will come from the European market. Carolco Pictures really hit the jackpot this time."

Basic Instinct was produced by Carolco Pictures and distributed in North America by TriStar Pictures. 

Although the investment in Basic Instinct was significant, with Carolco spending nearly $50 million, given the current box office trend, it was sure to be a blockbuster!

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