Chapter 175: You Are My God

After the screening, most attendees didn't leave. Led by Miramax staff, they moved from the Lumière Theatre to a large banquet hall in a nearby hotel, where the Weinstein brothers had prepared a reception party. This was an important part of the premiere, with the cinema screening being just the beginning, and the negotiations that followed being crucial.

Aside from a few main markets, Miramax primarily sold the overseas broadcasting rights in bulk.

"Hi, Murphy,"

The party had just started when many people approached Murphy, the director, especially Mike Gwin from Australia, who seemed particularly enthusiastic, "A fascinating film, truly astonishing."

Murphy raised his glass to him, "Thank you."

"This idea is simply brilliant!" Mike Gwin seemed still immersed in the film, "Killing zombies in these ways was completely unexpected. This is definitely the best zombie film in the last decade!"

Someone seemed to greet him, and Mike Gwin excused himself, "Sorry, I have to leave for a moment."

"Feel free," Murphy nodded.

This Australian was a microcosm of the international film merchants. They were mostly extremely enthusiastic in greeting Murphy.

Of course, there were exceptions, like Nguyen Jing Tian from Vietnam, who hardly interacted with Murphy and showed little interest in the broadcasting rights of "Planet Terror".

Such films were destined to be either greatly loved or greatly hated.

"Do you see that person?"

In a corner of the banquet hall, Monica Bellucci placed her glass on the table in front of her, leaned back in her chair, and pointed towards Murphy, speaking to her husband Vincent Cassel, "He is the director of the film."

"Him?" Vincent Cassel seemed skeptical, "Are you sure? He's too young, isn't he?"

"It's him, there's no mistake."

Monica Bellucci, finding it hard to believe herself, said, "You know? I met him in Hollywood over a year ago."

Vincent Cassel frowned slightly, "Is he very special?"

"No, not at all." Monica Bellucci withdrew her finger, "Just very surprising!"

She glanced back at the young director surrounded by several people, "Back then, he was just... um... how to put it..."

After recalling the details of their encounter at Warner Bros. Studios, Monica Bellucci gradually remembered, "He was nothing back then, so insignificant that my assistant could scold him at will. And now look at him..."

She looked again at Murphy, and Vincent Cassel could recognize, among those surrounding him, French director Jean-Pierre Sonnet and Chinese-American actor Mitchell Young, treating him not like a nobody but with a friendly and laughing demeanor.

A nobody's film wouldn't make Miramax go to such lengths to host a premiere and reception of this scale.

Monica Bellucci sighed lightly. In just over a year, the young director had climbed from Hollywood's lowest ranks to his current position, which was truly remarkable.

Especially compared to herself, her feelings were even more mixed.

She had made several attempts to break into North America, even starring in influential films like "The Matrix Reloaded", but Americans still didn't like her. Few American film companies were willing to use her, not even for significant female roles, let alone secondary ones. To this day, her status in the world's largest film market doesn't even compare to a second-rate Hollywood star.

After nearly a decade, her career in North America saw no breakthroughs, while he, in just over a year, not only achieved a dramatic turnaround but also became a darling of major film companies like Miramax.

She had no choice but to return to Europe, where, despite her widespread fame, who would want to strip and flaunt in films with limited distribution if they could star in globally bestselling movies?

Looking at Murphy Stanton, Monica Bellucci felt the world was incredibly unfair. He was God's favorite, while she was simply abandoned by God.

Roaming the banquet hall, constantly greeted with enthusiasm, Robert Downey Jr. felt a sense of deja vu, reminiscent of his days when he was rising like the morning sun, about to shine with thousands of rays...

But all that eventually turned into an illusion, and Hollywood's hopeful star fell to the status of a prisoner.

"Downey, is that really you? You're so cool!"

"Your actions were so handsome, the Downey I know is back!"

"Good job, Robert, your performance was amazing!"

Hearing these compliments, Robert Downey Jr. felt somewhat intoxicated yet found it natural, believing his performance was indeed outstanding and deserving of such praise.

As the crowd dispersed, Robert Downey Jr. picked up a glass of champagne, feeling the need to reward himself. He looked around for a suitable target.

However, what caught his eye wasn't beautiful women but two fat guys followed by a skinny one: Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, and James Franco.

These were friends he had made after being released from prison, introduced by Murphy.

"Hey, Downey."

It was Jonah Hill who spoke, the most talkative of the trio, "Aren't you going to have a drink with Murphy?"

"Have a drink with Murphy?" Robert Downey Jr. didn't quite understand his meaning, "Why with him? We have plenty of opportunities to drink together."

Seth Rogen approached, wrapping an arm around Robert Downey Jr.'s shoulder, "Because the movie just finished screening."

James Franco stood in front of Robert Downey Jr., "Aren't you going over now?"

Robert Downey Jr. suddenly understood; indeed, he should toast Murphy, "Let's go, we'll head over now."

The Weinstein brothers stood in the center of the banquet hall, entertaining international film merchants from all over the world. Murphy, introduced by Erica Stenberg and Bill Ross, also met many industry insiders.

"These people represent..."

Standing next to a dining table, Bill Ross observed the crowd around the Weinsteins, "A vast network of film distribution."

Murphy nodded, watching the Weinsteins, who almost had their smiles frozen from greeting so many people, and commented thoughtfully, "Socializing is not only a technical job but also a physical one."

Bill Ross laughed heartily.

A series of footsteps approached, and Murphy had just turned his head when a figure quickly walked over, spreading his arms and lunging at him.

Murphy recognized it was Robert Downey Jr. but didn't understand his intentions, letting him hug him.

Robert Downey Jr. patted Murphy's back hard, "You are my god now!"

After speaking, he hugged Murphy tightly again.

"Your god is about to run out of breath!" Murphy, seeing someone looking over strangely, gently pushed Robert Downey Jr. away, asking confusedly, "What are you trying to do?"

"Nothing! Just doing something I like." Robert Downey Jr. didn't get serious, making exaggerated gestures with his hands and speaking rapidly, "I just want to hug you now. You wouldn't object, right, Murphy? That would be too cruel, especially for a follower like me. You can't be that cruel to me..."

"Stop! Stop!" Murphy raised his hand to interrupt, believing Robert Downey Jr. could ramble all night if not stopped, "Downey, can you just get to the point?"

"Hey, you guys!" Robert Downey Jr. snapped his fingers at those behind him, and Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen brought over a few glasses, pouring wine for everyone after Murphy and the others took them. Robert Downey Jr. tapped his glass, his playful face now gone, replaced by seriousness, "This is for you!"

After speaking, he clinked glasses with Murphy, and James Franco and the other two came over to clink glasses with Murphy, then all together tilted their heads back and drank.

Just after Murphy finished his drink, Robert Downey Jr. casually placed his glass on a nearby dining table and hugged him again.

"This time I'm not joking; you're my savior,"

Possibly influenced by Murphy and others, the current Robert Downey Jr. was gradually returning to the right path and beginning to understand many things, "To me, you are the angel sent by God to save me!"

He let go of Murphy, stepping back a bit and looking at him, "Murphy, in prison, you saved my dignity; in Hollywood, you gave me a chance to rise again. I know you don't like being thanked. I know, in your eyes, helping a friend is a matter of course. But I want to say, thank you!"

Murphy shook his head with a smile, "Downey, when you're serious, it feels very unfamiliar."

"Really?" Robert Downey Jr.'s seriousness disappeared, replaced by his usual uninhibited demeanor, "How about this, I'll organize a party and find you 20 models? Young, beautiful, big-breasted, long-legged..."

"Our film has just finished its premiere." Murphy didn't pick up on his words, "We still don't know if the box office will be a success."

"No matter the box office, you've given me a chance to rise again." Robert Downey Jr. took the champagne from James Franco, "Something even the old Robert Downey Jr. couldn't do. I have to drink with you tonight!"

It was impossible to drink to his heart's content tonight. Murphy needed to conserve energy for tomorrow's negotiations with Bill Ross and Miramax's discussions with overseas distributors.

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