Chapter 500: Get rid of competitors

The Lumière Hall at the Palais des Festivals shimmered with life once more on that particular day. Amidst the array of films competing, the grand premiere ceremony unfolded for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," a film boasting the highest investment.

Not only did the main creative minds like David Fincher and Martin grace the event, but also a cavalcade of stars added to the vibrant atmosphere.

"Can you believe it? This film's a cash cow for the festival. Red carpet tickets go for a mere 15,000 euros," remarked someone in the bustling crowd, emphasizing the financial sway of premieres during the festival.

Compared to the obscure artistry of films from smaller nations, "Benjamin" wielded a far greater impact with its premiere.

Despite minimal invitations extended beyond the jury and organizers, over a hundred guests graced the red carpet to cheer on "Benjamin," effectively bolstering the festival's earnings to a staggering 2 million euros.

"In the realm of art, one must continually refine their craft, but there's no harm in making a buck," mused someone in the crowd, recognizing the dual aspects of artistic endeavor.

The jury boasted luminaries such as Huppert, James Gray, Shu Qi, Li Dongcang, and Aisha Argento, drawing attention to the distinguished panel judging the films.

While John Travolta didn't attend due to concerns regarding Harvey and Quentin, prior communication allayed any worries, an assurance prompted by Tom Cruise, whom Martin suspected had influenced Travolta through Hubbard.

With a casual group photo, the crew and jury members strolled into the Lumière Hall, preparing for the movie's presentation.

Aisha Argento sought out Martin, recalling Hollywood rumors from the premiere of "Inglourious Basterds." "Heard someone saying Harvey initially eyed you for the lead role instead of Josh Brolin," she quizzically inquired.

"Yeah, turned him down," Martin revealed. "We've had our differences. Hollywood's rife with clashes between different cliques," he added, alluding to the rifts within the industry.

Chuckling, Aisha Argento remarked, "The foot gang? Quite an imagery name!"

"Yep, that's us. Leonardo, Nicholson, and me, we're the 'face gang,'" Martin replied.

With mutual understanding, they parted ways, and Martin found Huppert engrossed in a conversation with Mene by the third-row aisle, sharing light banter despite Huppert's limited English.

Ultimately, he accepted Mene's invitation for a late-night snack after the premiere, recognizing Mene's unique charm among older women.

Amidst a cascade of applause, Martin and the film's entourage settled into the front row as the screening commenced. Fincher leaned over, inquiring about progress.

"Going decently. Got some solid support from the judges," Martin reassured, acknowledging the backing they'd garnered.

For Fincher, strategically relinquishing the Palme d'Or diminished his fervor for awards, yet it didn't overshadow his dedication to the project. There were elements he disliked and chose to bypass, prioritizing other facets of the production.

As the film unfolded on screen, the Lumière Hall descended into hushed anticipation. Audiences delved into the extraordinary life of Benjamin Button.

The movie wove a tapestry of fantasy and allure, exploring themes of time, love, and life against the backdrop of evolving 20th-century America.

The ambiance within the theater was unusual for a Fincher movie, optimistic, magical, void of the usual dark hues prevalent in his films.

Exiting the screening, Hollywood director James Gray exchanged thoughts with fellow judges, marveling, "I never thought Fincher would put down his butcher knife of his stylised thriller!"

Li Dongcang chimed in with awkward English, "Finch, the typically gloomy genius, revealed his human side!"

"Martin's eyes, they held such drama," observed Shu Qi, capturing the essence of Martin's captivating performance.

Aisha Argento echoed the sentiment, "From old age to infancy, Martin as Benjamin was flawless, pushing the boundaries of acting."

Huppert, as the jury chair, often reserved her opinions. Yet, as an artist, she acknowledged Martin's performance, praising his portrayal's depth and vividness, taking audiences on a contemplative journey exploring life's marvels, time and love.

Subtitles appeared, prompting a wave of warm applause, typical of film festivals, where even average films received ovations lasting minutes.

"Notify the media, it's time," Melanie whispered into her phone as the "Benjamin" premiere ended, sparking a frenzy of opinions and reviews among reporters and critics.

Cahiers du Cinema hailed Fincher's work, praising Martin's portrayal for its intricate expressions and emotional depth, while Le Figaro lauded his charm and portrayal of Benjamin's growth.

The Cannes Film Festival's official program awarded "Benjamin" an impressive eight, highlighting Huppert's acclaim for Martin's portrayal of naturalness in the character's evolution.

Days after the festival's launch, Huppert singled out two male actors for commendation, Christoph Waltz and Martin Davis, hinting at a clear trajectory for the Best Actor award.

In the Wuyang Hotel's conference room, the crew convened daily. Fincher's absence was compensated by Bruce's presence.

Melanie briefed them: "Shu Qi, Li Dongcang, and James Gray are backing us. Our main rival's Christoph Waltz in 'Inglourious Basterds.'" Martin interjected, "Travolta's on board to support me."

Kathleen Kennedy expressed curiosity about Martin's persuasion of Travolta, given the latter's ties to Quentin and Harvey.

Melanie continued, "With four judges' support, our focus now is Huppert."

Bruce added, "We're working on convincing Huppert."

Mene returned late, discussing at length with Huppert, fuelling hopes for their cause.

Martin perused the papers, realizing he and Waltz had surged ahead in the Best Actor race.

Despite Waltz's prowess, the competition seemed a two-horse race, reminiscent of a hopeless pursuit in a heavily lopsided race.

"In terms of eliminating competition, Harvey's a master," someone remarked, acknowledging his knack for maneuvering rivals.

In the midst of strategic planning, Melanie, the seasoned publicist, turned to Martin, her gaze filled with purpose. "Media's been contacted. Where do we stand?"

"Locked and loaded," responded Bruce.

Ivan, busy capturing moments on camera, received the first batch of photos the previous night.

"Melanie, stay tuned to the jury's pulse. I suggest a release a day or two before their decision, leave no room for their rivals," proposed Martin.

After due consideration, Melanie nodded. "Agreed."

The brisk meeting adjourned, prompting Martin to join David Fincher for an important announcement.

Following the previous night's premiere, actress Cate Blanchett swiftly departed for London due to ongoing filming commitments.

Meanwhile, Melanie diligently mobilized the media to bolster Martin's momentum.

Meanwhile, at the Grand Hotel de Provence, the crew of "Inglourious Basterds" convened in a conference room.

Xavi, as always, assumed command. "Two awards up for grabs, Jury Prize and Best Actor. Our primary target: Best Actor."

Quentin, indifferent to the Palme d'Or, paid little heed to the Jury Prize.

Christoph Waltz, expressing gratitude with a nod to Harvey, acknowledged the burgeoning competition from Martin.

Harvey, succinct as ever, plotted, "Let's stick to the old tactic, tarnish his image temporarily!"

The crew's PR officer swiftly received a dossier from Harvey, immediately tasked to disseminate it to the media.

As rumors brewed, a French entertainment site alleged Martin's repeated bullying of Cate Blanchett during "Benjamin" filming, causing tension among the crew.

Young crew members aired their perspectives via video, shedding light on the brewing tension. While not entirely false, the strife between Martin and Blanchett was an open secret, leading to Blanchett's isolation on set.

Subsequently, more media outlets jumped in to break the news, even attempting to interview Blanchett in London, who chose silence, an assertion in itself.

"Screen" magazine insinuated Martin's portrayal relied heavily on CGI, contrary to the Cannes Film Festival's celebration of the actor's craft.

Another outlet cited discontent from Fitzgerald's descendants over extensive adaptations in the film, disputing Martin's portrayal of the male lead as a departure from the original character.

Some media outlets even pegged "Benjamin" as a $100 million commercial film, highlighting its purported commercial tilt.