Chapter 173: Year of LGBTQ Films

Just as Arthur was about to drive away, he received a call from Sophie Marceau, asking him to come over to her place.

Arthur then drove straight to Sophie Marceau's apartment in Culver City.

"What, you missed me?" Sophie Marceau was hugged by Arthur as soon as she opened the door.

"What do you think?" Sophie Marceau, wearing only a nightgown, wrapped her arms around Arthur's neck and started kissing him.

Arthur carried Sophie Marceau to the couch and pressed her down. Having just been with Monica Bellucci, Arthur seemed particularly passionate for Sophie Marceau's warmth.

He showered her with kisses like raindrops while his hands roamed freely over her curves.

"Okay, I need to talk to you about something first. We have plenty of time tonight," Sophie Marceau reminded, running her fingers through Arthur's hair.

Arthur raised his head, "What is it?"

"I received a script from a new director. It's a love story," Sophie Marceau explained.

"Although the director is new, I think the script is good. I plan to take it. I should be going back to France to film next year."

"A French love story?" Arthur laughed, "Not another one like Wild Love with passionate scenes, is it?"

"No, it's about a soon-to-be-married intern doctor who falls in love with a beautiful student, caught in a dilemma between the beautiful student and his fiancee, torn between body and soul."

Arthur thought the story sounded familiar and asked casually, "What's the title?"

"Fanfan, after the female lead's name!"

"Are you planning to invest in this film?" Sophie Marceau, lying in Arthur's embrace in the bathtub, was a bit surprised to hear that Arthur's Galaxy would invest in Fanfan.

"Why not? Didn't you say director Alexandre Jardin is a newcomer and needs to persuade you to get the investment?" Arthur said, caressing Sophie Marceau's chest.

"A French romantic film's investment is not a big deal for me - just 30 to 50 million francs, which is about 6 to 10 million US dollars. What's wrong with investing in my own woman's movie?"

Sophie Marceau smiled. "Aren't you worried about losing money?"

"Don't worry, we won't lose," Arthur said, kissing the woman's face, "We can cooperate with Gaumont for the theater release and videotape distribution. We can sell the TV rights to France's Canal+ channel!"

Canal+ is the largest cable movie channel in France, also known as the Fourth Channel since it was the fourth TV station established in France.

"By next February, A Few Good Men should finish shooting, and then you can go back home to prepare Fanfan. Once A Few Good Men is released next year, you'll definitely have more international influence.

The script for Fanfan is good; the box office won't be bad either. Galaxy can also take the opportunity to set up a branch in France to handle the French film market!"

Moreover, Arthur planned to quickly establish branches in several Western European countries. Considering it's the most important European market for Hollywood, it must be taken seriously.

Sophie Marceau turned around, "You're planning to shoot a French film. I thought it would be a co-production?"

Arthur shook his head, "No need; we should shoot according to the French film model. You can be the producer for Fanfan, okay?"

"Alright," Sophie Marceau turned over, leaning against Arthur's body, "I want to go back to France for Christmas. Would you come with me?"

"It depends on the situation. If I'm not busy, I can go for a few days," Arthur said, touching Sophie Marceau's face with a smile, "By the way, you should establish a film studio so you can participate in films under the studio's name in the future!"

"I know, I've thought about it. I'll make Fanfan the first project my studio participates in," Sophie Marceau, now confident with Arthur's support...

At the year-end, many art films were released to compete for awards. Next came Christmas, and then New Year's.

The whole of Los Angeles was filled with a festive and lively atmosphere!

Because of the high box office revenues from The Addams Family distributed by Galaxy, the company received more and more scripts and ideas.

Jonathan Demme's new project Philadelphia was already in preparation, and the two male actors he recommended, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, were also satisfied with the script.

"Arthur, I'm planning to start shooting Philadelphia in April next year, is that okay?" Director Jonathan Demme knew that Galaxy had just spent 250 million dollars to acquire a 20% stake in a sports TV station.

And the budget for Philadelphia was 26 million dollars!

Arthur nodded, "Don't worry. Galaxy's cash flow is sufficient for several projects." They had just secured another loan, with 40 million left afterward.

Not to mention the good performance of The Addams Family, which would soon bring in a substantial income, along with this year's film videotape and TV rights revenues.

"You have four months to set up the crew and be prepared," Arthur reminded.

"Okay," Jonathan Demme nodded gratefully and then left. Arthur Smith had supported him in making the critically and commercially successful film The Silence of the Lambs, and maintaining cooperation with Galaxy was naturally what he wanted.

A little while later, Amy Pascal entered Arthur's office. "I understand signing a three-movie contract with Tom Hanks, but we also signed a three-movie deal with Denzel Washington. Do you have high hopes for him?"

Arthur nodded, "Although he has only won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor before, he is really good. Next year, besides Philadelphia, he will also be in The Pelican Brief, with Winona Ryder partnering with him."

After Arthur said this, Amy Pascal reminded him, "Arthur, our family comedy Mrs. Doubtfire will start shooting in February next year, with a budget of 25 million dollars. And the budget for Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption also needs 25 million dollars, while The Pelican Brief requires 22 million. The company has to repay a 100 million dollar loan next year!"

Arthur laughed, "Relax, our revenues are good - movies, chain cinemas, TV stations. Next summer, The Bodyguard, A Few Good Men, and Schindler's List will be released, bringing in a significant income.

The projects starting soon are Philadelphia and Mrs. Doubtfire with most others beginning in the second half of the year. The company's funds are completely sufficient!"

Amy Pascal nodded and handed Arthur a script. "This is an investment request for a British film I received. Take a look.

The film started production last month, but they are very short of funds. The crew is having a hard time and hopes to sell the North American rights in exchange for filming funds!"

Arthur took it and began flipping through it, while Amy introduced the project from the sofa. "The director is Irish writer and screenwriter Neil Jordan. He wrote and directed the crime movie Mona Lisa and also directed the comedy We're No Angels.

The Crying Game is about a soldier from the Irish Republican Army during the Northern Ireland independence war who captures a black British soldier. They become friends while the British soldier is being guarded.

Later, the British soldier dies while trying to escape. Tired of the war, the IRA soldier escapes to London, finds his dead friend's girlfriend, and falls in love with her, only to discover that she is a man..."

Arthur looked through it a bit. "That twist at the end is unexpected - transvestism, LGBTQ!"

"This year, there have been several films about LGBTQ themes released, right? Like Poison, which was well-received at the Sundance Film Festival, My Own Private Idaho, which shone at the Venice Film Festival, and the highly acclaimed and popular Thelma & Louise."

"Arthur, what do you think?" Amy Pascal asked.

Arthur smiled, "No problem. The budget of 2.3 million pounds, and they couldn't get funding? That's just 4 million dollars at the current exchange rate."

"Okay, let's offer 3 million dollars to buy the North American rights for The Crying Game!"

*****

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