Chapter 132: Oscar Incident

The crew of Brokeback Mountain attended this year's Oscars, including Liv Tyler, who had just given birth to a son at the beginning of the year, who dressed up for the occasion.

Charles sat with his mother, not far from the crew of The Aviator. The front seats were always reserved for competitive productions and their members.

Seeing Chris Rock as the host made Charles unhappy; that guy always had a sharp tongue and loved to mock people.

"The Oscars are getting more and more boring. No wonder the ratings are dropping," Charles mumbled, shaking his head.

Evelyn laughed, "So the committee hopes to invite more stars and create topics!"

The Oscars were originally a bit dull, which was why Charles didn't like attending them. Soon, it was time to present the Best Supporting Actress award.

Michelle Williams from Brokeback Mountain lost to Cate Blanchett from The Aviator. The big boss remains the big boss.

Watching his mother applauding so enthusiastically, Charles also clapped, wondering why she was so excited when it wasn't even her artist.

Next were some technical awards and guest performances. Charles planned to take a break backstage.

"Where are you going? Are you going back?" Evelyn, knowing her son too well, guessed he might just run off.

"I'm going to the bathroom, then get a drink!"

Charles got up and left, heading straight backstage.

The Kodak Theater's backstage had a bar where award ceremony guests could grab a drink. Charles didn't plan to return to his seat early, so he came over here.

As soon as he arrived, Harvey Weinstein and his new young girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, approached him.

"Hey, Charles, our Hollywood genius filmmaker!" Harvey greeted.

"Good evening, Harvey. Want a drink? It's on me!" Charles waved dismissively; with his wealth of over $600 million, he didn't care for such arrogance.

"You rest over there," Harvey told his girlfriend, giving her a pat on the butt.

Sitting beside Charles at the bar, Harvey ordered two whiskeys and said with a smile, "Your Brokeback Mountain is good, but it also has its share of negative press."

"A movie about homosexuality always has its protesters."

Charles glanced at the fat man beside him. If he guessed right, some of those negative reports on Brokeback Mountain might be his handiwork.

The Aviator is a mainstream American biopic and very competitive, but the reputation of Brokeback Mountain was just too high.

The Aviator was also co-produced by Miramax and Warner Bros., with the Weinstein brothers as producers.

After taking a sip, Charles smiled, "Winning awards doesn't matter much to me. My main focus is commercial films!"

Charles and Harvey Weinstein were fundamentally different. So far, the highest-budget Miramax film was The Aviator, with a production cost of $110 million. Their previous high-budget films were Cold Mountain at $80 million and Gangs of New York at $90 million.

Unfortunately, all of them flopped commercially, which couldn't be compensated.

Harvey Weinstein smiled and said, "Charles, you're still young and perhaps don't fully understand Hollywood's rules and systems."

Harvey Weinstein felt a bit annoyed because this young man showed no respect, speaking to him as an equal.

All the actors, directors, or young producers were usually in awe and trying to please him.

Charles took another sip and laughed, "Hollywood's rules? Do commercial system rules really need more explanation?"

"Charles, your mother has many actors who need opportunities. I think we can collaborate in some aspects," Harvey Weinstein's smile was a bit creepy, but the words sounded normal enough.

"Bob and I are planning to leave Disney and set up our own independent production company. There will be many projects!"

"Then you can discuss casting with the agents at ETA. My mother rarely pays attention to ordinary actors now," Charles said casually. Actors do need opportunities.

"Charles, what I mean is I need some private interactions with a few actresses, and in some aspects, I need your mother's cooperation," Harvey Weinstein made it clear.

Now Charles understood that an actress trading her body for opportunities was pretty normal, and usually, agents wouldn't interfere; they might even support it.

Evelyn Capet certainly wouldn't stop actresses at ETA from doing that, but now Harvey Weinstein wanted his mother's cooperation? To tell those actresses to follow his hidden rules? Given Evelyn Capet's status and as Charles Capet's mother, would she need to do something so degrading?

Charles turned his head, looking at the fat man in front of him, already feeling angry. Did this guy, who dabbled in indie films, think he was the boss?

"Harvey, are you drunk?" Charles smiled but had a cold tone.

"My mother needs to care? A film project with a budget of millions or tens of millions of dollars? I can develop 20-30 such projects a year without any financial pressure, without even wasting time on financing. Do you think I'm a naive newcomer to Hollywood or a foreigner who doesn't understand the scene?"

Harvey Weinstein stared at Charles, stunned, realizing this young Charles Capet was now part of the capital.

"Haha, Charles, let's collaborate? Hollywood needs everyone to come together to thrive," Harvey Weinstein quickly changed to a warm smile, patting Charles on the shoulder to show friendliness.

Charles also smiled, patting Harvey Weinstein's shoulder, then whispered in his ear, "Don't push the limits. Otherwise, I can easily throw out $100 million or $200 million to spread across various newspapers and magazines.

If my mother isn't happy, I won't be either! Hollywood is a whole. What do you think Hollywood would do if someone tarnished its image and ruined its market?"

After speaking, Charles left, unable to fathom why this dog, about to be kicked out by Disney, dared say such things to him. Although Charles didn't have deep feelings for Evelyn, she was sincerely good to her son, and Charles would be a good son to her!

*****

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