Chapter 221

Sophie Marceau came and went in a hurry.

La disparue de Deauville finished shooting the scenes at the Normandy seaside resort hotel in Deauville. She came to say goodbye to Charles.

After Charles returned to his room, Eva Green was semi-lying on the bed, smoking a cigarette while wearing a sexy, see-through white shirt.

She seductively beckoned Charles with her finger, making him feel somewhat guilty since he had just spent half a day with another fellow countrywoman.

Not now. Charles sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard, and asked, "Did you get soccer bets this afternoon?"

"Yeah, I placed EUR10,000 each on Italy and France to win, and another EUR20,000 each on Italy-France and France-Italy taking first and second places. Before leaving, I also bet EUR10,000 on England and Germany to win!"

"You really don't have much faith in Brazil and Spain, do you?" Charles laughed. A total of only EUR80,000 wasn't much.

As long as Italy wins or Italy and France take the top spots, she'd win a small amount.

"By the way, the World Cup starts on Friday. Do you think I should go see the opening ceremony? It's held in the Allianz Arena in Munich," remarked Charles, though he wasn't very interested in the opening game between host Germany and Costa Rica.

"Oh, sure, go if you want. It's not that far anyway!" Eva Green said, pulling Charles to lie in her arms, kissed him on the neck, and continued,

"I can't go with you. After this week, I have to go to Los Angeles to discuss The Golden Compass, and then to Britain and Switzerland for filming."

Charles looked at Eva Green, "Do you like those dark style roles?"

Eva Green nodded, "I dyed my hair black from blonde when I was 14, and I started loving heavy makeup!"

No wonder Eva Green took on so many witch roles later on. As a dark and sexy beauty, she indeed fit well with the dark gothic style of director Tim Burton.

Dark Shadows, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, and the witch role debut in The Golden Compass.

"In the future, be mindful of the boundaries when taking Hollywood movies. The Dreamers almost typecast you into that special category. Luckily, you gained quite a bit of fame from Kingdom of Heaven and Casino Royale, both known for their sensuality but within limits.

Hollywood is different from Europe. Many European movies are casual about body exposure, but Hollywood can pigeonhole actresses, which might result in your roles becoming too one-dimensional."

Anyway, Charles still liked Eva Green and didn't want her future roles to be confined to passionate scenes or just showing off her body.

Eva Green thought for a moment and looked at Charles, feeling a bit helpless, "But we all think that showing one's body is a normal thing!"

"Do you know how many commercial films Hollywood releases every year and how many actresses compete for roles? Do you think French actresses can outshine those from England, Australia, etc.? Except for English-speaking Canadians, how many French actresses are left in Hollywood?" Charles frowned, already fed up with French arrogance.

Commercial films are moneymakers, so there's rarely any inappropriate content. European dramas often jump straight to NC-17 ratings; how is Hollywood supposed to make money from that?

"I know French culture boasts self-confidence, but the film industry's global center is Hollywood. To have worldwide influence, you must break into Hollywood." If Charles didn't think highly of Eva Green, he wouldn't be saying this.

French actresses like Isabelle Adjani and Juliette Binoche, both Oscar Best Actress nominees, went back to their base in France early.

You can say French actors dismiss Hollywood's commercial films, but I say you couldn't get top resources in Hollywood!

"No, no," Eva Green quickly kissed Charles, offering up her tongue.

After the kiss ended, Eva Green gently patted Charles's arm, "Don't be mad. I'm still just a small-time actress. It's not me choosing the films; it's the film roles choosing me!"

Eva Green knew Charles was looking out for her. Compared to talents like Isabelle Adjani and Juliette Binoche, Eva Green couldn't measure up.

She also couldn't match worldwide recognized beauties like Sophie Marceau.

"Marion Cotillard has the right idea. Commercial films are essential; at the same time, she has a keen eye for art films. This way, she can shoot commercial films in Hollywood and make European art films to chase awards," Charles advised. "Sophie Marceau has stunning looks but lacks acting skills. Hollywood only needs her to showcase her beauty, which she wasn't willing to remain as a mere trophy, so she went back to France to make many dramas. But their influence combined can't match her early roles in Braveheart or The World Is Not Enough!

Of course, if you only want to hold your ground in European art films, your acting and beauty - plus your willingness to contribute - are enough."

Eva Green's mouth fell open, shocked by how straightforward Charles was. Though many criticize Sophie Marceau's acting, few would voice it so directly!

"I want to develop in Hollywood! I will heed your advice and avoid being typecast. I am not against commercial films, but as a French actress, I often get only those kinds of roles," Eva Green felt wronged, knowing she often had to be the highlight of a movie.

Charles gently patted the woman's thigh, reminding, "Don't worry, I'll help you. In the coming years, you won't lack resources. We'll see if any role can elevate you!"

Charles realized he had been a bit harsh earlier, mainly because he seemingly had a resistance to France built into him.

"Alright, alright, but the main issue is that art film crews are often chaotic. While shooting, some actress inevitably ends up pregnant by the director or producer!" Charles tried to comfort Eva Green, who had never demanded anything from him.

He hadn't given her much. Compared to Marion Cotillard, he had been way too biased.

"In the past few days, I had my assistant purchase a holiday villa in Corsica as a gift for you," Charles said. Another flight attendant, Odette Annable, wasn't in Deauville because she had gone to Corsica.

Then, Charles wiped the teary woman's eyes and kissed her on the lips, to which Eva Green responded by wrapping her arms around his neck.

*****

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