I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 297 Persuasion (55)

To become an actor?
Even a dog wouldn't do that!

It's not that someone looks down on this industry, it's just that there's absolutely no motivation.

What good would it do to fight to the death?

When I have time to film, wouldn't it be better to sit down and write (or copy) the story of an Oscar-winning film?
It's all about money.

Why make yourself work so hard when you can earn money so easily?
The problem is, he really doesn't have any cuckold tendencies.

Watching your own woman being intimate with someone else in a movie is just plain stupid.

Liu Jin is conflicted.

He returned home that evening.

He took a bath, changed his clothes, and offered incense before entering the study.

His study now features a mahogany round table in the style of the 18th century, thanks to his recent handwriting.

He now basically writes his books at a round table and researches information on his computer.

Especially this year, in May, Frenchman Xavier Nière launched a small box similar to an optical modem, and after the internet fee dropped from more than 500 francs per month to 29.9 euros, Liu Jin installed it almost immediately.

Why not save half the internet fee in a month?
It's a pity that routers haven't been invented yet, otherwise it would be much more convenient.

Well, it's not like it didn't happen.

In fact, the world's first router was invented in 1984.

However, current routers only offer a network speed of 10 Mbps.

It's already as slow as a tortoise, and if you connect two machines at the same time... forget it, it'll drive you crazy.

It's not very useful.

Besides, the internet speed itself isn't fast, so it's really unnecessary.

Liu Jin wrote two thousand words and prepared to search for some information online.

The phone rang. He picked it up and glanced at it; it was America's area code.

"I am Amos!"

"Hey Amos, I'm Emmanuel."

Emmanuel's voice came through the phone, and Liu Jin was taken aback.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

Eva had just mentioned Emmanuel in the morning, and she called that evening.

"What time is it in Toulouse now?"

Liu Jin glanced at the time and laughed, "It's almost ten o'clock. How come you forgot about French time after going to Hollywood?"

"I've been just too busy lately."

Emmanuelle seemed to be eating something, and Liu Jin subconsciously pictured that sexy little mouth in his mind.

I've been feeling lonely lately, and I'm overthinking things!
Liu Jin immediately slapped his cheeks twice and threw away the messy things.

"what sound?"

"Mosquitoes, swat mosquitoes."

Emmanuel didn't think much of it, took a sip of coffee, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Americano-French coffee, as always, tastes awful!
"I've reached an agreement with Searchlight Pictures..."

"Wait, searchlight? Isn't that Paramount Vantage Films?"

"Their conditions were too harsh; they wanted to acquire the entire adaptation rights, which I did not agree to."

I was originally planning to ask Kinsley for help finding other investment companies, but then Searchlight Pictures' Tom Rothman suddenly contacted me and expressed his willingness to collaborate. His terms were also very lenient, which I thought was more sincere than Paramount Vantage Pictures. Moreover, Tom was very sincere, willing to invest five million dollars in the production.”

searchlight?
Fox's searchlight?
That's definitely possible.

This production and distribution company, founded in 1994, is not very well-known at present.

But in the future, they produced a series of award-winning or well-received low-budget productions, including Little Miss Sunshine, Juno, and 500 Days of Summer, as well as Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

They definitely have the ability.

Even if all else fails, there's still Fox Studios behind the spotlight.

"Five million, wow, the Americans are really rich."

"Haha, I think so too."

Emmanuel laughed too, seeming to be in a good mood.

Saint-Lô and Toulouse are nine hours apart; it's not even 1 a.m. there yet.

Liu Jin said, "So you called to tell me this good news?"

"of course not!"

Emmanuel smiled and said, "First of all, I must congratulate you." "Congratulate me on what?"

"Amélie grossed 51 million euros in France and America grossed $8.2 million in its opening weekend, which is a good result. Mr. Rothman believes that the film can gross around $80 million in North America."

The North American box office cycle is very long.

As long as there is potential, it will continue to be shown.

Liu Jin did not pay attention to the North American release of "Amélie".

All he knew was that when it was taken off the screens in France, it grossed 5,000 euros and over 60 million US dollars.

In the original timeline, "Amélie" only grossed over 30 million at the box office.

This result is absolutely surprising.

Adjani congratulated him on this.

This is Liu Jin's first work, but precisely because it is the first adapted film to be released, it demonstrates its significant commercial value.

This is probably why the searchlights came knocking.

"Eight million or so, that sounds like nothing special."

"But you have to understand, it's the off-season now, and there are only 1,200 screens, so the results are already quite impressive. Next week, the theaters will increase it to 2,500 screens... So, Amos, Amélie has already succeeded."

"Haha, that's all thanks to Adjani and Genet."

After they spent a lot of money to buy the adaptation rights, it actually had nothing to do with me anymore.

Liu Jin said modestly.

He changed the fate of "Amélie".

In its previous life, this movie, after being repeatedly shown, only grossed a little over one hundred million dollars in 2024.

Currently, the box office in France and North America alone is estimated to have exceeded 130 million. With the addition of box office revenue from other regions, reaching 150 million should not be a problem.

Liu Jin breathed a sigh of relief.

"The second thing was something Eva mentioned to me."

"No way, she told you?"

"Yes!"

On the phone, Emmanuel couldn't help but chuckle.

"However, I think it's a good idea, and I mentioned it to Mr. Rossman, who also thought it was a good idea. Although you are Chinese... forgive my bluntness, but as you know, Hollywood has always rejected Chinese male leads."

But Mr. Rossman thinks you can.

Because he can see the spirit of America in you.

I thanked him!
How did I become America's spirit?

Liu Jin couldn't help but mutter to himself.

I thank you and your ancestors for eighteen generations!

"Don't laugh, let me tell you, you're a celebrity in America now."

Author of bestselling novels, friend of victims, and a warrior who dares to expose heinous crimes.

The Americans are very fond of you now and also very curious... By the way, David Lynch's "Identity" is about to be released.

You are also a major selling point for him.

It seems that "Life Is Beautiful" has worked.

Without the movie "Life Is Beautiful," the title of "brave warrior who dared to face the bleakness of life" would not exist.

Mr. Blumenthal must have played a part in this.

In late August and early September, he visited Shanghai and once again toured the Shanghai Refugee Memorial Hall, where he delivered a passionate speech.

I suspect that this is one of the reasons why the higher-ups were willing to clean up his mess.

Most importantly, although Prime Minister Koizumi still visited the sacred toilet, he did not publicize it or encourage widespread imitation.

This is the change brought about by "Life Is Beautiful".

"Amos, I think you should really consider this."

Eva will be joining me next week, and I'll show her around the area. Also, I've found a screenwriter and we're preparing to adapt the script. Once it's finished, I'll show it to you and then we'll confirm the filming.

If all goes well, it should be operational by the end of January next year.

"Yeah, Eva's so beautiful, you wouldn't want to leave her all alone in Hollywood, would you? There are tons of perverts here."

I feel like you're threatening me!

For a moment, Liu Jin was speechless.

……

(End of this chapter)