I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 351 Lost in the Demon City
Liu Jin wasn't a fighting dog that would bite anyone it saw.

He will not be polite to those who are clearly malicious.

But as for Sofia Coppola... well, how should I put it? She doesn't mean any harm, she's just been brainwashed and isn't very bright.

Moreover, she has a very straightforward personality.

He speaks very bluntly...

Liu Jin even felt that if she weren't Coppola's daughter, she would probably have been kicked out of Hollywood long ago.

Therefore, it's not surprising that she took a liking to Quentin.

Not very bright!
……

"Amos, I like your book, Life Is Beautiful."

Sophia sat down and got straight to the point: "I'd like to know, do you have any plans to make changes?"

Just then, the food arrived.

Liu Jin asked them if they wanted some too, and learned that they had just eaten.

Sofia and Cage arrived in Vienna in the morning, adjusted to the time difference, slept for an afternoon, and then came down for lunch.

"The food here is awful!"

Cage muttered in a low voice.

Liu Jin took a bite of the Spanish seafood paella and found it to be just average.

He was indeed a bit hungry, so he didn't care too much and took two big bites.

"I hope it will be released in August 05, most likely."

"why?"

Sofia was a little confused.

"Because August 15th is the day when the little days surrender."

"You hate a simple, mundane life?"

"No, I don't hate it, I despise it."

When talking to Sophia, Liu Jin didn't want to hide anything and spoke very directly.

"why?"

The American people know almost nothing about history outside of America.

They even feel the same way about their own history.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be jokes like "Pearl Harbor was attacked by Americans," nor would there be statements like "there were friendly exchanges with Rome two thousand years ago," which are almost idiotic.

Of course, Liu Jin genuinely didn't know whether Zuo Zongtang's attack on Pearl Harbor was true or false!
"If you want to know, you might as well buy a book when you get back."

"The Nanjing Massacre" is a book written by Iris Zhang, which I believe received praise from Richard Lacob.

Random House reprinted it last year, and it seems to have done quite well; you should be able to buy it. As for me… I really don't want to discuss this. It's a very painful and cruel past, and I'm very sorry.”

"Okay, I understand. I'll buy it and read it when I get back."

Sofia Coppola gave a very serious guarantee.

Then, she changed the subject and said, "Actually, I'm very interested in Life Is Beautiful, and I want the adaptation rights."

"what?"

"Stephen was also interested, and he never wanted to recall that history until his death... Mr. Amos, I mean, if you decide to adapt it, you can consider me. I am really sincere and hope to get your approval."

"You want to direct 'Life Is Beautiful'?"

"Yes!"

Sofia said, "I'm currently working on a script called 'Lost in the Magic City'."

After meeting you this time, I will go to Shanghai to experience its culture and atmosphere. Most importantly, I want to learn about the victim's life and experiences there back then... Mr. Amos, I'm very sincere."

Wait a minute, wait a minute, what the heck is "Lost in Shanghai"?

Shouldn't it be Lost in Tokyo?
As a fan of Scarlett Johansson, Liu Jin watched Lost in Translation several times after Avengers was released.

Overall, Lost in Tokyo...

It has little connection with Tokyo.

It's a story about people living in a foreign land who, due to cultural and linguistic differences, are unable to integrate into the local community.

The story of an older man and a younger woman who are drawn to each other by loneliness, and their extramarital affair.

At its core, it's a story about finding faith amidst the hidden possibilities of life...

It could be Tokyo, or Paris or Berlin, or even Bangkok, Seoul, or even Shanghai.

Many people assume that Lost in Translation is a Japanese story. However, Sofia later mentioned in an interview on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that the film was named Lost in Translation because the distribution was handled by Focus Features, a newly established subsidiary of Universal Pictures. Universal Studios had 49% Japanese ownership. To secure more resources from Universal, Tokyo was chosen as the location.

The cultural export of "Xiao Rizi" (a popular online personality) is quite impressive.

However, NBCUniversal later acquired the 49% stake, completely excluding Japanese capital.

"So, have you found investment yet? I mean, for your film, 'Lost in Shanghai'?"

"The script isn't finished yet, of course not."

However, I plan to try Universal Pictures; if that doesn't work, I'll look for other investors.

Would you mind if I invested?

"what?"

Sofia was stunned.

"You want to invest in Lost Shanghai?"

"Yes!"

"why?"

"Because, her name is 'Lost in Shanghai,' that reason should be acceptable, right?"

I just want Sofia to film a realistic Shanghai, not like other directors..."

Sofia fell silent upon hearing this.

After a long pause, she said softly, "That would cost several million dollars."

"Five million, is that alright?"

"This one……"

"For distribution, you can find a Hollywood company; I believe you should have no problem."

I won't interfere with your filming. You just need to follow your own ideas and tell the story you want... And I only have one request: I hope you can let more people see the real, beautiful Shanghai.

Lost in Tokyo's original timeline, with an investment of four million US dollars.

And it was filmed in Tokyo.

If you moved to Shanghai, you wouldn't even need four million. In 2003, the cost of living in Shanghai was much cheaper than in Tokyo.

The film grossed $1.18 million worldwide.

More importantly, this is an award-contending film. An Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Three Golden Globe Awards. Three BAFTA Awards. Four Independent Spirit Awards… You could say that with so many awards, Sofia's family must have helped. But winning awards is winning awards, and with considerable influence at that.

Cage chuckled, "I almost forgot, Amos is rolling in money from his writing, he's certainly not short of cash."

America is now starting to speculate about how much royalties Liu Jin received in 2002.

This is not difficult to calculate.

Some media outlets have already begun to estimate that it should be around one hundred million US dollars.

Sofia Coppola looked thoughtful.

After a moment, she said softly, "I can't promise you right now, but I can give you an answer after I return to America from Shanghai."

"no problem!"

Liu Jin's smile was exceptionally bright.

"That beautiful life..."

Sofia's main purpose in coming here was to obtain the adaptation rights to this book.

She's seen it countless times!
Every time, she would burst into tears.

Especially at the end, when Xiao Qiao faces the empty concentration camp and a plane flies overhead, she feels incredibly heartbroken.

If it weren't for "Life Is Beautiful," perhaps even if I were lost in Shanghai, I would still be lost in Tokyo.

Liu Jin looked at Sophia solemnly.

After a long pause, he said softly, "If I entrust this film to you, could you set aside the so-called Western narrative perspective?"

"I will!"

Sophia thought for a moment and said softly, "I can ask Uncle Stephen to produce for me."

Produced by Steven Spielberg?

This sounds much more appealing!

……

(End of this chapter)