I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 432 Persuasion

Chapter 432 Persuasion
Before Sunrise will be released in mid-October.

Over the course of a month, the film grossed $73 million in North America and $53 million in Europe.

France and Germany contributed 38 million in box office revenue, while other countries contributed 15 million...

A truly outstanding box office result!

After all, the total cost of filming and marketing for this movie was only eight million US dollars.

Eight million turned into one hundred and twenty-six million, and that's just the box office in North America and Europe; the results for other regions haven't been tallied yet.

A rough estimate suggests that the global box office should exceed 150 million.

Tom Rothman was ecstatic!

Moreover, "Before" is an art film, and its screening period is inherently long.

At least for now, there are still quite a few arthouse films showing in Europe. The box office isn't high, but even a little bit is still something!
"Bella, is Amos coming?"

"Yes, he has arrived, but he will probably be very busy for a while."

He's involved in all three films, and I asked him; he said he'll be busy until mid-January. How about I invite him to dinner when he's free?

"That's wonderful!"

Tom hung up the phone, satisfied.

……

Emmanuel looked at Liu Jin, who was sprawled on the sofa in a relaxed, slumped posture, and felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

After Liu Jin arrived in America, he barely had time to rest before Leonardo DiCaprio dragged him into promotional activities.

Over five days, I attended six cocktail parties and conducted four interviews.

Liu Jin was getting so annoyed by the constant running around.

Just last night, after appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show, he flew back to Los Angeles from Chicago overnight, refusing to go on any more trips.

Even though Leonardo DiCaprio called Emmanuel, Liu Jin still pretended to be dead.

"That's enough. It's supposed to be released the day after tomorrow. What's the use of cramming at the last minute?"

Besides, the selling point of this movie isn't me, it's Leon, Matt, and Toby, it's Kate. I'm just there to make up the numbers.

"But you should have held on a little longer."

"I do not want!"

Liu Jin rolled over on the sofa, clutching his head and yelling, "Pirates of the Caribbean is so convenient! They only scheduled three interview programs for me. I'm here on vacation, not to work... and I also have to coordinate with Sophie next month..."

"Ughhhh, I'll never get involved again!"

He shouted like a little child.

Béa also felt quite helpless.

She knew very well that once Liu Jin got into a tantrum, no one could persuade him.

Let alone her, it would be the same if Sophie Marceau came over.

"Alright then, you should take a good rest for a while, but you definitely can't avoid the premiere the day after tomorrow, hahaha."

Liu Jin grabbed a cushion and covered his head with it.

……

On the 19th, The Hangover was released.

On that day, Liu Jin went to San Francisco.

Because Mr. Zhang has returned from Boston.

She also brought her new book, "A History of Chinese Americans".

She was holding a book signing event in San Francisco and had specially invited Liu Jin.

He might not give face to others, but she would go to Mr. Zhang's invitation even if the sky were to fall.

Therefore, Leonardo DiCaprio and his two companions launched an attack on Liu Jin at the premiere.

"This guy is an excellent writer, but the most unethical actor."

Leonardo DiCaprio said helplessly, "The scripts he writes and the movies he acts in are not as important as his communication with his peers."

"Leon, if Amos invites you to cooperate again..."

"Of course we should forgive him."

Little Li looked troubled.

Matt Damon, who had come all the way from the film set, said with no small amount of jealousy, "Don't listen to Leon's nonsense. Amos has actually written a novel specifically for him. Damn it, why is he the main character again? I'm going crazy with jealousy!"

Leonardo DiCaprio laughed heartily.

Kate and Tobey Maguire, standing nearby, could only sigh helplessly at his smug expression.

There's really no way to comment on the friendship between Liu Jin and Xiao Li Zi.

……

Liu Jin paid no attention to Xiao Li's attack.

He met Mr. Zhang in San Francisco and was a little worried.

Mr. Zhang's mental state did not seem very good; he appeared very depressed.

If you understand the history of Chinese Americans in North America, you'll know it's also a history of blood and tears. Perhaps it's not as heavy, as shocking, or as painful as the documentary "The Rape of Nanking," but it's still a history of blood and tears.

Liu Jin felt that Mr. Zhang should put things on hold and stop creating.

She wrote a total of three books in her lifetime.

But actually, there are plans for a fourth book.

Of the first three books, only the first one is a biography of Mr. Qian Xuesen; the other two books are about very serious topics.

Whether it's the Nanjing Massacre or the history of Chinese Americans.

Let alone creating anything, just collecting information is an extremely painful process.

Fortunately, in this time and space, Liu Jin shared some of the pressure with her.

Otherwise, she would not only have to face the painful history, but also the threats, blockades, and smears from ordinary people...

Even so, Mr. Zhang still faced tremendous pressure.

After the book signing ended, she and Liu Jin chatted in a café at Fisherman's Wharf.

She talked about her fourth book.

The story of American veterans captured in the Philippines during World War II.

This includes not only the Bataan Death March, but also the concentration camps that were established there at the time.

Just by listening to her creative ideas, Liu Jin knew that this would definitely be another extremely painful creative process...

“Iris, I suggest you don’t start writing for now.”

"why?"

"Because you will encounter the same thing that happened when 'The Nanjing Massacre' was published."

"I'm writing about America's veterans from back then..."

"Is it possible that the America government actually doesn't want people to know this story?" "Why?"

"because……"

Liu Jin paused for a moment, then said softly, "Because for the American government, forgetting the past is the only way they can better reshape history."

"Reshaping history?"

Zhang Chunru's eyes widened as she stared at Liu Jin.

Liu Jin said, "Do you know the novel I wrote earlier this year called 'The Eye of the Ferocious Beast'?"

"Of course I know, I've watched it many times."

The idea of writing about veterans was partly influenced by your work.

As she spoke, she suddenly shut her mouth.

After a long silence, she said softly, "Are you worried that the absurd plot in your novel might actually come to pass in the future?"

Liu Jin did not answer, but instead lit a cigarette.

He paused for a moment and said, "If you really want to write, I advise you to gather enough information and materials before going to China to write."

As he spoke, he exhaled a smoke ring.

"You will experience less pressure in China."

As for America... Little Life doesn't want you to write about it, and America doesn't want you to write about it either.

At that time, you will be under double pressure.

"You don't think highly of America?"

"Yes, otherwise why wouldn't I have bought property in America by now?"

The uncertainty here is too great. To be honest, I'd rather stay in Europe than come here, precisely because the founders of this country were a bunch of extremists and criminals. I don't particularly trust those politicians.

Liu Jin had a clear idea of what future American politicians would look like.

But Mr. Zhang is different.

She is of Chinese descent!

Her ancestral home is Huai'an, Jiangsu, but she was born in America.

Her trust in America couldn't be swayed by just a few words.

Therefore, Liu Jin could only offer advice.

He wasn't sure if he could persuade her.

After taking a sip of coffee, Mr. Zhang said, "Amos, I will seriously consider your suggestion."

but……

This is so sudden. What you're saying is somewhat different from what I've been thinking. Of course, I don't believe you're lying…

"It's okay, I believe you can make the right choice."

Liu Jin stopped Mr. Zhang and they did not continue the conversation.

……

The following day, Liu Jin accompanied Zhang Chunru to another book signing event.

He originally planned to attend the book signing event along the entire West Coast with her, partly to protect her and partly to observe her condition.

Unfortunately, a phone call that afternoon forced him to change his plans.

"Amos, come back here right now!"

After the book signing ended on the second day, Liu Jin received a call from Xiao Li Zi.

"What are you going back for?"

"You damn bastard, didn't you see yesterday's box office figures?"

"No, I've been busy."

"Stop busy, we need you here... Yesterday's box office figures are out, seventy-two million, damn it, it's seventy-two million US dollars!"

Li Zi was very excited on the phone.

However, Liu Jin appeared very calm.

In the original timeline, The Hangover's opening day box office was over 34 million US dollars.

Now it's Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Toby Hadid teaming up, plus Kate Winslet in the role, making it a much bigger production than the original.

In Liu Jin's view, the reason why the box office did not break 100 million on the first day was because Leonardo DiCaprio and his co-stars had too little appeal.

So much so that when Leonardo DiCaprio called to tell him the opening day box office results, Lau Chun remained completely unmoved.

"Come back immediately, we're all waiting for you."

"Wait for me? For what?"

"A celebration party, Bro. The outside estimates suggest that The Hangover's North American box office could break $600 million."

Listen, come back right now, or we'll storm San Francisco and kidnap you.

"Okay, okay, I understand, I'm going back!"

After Liu Jin finished speaking, he hung up the phone.

Iris Chang looked at Liu Jin curiously and asked, "What happened?"

Not only was she curious, but her husband Brett and the editor-in-chief of Viking Children's Publishing House were also watching him.

“Iris, I wanted to accompany you on this book signing trip, but now I have to go back to Los Angeles right away.”

"Are the movie box office results out?"

Brett, holding his and Mr. Zhang's son, Christopher, asked curiously.