I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 440 Big Head Big Head
Juliette Binoche's career hasn't been going well in the last two years.

Even if she is the victim.

A legitimate victim, not like Eva and Emmanuel who are only victims by blood.

She gets a constant stream of acting offers, all for leading roles, but good scripts are hard to come by.

After "Chocolat," she collaborated with Jean Reno on a romantic film, "One Night in Paris."

In February of this year, the film "The Head Country," in which she starred, was released in France.

Originally, she was going to take on a role in a drama film, "Mary," directed by Italian director Abel Ferrara, where she would play the lead.

However, after receiving Liu Jin's invitation, she decisively declined the offer for "Mary".

Not only "Mary," but also "The Season of the Bees," a Hollywood production starring Richard Clayderman, was rejected by Binoche.

She liked the story of "Life Is Beautiful".

At the same time, I also like China as a country.

She will collaborate with Hou Hsiao-hsien in the future, starring in a Chinese-language film.

However, Liu Jin is now unsure whether Binoche will accept the invitation.

……

Inviting Juliette Binoche to star in the film was actually not difficult.

Adjani contacted her first, and she did not refuse.

Emmanuel then contacted her, and she was somewhat interested.

After Liu Jin won the Renaudot Prize for Literature last year, Binoche made up his mind.

She just didn't expect that Liu Jin would ask Patrick Xiahou to intervene, making it impossible for her to change her mind.

In January, Liu Jin returned to France from America and visited Juliette Binoche during his stopover in Paris.

After handing over the adapted script to Sophia, Juliet made over thirty phone calls to Liu Jin in the following two months, discussing various plot points. Liu Jin suggested she go to Shanghai, China, to experience the city firsthand.

but……

As you know, in 2004, although cultural exchanges between China and France were very frequent.

However, most French people still harbor a slight fear of China.

Finally, Binoche simply traveled from Paris to Toulouse and stayed at Liu Jin's house for ten days.

Fortunately, there are few paparazzi in Toulouse, and with Alizee and her group frequently coming and going, no one really paid attention.

if not……

Juliette Binoche and Liu Jin discussed it for ten days.

After Liu Jin finished writing "The Da Vinci Code", they took an Air France flight via Zurich to Shanghai.

On the plane, she did not read "Life Is Beautiful" again.

In fact, he had memorized both the novel and the screenplay of "Life Is Beautiful" perfectly.

She switched to another book, which was *The Hunchback of Notre Dame*.

"Amos, will this book be adapted into a movie?"

"Will do!"

Liu Jin smiled and said, "I talked to director François Ozon, and he is very interested in taking on this job."

However, I think the timing is still right. Let it ferment a bit more, let it settle a bit more, and then we can film it in a few years.

"In a few years, I'm afraid I won't be able to catch up."

“It’s alright, I’ll discuss it with Director Ozon and invite you to audition.”

"You said so!"

"I said!"

Juliette Binoche smiled.

Of course, she knew very well that she wouldn't get the role of Esmeralda.

Esmeralda in the book is the embodiment of freedom and beauty; she is kind and innocent...

That would require a sufficiently beautiful actress, and Juliet knew very well that while she was not bad-looking, she was still some distance from being truly beautiful.

But which actress could refuse to audition for such a role?

Ozon?

The director of 8 Beauties.

He has the skill, but if he wants to adapt this book well, he will probably need to hone his skills for a few more years.

Why not go find Patrick?

"Well, he's waiting for another story from me."

"what story?"

Liu Jin thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "A story about suffering."

Juliet opened her mouth, her eyes filled with curiosity.

……

After a flight of more than ten hours, the plane landed at Pudong Airport.

Liu Jin and Juliet completed the game separately...

After all, he holds a Chinese passport and uses the Chinese citizen lane.

Juliette Binoche is a foreigner and should use the foreigner's lane.

Liu Jin passed through customs smoothly, and after waiting for a while, Juliet finally arrived.

Since no one was notified in advance in Shanghai, no one was there to pick them up at the airport.

Liu Jin smiled and said, "Juliet, don't be so nervous. China is very safe, and the Chinese people are very friendly and hospitable."

"I know, but there's always an adjustment period."

The two of them, pulling their suitcases, lined up at the taxi stand, chatting as they walked.

"I was incredibly nervous when I first went to Los Angeles."

"Haha, I'm way better than you. My first trip abroad was to Little Life, back then..."

Never mind, it's hard to say.

What happened then?

"hey-hey!"

Liu Jin laughed and said, "At the time, I was thinking about winning glory for the country." Juliet didn't understand the reference, so she was still puzzled.

"By the way, are you staying at a hotel, or..."

"What about you?"

"Me? I live in my own home."

"Your home? You're from Shanghai?"

"Of course not, but I do own a house in Shanghai."

"By the way, you can stay here too. Leslie and Sophia are staying with me temporarily; they'll move over after filming starts."

"Your house sounds quite large."

"Not big, but it's alright."

Juliet met Leslie Cheung and Maggie when she was in France.

She also knew that Leslie Cheung was the male lead in this film.

She also knew Maggie, after all, Maggie Cheung was quite famous in France and had met Juliet.

As for Sofia?
She knew him, but wasn't very familiar with him.

Since we were at Liu Jin's house, we could also get acquainted with each other.

"Don't worry, Adjani and Sophie will be coming to visit the set at the end of the month."

"What am I worried about? This is your territory."

"..."

And so the two chatted.

The driver kept glancing at the two of them through the rearview mirror, his eyes full of curiosity.

The car stopped in front of the villa on Hunan Road.

Liu Jin and Juliet got out of the car, carrying their luggage, and walked forward. Just as they were about to knock on the door, it suddenly opened!
"Old Liu!"

"Old Zhang..."

Leslie Cheung smiled and hugged Lau Chun, then greeted Juliet.

The driver's eyes widened.

Is this Leslie Cheung?
He recognized Leslie Cheung, and at the same time became even more curious about Lau Chun and Binoche.

……

This villa will be turned into a hotel in 10 years.

The garage at the entrance will be converted into a Thai restaurant.

But not anymore!

The garage contained a Mengshi 1st generation vehicle with military license plates, a seven-seater bullet-shaped minivan, and a Toyota Paladin.

The Warrior Generation 1 was obtained by Liu Dasheng through his old comrade-in-arms in Shanghai, and it even had a Shanghai military license plate attached to it.

The bullet-shaped toy and the Paladin were bought by Liu Jin.

Used for transportation and entertaining friends.

They're having a barbecue in the courtyard, the American style.

Besides Sophia and Leslie Cheung, Liu Jin saw two familiar faces.

"Guo Jingfei?"

“Ha, Mr. Amos.”

"Why are you here?"

"Ms. Sophia called me over... This is my junior from school. I was thinking of having him come over and do some odd jobs, but..."

"Hello, Mr. Amos!"

The junior had a large head and spoke with a strong Northeastern accent.

For some reason, when Liu Jin saw him, he thought of... 'Fuck you!'
Liu Jin couldn't help but burst out laughing.

His smile left Guo Jingfei and Da Tou somewhat bewildered.

The two looked at each other, their faces filled with youthful confusion.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. I just thought of something interesting. Welcome, Lei... welcome, Lei."

Guo Jingfei has not yet introduced Da Tou's name.

Liu Jin almost let something slip.

"His name is Lei Jiayin..."

"Amos, you're so late, you're punishing yourself with a bottle of wine."

Sophia, who looked like a chef, greeted Liu Jin and Juliet.

"coming!"

Liu Jin agreed and said to Guo Jingfei and Lei Jiayin, "Let's go, let's talk as we go."

"I'll go put my luggage down and then change my clothes."

"No problem, you can choose the room yourself."

Juliet smiled and nodded, about to pull her luggage inside, but Guo Jingfei and Lei Jiayin beat her to it, dragging their suitcases into the house.

"When did you come?"

“Last weekend… I was originally going to stay at a hotel, but Leslie said I could stay here, so I came over.”

Sophia and Liu Jin clinked their bottles together and said with a smile.

"I never expected that you, Amos, would have such a nice house here."

"Haha, it's a quiet place in the middle of the city. My dad bought it, I didn't even know. But it's really comfortable to live here."

As he spoke, he looked up at the three-story villa.

In ten years, these villas with yards will probably be incredibly expensive!

After all, it's Hunan Road...

My parents have a really good eye for talent.

……

(End of this chapter)