Chapter 275 — A Revolutionary Work
Aaron flipped through the script in his hands. Dawnlight was definitely interested in the disaster genre.
As for directors, one name immediately came to mind—Roland Emmerich.
Coincidentally, his sci-fi adventure film Stargate was set for release that year, produced by Carolco and distributed by MGM.
Perhaps… Twister could be handed to him for development.
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That evening, at the Montrose Hotel in West Hollywood, Dawnlight hosted a celebration party for Pulp Fiction.
The occasion: its Palme d'Or win at the Cannes Film Festival, along with the wave of international acclaim and discussion it had sparked.
Director Quentin Tarantino attended, along with cast members John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Tim Roth, and Christiana Reali.
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"This film is genuinely impressive," Aaron said, clinking glasses with Tarantino.
"You've completely overturned traditional narrative structure and storytelling."
Pulp Fiction shattered conventional linear storytelling, using fragmented sequences that disrupted the audience's expectations.
At the same time, Tarantino borrowed heavily from classic cinema—blending homage with absurd humor, rapid-fire dialogue, and a striking soundtrack—creating a chaotic yet captivating experience.
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"We'll still have to see how it performs in theaters," Tarantino replied, unusually modest.
The film had been made on a budget of under $10 million.
Whether it was a major star like Bruce Willis or a newcomer, all were paid roughly $20,000 per week.
However, Dawnlight had signed bonus agreements with key actors—ranging from $100,000 up to $1 million.
If the film performed well, actors like Bruce Willis and John Travolta could earn substantial backend bonuses.
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Aaron patted Tarantino on the shoulder.
"Tonight belongs to you. Enjoy it."
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Later, Aaron left the hotel with Christiana Reali.
As they drove through West Hollywood, the city was already growing more crowded.
"With the World Cup approaching, Los Angeles is getting busier by the day," Aaron remarked.
"You don't seem very interested in it," she teased.
Aaron rested a hand casually on her thigh.
"I'm betting on Brazil national football team to win."
She laughed.
"Well, I'm Brazilian—so I'm obviously rooting for them too."
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"By the way, how's Scream coming along?"
"It's been filming for about a week," she said.
"Drew Barrymore just finished her scenes."
Although her role was more of a cameo, she was still the most recognizable name in the cast.
Compared to her, neither Christina Ricci nor Kate Beckinsale had the same level of fame—at least for now.
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"I heard Three Colors: Red was Pulp Fiction's biggest competitor at Cannes?"
Aaron asked.
Christiana nodded.
"That's right. It had strong support too."
"But this year's jury president was Clint Eastwood—and he was very impressed with Pulp Fiction."
"In the end, the Palme d'Or still went to Tarantino."
As June arrived, My Best Friend's Wedding had been in theaters for three weeks, with its North American box office surpassing $50 million, successfully kicking off Dawnlight's summer slate.
Meanwhile, in the NBA Western Conference Finals, Aaron's Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 4–1, claiming the Western Conference title and advancing to the Finals, awaiting the Eastern champion.
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In San Francisco, Aaron brought Joey Wong to the scenic Monterey Bay, where his private yacht was docked.
"How's filming going for The Blood and Tears of Chinese Laborers?" Aaron asked, pouring her a glass of champagne.
Joey nodded with a smile.
"My scenes are basically done—it took about two months."
"I was planning to head to Vancouver next, but then I got your call."
Aaron leaned back on the sofa.
"I missed you, so I came. And the male lead you chose for the film—good pick."
"Tony Leung Ka-fai, right? His performance in The Lover was widely praised—he's a very expressive actor."
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Since the film was produced and distributed by New Moon Pictures, although John Woo had initially hoped to cast Chow Yun-fat, the producers ultimately chose Tony Leung Ka-fai due to his stronger international recognition.
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"You know him too?" Joey smiled, climbing onto Aaron's lap.
"His acting really is exceptional."
Aaron ran his hand along her long, slender legs. He wasn't particularly invested in The Blood and Tears of Chinese Laborers—
What interested him more was the upcoming North American release of Rumble in the Bronx starring Jackie Chan.
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Joey leaned in and kissed him lightly.
"There's more good news—Hong Kong's real estate market is booming. The properties you bought earlier have already appreciated significantly."
Aaron smiled knowingly.
"Not surprising. With 1997 approaching, those British-backed conglomerates will definitely try to squeeze out another round of profits."
"Hong Kong's property market has always been controlled by a few major private groups—they drive prices up to maximize gains. Nothing unusual."
At the same time, Asia's economy was booming—especially in Southeast Asia.
Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia were seeing rapid growth, fueled by foreign investment and export-driven development.
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"Tomorrow, let's head to Lake Tahoe," Aaron said.
"It sits on the border between California and Nevada—beautiful alpine scenery, perfect for a summer retreat."
"Sounds good," Joey replied, before leaning in to kiss him again.
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At the same time, Dawnlight and Geffen Pictures released the fantasy epic Interview with the Vampire across 2,600 theaters in North America.
The film opened to an impressive $36.38 million in its first weekend.
With a star-studded cast including Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, and Monica Bellucci, it was arguably one of the most visually striking—and star-powered—films of the moment.
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