Having an elder is like having a treasure. Although the old man didn't live a very disciplined life, when it came to social etiquette in Hollywood, he was far more adept than Gilbert. He could even dig up all sorts of insider gossip. Having an old man like him to give guidance at critical moments was like A Bao having his "Uncle" in Blossoms Shanghai.
You could say the old man had a messy private life, still living it up despite his age. But most people in Hollywood were like that; it's not like you could cut ties with everyone. If you applied the moral standards from the other side of the Pacific, 99% of Hollywood's celebrity directors and producers wouldn't qualify as "good people."
But then again, film is an art, and also a commercial endeavor. Making movies is a business. Even if your collaborating boss has 108 mistresses, as long as it doesn't affect your earnings and cause problems, do you really care if they're a good person? Making movies isn't about selecting moral exemplars. If held to past standards, Gilbert should have become a missionary, cutting ties with the secular world.
"Whether someone is a good person is none of my business, and whether the West is chaotic has nothing to do with me either. I just make movies, gain fame, and make money; I don't care about anything else." That was Gilbert's mindset.
After talking with the old man, Gilbert had a clearer path for the future. Hollywood was inherently a fiercely competitive circle; it was impossible to expect everyone to like you. It had been alright before, but as Gilbert delved deeper into Hollywood's core circles, the competition he faced was bound to be intense. At this point, being a "good" or "bad" person no longer mattered; you had to be ruthless.
---
On April 28th, after a series of events including the Super Bowl promotion and the mudslinging war, Speed finally held its premiere at a theater in South Los Angeles. To align with the prevailing political correctness, Disney and Warner Bros. jointly invited dozens of audience members representing various ethnic groups—African American, Asian, Latinx, and others—to attend the premiere.
To commemorate the victims of the Los Angeles riots, the usual red carpet was specially replaced with a black one, and everyone attending the premiere wore black formal attire. These were all superficial gestures, but they had to look good on the surface. Similarly, this occasion could also be interpreted as a tribute to the talented actor River Phoenix. Keanu Reeves was deeply moved when he heard about the premiere arrangements and held Gilbert's hand, thanking him for a long time.
---
Today, Gilbert's father and his aunt's family would all attend the premiere. This occasion was very important for Gilbert, so of course, the whole family would come to support him. At the hotel where they were preparing to leave for the venue, the family gathered. Naomi Watts, as one of the lead actresses, was also Gilbert's date.
The old man saw Naomi Watts and nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad..."
Gilbert's aunt, Meryl Clyte, asked, "Gilbert, is this your girlfriend?"
Seeing the expectant look in Naomi Watts' eyes, Gilbert admitted directly, "Yes..." Anyway, he could have many girlfriends, and saying something to make Meryl and Naomi happy was fine.
Sure enough, Naomi clearly showed a look of delight on her face. Meryl, like a mother-in-law eyeing her prospective daughter-in-law, looked at Naomi, covertly sized her up, then subtly nodded, seeming quite pleased.
His cousin, Ally Mays, looked at the beautiful Naomi Watts and, knowing she was her cousin's girlfriend (and her cousin always doted on her), had a good attitude towards Naomi.
---
After changing into their formal wear and getting their hair done, Gilbert asked his cousin Ally, "Ally, do you want to be a star?"
"Like Auntie Naomi?" Ally Mays asked.
"Yes, act in movies, and then countless fans will love you," Gilbert said with a smile. If Ally wanted to be a star, Gilbert would definitely help her. And personally making a star famous who didn't exist in his previous life would be very fulfilling.
Who knew Ally would directly refuse: "No, I want to be a boss."
"Oh?" Old Gilbert also chuckled, "Looks like our little Ally wants to start her own business."
"No problem, no matter what you want to do, as long as it's legitimate, your cousin will support you," Gilbert encouraged.
"Great, cousin! I knew you'd support me. Mom even said I was dreaming," Ally leaped and threw herself into Gilbert's arms, kissing him on the cheek.
His aunt Meryl rolled her eyes, teasing her daughter: "So, I'm the bad guy now?" Ally hid behind Gilbert, making a funny face at Meryl, looking playful and adorable.
Before leaving, Naomi Watts even helped Gilbert straighten his suit, which Ally had messed up. Compared to the still-young Cameron Diaz, the slightly older Naomi Watts was more nurturing.
---
Outside the theater, where the premiere was being held, thousands of fans had already gathered. A light drizzle fell from the sky, perfectly matching the overall atmosphere of today's premiere. The fans, either with umbrellas or wearing raincoats, waited on both sides of the black carpet.
Lewis, Salati Merton, and over a dozen others were all there. They had all become temporary fans of Gilbert and, hearing about the movie premiere, rushed over to show their support. However, they hadn't managed to get inner tickets, so they had to wait outside the black carpet for the creators to appear.
"Lewis, I heard this movie is really good?" Salati Merton asked.
Lewis nodded and said, "There was a test screening for media and critics earlier, and the reviews were all positive."
"Too bad, I didn't get to see this movie first. I really want to see what it's like," Salati Merton said regretfully.
"Salati, no need to rush, you'll be able to see it the day after tomorrow," Lewis comforted.
A companion nearby said, "They're here, they're here! The creative team is arriving."
---
The cast members appeared one by one, starting with Dennis Hopper. On the carpet, he talked about how wonderful the film was and praised Gilbert. "I can only say that Gilbert was born for the film industry. He brought so many incredible shots and scenes; it's truly spectacular. You'll know when you see it in theaters. I can absolutely guarantee that the film won't disappoint fans."
Next, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock made their entrance, holding hands, showing a very close relationship. In fact, the tabloids outside were already hyping up rumors about them, and their relationship certainly seemed more than just professional. When interviewed, Keanu Reeves stated, "This film is incredibly exciting, with a lot of action scenes that I performed myself." Sandra Bullock added, "When I found out I'd be working with Director Gilbert and Keanu, I knew we would create something incredible."
The normal routine on the black carpet was just like this: make an appearance, give a brief interview, praise the director, praise the actors. Each question and answer elicited enthusiastic cheers from the fans. Those who attended the premiere were loyal fans or supporters, ensuring there would be no awkward silences.
---
Afterward, the two producers, Charles Roven and Iain B. Wexler, were also interviewed on the black carpet. Charles Roven stated, "I believe Gilbert has revolutionized the action film genre. From now on, action films will be divided into Speed and others."
This was quite a bold statement, making the fans even more curious about what this "genre-reforming" film would be like.
Next, it was Gilbert's turn to make his appearance.
---