This welcome party was a big deal. It was hosted by the boss of the Cannes Film Festival and the head judge, Martin Scorsese. All nine of the festival judges were there.
Of course, the party was also full of directors, producers, filmmakers, and movie stars from all over the world. They were the main attraction! The people who sold and distributed movies were especially excited.
After all, the Cannes Film Festival was still a business. Every year, movie rights worth over $200 million were bought and sold here. Profit is what makes the world go 'round.
"Hi, Zane! It really is you!"
Just as Zane was looking around the fancy party, he heard someone call his name.
He looked back and was happily surprised. "Hey, Jordan! Old friend! I didn't expect a big shot like you, the head of Paramount's overseas department, to show up here in person."
Zane really hadn't expected to run into his old acquaintance.
Every year, movie companies send people to Cannes, but Jordan was different. He was a top boss at one of the "Big Six" Hollywood studios. A guy with his power usually wouldn't come to this himself. He'd send his assistant.
"Haha!" Jordan said, holding a glass of red wine and smiling at Zane. "A famous American billionaire like you can come to Cannes. Why can't a guy like me show up, too?"
"Hey, it's not the same," Zane said with a serious face, but his eyes were twinkling. "I'm here to compete!"
Jordan was speechless for a second.
After Zane explained about his short film, The Tuner, Jordan understood. "Sorry, buddy," he said. "I've been traveling all over Europe and haven't been back to the U.S. I had no idea you were directing again!"
He paused, then added, "Oh, that's right! Speaking of movies, your company's Wrong Turn 2 is doing great in other countries. My God! It's made $67 million so far. That's dozens of times what it cost to make!"
Hearing that, Zane just looked at Jordan with a playful, teasing expression.
You're sighing about nothing! Zane thought. My company's movies are released overseas by... oh, that's right... Paramount! The company YOU are in charge of!
But, of course, they were just playing the polite business game. There was no need to say that out loud. Zane just smiled.
"Old friend, wait right here," Jordan said, his voice full of excitement. "I'm going to introduce you to some friends."
Jordan was a very impulsive guy. Before Zane could even say no, he had rushed off into the crowd.
A minute later, Jordan came back with two older gentlemen.
"My friend," Jordan announced loudly, "this is the famous Mr. Theo Angelopoulos!"
Zane was immediately shocked and impressed. He quickly held out his hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," Zane said, his voice full of respect. "I'm Zane Blackwood, a new director."
He had to be this polite!
Even though Zane was super-rich in America, this man was a legend. Regular people might not know his name, but everyone who worked in the film business knew him. He was known as the most important filmmaker in all of Greek cinema! He had won tons of awards at all the big film festivals.
"My friend, you are too humble!" Jordan laughed from the side. "You're not a 'new' director!"
"Mr. Angelopoulos," Jordan said, "this is the Zane Blackwood I told you about. He's a talented Hollywood director. His first movie, Static, made over $140 million in America and $130 million around the world."
Hearing this, even the great Mr. Angelopoulos looked very shocked.
"Incredible! Truly incredible, Mr. Blackwood. You are a genius!" he praised.
"Oh no, not at all," Zane said, actually blushing a little. "I still need to keep working hard."
Jordan, acting as the host, then introduced the other man. "Zane, this is Switzerland's national treasure, the actor... Bruno Ganz."
The two shook hands and said nice things to each other.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ganz."
"I am also very happy to meet you, you excellent young man."
Zane knew the name "Bruno Ganz" very well. Movie fans and critics all knew him.
But regular people... they would know him from one very famous movie.
Downfall!
That's right! Bruno Ganz was the actor who played Hitler in the movie Downfall. He was the one in all those famous scenes in the bunker, yelling at his generals. Those scenes had been turned into thousands of funny, spoofed videos all over the internet!
At that moment, Zane couldn't help but think: "I could make Downfall! I remember that movie. It only cost about $20 million to make. Hmm, I just wonder if I can get the script..."
For the next few minutes, Zane, Jordan, and the two older gentlemen had a wonderful, friendly chat.
From their talk, Zane also figured out why Jordan was really here.
The new movie directed by Mr. Angelopoulos, and starring Mr. Ganz, was in the main competition at Cannes this year. It was up for the biggest award, the Palme d'Or.
And... Paramount had already bought the rights to sell that movie all over the world!
So, of course, Jordan, as the boss of that department, had to be here. If the movie won the big award, Paramount would make even more money!
"Hmph!"
At that moment, Zane heard a cold, angry snort right in his ear.
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