Norio Ohga was able to direct Samsung Pictures under the control of Frank Price. In order to repay Ronald, he asked Samsung Pictures to give Ronald some benefits. Daydream and Samsung Pictures
Renewed distribution contracts for five films.
After the merger, TriStar Pictures could only pick up some film distribution projects that Colombia did not want. It happened to fit in well with Ronald's daydream.
Last year, three B-level action movies made a small profit due to the Star-Spangled Banner incident, so they were able to start a sequel project.
Kick Boxer had the best box office, so it was naturally the first project to be approved. However, as Jean-Claude Van Damme's reputation grew, the budget for the sequel could not afford him, so Daydream began to look for his replacement.
The box office performance of "Black Belt Elite" was second, and the original cast began to prepare for the second part. Eric Roberts's substance abuse problem prevented him from being favored by major studios, and he could only continue to film for Ronald.
Low-budget movies.
Only "King Kong: Little Tokyo" performed the worst at the box office and was not enough to film a sequel. The actors had to be evenly distributed among the sequels of the other two films and asked them to fill in for the actors who could not film the sequel due to various reasons.
Ronald looked at the report given to him by Michelle Cannold's distribution department. This film with the highest quality shooting actually had the worst box office. Cinema Score's analysis report pointed out that this film has too much Japanese cultural flavor.
It's too rich, so many American audiences don't like it very much.
On the contrary, although the other two films are covered in foreign culture, the core is still the story of an American free-spirited male protagonist. After a setback, he has an epiphany, works hard and loves a beautiful woman, and creates a successful life. This is in line with the stories of most domestic films.
The current situation of low audience literacy.
This also reminded him that if it is a movie shot for the box office (not for winning awards), it is still necessary to find the greatest common denominator of the audience's taste, preferably a story that resonates with certain knowledge taught in high school textbooks.
.After all, for most Americans, the highest point of knowledge in life is at the high school prom.
…
"Mr. Kurosawa has been confirmed by the Academy of Motion Picture Technology and Arts as the winner of this year's Oscar Honorary Award. As a producer of the awards show, what do you have to say?"
On this day, Ronald, who was staying with Diane at home, accepted interviews from reporters from The Hollywood Reporter and Vanity Fair.
"Hey, this is a very exciting thing. I had a phone call with Mr. Kurosawa (his daughter translated). Director Akira Kurosawa, who is about to turn 80, is still working hard to prepare for his
's next video.
His "Rashomon" won the Oscar Honorary Award for Foreign Language Film. At that time, Best Foreign Language Film was not an official award category. "Desu Uzala" won the Best Foreign Language Film Award, but Kurosawa did not
Come and receive the award.
And in 1985, even though Mr. Kurosawa came to the awards show, his film "Ran" failed again in the Best Picture category. So this award ceremony was the first time that he accepted a statuette at the Oscars.
This is not so much the Academy awarding an honorary award to Akira Kurosawa, but rather Akira Kurosawa bringing honor to the Academy..."
"Hmm..." The reporter kept recording. Unexpectedly, Ronald spoke so highly of Akira Kurosawa, "So, will you be the one to present him with the award then?"
"Hey, my phone was off the hook as soon as this news came out. You know what? George Lucas and Steven Spielberg both told me he had to be the one to present the award. How do I
What to do? In the end, we had to compromise and let both of them present awards at the same time...
This section cannot be reported now. We must wait until the party is over to report it again..."
"Then let's say that the Academy of Film Technology and Arts will give Akira Kurosawa the highest courtesy and let the best talents give them awards..."
"Okay, the tone of your report is very good..."
Ronald can now issue some suggestive guidance to the media without being viewed as a bully by reporters. After all, he is also the boss behind an influential newspaper.
…
The preparations for the Oscar awards show went smoothly. Soon, a week before the awards, Ronald asked Sony's special plane to pick up Akira Kurosawa and his daughter Kazuko Kurosawa and their family to Los Angeles.
Akira Kurosawa is seventy-nine years old, and his body is still very strong, but after all, he is old and needs to recuperate when he arrives in Los Angeles. Ronald just let him live in his own home, with the office of Sony's CEO
The chef who came here lived more comfortably than at home.
His eldest son Hisao Kurosawa flew from New York to meet his father and was very grateful to Ronald. Hisao Kurosawa had no talent and could only stick to some of his father's projects and open a small office in New York. Kazuko Kurosawa, on the other hand,
I studied fashion design in college and became a fashion designer after graduation.
Since last year's "Dream", she has been working as a costume designer in her father's movies. In addition to taking care of her elderly father, she also has to take care of her own children and do her job well at the same time, just like a traditional Japanese woman.
All done excellently.
"Ronald San, why do you think I am popular in America and Europe, but Japanese producers are not willing to invest in my movies? In the past few years, many of my scripts have not been produced, so I have to write
I keep writing, hoping to make it one day..."
That afternoon, Akira Kurosawa took a lunch break and took a walk in the garden with Ronald. Although the style here is mainly Chinese, it is also an East Asian style, which Akira Kurosawa admires quite a lot. He likes to walk in the garden most every day.
Here's a walk with Ronald.
"I think the Japanese market is probably too small to bear the masterpiece of a master..." Ronald couldn't say. But the film market must first have quantity. Only when there are many large, medium and small productions making money every year can there be success.
Outstanding producers are willing to take big risks and make films that push the limits artistically.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Maybe so..." Akira Kurosawa listened to his daughter Kazuko's translation and nodded. The Japanese market is still too small to accommodate his meticulous craftsmanship.
Every detail of the movie must be perfect to use the style.
"Mr. Scorsese is here..." Ang Lee, who could only listen but could not comment, said to Ronald.
"Let's go back, Marty is here."
…
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..." Kazuko Kurosawa's daughter sang a birthday song in a childish voice. Next to her, Scorsese laughed, feeling happy that Akira Kurosawa was enjoying the happiness of his family.
Next to him, Ang Lee personally took the camera and captured this scene with a Sony home video recorder. Looking at Kurosawa's relieved smile, Ronald and Marty also helped sing a few lines, and they were all captured in the photo
Got the videotape.
This segment, like the review of Akira Kurosawa's films edited by Ang Lee, will be used as material for the Oscars awards show and will be played live and broadcast.
"Ronald, this is really a very pleasant moment. I also have to organize a big celebration for Mr. Kurosawa..." After the birthday party, Scorsese felt very interesting and regretful that he could not win it.
I feel sorry for the opportunity to give Akira Kurosawa the award.
"Ah, what are your plans?" Ronald asked.
"In this year's Cannes, I happen to have a film to attend. I will convince the Cannes organizing committee to also award an honorary award to Mr. Kurosawa. If they are unwilling, you have to help me, and then we will organize Hollywood
The director jointly signed it, and we must strive for honor for Mr. Akira Kurosawa..."
"Don't worry, this year's awards show will be a celebration for Akira Kurosawa among the top directors who are still active in Hollywood. If this kind of news spreads to Japan, they will definitely not let Americans exclusively
beautiful……"
Ronald told Scorsese not to worry. Akira Kurosawa is a Japanese director. Hollywood has given such a great honor. Thinking about it, a native of Japan who is wrestling with America in terms of cultural influence will definitely not let this person make up for his regrets.
By chance (Rashomon participated in the Venice Film Festival and won the Golden Lion Award).
"That's right..." Scorsese and Ronald chatted about the new film. Jimmy Lener lived up to his reputation and helped him get the right to use the interlude. With this interlude, the long shot was perfect.
…
The next day, when Mr. Kurosawa regained his energy, major film media began to come to Ronald's home to interview him. This time the Oscar was going to award an honorary award to him, and many media were waiting to make headlines the next day. The system
An introduction to Akira Kurosawa's life and films.
Ronald did not steal the old man's limelight. He and Diane hid in the master's room, leaving the leading role to this Japanese who inspired and influenced a generation of Hollywood directors.
In the afternoon, Ronald put on his light suit, kissed Diane goodbye, and walked to the Beverly Hills theater to attend the premiere of "Pretty Woman."
"You should come back soon..." Diane stood up and kissed him goodbye. She was about to give birth and it was a little inconvenient to walk.
"I'll be back as soon as I'm done. Anyway, I'm not the protagonist today..."
This movie released by Disney is a medium-sized production. Ronald just hopes that the investment can be repaid, and he is not particularly concerned about it. The main purpose of going to the premiere this time is to reunite with the main creators. After all, everyone was close to each other after the earthquake at that time.
a special friendship.
"Aha, Ronald..." Director Garry Marshall came up and hugged him warmly. The test screening was very good. It seems that his romantic film will allow him to continue to receive some commercial productions in Hollywood.
"Congratulations, Gary..." Ronald hugged him warmly. The director invested a lot of enthusiasm and energy into this film. The film can be what it is today, thanks to his unremitting efforts and many considerations.
There are several ways to ensure the shooting effect.
The two walked towards the entrance of the cinema, where the lights were brightly lit and a huge poster occupied one wall.
The poster is surrounded by a revolving lantern, and in the middle is the actor Richard Gere. He turns his head ninety degrees and looks at the audience, looking like an elite.
His tie was pulled to the back and was grabbed by Vivian, played by Julia Roberts back to back. Vivian was wearing the same outfit as when she was standing on the street at the beginning of the film, with a small pink vest revealing her waist and a black miniskirt;
There is a section of her super long legs between the big riding boots that go over her knees...
"Huh?" Ronald looked at Vivian's bulging figure on the poster, and he was a little confused. When he was on the set, Julia Roberts' figure was obviously not so good?
"Ronald..."
With a happy shout, Julia Roberts, wearing a beige top and trousers, rushed forward and hugged Ronald. She grinned her iconic big mouth and let out a heartfelt laugh, and then
It seemed like the whole person was hanging up.
"Ahem..." Ronald felt the vitality of this young body, but he didn't dare to make any mistakes in public, so he quickly put Roberts down.
"Eric has agreed to make a sequel. How are you preparing for the Oscars in two days?"
"I...I secretly, secretly prepared a little speech..." Like all actresses who are nominated for an Oscar for the first time, Julia Roberts still has a lot of fantasies.
She brought her two fingers closer, leaving a slight gap, as if to say that she still had a slight chance of winning.
"Good luck to you...huh?"
As soon as she chatted with Roberts, her boyfriend Kiefer Sutherland came over, inserted himself into the gap between Roberts and Ronald, and then kissed his girlfriend to declare his power.
"Kiefer..." Ronald nodded to him. This silly man may also know that after Julia Roberts is nominated for an Oscar, her career will surpass his own status, which will cast a shadow on the relationship between the two?
Ronald ignored the two people who walked in and continued to stand at the door looking at the poster. Having been hugged by Roberts just now, it felt more real. He was indeed not as solid as the figure on the poster.
"I used a photo of Shirley Michelle and Richard Gere, and then asked the artist to put Julia's head on it..." Director Garry Marshall was standing nearby, seeing Ronald's doubts, and quietly talked to him
he explained.
Shirley Michelle is Julia Roberts' stand-in. Many intimate sex scenes were filmed with her body. Is it because Roberts is not cooperating when she uses PhotoShop to change her hair this time?
Director Garry Marshall nodded. After Julia Roberts won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for "Steel Magnolias", it became increasingly difficult to contact her, and the promotion of "Pretty Woman" was not as cooperative as before. If not for the Los Angeles premiere, Julia Roberts
Nader attended, whether she came or not was a question.
"Hurry up and contact Disney's legal department, sign a supplementary agreement with the producer and Shirley Michelle, and give her some money. Otherwise, after the movie becomes a hit, she will definitely find a lawyer to sue..." Rona
De told director Marshall that he had seen this kind of thing many times.
"Okay, I'll get in touch tonight..." Garry Marshall felt that Ronald was thoughtful and quickly agreed.
"As for Julia, will you cooperate..." Ronald shook his head. A female star's first movie to become famous often has a crisis lurking behind the opportunity. Not every female star can survive it safely.
"Ronald..." Another woman's voice came.
Ronald looked back and saw a tall girl wearing a long red dress similar to the dress worn by Vivian when she went to the opera in the movie, walking towards him step by step like a model.
She put her hands on her hips, revealing her graceful curves, with a deep V-cut neckline. She hugged the gray-haired Richard Gere beside her with both hands, and walked towards Ronald.
"Uh..." Ronald almost fell into a daze, recalling the catwalk model's graceful figure under the red dress. Fortunately, he had seen this dress and came to his senses immediately, "Richard, Cindy
,Congratulations……"
This time it seems that Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere have disclosed their relationship to the media, allowing them to take photos of the two holding hands.
However, why did Cindy Crawford put on this "combat uniform" again? Ronald thought to himself, Cindy Crawford, Julia Roberts, do you really want to fight from the set to the premiere?
Steal Richard Gere?
No matter what, anyway, all the photos tomorrow will add free publicity to the box office of "Pretty Woman".
…
"Ronald, on the first day yesterday, the box office of a single theater was more than 8,000 US dollars..." Early the next morning, Garry Marshall brought good news to Ronald.
"How much?" Ronald calculated. There were more than 1,300 theaters in the first weekend. Is this result going to exceed 10 million?