Lance avoided the topic of Chaos Pictures and gave up the opportunity to promote himself, but at the same time, he also avoided the topic of Diorama Pictures and avoided the possibility of blurring the focus. Instead, Lance took the initiative to expose his shortcomings - the work "City of God" is almost full of shortcomings, shortcomings that are not favored by Hollywood, so Lance did not hesitate to direct the topic to the shortcomings.

Harvey now has two options, either go further, discuss the director's topic, attack Reims' weaknesses, and then take the advantage; Or take a step back, ignore the loopholes of Lance's first time as director and screenwriter, and switch the subject. Either option, it will be advantageous for Lance - because this is a flaw in his voluntary selling, and he must be fully prepared, and Xavi will step into Lance's trap.

However, Harvey, the old fox, made a third choice, "Everyone has a first time for everything, and he always has to take the first step, doesn't he?" He skipped the topic lightly, "But I'm even more curious about how you could have thought of making such a film, for God's sake, it's such a bold choice." ”

Harvey not only quietly avoided the trap that Lance had dug, but also regained the initiative in his hands – a topic that Lance could not avoid when it came to film. The two have met four times in a short period of time and are still drawn. However, Harvey was obviously a little surprised by Reims's appearance, and he took Cheng Dù up a notch.

In the past, people have always commented on Reims: good business, lack of emotional intelligence, and some keen sense of selecting works. This type of talent is the main body of Hollywood, they are not too good to reach the top, but they are not too bad, and they can be the backbone of the occasional good work. Not up or down, not embarrassed or embarrassed, but always existing.

But today, the brief encounter made Xavi feel that Lance was radiant. Sure enough, none of the rumors can be trusted.

Even knowing that this was a trap, Lance could only jump because of the distribution rights of the "City of God", which is the main purpose today, and it is impossible for him not to talk about his work. However, there are many ways to talk about it.

"Because you're desperate?" Lance's self-teasing, and in an instant, he mentioned the inside story of Diorama Pictures, which caught Harvey off guard for a while, and then both of them laughed, "The truth is because I think this is a work that can make a difference in the awards season, and even has the hope of hitting the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film." ”

The words that followed, with a strong sense of confidence, attracted Harvey's attention in a unique way. Harvey couldn't help but lean back in his chair slightly, although he was the one who held the initiative, but at this time, his curiosity was completely controlled by Lance's hands, "Oh? Why are you so confident? Harvey knew that saying this would mean that Lance had regained the initiative - that he could introduce the work "City of God" as planned, but Harvey said it anyway.

"Because it's a great movie?" Lance's playful teasing lightened the mood in the office, and the door opened again and the secretary walked in with two cups of coffee. It's hard to imagine that Lance and Harvey have already fought several times just to make a cup of coffee.

Lance smiled politely at the secretary, as if there was no nervousness at all, before he looked at Harvey, "It's a very interesting movie." I used to imagine the assumption that you know what kind of life your next-door neighbor really lives? ”

Once again, Reims' opening chapter brought another surprise to Xavi. Harvey hadn't seen the fifteen-minute version of "City of God," but he had seen a trailer for one version, as well as a pitchbook, and he knew that the film had nothing to do with his neighbors.

Harvey shrugged his shoulders and didn't answer, obviously not in the game, but Lance didn't care, and continued, "The neighbor could be an ordinary car mechanic or a horrible serial murderer, but we don't know because we never really took the time to learn about our neighbor's world. ”

"Wow, you live in a fun neighborhood." Harvey's bull-headed teasing of the horse's mouth disrupted Lance's rhythm.

Langston paused, swallowed the words that came to his lips, and followed Harvey's words in a different direction, "Yes, that's what I want to convey in the movie." It's just that it's not a neighborhood, it's a city. Rio is one such interesting city. ”

Harvey pursed his lips meaningfully and nodded, he had to admit that so far, Lance's rhetoric had really attracted him and intrigued him. However, on the surface, Harvey remained silent and did not react, just motioned for Lance to continue, and Lance had no reason to refuse.

"In Rio, you can see millionaires who have a leisurely and hedonistic life, and you can also see homeless people who don't have enough to eat. For the inhabitants of the city, whose life is rich and colorful, it is even considered a city created by God. But that's also the most interesting part is that no one has ever really known about Rio, and no one has really understood that there is a group of people living their way in a corner of Rio. It was the bottom of society, dark, without the slightest hope, but it was real, close at hand. ”

Lance's description caused Harvey to blurt out, "It's like there's a serial murderer living next door." ”

"yes, it's like the next-door neighbor is a serial murderer." Lance nodded in the affirmative. At this time, Lance should continue to exert more force, and further convince Harvey that the "City of God" is a big deal; But Lance didn't, and he suddenly fell silent, looking at Harvey calmly.

Because Lance knows that Harvey is an old fox, all he needs is a spark of inspiration, too much explanation will unravel the mystery, and will make Lance fall to the humble point of "asking for others", and then Harvey will not hesitate to step on a few more feet to maximize his interests. Therefore, leaving infinite reverie is the best choice.

Harvey was indeed lost in thought, and he must first admit that Lance's strategy was very effective, expressing the "City of God" in a thrilling way, and at the same time arousing more curiosity, which could not help but wonder what kind of people were in the group of "neighbors" living in the City of God, and what happened to them.

In such a limited space, Harvey admits that he can't do better than Lance - after all, Lance is now nothing, and "City of God" is a self-written and directed debut, and at the same time a Portuguese-language film about the favelas of Brazil, without any familiar faces. In the face of such a desperate situation, Lance is indeed impressive.

However, Xavi is not an ordinary person, and it is definitely not luck that he has been able to get to where he is today.

"So, it's like Brooklyn and Queens in New York." Thoughts rolled, but it was just a breath gap, Harvey said next. It's as if it's a continuation of the above sentence, but the words are full of wit, and the subtext is, why shoot Rio de Janeiro and not New York?

Lance smiled and shook his head, "But New York isn't Rio. "The slums of New York are very different from the City of God, and it's a difference between a country and a whole system.

"Rio isn't New York either." Harvey's rebuttal directly choked Lance's throat, and for the first time since the conversation, Harvey changed his posture, leaning forward slightly, and the whole sense of oppression came to his face, "And Brazil is not the United States." Lance, you should be well aware of how difficult the prospects for foreign language films are in the American market, right? ”

Harvey finally tore through the mask and revealed his true face. Lance didn't panic either, he smiled, and leaned forward slightly, "So I'm talking about the best foreign language film, not the best picture." This hint of confidence made Harvey smile dumbly, "Harvey, this is a work that has the potential to inherit the mantle of 'Grand Central Station', and I don't think you want to miss it." ”

Where exactly did Lance get the confidence that his directorial debut could reach the heights of "Grand Central Station"?

But at this time, Harvey didn't want to taunt Lance, but showed a sincere smile, "Lance, to be honest, you moved me, and I'm really looking forward to working with you." When this sentence came out, Lance had an ominous premonition, "But you and I both know very well that it is definitely not easy for a foreign-language film to succeed in North America." Whether it's the box office or awards. Let's leave aside whether Brazil would like to make the film a representative of the Oscars, but the work of this production is very difficult, and there is no place for such a film in the current plans of Miramax Films. ”

Harvey's refusal came so suddenly, and so decisively.

It was precisely because of this that Lance was even more angry. All the words and all the confrontations just now, in fact, for Harvey, it was just a game of cat and mouse, Harvey was enjoying the pleasure of the mouse struggling under his paws, and from the beginning, Harvey had no intention of nodding and agreeing to this cooperation. The decision is always in Harvey's hands.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry." Harvey smiled kindly and sincerely, "I really hope that there will be a chance to cooperate." ”

However, at least Harvey did not lock all the possibilities, but still kept all the possibilities with the politeness of the social situation. Lance thought to himself with self-deprecation. If he could, Lance would give Harvey a punch and vent all his anger in the recent period; But Lance knows that this is the social reality, and that his impulsiveness and anger will only make him more pathetic and cut off all possibilities for the future.

The hustle and bustle of the world is for profit, and the hustle and bustle of the world is for profit. There is no need for Lance to be angry, today they parted unhappily, but maybe tomorrow Harvey will come to the door with a smile on his face to ask for cooperation.

"Understood, then it's a pity." Lance still had a decent smile on his face, then stood up and shook Harvey's hand again, "I hope there will be opportunities to cooperate in the future." With that, Lance turned away without any fuss, but when he reached the door, Lance stopped and turned back and said, "By the way, forgive me for the rudeness, and please say hello to Miss Uma-Thurman on my behalf." ”

Harvey stood in place, his smile suddenly stiffening on his lips, and a chill ran through his back.