When the news that "Pulp Fiction" won the Palme d'Or came out, the entire town of Cannes was in a state of excitement. Media reporters scattered across the city flocked to the Film Palace.
Due to the time difference, it was still daytime on the east and west coasts of North America. When the news came back, it once again caused a commotion. Many evening newspapers temporarily changed their pages to put the news of "Pulp Fiction" on the front page.
After the ceremony, the judges rushed to attend the closing press conference. As usual, they had to spend a lot of time explaining the reasons for the award results. Simon and his group of winners were also arranged to be interviewed by reporters in another press conference hall.
After holding the box containing the Palme d'Or and taking photos together, everyone sat down on the stage and began the question time. All reporters in the hall raised their hands instantly.
The host chose a tall black-haired reporter, who asked directly without answering the phone: "Simon, I am Mark Winster, a reporter from The Hollywood Reporter. As the youngest golden person in the history of the Cannes Film Festival, Palm winner, how do you feel now?”
With a smile on his face, Simon said: "I am very excited and honored. This is the most memorable moment in my life."
After the opening question, Mark Winster continued: "I heard that you are preparing "Batman", Simon. In the future, you will also make distinctive reaction films similar to "Run Lola Run" and "Pulp Fiction". Genre movie?”
Simon nodded without hesitation: "Of course, I actually still have a lot of very interesting ideas in my mind. It would be a pity if I couldn't put them on the big screen. However, I believe that the planned "Batman" will also be a A very good movie, no worse than Run Lola Run or Pulp Fiction."
Another reporter asked: "Simon, this is Peter Richardson, a reporter from Screen. You just said that you have many other ideas. Can you list one?"
"This is not possible," Simon refused with a smile and said, "Let me tell you in advance, there will be nothing new in the future."
Amidst the chuckles of the crowd, another reporter was clicked. The other reporter took the microphone and looked at the stage and said: "Simon, I am Arthur Brady, a reporter from the British "Guardian". "'s exploration of the meaning of life and "Segregation's" focus on racial issues, do you think a film like "Pulp Fiction" full of swear words, violence and drugs is really worth the Palme d'Or in your hands?"
In most years the Palme d'Or result at the Cannes Film Festival is met with all kinds of skepticism.
Simon knew very well that he could not escape this situation. When he heard the question from the Guardian reporter, he was not surprised at all and affirmed without hesitation: "I think my film deserves this award."
After saying this, without waiting for the other party to ask, Simon took the initiative to explain: "First of all, Arthur, you have to understand that the quality of the movie itself has nothing to do with its stance. The judgment criteria should include its script, photography, etc. as a movie. , lighting, editing and other aspects. I do not deny that "The Short Film" and "The World of Quarantine" are profound in conception, but in terms of the overall quality of a film itself, I am confident that "Pulp Fiction" is superior to them."
Arthur Brady asked: "In your opinion, Simon, should the festival completely break away from a film's purpose and judge a film completely neutrally?"
Simon shook his head and said: "This is just an extreme argument based on your personal imagination. Movies are actually a carrier of ideas. Filmmakers use it to express what they want to express, and the audience is also free to choose what they want to see. As a promotion As an important bridge of communication between the two, the film festival should be inclusive. Without touching the bottom line, it needs to allow films of various types, themes, and concepts to enter its platform, and give corresponding recognition. As for " "Pulp Fiction", I did not deliberately promote gore and violence, this movie is essentially a bizarre and absurd black comedy."
Following Simon's words, the reporters in the audience all showed thoughtful expressions.
Seeing this situation, the host stopped giving the Guardian reporter a chance to find trouble and quickly chose the next questioner.
After all, only a few media were able to enter the Film Palace for interviews. After the brief press conference, Simon and his party were surrounded by a swarm of reporters as soon as they left the Film Palace. In the dense flash lights, reporters with various accents asked questions loudly.
Next, we have to attend the official celebration dinner.
Simon no longer bothered to deal with the reporters around him. He protected Janet by his side and squeezed through the crowd, got into a car on the roadside and left quickly.
It was already late at night when the celebration dinner ended. Starting the next day, more media reactions about "Pulp Fiction" winning the Palme d'Or spread further. Simon, a winner who won the Palme d'Or at the age of twenty, may also be very popular in the future. It is natural to imagine the discussion and controversy caused by being the youngest winner with a record that is difficult to be broken again.
History always belongs to the victor.
Just like the 1999 Oscars in the original time and space, "Shakespeare in Love", which won the Best Picture, Best Director and other awards, carried too much controversy, but it is the one that will be remembered after all. The other four nominated films , except for Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan", it is difficult to leave much impression on the audience.
As for the award for "Pulp Fiction", Simon can be sure of two things. The quality of the film itself is enough to qualify for this award, and there will be no scandals such as award-buying or bribery behind the scenes. So, the Palme d'Or in his hand There is no doubt about it.
that's enough.
We stayed in Cannes for another day due to various trivial matters. Early in the morning on May 25, when everyone was packing their luggage and preparing to leave, a business car drove into the mansion and parked at the door of the villa. Natasha Kinski still looked that nonchalant and lazily got out of the car. The driver unloaded three extra-large suitcases from the car and drove away.
As a judge of the main competition unit, the film festival originally arranged a hotel for Natasha Kinski.
Now, this treatment has obviously ended, which is actually the reason why the woman forced herself to borrow a house from Simon on the stage of the award ceremony.
Simon and Janet came out. When Natasha Kinski saw Janet, she cheered up a little and hugged the woman to greet her. Then she looked at Simon and looked at her several large boxes.
Simon remained unmoved and pretended not to understand the woman's hint.
Janet smiled and took Natasha Kinski's arm and walked towards the villa and said, "Let's go, I'll ask Neil to help you move later, and you can live in our master bedroom."
Simon followed the two women into the living room, and Jennifer and the original real estate agent Sophia Fessey also came over to greet Natasha Kinski. Simon and Janet left Cannes, leaving the house in the care of Sofia Faisy.
When Natasha Kinski heard Sofia Fesi introduce herself, she said rudely: "Ms. Fesi, can you hire a housekeeper for me? There are also chefs, maids and drivers."
Sofia Fesi didn't know what was going on, so she just nodded and said: "Of course, no problem, Ms. Kinski, I will send some candidate lists over tomorrow and you can interview them in person. Is there anything else you need?"
"No more for now," Natasha Kinski shook her head, gestured to Simon calmly, and added: "By the way, the bill will be charged to Westeros."
Sofia Fesi was stunned for a moment, subconsciously glanced at Janet, and then looked at Simon.
Simon felt the ambiguous look in Sophia Fessey's eyes, and leaned on the sofa with some resignation, saying: "They must all be women."
Sofia Fesi pursed her lips and smiled and said, "No problem."
Janet and Jennifer also smiled and continued to pack their things, and Natasha Kinski followed them away.
Simon just picked up a copy of today's newspaper and noticed that Sofia Fesi was still standing there, and couldn't help but look at her. This feminine real estate agent in her thirties was wearing a white women's shirt and a black skirt today, with low heels on her feet. She looked very eye-catching.
Noticing Simon looking at her, Sofia Fesi stood still and said after a moment: "Mr. Westeros, do you have any questions?"
Simon put down the newspaper and asked directly: "Sofia, how much money have you made in the past three years?"
Sofia Fesi thought for a moment and said, "Before tax, it's about 1.2 million francs."
"Are you married?"
Sofia Fesi didn't hesitate and said: "We were married and divorced. We have a pair of children, and the custody rights belong to me."
"Then, are you willing to work for me? I will pay you 1.2 million francs a year." Simon simply put down the newspaper and looked at the woman and said, "As for the date of employment, it will be until your next marriage."
Sofia Feisi looked at Simon and said, "What are you going to ask me to do?"
"Butler," Simon said, "is mainly responsible for helping me take care of my properties in Europe."
Sofia Fesi said: "Mr. Westeros, you don't seem to have many properties in Europe."
"So, your other task is to continue to help me purchase real estate until the properties belonging to Westeros can be found in all major cities in Europe."
Sofia Fesi's eyes flashed with surprise and said: "This will cost a lot of money."
Simon said: "Making money is my business."
Sofia Fesi thought for a moment and said: "In this case, Mr. Westeros, 1.2 million francs per year is not enough."
Simon shrugged and said, "If you want more, you need to prove it to me first."
Sofia Fesi said without too much hesitation: "What should I do next?"
"Draw up an employment contract for me." Simon took out his checkbook, quickly signed a check and handed it to Sofia Feisi, saying: "This is your first year's salary. As for how much it will be next year, let's see. Your performance. You know what I want. You give your loyalty and I will give you everything you want. You cheat on me and I will give you nothing."
Sofia Feisi took the check and put it away carefully, saying: "You will not be disappointed, Mr. Westeros."
Simon nodded, gestured towards the direction upstairs, and said: "There is no need for a housekeeper. From now on, you will be the housekeeper. Help me take care of this place and that woman."
Sofia Fesi nodded and said, "I understand."
Simon leaned back on the sofa, picked up the newspaper, noticed that the woman still hadn't left, and asked, "Any more questions?"
"Mr. Westeros, you just said," Sofia Fesi hesitated slightly and said, "The employment period will be until my next marriage."
Simon shrugged and said, "Yes, obviously, this is a man's possessiveness."
"Oh, Mr. Westeros, you are so straightforward."
"so?"
"I am a normal woman, Mr. Westeros. I already have a good dating partner. He is..."
"Living together counts."
"Um?"
"I mean, if you plan to live with him for a long time, it counts as getting married. Then you will lose your job."
Sofia Fesi pursed her lips and said, "You are really a bossy boss."
Simon said: "Obviously, an annual salary of 1.2 million francs is not that easy to get. You can also lie to me."
"What if we're discovered?"
"I just said that I might spend 12 million francs to let you know that you shouldn't lie to me." Simon raised his head again, glanced at the woman and said, "So, do you still want this job?"
Sofia Fesi looked at the check in her hand again and said, "In this case, 1.2 million francs is actually not much."
1.2 million francs, which is about 180,000 US dollars according to the exchange rate at this time, is equivalent to the annual salary of a vice president of a Fortune 500 company. In the 1980s, this annual salary level was definitely considered a high earner.
Simon noticed the obvious hints in Sofia Feisi's words and deeds after she appeared today, and because he just needed it, he issued this job offer temporarily. Hearing this, he said: "Sofia, it's like raising a cat. You can't always do it." Feeding them too much will make the cat more dependent on its owner."
"Mr. Westeros, do you think women are cats?"
"Yes, as the most fickle and untamable creature in the world, I never expect too much from you," Simon nodded and said, "So, there is only 1.2 million francs in the first year, but as long as you satisfy me, Maybe in 10 years you can get 12 million francs, or even 12 million US dollars."
"Is this a promise?"
"Calculate."
"I suddenly feel that, Mr. Westeros, at the rate you are spending money now, you may not be able to afford this compensation in ten years."
"It's not a problem because you might have left before then."
Sofia Fesi hesitated this time before saying: "I won't do that."
"I'm glad to hear you say that, but I can't give you a raise right away."
Sofia Fesi showed a beautiful and intellectual smile on her face and said: "What if I want to resign one day?"
"You may be responsible for a very large asset next, so let me know six months in advance."
Sofia Fesi nodded: "Then, Mr. Westeros, I have no problem."
"But I still have a question," Simon looked at the woman in front of him again and said, "I need to know what kind of woman I hired."
Sofia Fesi nodded and said: "I will prepare a resume for you."
"No, I mean, do you have some past that you absolutely don't want outsiders to know about?"
Sofia Fesi thought for a while and shook her head: "No."
"In this case, I will hire a detective company to make a 'resume' about you. I hope you don't mind."
Sofia Fesi said: "I mind it very much."
Simon said: "You can stop, and I can only say sorry, but I must ensure that the people I hire have no violent tendencies, mental illness history, criminal records, etc."
Sofia Fesi looked at Simon with strange eyes: "Violent tendencies and a history of mental illness?"
Simon was stunned for a moment, then smiled and spread his hands, saying: "Yes, this is probably a very dangerous job. You can think about it carefully and tell me the result before I leave Cannes."
"Mr. Westeros, but you are leaving in an hour."
"The opportunity is fleeting."
Sofia Feisi hesitated for a moment, and then said: "I will draw up my own employment contract as soon as possible."
Simon snapped his fingers: "Wise choice."