Chapter 192: Jewish Friendship?
Late at night, after leaving The Viper Room, Aaron and Jennifer Connelly returned directly to Aaron's small apartment in West Hollywood.
"I haven't been here in a long time," Jennifer said after showering. She walked into the bedroom, climbed onto the bed, and nestled into his arms.
"Yeah," Aaron replied softly. "It really has been a while."
This had been the first property he ever bought.
"Go to sleep," Aaron said, patting her gently and pulling the blanket up over them both.
Jennifer, however, lay in his arms, teasing him playfully.
Aaron chuckled, resting his hand on her.
"Wasn't what we did in the car earlier enough for you?"
"Mmm," Jennifer replied, leaning in to kiss him.
"Don't tell me you're not tempted."
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Dawnlight Pictures — Aaron's Office
Don Steele reported, "Jim Carrey's contract has been finalized. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective will be shot in Miami."
"The budget is modest. We're planning to start filming in March."
Aaron nodded.
"Once Ace Ventura wraps, we'll move straight into production on The Mask."
"Jim Carrey won't disappoint us."
After that, Aaron also arranged for the Latin American beauty Salma Hayek to be cast in Ace Ventura, adding a striking and exotic presence to the film.
Since the story was set in Miami, how could it possibly lack Latina beauties?
"What's the situation with the television division?"
Aaron had deliberately established Dawnlight Television as his entry point into the TV industry.
Don Steele shook her head. "We've received quite a few scripts, but nothing has been finalized yet."
"Have them sent over. I'll take a look myself," Aaron said. He still remembered many television series that would later become massive ratings hits.
---
That afternoon, Christiana Reali arrived at Aaron's office. As a Brazilian-born Frenchwoman, she was fluent in French and Portuguese, but her English was still shaky. For that reason, Aaron had her stay close to him for the time being, acting as an assistant and serving as the liaison with the French branch office.
"How's it going? Settling in alright?"
Leaning back in his chair, Aaron held Christiana in his arms and kissed her lightly.
"It's fine," she replied. "It's just that life here in the U.S. moves much faster than in France."
She felt that life in France had always been far more relaxed.
Aaron smiled. "You'll get used to it. Focus on improving your English first. I'll arrange acting roles for you later."
"I know," Christiana said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Coming to Hollywood alone from France—I'll follow your arrangements."
"Good. There are plenty of opportunities here."
As he spoke, Aaron unbuttoned her blouse, his hand moving gently.
"Tonight, come with me downtown. There's a Holocaust memorial event."
---
After February, Dawnlight's films—Schindler's List, The Crying Game, and Scent of a Woman—began appearing frequently at various awards ceremonies. Their exposure increased, and box office revenues surged.
These were all prestige films, not commercial blockbusters, and Dawnlight never marketed them like mainstream hits.
To commemorate the Jews who perished during the Nazi Holocaust in World War II, the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, together with the North American Jewish Federation, established the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
The museum was scheduled to officially open in April.
That evening, countless Jewish figures from Hollywood gathered at the Bradbury Building for the event—
Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, David Geffen, Michael Ovitz, Sidney Sheinberg, Jeffrey Berg, Woody Allen, and many others.
Beyond the Jewish community, influential figures from film, news, and publishing were also in attendance.
Aaron arrived with Christiana Reali and entered the banquet hall, where Schindler's List was being screened.
"So that's why they invited me," Aaron thought to himself as he glanced around.
Hollywood's Jewish elite truly formed a formidable presence.
Soon, Steven Spielberg approached him.
"The Holocaust Museum in D.C. opens in April. During the filming of Schindler's List, we received many personal artifacts from Holocaust survivors. All of them have been donated."
Aaron nodded.
"The original film print of Schindler's List can also be donated for archival purposes."
"When the museum opens, Dawnlight will donate three million dollars, in your name."
By now, Schindler's List had already surpassed $40 million at the North American box office. With its extraordinary word-of-mouth and ongoing discussion, the numbers were still rising.
Future international releases, home video, and television rights would bring in even more revenue. Spielberg had directed the film without taking a fee—this donation was only appropriate.
"Thank you," Spielberg said solemnly. "The Jewish people will remember your friendship."
Aaron simply smiled.
"It's only right."
As for Jewish friendship?
A people who could betray even Jesus—was there truly friendship beyond self-interest?
Consider Oskar Schindler, the real-life figure behind the film. He saved countless Jews, yet later died impoverished. When he sought help from those he had rescued, he received humiliation instead of gratitude.
---
"By the way," Aaron added, "I recently came across a screenplay idea by Michael Crichton—a story set in an emergency room in Chicago."
"I think it has real potential. Dawnlight has established its television division, and we'd like to develop it into a series."
Michael Crichton—the author of Jurassic Park—was a medical doctor by training and had begun writing novels during his student years.
With works like The Andromeda Strain, The Great Train Robbery, and Jurassic Park, Crichton was now one of America's best-selling authors.
He clearly had no shortage of studio partners. Aaron knew Spielberg had a good relationship with him and hoped to use Spielberg as a bridge for collaboration.
If Aaron wasn't mistaken, that concept would eventually become the iconic TV series ER.
Spielberg immediately understood his intent and nodded.
"No problem. You're Aaron Anderson—the most prominent young figure in Hollywood right now."
"Your vision has already proven itself. I doubt Michael Crichton would refuse working with Dawnlight."
"That would be ideal," Aaron replied. Since he had founded Dawnlight Television, he naturally intended to develop a slate of high-rating series.
ER was exactly the kind of project he needed.
As the conversation ended, Aaron glanced toward Woody Allen in the distance.
After last year's scandal involving his adopted daughter…
Had it really affected him so little?