In New York, Charles met with Tom Ford again to discuss investing in Tom Ford's eponymous fashion brand.
Tom Ford was preparing to resign from his positions as brand director for Gucci and Saint Laurent this year and begin preparations for his namesake fashion brand.
Manhattan, Upper East Side, a cafe beneath the Taj Mahal Hotel on Fifth Avenue.
"Charles, you should have come a few days earlier; you could have attended this year's New York metropolis Charity Gala! The theme was the 19th century!" Tom Ford seemed a bit regretful, as his Saint Laurent designs also shone brightly this year.
"I was in Los Angeles, with a lot of things going on!" Charles didn't feel much about it; such chaotic parties held little appeal for him.
Tom Ford nodded and asked, "I've seen your brokeback mountain. Although it's not the final version, I really like it. The film's official release date is in December, that won't change, will it?"
"I heard many conservatives are against it. Will that greatly affect the release?"
Tom Ford himself is gay. brokeback mountain's story is beautiful and poignant, the visuals are exquisite, and the plot is deeply relatable.
Charles smiled and said, "It won't change. Focus Features has ways to handle it, and the opposition from conservatives won't have much impact."
"A film is just a film. Besides, love shouldn't be confined by gender!"
Tom Ford nodded in agreement; love indeed shouldn't be confined by gender. A big reason why Tom Ford's fashion brand accepted Charles Capet's investment was his fondness for the film brokeback mountain.
Tom Ford believed that working with Charles Capet, a person capable of making such a film, would be a very pleasant experience in the future.
Tom Ford's eponymous fashion brand wouldn't be established until next year at the earliest, and the equity agreement would definitely require slow negotiations between both parties.
Sitting in his chair, Charles watched Tom Ford leave the cafe. Charles shook his head, unable to comprehend some things.
Why do so many talented male designers like men?
Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, and Gianni Versace, who was shot and killed in Miami a few years ago, were all gay!
Are women no longer able to inspire them? Or can only men understand the joy of men?
Charles shook his head, deciding not to dwell on what he couldn't understand. He got up, paid the bill, and left.
Soon, he drove to the Brentwood community in Long Island, where mr. & mrs. smith was currently filming.
"Hmm, the reporters outside the set seem unusually numerous?" Charles's Mercedes SLR entered the set, prompting some questions.
Assistant director Simon smiled and explained, "Because our film's male and female leads are Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie!"
Charles's mind raced, and he understood! It must be that the two of them were perhaps photographed in some intimate moments, leading to a scandal.
Charles opened his mouth. Filming had only been going on for a little over a month, and they were already together? Although they had trained together before, that was only about two months in total, right?
"Let's go," Charles said, unconcerned. High public attention was good for the film's release, as long as it didn't disrupt the filming process.
"Brad also needs to take time this year to film ocean's twelve, which requires frequent trips to Europe for location shooting. Although we also have quite a few scenes filmed in the UK, we still need to adjust our shooting schedule properly," Director Doug Liman said with some helplessness.
An extended filming schedule meant an increased budget. Charles looked at executive producer Eric McLeod.
Eric McLeod nodded and said, "ocean's twelve is a sequel to ocean's eleven. The previous film had good reviews and box office, so director Steven Soderbergh and the main creators, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon, among others, decided to start filming this year and release it directly!"
"Filming and releasing this year?" Charles was taken aback.
"From June to August, Brad Pitt will be fully committed to ocean's twelve," Eric McLeod said, shrugging helplessly.
"I estimate our budget will need to increase by 10 million US dollars!"
Charles nodded, "I will discuss the budget with Universal."
ocean's twelve had so many big-name male and female stars, was fast-tracked, and had a filming period of only two months!
He glanced at Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who were chatting and laughing on the set outside, then averted his gaze.
"Make a good filming plan. We won't be able to shoot next month when Brad isn't here," Charles said, sitting down. A set assistant handed Charles a cup of coffee, and he began to drink it.
"Will ocean's twelve be released in time?" Charles asked casually.
Eric McLeod smiled and said, "A group of big-name stars teaming up for an exotic heist trip—countless reporters surround them wherever they appear."
George Clooney and Brad Pitt go without saying; reporters follow them everywhere. Matt Damon also became a big star because of the bourne, and female stars Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta-Jones also joined the cast.
Moreover, with the reputation and box office success of ocean's eleven, the announcement of ocean's twelve immediately sparked anticipation among countless movie fans.
How could the distributor, Warner Bros., refuse such a sequel?
Charles, of course, knew the film but was unaware it was being released this year, and that a subsequent ocean's thirteen would continue to make money, leading to a decline in critical and box office reception, thus ending the series.
In the evening, after the crew wrapped up, Charles returned to the New York Mark Hotel in the Upper East Side of Manhattan to attend a party.
A five-star hotel very close to the metropolis Museum of Art, most female stars attending the metropolis Charity Gala each year prefer to stay here.
"Hi, Charles!" Mrs. Hanks, Rita Wilson, who came with Tom Hanks, saw Charles and called out.
"Good evening, Mrs. Hanks!" Charles also warmly embraced Mrs. Hanks.
"How come I don't see Mr. Hanks?"
"Oh, Tom is over there discussing the film The Terminal, which is set to be released next month, with director Spielberg!"
"Ah, I know that one. It's based on the story of the Iranian man at Charles de Gaulle Airport in France. I heard that person still lives at the airport!" Charles said with a smile.
Rita Wilson nodded, saying with some helplessness, "He appeared at the airport in '89. Later, a European country gave him refugee status, but he doesn't seem to want to leave the airport. Even if he leaves for a period, he always returns to live at the airport."
"Of course, Steven also adapted the script based on this story, and the ending will be perfect!"
Charles nodded, "A good ending is nice, and with Tom's acting skills, taking on such a role is a perfect fit!"
Wouldn't such a role be a piece of cake for Tom Hanks?