The Vanity Fair Dinner hosted by Vanity Fair magazine was always so extravagant and luxurious, with the best photographers, top-tier gowns, perfect makeup, and fame within reach!
Parmesan cheese, Burgundy winter black truffles, and Miyazaki Wagyu beef paired with lobster, caviar, shrimp, and crab legs, as well as Moroccan spiced vegetable tagine, plus yuzu-flavored ravioli, dark chocolate with dried fruit jam, and more.
Top-shelf brandy, tequila, and various champagnes and red wines were also available.
"Congratulations, how do you feel now?" Charles asked after having a drink with Ang Lee.
"It feels like a dream. I still can't quite believe it's real!" Ang Lee had just specifically accepted an interview from a Chinese media reporter. This was the first time Chinese reporters had covered the Academy Awards Ceremony live.
"You've brought honor to Asia, and I'm very interested in Chinese culture. I'll definitely visit to experience the culture there," Charles never hid his fondness for China.
Ang Lee nodded and said, "China is a great nation with a long history and countless brilliant cultures. Chinese cinema is still growing, and I believe it will become an important part of world film culture!"
A short while later, a reporter from China News Service came over with Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi. After congratulating Ang Lee, they hoped to interview Charles.
Charles readily agreed to be interviewed by the China News Service reporter.
"Mr. Capet, is it true that your Chinese is very good?"
"It's true, I can answer your questions entirely in Chinese!"
Reporter: Can you say hello to our Chinese audience and friends?
Charles smiled at the camera, then waved and said in Chinese, "Hello everyone, I am Charles Capet, the producer of the movie brokeback mountain!"
Reporter: Were you surprised that this Oscar for best director was awarded to Director Ang Lee?
Charles shook his head: "No surprise. I always thought that brokeback mountain would also win the Oscar for Best Picture. million dollar baby is also excellent, but I would definitely cast my vote for brokeback mountain!"
Reporter: Then, Mr. Capet, what are your thoughts on Chinese cinema?
Charles: "I don't know much specifically, but I've met Director Zhang Yimou before, and we're friends. Hero and house of flying daggers are both excellent, and I've also seen Director Zhang's earlier films. To Live is my favorite."
"Now more and more Chinese filmmakers are entering the Hollywood system. Everyone can communicate and learn from each other better. In the future, I will also actively participate in China-US film cooperation."
Reporter: Mr. Capet, I've heard in China that you're very fond of giant pandas. The Panda Protection Association in China is very grateful for your donation and also asked me to invite you to visit the pandas' hometown for a close encounter if you have the chance!
"That's a must. I will definitely go to China to see the giant pandas and enjoy the scenery of China," Charles replied with a smile.
Reporter: Thank you very much, Mr. Capet, for the interview!
Zhang Ziyi was not only a member of the house of flying daggers crew but also a presenter for the Best Visual Effects award at this Academy Awards Ceremony.
house of flying daggers was nominated for Best Cinematography but did not win, so the director and other main creators of the film only needed Zhang Ziyi, who was presenting an award, to come to the Oscar.
At this moment, the magnate Rupert Murdoch appeared at the Vanity Fair Dinner, accompanied by his wife Wendi Deng, to congratulate Ang Lee.
Wendi Deng, being Chinese, specifically came to congratulate Ang Lee on winning the Oscar for best director. She and Zhang Ziyi started chatting.
As a top Hollywood media magnate and a senior, Rupert Murdoch, Charles greeted him very politely.
Although he had no particular fondness for News Corporation or Australia, Charles truly had little power to retaliate at the moment.
"Charles, your rise in Hollywood over the past two years has been astonishing," Rupert Murdoch, already 74 years old, was still very robust.
Charles laughed, "I'm still learning; the road ahead is very long!"
Rupert Murdoch nodded, then smiled and said, "You have a very keen sense of the business of film. Are you interested in leading Capet Pictures to join 20th Century Fox?"
"I believe with the big platform of 20th Century Fox, you will thrive, and 20th Century Fox will reach new heights under your leadership!"
Charles smiled, "Old fox! Is this an attempt to incorporate me or to pacify me? Lead Capet Pictures to join 20th Century Fox? This is an attempt to swallow Capet Pictures whole!"
He shook his head and said, "Mr. Murdoch, I just grew up in East Los Angeles. I'm too undisciplined. How could I lead a behemoth like 20th Century Fox?"
"I still just want to run my own Capet Pictures and make the movies I want to make."
Rupert Murdoch seemed not to have caught the meaning in Charles's words and continued to smile, "20th Century Fox also has an independent distribution label, Fox Searchlight Pictures, which can also make the films you want to make."
"Moreover, you are still young. Don't you want to be the head of one of the world's largest film companies?"
Charles spread his hands, "Unfortunately, I don't have enough experience right now. How could I manage it well?"
As the chairman of News Corporation, 20th Century Fox was just its film and entertainment group, so Rupert Murdoch naturally wouldn't spend too much time trying to persuade Charles.
After chatting for a while, Rupert Murdoch and Wendi Deng left the banquet hall.
"Now that's a big shot!" Charles felt genuinely envious. Fox Television, 20th Century Fox, and numerous newspapers, magazines, and other media channels under News Corporation.
Rupert Murdoch could be said to be the most powerful magnate in Hollywood right now; the only one who could contend with him was Sumner Redstone of Viacom.
However, in terms of assets, the Redstone family simply couldn't compare to the murdoch family! After all, News Corporation's overseas layout was beyond what Viacom could match.
"Charles, congratulations! I can't believe our collaboration is ending like this," James Schamus approached Charles, a bit conflicted.
Capet Pictures now distributed its own films, so it naturally wouldn't seek Focus Features' distribution channels, as they were both North America market channels.
"James, cheer up, there are still opportunities to collaborate. If there are high-budget films, everyone can still team up!" Charles said with a smile, comforting James Schamus.
James Schamus smiled wryly and nodded. Would you seek Focus Features for high-budget projects? Perhaps you would look for film investment companies or major distributors with overseas channels, right?
As for Focus Features, Universal Pictures' rule was to have Focus Features focus on independent films and overseas films! There was also a maximum budget limit.