Charles decided to go to Germany, and Kate Beckinsale was also going to Berlin to promote the film "underworld: evolution," as Constantin Film was a co-producer of the movie.
Coincidentally, Charles was also one of the producers of the "underworld" series, so he could travel to Berlin with the publicity team.
At the Adlon Kempinski Hotel ballroom near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin's Mitte district, Constantin Film arranged a welcome banquet to greet Charles and his entourage.
Charles, with his arm around a beautifully dressed Kate Beckinsale, smiled and said, "It seems you're quite popular in Germany, aren't you?"
Kate Beckinsale shook her head and smiled, "This is to welcome your arrival. Charles Capet now represents a new force in Hollywood!"
"Why didn't Wiseman come to Europe? He's the director, so he'd be perfect for this kind of event," it seemed that the main promotional point for "underworld: evolution" in Europe was just Kate Beckinsale.
"He's promoting in North America. Mubao Pictures always has to secure its own base," the North American market belongs to Mubao Pictures, while Columbia TriStar International Films primarily handles overseas operations.
"Charles, Kate, welcome!" Bernd Eichinger, the head of Constantin Film, warmly shook hands with both Charles and Kate.
"Good evening, Mr. Eichinger, I'll go get a drink over there first," Kate Beckinsale cleverly excused herself, leaving time for the two men.
After clinking glasses with Bernd Eichinger, Charles smiled and said, "You see, you Germans are always so meticulous; you've scared away the beautiful Ms. Kate Beckinsale."
Bernd Eichinger maintained his serious demeanor, saying somewhat earnestly, "Charles, do you have any other plans for your visit to Berlin this time? German cinema is currently facing a comprehensive impact; the top ten films at the box office are mostly Hollywood movies."
"There are only one or two German films. The German Federal Film Fund, which was just established last year, has allocated 60 million euros annually in film support funds. Does Capet Pictures have any new projects to participate in?"
With the German Film Fund, the European Union Creative Europe MEDIA program, and the newly established German Federal Film Fund, a series of policies supporting European cinema, it seems European cinema has suffered under Hollywood for too long.
"Bernd, I've always been very happy to cooperate with German film companies. As co-production companies for international films, German production companies have always been excellent!"
Well, the main role of German film companies now is film investment, and participation in production is also for tax refund applications.
Constantin Film is part of Focus Communications, a listed group headquartered in Switzerland. Based in Frankfurt, Germany, Constantin Film primarily focuses on investing in and producing films.
The development of Germany's entertainment industry is slow, and capital investment is a significant business area.
Bernd Eichinger, also a director by background, was not young. Charles gently guided him to a corner of the ballroom to sit down.
"I know your urgent desire to develop German cinema. This kind of thing cannot be rushed. Germany currently has a population of 80 million, producing only about 150 films annually. If you exclude documentaries and short films costing around 100,000 euros, that number becomes even smaller."
"Strengthening cooperation with the outside world, especially with Hollywood filmmakers, has always been your way of promoting local cinema!"
"But, Mr. Eichinger, the film tax rebate subsidies introduced in Germany are becoming increasingly strict, making it difficult for film companies to secure government subsidies. Is there a good solution?"
Bernd Eichinger shook his head, "These are all designed to develop local cinema. Actually, it's not difficult to secure funding from the German Ministry of Culture; you just need to co-produce some German-language films!"
Charles smiled. Who said Germans were rigid? They are rigid when they need to be.
"By the way, I discovered a political thriller called 'the lives of others' that was completed last year but hasn't been released yet. I heard this film is very realistic, and Capet Pictures hopes to acquire the distribution rights for North America and the United Kingdom!"
Bernd Eichinger nodded, "I know this film. Many German artists performed in it for free. Although it's the director's first feature film, it's filled with suspense and thrills, making it a rare good movie."
"I will arrange for you to discuss distribution with the film's producers!"
Charles nodded, realizing that the film "the lives of others" was something he only discovered after coming to Berlin, about the eavesdropping politics of East Germany during the Cold War.
A short while later, Kate Beckinsale returned to Charles's side, saying with a hint of helplessness, "I now understand why German filmmakers themselves don't develop local cinema."
"There simply isn't much of a market for this kind of entertainment industry in Germany!"
Charles, however, smiled and said, "Germany's entertainment industry is actually not bad. After all, it's the largest economy in Europe with a population of 80 million; it's just that their industry chain has been shackled in several layers."
With a government entirely supported by the United States, what can Germany decide for itself?
The jewish people would also not allow German capital to control media discourse. There's a reason why, in terms of development in Hollywood, Europe's strongest nation can't even compare to smaller countries like Sweden or Belgium.
Even if some Germans do well in Hollywood, they generally don't return to Germany. Director Roland Emmerich and the beautiful Diane Kruger are both German but rarely go back to Germany to film.
Kate Beckinsale didn't want to dwell on it. It was enough to simply cooperate with the film's promotion. "After tomorrow, I still have to go to Hamburg. Do you want to come?"
Charles shook his head and smiled, "I've found a German film that I'm planning to bring back to the United States for release!"
Charles knew "the lives of others" was one of Germany's best films. Capet Pictures is now also an independent distribution company, so distributing some foreign films in the North American market is quite normal.
"A local German film, not a co-production?" Kate continued to ask.
"No, it's a local German drama about East Berlin during the Cold War. I need to talk to the film's producers these next few days," Charles actually felt sad for German cinema, as aside from themes like World War I and World War II, it was mostly stories about East and West Germany.
"A local German story? You're interested in that too?" Kate Beckinsale chuckled. How old was Charles, after all?
Charles pouted, "Just because I didn't go to university doesn't mean I can't be interested in history, does it?"
"Let's go back to the room and rest. This banquet is boring!"
Charles didn't really like the Germans' square faces; German beauties didn't quite suit Charles's taste!