Chapter 008: Lost in Tokyo
Although Lance had just provoked Barry and Ryan, he was well aware that these two intelligent individuals would inevitably engage in a new confrontation, especially since Barry was likely to concede. Since taking the helm at Warner Bros., Barry had always adhered to the principle of "blockbuster supremacy" in planning the company's development; however, there were too many uncertainties involved, and he could only passively await the negotiations between Barry and Ryan, passively waiting for the situation to unfold.
Lance slightly lowered his eyelids and spoke in a tone of confusion and disappointment, "Many times, people are like this; only after missing out do they awaken to the truth. That feeling is akin to standing at a crossroads in a foreign land, watching the ceaseless flow of traffic and the surging crowd around, yet unable to find a place to stand. It seems that even taking a single step is so difficult. That sense of loss, loneliness, and bewilderment rushes in an instant, and even I cannot clearly articulate what the feeling is; it is merely an emotion, everything feels so chaotic, tormenting you."
Lance was not in a hurry; he simply stood quietly by, enjoying a moment of tranquility. The low murmur of noise around him made the silence in this corner seem even more peaceful, as if one could touch the palpable sorrow in the air. Sophia finally emerged from her own world and noticed the man beside her, who was also engulfed in mourning. This prompted her to raise her gaze and look at him a few more times, as the interplay of light and shadow outlined his perfect facial features, causing her gaze to linger.
The inspiration for "Lost in Translation" came from Sofia's travels in Tokyo when she was in her twenties. That experience evoked many reflections in her, such as the wonderful sense of familiarity and even excitement that often arises when unexpectedly encountering a fellow countryman in a foreign land. At the same time, she discovered that in an unfamiliar environment, it is easy to fall into introspection and contemplation about life at midnight. Thus, this outstanding screenplay was born.
Sophia's smile burst forth in an instant, but soon faded away, and the trace of desolation and loneliness in her eyes surged back again. "No, I have never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Karel Raiz. It is precisely because I have never met him that I feel even more regretful, regretful that we have never crossed paths."
The kind of empathetic confusion struck Sofia's heart fiercely, and she felt as if she were now on the streets of Tokyo, the surging and noisy crowd isolated outside. She was Charlotte, and he was Bob. "Charming yet strange," Sofia said, which made him turn his head, his eyes filled with bewilderment. "What I mean is, this feeling is charming yet strange, utterly indescribable in words, allowing oneself to savor it delicately." "Charming yet strange," Sofia said, which made him turn his head, his eyes filled with bewilderment. "What I mean is, this feeling is charming yet strange, utterly indescribable in words, allowing oneself to savor it delicately."
The man seemed to sense Sophia's intense gaze, turned his head, and offered her a faint smile, which caused Sophia to awkwardly avert her eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed. "So, how did you meet Mr. Raiz?" The man's voice came through, but Sophia was somewhat caught off guard; she had not anticipated that the man's first question would be like this, and she involuntarily raised her voice, "Huh?" "So, how did you meet Mr. Raiz?" The man's voice came through again, but Sophia was still somewhat caught off guard; she had not anticipated that the man's first question would be like this, and she involuntarily raised her voice, "Huh?"
Sophia was amused by the hint of laughter in the man's voice, her lips curling into a barely noticeable smile, "So, is the result good or bad?"
His duel with Ryan has only just begun
The director of "Lost in Translation," Sofia Coppola, is indeed the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, the renowned director of "The Godfather," "Apocalypse Now," and "Patton." He not only represents the pinnacle of Hollywood's golden age but also, the entire Coppola family is deeply embedded in various aspects of the American entertainment industry, often referred to as Hollywood's first family
Therefore, when Lance came over just now, he did not rashly take the initiative to speak, nor did he hurriedly express his position, but instead chose a roundabout approach. It seems that this has already proven effective.
In simple terms, "Lost in Translation" is essentially about Sofia herself
After leaving Ryan and Barry, Lance did not return to his position, as he had just caught a glimpse of Sophia. This significantly increased the accuracy of Lance's speculation. In an instant, Lance formulated a plan in his mind; he hoped to seize this opportunity and become the producer of "Lost in Tokyo"
However, if it truly is "Lost in Translation," then the fire that Lance just ignited must undoubtedly be a raging blaze. This is because Sophia's greatest insistence regarding this work is: to conduct on-site filming in Tokyo
It can be said that Tokyo is the birthplace of this film; even with a limited production budget, Sofia insisted on completing the on-site shooting in Tokyo
Lance stood still, momentarily lost in thought, as if suddenly engulfed in confusion. His left hand involuntarily formed a loose grip, with his thumb resting against the side of his index finger, gently stroking the slender, bamboo-like fingers. The fine texture brought a subtle warmth, which helped Lance regain his focus. In his line of sight, a coffin lay quietly and silently amidst the lush greenery. At this moment, both he and Karel were facing death; however, the difference was that Karel would rest eternally beneath the ground, while he had been granted a chance to start anew.
If things are as Lance speculated, then Ryan attended today's funeral for the sake of "Lost in Translation," which makes everything quite logical. "Lost in Translation" is indeed an outstanding work, and the powerful connections represented by the surname Coppola are even more enticing
He gently exhaled, carefully adjusted his suit, and walked towards the direction where Sophia was, taking measured and unhurried steps
"Lost in Translation" is undoubtedly an outstanding and excellent work, achieving tremendous success. However, what truly captivates is the vast network hidden behind the work itself, all due to a single surname: Coppola
Today, Sophia wore a black dress, devoid of any extravagant design, merely the most ordinary of dresses, blending inconspicuously into the dense crowd, easily overlooked in a casual glance. At this moment, Sophia stood quietly in the shade of a tree at a slight angle behind, her hands hanging loosely by her sides, silently gazing at the coffin ahead. Her eyes, hidden in the shadows of her eyelashes, cleverly concealed all her emotions; however, her slightly pursed lips betrayed the loneliness she felt within at that moment. At this moment, Sophia stood quietly in the shade of a tree at a slight angle behind, her hands hanging loosely by her sides, silently gazing at the coffin ahead. Her eyes, hidden in the shadows of her eyelashes, cleverly concealed all her emotions; however, her slightly pursed lips betrayed the loneliness she felt within at that moment.
Sophia seemed completely unaware of Lance's arrival, not even casting a glance in his direction, remaining motionless and immersed in her own world
Sofia is someone who easily becomes immersed in her own world, highly sensitive and quite fragile, which gives her films a unique emotional resonance. The story of "Lost in Translation" actually reflects Sofia's own shadow; the protagonist's sense of sadness from being neglected by her husband is a portrayal of her own experience. After creating "Lost in Translation," her marriage gradually came to an end, and by the time the film was released, they had officially signed to conclude their marriage. The story of "Lost in Translation" actually reflects Sofia's own shadow; the protagonist's sense of sadness from being neglected by her husband is a portrayal of her own experience. After creating "Lost in Translation," her marriage gradually came to an end, and by the time the film was released, they had officially signed to conclude their marriage
"Hey, you are here! Oh, you are also here!" A cheerful voice broke the silence; it was Ryan
If Ryan opposes Sophia's filming in Tokyo, or even just raises an objection, it is very likely to jeopardize this collaboration. Should Ryan miss the opportunity to collaborate on "Lost in Tokyo" and subsequently miss the collaboration with Warner Bros, this would be the outcome that Lance hopes for the most
In the blink of an eye, the two individuals fell into silence once more; however, this time, the silence was imbued with an indescribable sense of tacit understanding, as if one could faintly hear the sound of their heartbeats, both enchanting and peculiar
Lance did not speak; he merely tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing a bitter smile, and then, with a sense of resignation, his gaze blurred as he turned to look again at the coffin quietly placed in the distance. Sophia, too, was involuntarily affected by this emotion and followed Lance's gaze.
The man, however, seemed completely unfazed by her rudeness, his lips still curling into a gentlemanly smile. "I just feel as if this is a mourning that belongs solely to you. So I am somewhat curious, how did you come to know Mr. Raiz?" The man's voice, rich and fragrant like fine red wine, was elegant and restrained, polite and gentlemanly. "I once took a class with Mr. Raiz at Cambridge University, the assignment for the course 'Film Editing Techniques' remains vivid in my memory."
Lance lightened his steps and silently approached Sophia's side, then respectfully placed his hands in front of him, quietly directing his gaze towards the coffin ahead, as if he were merely an ordinary person come to mourn Karel, with no connection to Sophia.
"Lost in Translation" is a renowned work. This low-budget film, produced at a cost of 4 million dollars, received recognition from many discerning and critical film critics upon its release. It garnered four nominations at the 76th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Original Screenplay. This not only made Sofia Coppola the third woman in film history to be nominated for Best Director, but also allowed her to successfully win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
However, he does not like this situation. He decides to take the initiative and see if he can seize "Lost in Translation" from the jaws of the tiger, taking control into his own hands and turning Ryan's opportunity into his own— even if his assumptions about Ryan are incorrect, "Lost in Translation" could still become a good opportunity for his resurgence
Lance narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a cunning and sharp smile, "You are trying to evade my question."
Looking at Sophia's expression, Lance knew that he had guessed correctly
Sophia raised her head in surprise. In the interplay of light and shadow, she could not clearly see the man's face before her, only vaguely perceiving the eyes beneath the thick eyebrows. They resembled a celestial lake atop a mountain, shrouded in mist, where the breathtaking blue was concealed beneath a layer of haze, yet it radiated an even more brilliant light.