"In Minister Mansour, the 'The Secret Agent' you gave me is a typical commercial script."
In the meeting room, Fontaine first looked at Mansour and Salih sitting in front, then at the Hollywood producer Michael Davenport, whom he identified as his fundraising competitor. He said, "When a film is completely treated as a commodity, it is endowed with a series of flaws like a product, such as assembly line production, popularization, and superficiality."
His tone became more forceful, and his French accent smacked of disdain: "This is the biggest feature of Hollywood movies and also a well-known defect!"
Michael remained calm. Upon entering this meeting room and hearing Mansour mention that he and the French director would share their views on each other's scripts, Michael understood why Fontaine had said those things before.
The other party had identified him as a competitor, turning the meeting into a battlefield.
Michael shook his head inwardly. This man, despite his Arab appearance, didn't understand Sheikh Mansour. Considering what Mansour had said when he handed him the script, it was highly likely that the investment bureau chief wanted both scripts to be perfect to ensure a better production.
Mansour's intentions were good, but he was ultimately an outsider to the film industry.
This was just Michael's guess; no one knew Mansour's true thoughts. It was best to observe the situation first.
Seeing Michael's silence, Fontaine became more energized, "The shooting and production concept of 'The Secret Agent' is evident from the script. It directly attracts people with visuals without requiring them to think deeply about the content. It simplifies real-life issues, completely ignoring a country's independent history and culture. This tendency seriously damages the value of the film."
Mansour's expression remained unchanged, seemingly considering Fontaine's words.
Salih was a bit surprised. He had yet to learn that today's meeting would turn out like this. He glanced at Michael and saw him sitting calmly, seemingly with no intention of rebutting.
He then looked at his brother but couldn't discern Mansour's true thoughts.
Michael could remain calm because the Abu Dhabi Investment Bureau had enough funds to invest in both projects easily.
If the French director only criticized 'The Secret Agent' for its heavy commercial bias, Michael wouldn't mind, as that was a fact.
Fontaine looked around the meeting room, seeing no one rebutting him. The confidence from the city of art filled his heart.
"When a film is aimed at a global audience, it must deeply explore the film's realistic value! It should have a sense of history, philosophical thinking, and humanistic thought, encouraging the audience to think!"
These words echoed in the meeting room, sounding very reasonable.
Michael couldn't help but nod slightly. This French director's theoretical level was relatively high, and his words were very reasonable. Even if Michael wanted to dispute, he wouldn't know where to start.
From the perspective of film art, almost everything the other party said was true.
If he countered from the perspective of film as a commodity, it would inevitably leave an impression of vulgarity, mercenariness, and profiteering.
This would go against the conscientious and high-profile image he had built in Abu Dhabi.
He hoped the French director would remain rational and not confuse things. Their projects seemed not to conflict.
But Fontaine didn't think so. In his view, his wealthy Arab brothers and Mansour had expressed their appreciation for him. Why hadn't the investment arrived yet?
In all aspects, Hollywood movies suppressed France, the birthplace of cinema and the noble country of film art. These art film directors always saw resisting Hollywood's invasion as their duty.
This persistent confrontation had seriously affected his judgment.
"Director Fontaine," Mansour said, seeing Fontaine suddenly stop. "Please continue."
What Fontaine said sounded very reasonable.
Encouraged, Fontaine roared, "The Secret Agent lacks any ideological and artistic value. Such a film, when made, has only one goal and result—commercial interests! It may bring financial gains, but Minister, are we short of money?"
He placed himself in the Arab camp, "I also have Arab blood, and I am part of the Arab brotherhood. Therefore, I have an obligation to remind everyone what else 'The Secret Agent' can bring besides money? Can it bring honour? Can it show the cultural achievements of the Arabs? Can it realize the artistic value of the Arabs? Can it seriously discuss the complex issues of life?"
Michael looked at the French director, and his calm eyes became sharp.
What was the other party trying to do? These words were very damaging.
Fontaine cried out, "It can't! Besides money, this kind of film has no value for us Arabs! Such a film brings no value to us Arabs!"
Mansour's expression changed, his eyes becoming somewhat gloomy as if carefully considering Fontaine's words.
Robert couldn't help but want to stand up and refute, but Michael gently pulled him back, signalling him to remain calm. It wasn't helpful to rebut randomly now.
Salih frequently looked at Michael. He hadn't interacted with the Frenchman and remained biased towards Michael.
Among the Hollywood people he had met, few treated the Arab world as somewhat as Michael.
Fontaine's words were hard to refute.
Michael knew this. The French director came prepared, seemingly aiming to follow Seashore Entertainment's path and leave it with no way out of Abu Dhabi.
Although they could coexist, Fontaine seemed intent on undermining 'The Secret Agent' simply because he was from the city of art, Paris, and Seashore Entertainment was Hollywood?
Michael knew that European directors generally didn't appreciate Hollywood commercial films and related personnel.
Being caught off guard, he thought hard about where to counterattack.
Since coexistence was not an option, it was best for the opponent to leave. After all, this plan was crucial, not only for the production of 'Final Destination' but also for the distribution company he planned to acquire next.
From the perspective of a commercial company owner, anyone threatening the core interests was an enemy.
Fontaine looked around the room again, believing he had gained an advantage, and said, "The benefits of commercial films are superficial and based on money, which we least lack!"
Who would dare say the Investment Bureau of Abu Dhabi lacked money? They'd be buried in cash.
"On the other hand, my project," Fontaine connected his speech to his film, "is a film that deeply reflects Arab society and Abu Dhabi's reality. Such a film can show the real face of Abu Dhabi to the world, allowing people to understand Abu Dhabi's social and cultural realities truly."
Mansour nodded slightly. Arab countries always seemed mysterious. To become a country with global influence, they first needed to eliminate this sense of mystery.
Hearing Fontaine's words, Michael suddenly had an idea.
Fontaine continued, "Regarding the future of this film, I will take it to compete in the Cannes Film Festival, striving for an award to attract worldwide attention! Then the honour will belong to all Arab brothers!"
Cannes Film Festival? Michael suddenly laughed inwardly, and his thoughts became clear.
Mansour was delighted with Fontaine's words, nodding lightly. The honour of the three major film festivals...
Michael finally spoke up, "Minister, Director Fontaine, I have a few questions."
If Mansour announced the investment in Fontaine's project, 'The Secret Agent' might still be out, but it could be affected later.
Besides, Fontaine repeatedly reminded Mansour not to invest in 'The Secret Agent.' Did he think Michael was just a pushover sitting here?