[Chapter 493: The First Annual Family Film Festival]
After Harvey's arrest, Bob took the initiative to approach Link and told him that Epstein was the real mastermind behind it all. Bob presented a phone recording between Harvey and Epstein where they discussed hiring a hitman to assassinate Link. Harvey also agreed to testify against Epstein's involvement in the assassination attempt. Bob's request was to spare Harvey's life, allowing him to be released on medical parole after serving some time. Link agreed.
The reason was that California did not have the death penalty. Even if he wanted to take Harvey out, legally, it was impossible and he was unwilling to break the law. Secondly, Harvey's reputation was ruined after his arrest, and his social status plummeted. For someone with status, this was worse than death. Even if he got out of prison, there was no way he could make a comeback.
Link made two demands of Bob. Harvey should plead guilty early to avoid wasting too much time and money in litigation. Secondly, act as the key witness to implicate Epstein. Bob agreed on Harvey's behalf.
---
On the evening of January 25, 1999, the 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards were held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and Link attended with his nominated girlfriends. This year, Guess-MGM had nine films nominated for Golden Globes, with a total of 35 nominations. After more than two hours of awards, Guess-MGM films won 9 of 14 awards.
American Beauty won Best Drama Film, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, and Best Director, marking Link's third Golden Globe for Best Director. As Good as It Gets won Best Musical or Comedy Film, Best Actor, and Best Actress. Angelina Jolie won Best Actress in a Drama for Gia. This was a huge success for Guess-MGM.
...
"Link, congratulations again on your award," Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and bald Steven Soderbergh came over to congratulate him. Quentin's Kill Bill had two nominations but didn't win.
"Thanks! You guys will have your chance too," Link smiled.
Quentin chuckled, "Link, don't think we're jealous. Not at all. You want to know why?"
"Why?" Link asked.
Hearing him respond, Quentin rattled on. "You're super rich, worth billions, the head of Guess-MGM, great at making movies, with over a hundred girlfriends and dozens of kids. But I'm not jealous one bit."
"Don't say it, you're about to drool," Rodriguez warned.
Quentin wiped his mouth and glared at Robert. "I'm serious. Imagine having over a hundred girlfriends. Every night you can't sleep alone; you have to meet the demands of dozens of women. Aren't you scared? Weak in the knees? And dozens of kids running wild or crying in your living room asking for milk. Wouldn't that drive you nuts?"
Link smiled but said nothing.
"Also, having billions and several big companies is no fun. You have to bring bodyguards everywhere, can't just eat out, can't hit the nightclubs to pick up girls, and when filming, you have to watch out for hitmen trying to kill you. Ah, that lifestyle sounds awful," Quentin sighed.
"But Link owns mansions worldwide, a private island, several jets and yachts. He can do whatever he wants. His kids have professional nannies. His movies get worldwide acclaim and huge box office sales, plus tons of awards. Isn't that worth envying?" Steven Soderbergh asked.
Quentin shook his head with eyes closed. "Not at all."
Link chuckled, "Everyone has the right to choose the lifestyle that suits them. No matter how good someone else's life looks, if it doesn't fit you, it's not good. Quentin's opinion isn't wrong either."
"Of course."
"What are you guys talking about?" Monica Bellucci, Jodie Foster, Jennifer Connelly, and Nicole Kidman approached. Before the ceremony, they had changed into evening gowns that were prepared a month earlier. Although family, their dresses were diverse -- reds and greens, sleeveless, off-shoulder -- all flattering their figures and making them shine.
They surrounded Link like stars.
"You're here," Link greeted them, saying he was just chatting casually.
"Then let's head back early. I want to see the kids," Monica said.
"Alright!" Link said, bidding farewell to Quentin and others before leaving the party with his girlfriends.
...
As Link left with over a dozen beautiful stars, almost everyone present watched them.
"Jealous now?" Robert Rodriguez asked.
"Not at all," Quentin turned away, somewhat bitter. "Don't be fooled by their public displays of affection. They must have tons of conflicts behind the scenes. Otherwise, Link wouldn't be filming three movies a year, always away."
"So that's why Link keeps filming nonstop?" Director Richard Linklater asked, surprised.
"Don't listen to Quentin's nonsense. If Monica and the others didn't love Link, they wouldn't have stuck with him for seven or eight years and had his kids. If Link was annoyed by his girlfriends, he wouldn't keep meeting new ones."
"Of course, it's because of the money and greed," Quentin added.
"When Link was worth millions, he had multiple girlfriends. You're a millionaire too, can you do that? Monica, Michelle -- they're all worth tens of millions. Would they settle for less just because of money? And don't forget in Link's circle are artsy girls like Sophia, Jodie, and Winona."
Rodriguez challenged Quentin.
Quentin pouted, "No matter the reason, I don't believe their relationship is about love."
Rodriguez shook his head, deciding not to waste his breath with someone pretending to be asleep.
---
When Link returned home with his girlfriends, he didn't rest immediately. They gathered at Villa No.1 for the inaugural Link Family Film Festival.
After three days of judging and two rounds of voting, Julianne Moore won Best Actress for As Good as It Gets. Diane Lane won Best Supporting Actress for American Beauty. Angelina Jolie received the Best Actress Award for Gia.
The family festival concluded smoothly with minor flaws but was generally successful.
To make future festivals better, they agreed to hold it around the New Year to avoid clashes with other awards. They also planned to invite well-known actresses to join as judges and guests to add interest.
At home, when with a single girlfriend, Link had great influence, but with dozens or over a hundred girlfriends, his authority was greatly reduced. He couldn't oppose the group's decisions.
...
After the family festival, Link and his girlfriends attended many other ceremonies, such as the Berlin Film Festival, BAFTA, SAG Awards, and Critics' Choice Awards.
Link won Best Director and Best Picture at all but BAFTA. According to the media, BAFTA judges didn't vote for him because last year Diana gave birth to twins, adding two half-siblings to the princes, which upset many.
Link said he didn't mind. He preferred kids over awards. After having two children, Diana decided to wait a couple of years before having more. She liked spending time at home with the kids, enjoying motherhood besides her charity work.
...
During January and February film awards, Link began preparing for his new movie A Beautiful Mind. The movie was adapted from the biography of American mathematician John Forbes Nash, who suffered from schizophrenia but made groundbreaking contributions to game theory and differential geometry, eventually winning the Nobel Prize in Economics.
The cast included Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Ed Harris. The production budget was about $55 million. It was in pre-production and scheduled to start filming mid-February with an expected wrap-up in April or May.
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