Chapter 207 — Stay With Me
At the 1993 Cannes Film Festival, aside from the overwhelming acclaim received by the Chinese-language masterpiece Farewell My Concubine, another film drew equal attention—The Piano, written and directed by New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion.
The performances by lead actress Holly Hunter and young Anna Paquin were met with unanimous praise from audiences and critics alike.
The film's portrayal of female emotion was delicate yet profound—its psychological depth graceful, restrained, and beautifully composed.
Artistically, The Piano reached a rare pinnacle. Using the piano as its emotional anchor, the film transformed music into a language of intimacy—a medium through which love itself spoke. In doing so, it wove together the inner world of a mute woman who treats music as her spiritual refuge and a seemingly rough, unsophisticated man whose emotional depth runs far deeper than appearances suggest.
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At the Cannes harbor, Aaron took Joey's hand as they stepped aboard a yacht, basking in the sun and sea breeze.
"The Mediterranean really is breathtaking, isn't it?" he said casually.
Joey nodded.
"Yes. Cannes has a way of making people fall in love with the sea."
Aaron smiled.
"This afternoon, let's visit Sainte-Marguerite Island. They say the prison where the Man in the Iron Mask was once held is still there."
As he spoke, he gestured toward the distant island.
"Aaron," Joey said softly,
"the people from Golden Harvest have already left France. Once Jackie Chan's film Crime Story finishes its release, the crew will head to Canada to begin filming Rumble in the Bronx."
She paused.
"I might be leaving soon as well."
"You're leaving too?" Aaron asked, slipping an arm around her waist.
"I thought you said you'd be staying in Europe for a few more days."
Lowering his voice near her ear, he added,
"I heard you ran into some trouble back in Hong Kong?"
"I've already toured Cannes and Nice these past few days," she replied lightly.
"As for Hong Kong… it's nothing. I'll be going abroad to film anyway."
Though the intimacy with Aaron Anderson still felt unfamiliar, they had gone out together several times over the past few days.
Compared to the young, handsome Hollywood mogul before her, the Hong Kong tycoon Lin Jianyue suddenly seemed far less impressive.
"If you run into any trouble—anything difficult to deal with—just call me," Aaron said, kissing her gently on the cheek.
Then, as if casually, he asked,
"By the way, what's your current salary per film?"
"This year? About 1.8 million Hong Kong dollars per movie."
With Hong Kong cinema booming, Joey's market value had risen steadily. For a leading actress, 1.8 million per film was already quite respectable—especially considering that even the highest-paid actress at the time, Michelle Yeoh, earned around 4 million after Police Story 3.
"Hong Kong actresses are still paid far less than male stars," Aaron remarked with a faint smile.
"Though at least you can shoot seven or eight films a year."
He continued calmly,
"Soon, Dawnlight's The Mask of Zorro and Speed will be released—both major action films."
"And then there's Universal's big effects spectacle, Jurassic Park. When that hits theaters, Hong Kong filmmakers will truly witness the sheer power of Hollywood blockbusters."
The sea breeze drifted between them, carrying with it the quiet sense that a turning point—personal and cinematic alike—was drawing closer.
Joey glanced at Aaron and said thoughtfully,
"It seems that the primary market for Hong Kong films is actually Taipei."
"Many Hong Kong production companies now rely on investors and distributors from Taipei," she continued.
"They need a steady supply of films for theatrical release, and Hong Kong cinema has always been their strongest product."
Aaron understood this well.
Among all overseas markets, Taipei had long been the most important destination for Hong Kong films.
But if things continued this way—rushed productions, declining quality—it was inevitable that the Taipei market would grow resistant.
And once that happened, Hollywood films would naturally move in to fill the gap.
While Aaron and Joey were enjoying their yacht date off the coast of Cannes, the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival officially began.
The awards results did not disappoint Dawnlight Pictures in the slightest.
At the 46th Cannes International Film Festival, Chinese director Chen Kaige's Farewell My Concubine and New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion's The Piano jointly won the Palme d'Or.
In addition, Leslie Cheung received a nomination for Best Actor for Farewell My Concubine, though he ultimately lost to David Thewlis for his performance in the British film Naked.
With both Farewell My Concubine and The Piano winning the top prize—and both distributed by Dawnlight—Aaron immediately arranged celebration banquets at the hotel for the two crews, while also laying the groundwork for their upcoming North American releases.
"You're saying both Farewell My Concubine and The Piano won the Palme d'Or together?"
Back on the yacht at Cannes harbor, Aaron received a call from his team informing him of the final results.
"Alright, I understand," he replied calmly.
"Proceed with the promotion plan and prepare for release."
After hanging up, he turned to Joey, who was leaning against the railing, her long hair dancing in the sea breeze.
"The closing ceremony is over?" she asked.
"Yes, the results are out," Aaron said as he stepped closer and gently brushed her hair aside.
"Farewell My Concubine and The Piano shared the Palme d'Or."
"The actor you admired in Farewell My Concubine, Leslie Cheung, lost Best Actor to David Thewlis from Naked."
"They say the jury didn't want to concentrate all the major awards on a single film."
Joey smiled softly.
"Winning the Palme d'Or… this should be the first time a Chinese-language film has ever received it."
"Most likely," Aaron nodded.
"Though Zhang Yimou's The Story of Qiu Ju won the Golden Lion at Venice last year."
As far as Aaron could remember, no Chinese-language film had ever won the Palme d'Or before.
This time, Farewell My Concubine truly made history.
Aaron wrapped his arms around Joey from behind, gazing out at the sea with her, and asked quietly,
"Would you like to attend the celebration banquet? We've arranged parties at the hotel for both crews."
"For me?" Joey shook her head lightly.
"I'm not part of either crew. You should go."
"I don't need to," Aaron replied, leaning down to kiss her cheek, feeling the subtle tension in her body.
"Aaron—mm…"
Before she could finish speaking, he sealed her lips in a deep, heated kiss.
Tongues intertwined, passion rising, Aaron's hands roaming freely.
Joey let out a muffled sound and instinctively wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
When the kiss finally ended, the two remained locked in each other's embrace.
Leaning close to her ear, Aaron whispered softly, his breathing still uneven,
"Stay with me tonight. Tomorrow, I'll take you to Nice Airport and see you off back to Hong Kong."
She hesitated for a moment, then asked quietly,
"Will you still look for me… in the future?"
"Of course," Aaron replied without hesitation.
"When you go to Canada to shoot your next film, I'll come see you there as well."