America 1987

Chapter 62 The Golden Palm

This is true.

"Thank you," Nicole took the nuts from the other person's right hand, but didn't immediately put them in her mouth. Instead, she said somewhat awkwardly, "But could you take your left hand out first?"

Yes, Nicole's dress is a backless style, with almost her entire back exposed, held together only by thin straps at the neck and waist.

David, who always liked to take advantage of such occasions, naturally put his left hand in front of the back of the chair without making a sound shortly after sitting down.

Nicole's back has a smooth curve and very soft muscles. In terms of feel alone, it should be no worse than the female lead in "Scent of a Woman".

"The Cannes Film Festival's selection process is very closed," David explained in a low voice, gently stroking his hand to reassure her. "This isn't the Oscars; there aren't as many cameramen here."

European art film traditions tend to emphasize authorship and cultural value, and are accustomed to maintaining a distance from commercial interests.

As the premier of the three major European film festivals, Cannes naturally sets an example by refusing to engage in entertainment like the Oscars, which are broadcast globally. The judging process is closed and elitist, completely refusing to cater to popular tastes. The awards ceremony also avoids song and dance performances and nomination mashups; it simply reads out names and then the winners go up to accept their awards and give their acceptance speeches.

Moreover, Cannes this year has seen some minor issues, so the president is even less likely to get involved in such trivial matters.

In fact, since the 80s, the global film industry has been impacted to varying degrees by the Hollywood blockbuster model, and European art films as a whole have been facing a certain crisis.

In response to the impact, the film festival made many concessions and compromises.

By 1988, the "market" reality of the Cannes Film Festival had completely overshadowed the festive atmosphere. People were acting independently, and the festival was seen more as a place to sell products than a grand event for the exchange of cinematic art.

The films competing in that year in the original timeline were also criticized by veteran film critics for lacking vitality, depth, and adventurous spirit, with "not a single one approaching the realm of masterpieces," and the overall atmosphere "floating on calm waters."

Several award-winning films were more formalistic than substantive, and almost none of them were able to spark audience enthusiasm or discussion.

But not anymore.

In the original timeline, "Sex, Lies and Videotape" was scheduled to be released in Cannes next year.

When it was released, the film received polarized but overall impactful reviews.

Jury president Wim Wenders spoke highly of Sex, Lies and Videotape, saying that the most important thing in judging a film is whether it has personality, and that Sex, Lies and Videotape is "distinctive, exciting, and gives people confidence in movies."

Wim Wenders openly stated that he "absolutely loved this film," which ultimately propelled it to defeat Giuseppe Tornatore's acclaimed Cinema Paradiso and win the Palme d'Or.

With such a formidable opponent, "Sex, Lies and Videotapes" managed to turn the tide and achieve a comeback, so David simply couldn't understand why he lost.

Who was supposed to win the Palme d'Or this year in the original timeline? Oh, Pell the Conqueror, right?

I've never heard of it before. Although art films are always a niche genre, David had watched quite a few before he time-traveled. The fact that I've never heard of it can only mean that it's a mediocre work even among art films.

In fact, it was quite mediocre. When it was released, the media and film critics did not praise it much. It was simply the best film chosen from among the worst.

So David Ovitz lifted the Palme d'Or trophy tonight without any suspense.

"Do you still need to wear sunscreen in this weather?"

"Of course, I'll get a tan if I don't apply it."

Nicole lay comfortably on the recliner, while David squeezed the liquid from the small bottle she had brought into his palm, rubbed it together, and then spread his hands flat, pushing it down from his shoulders and neck to his waist.

Here was a silvery-white beach, where the white waves washed away the words they had written. The soaring seagulls and timid hermit crabs brought a vibrant sense of life, and the scene gave Nicole the illusion that the two of them were on their honeymoon.

Cannes is a famous city on the Mediterranean coast in southern France, and its beaches are an important symbol of the city.

The crossroads is lined with a series of public and private beaches, with the private beaches often connected to large hotels, offering a more private environment and upscale services.

David naturally chose the latter; the Cannes Film Festival is usually held in mid-May each year and lasts for 12 days.

This is the best time to visit, as the weather is warm, the sea is calm, and the temperature generally fluctuates around 20 degrees Celsius, so it's not too sunny at all.

That's why David asked that question.

Do you always carry sunscreen with you?

"Of course... Oh!"

Before Nicole could finish saying "of course," she immediately changed her tone, tilted her upper body slightly, and exclaimed softly. Then she quickly sat up, a look of embarrassment and annoyance on her face.

There was no way around it; as David was asking the question, his middle finger slid down the other person's spine little by little, eventually reaching the coccyx.

"Hey David, how could you do this?"

"Sorry, the sunscreen is so slippery, I wasn't paying attention and accidentally smudged it."

David quickly raised his hands to prove his innocence and sincerely apologized and explained to the other party.

After some coaxing and persuasion, they finally managed to get the other person to lie down again.

David knew exactly how much Nicole valued her sun protection.

The other person lives in a place with strong ultraviolet radiation like Australia, and both of their parents have skin cancer.

Therefore, she takes sun protection very seriously, applying SPF100+ sunscreen every day and reapplying it every 2 to 3 hours.

"The doctor said I have cool-toned fair skin with less melanin than normal. If I don't use sunscreen, my skin will turn red and sting within 15 minutes."

Enjoying the other person's strong rubbing, Nicole let out a slight groan and explained, "So I have to apply it, otherwise I'll get freckles and you probably won't be so patient in applying sunscreen to me here."

"I'm not that shallow," David said, admiring the other woman's fair, snow-white back. "As long as you're beautiful enough, I can have the patience even with a Black man."

"I hope so."

After lying down, Nicole remained vigilant, constantly on guard against any surprise attack.

When David chose this secluded private beach, she thought he probably wanted to have sex on the beach, but she never expected it to be this particular part.

If David knew what Nicole was thinking at that moment, he would definitely cry out that he was wronged.

He chose a private beach simply because he prefers quiet to noise; public beaches are too crowded, and he doesn't like those kinds of places.

As for doing things we love on the beach, that's even more impossible.

Private beaches are supposed to offer a private environment, but they are not private at all.

Such a large place cannot be completely isolated from the world unless a wall is built around it.

If any paparazzi or tourist accidentally wanders into this area, they're doomed. Such things have happened before in my past life.

He didn't want his woman to become a victim of "Beachgate".