**Afternoon, Atlantic Avenue.**
Luca, dressed in formal attire, stepped into Kate's small café.
*Ding-a-ling!*
The silver bell at the door let out a crisp sound.
Two female servers spotted him and broke into eager smiles. With his good looks, wealth, and fame, what girl wouldn't want to approach him? It's just that Luca was always so proper, not the reckless guy the rumors painted him to be. Disappointing!
"Luca, how come you had time to stop by today?"
Regina, the manager, smiled from behind the counter.
"Regina, I've arranged a meeting here with Director Salles."
"Director?"
Regina didn't ask any more questions. "Want something to drink?"
"I'll have an iced red tea latte."
Luca walked to a corner of the café.
In the afternoon, there were seven or eight customers—just right. The café only had eight booths, and any more people would make the place feel crowded.
He took off his hat and sunglasses. After three seconds, he suddenly felt a lot of eyes on him. Curious, he scanned the room and found several girls sneaking glances at him, seemingly recognizing him.
Luca curved his lips into a warm, charming smile, which instantly caused three girls to approach him, with a few others looking like they wanted to join in.
The girls who came up either wanted an autograph or his contact info. One, who was pretty good-looking, directly asked him out.
Luca only gave them autographs and used the excuse of having work to get them to leave.
"Luca, you should come here more often,"
Regina smiled as she set down his drink. "Ever since you came by a few times, business has picked up a lot. There are plenty of girls who come here every day hoping you'll show up."
"Really?"
"For sure, Luca. You're a heartthrob now. Could you leave some signed photos here? I could give them out as souvenirs for customers."
"Haha, sure!"
After chatting for a bit, Regina got back to work.
Luca pulled out some documents and started reviewing them.
It was information about Director Walter Salles.
At 47 years old, from Rio de Janeiro, he directed the 1998 drama *Central Station*, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 72nd Academy Awards. He had served on the juries of both the Berlin International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.
A young and talented director.
Among Brazilian directors, his name was in the top three, and his skills were solid.
The only question was whether he was willing to collaborate.
At 4:30 in the afternoon, Salles finally arrived, a bit late.
When they met, there was no small talk. They jumped straight into discussing the script.
This time, Luca had borrowed a thriller called *Buried*.
The story takes place during the Iraq War this year, where a truck driver gets caught in an accident and wakes up to find himself trapped in a coffin.
He tries every possible way to escape, but nothing works.
All he has is a nearly dead cell phone.
He makes calls, hoping for rescue.
But the phone battery is running low, and the signal is weak. He has to race against time to escape underground before the phone dies.
It's a low-budget film, with only one actor. Everything else is conveyed through sound.
The plot is brilliantly constructed, filled with suspense, constantly keeping the audience on edge. It could be seen as a different take on *Phone Booth*.
The movie had a budget of just over $2 million but grossed $20 million at the box office. The reviews were also very positive.
More importantly, this solo role was a real challenge.
Luca originally wanted to direct and star in it himself, but making a film isn't easy.
Film is an art form.
Art is delicate work.
No one can fully recreate every detail with just simple equipment, a script, and the images in their mind.
Even the same director, filming the same movie at different times, wouldn't necessarily do it the same way, let alone an imitation.
Directing and acting at the same time would be too difficult.
He wanted to find a director who could guide and push the actor.
Making money was one thing, but improving his acting was another.
"Mr. Kelly, did you write this script?"
Walter Salles seemed surprised.
"Yes! And this isn't my first screenplay."
Luca went on to explain a few scripts he was currently working on.
"Oh, Mr. Kelly, forgive me. The public only knows Ms. Kelly as a great writer. I didn't realize you were so talented in writing too.
This script is excellent, very challenging, and very engaging. How about selling it to me?"
"Selling the script?"
Luca raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, Mr. Kelly. I have a production company, and I really like this script. I'd like to buy it. Once I've finished my current work, I'll direct it myself and turn it into a film."
"Hold on, Mr. Salles."
Luca pressed his lips together. "I'm sorry, Mr. Salles. My agent might not have made things clear. Let me say it again: I absolutely must star in this project."
Director Salles shook his head. The agent had mentioned this when pitching the script, but Salles wasn't convinced.
"Mr. Kelly, I've seen your roles. Frankly, you haven't been an actor for very long, and your acting still needs refinement.
This script, which you wrote, you know how challenging it is to perform.
It demands that the actor possesses enough skill to convey the protagonist's intense emotions and tension.
At the same time, the actor needs a strong presence to hold the audience's attention. After all, there's only one scene and one actor.
It's a huge test for any actor. Even an Oscar winner might struggle."
Salles spread his hands. "Mr. Kelly, I hope you'll reconsider. It's a great script."
"Mr. Salles, thank you for your praise.
As you said, it's a great script, and you're an excellent director. If you used an outstanding actor, this project would certainly be a success.
But wouldn't that be too easy?"
Luca paused,
"Mr. Salles, you mentioned this script is very challenging.
If we add a newcomer actor, wouldn't that make it even more challenging and suspenseful—just like the script itself?
When the movie succeeds, people will undoubtedly praise your directing skills.
Mr. Salles, do you want to take on the challenge?"
"..."
Director Salles opened his mouth but then shook his head. "Mr. Kelly, you almost convinced me.
But making a film is already a risk. Even the best director, team, script, and actor might not create a film that's both critically acclaimed and a box office hit.
So, before shooting, we gather all the elements for success and minimize the risk.
Since there's a more suitable actor, why not increase the chances of success?"
"Mr. Salles,"
Luca sighed softly. "Why do you think I'm not suitable?
*Honey* was only my first film. This year alone, I've been involved in three films, and *Honey* was the smallest in terms of investment and screen time.
I'm growing, and I don't believe my acting can't improve."
"That's unfortunate!"
Director Salles spread his hands. "Mr. Kelly, I don't know how much potential you have as an actor, but I still believe this role doesn't suit you, or at least not yet.
And I don't think I'm alone in this opinion."
After those words, Director Salles said goodbye and left the café.
Luca sighed, feeling a bit frustrated. Why won't anyone give me a chance?
*Damn it!*
Just as Director Salles had said, over the next two days, three famous directors showed interest in the script but regretted his insistence on starring.
Other directors and film companies were also eager to collaborate, constantly reaching out.
But he wasn't interested.
He, Luca *The Hotshot* Kelly, the only Brazilian actor to have made a name for himself in Hollywood.
Working with him was sure to be profitable.
He knew his value and didn't want anyone taking advantage of him.
"If no one's up for it, I'll direct and star myself!"
He mulled it over.
"Stop thinking about the script. Christmas is coming. When are you going to Salvador?"
Kate tidied his messy hair, hoping he'd relax and not overthink.
"...I'll leave tomorrow,"
Luca sighed, holding Kate's hand. "After Christmas, I'm planning to direct my own movie. What do you think?"
"Haha, of course I support you! All the way!"
Kate cupped his face with a smile.
"Thanks! I'll do my best."
*Ring, ring, ring*
His phone rang—it was his agent, Camila.
"Mr. Kelly, Director Hector Babenco has invited you to São Paulo. Do you have time?"
"Director Babenco?"
Luca frowned, thinking for a moment. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. Since his return, he had taken time to learn about Brazilian directors.
The most famous were *Central Station*'s Walter Salles and *City of God*'s Fernando Meirelles, along with Carlos Diegues.
But in the industry, there was also a legend: Hector Babenco.
A man nearing 60.
In 1977, the film he directed, Lucio Flavio, caused a sensation in the film industry, drawing more than 100 million viewers and breaking box office records in Brazil and South America.
In 1980, his film Pixote won three awards at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in Spain and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
In 1986, he directed Kiss of the Spider Woman, which received four major Academy Award nominations: Best Actor, Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
The lead actor in the film gave such an outstanding performance that he won both the Academy Award and the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor.
He also made several other films, such as Street Kids, Passion, and Blood Prison, all of which were high quality.
However, the veteran director is now old and in poor health, suffering from lymphoma and heart disease. He has been recovering for the past few years.
So, when he submitted the script this time, he didn't disturb the director during his retreat.
Unexpectedly, the director took the initiative to call and invite him for a talk.
But what could an old, sick man want to discuss?
Luca was curious.
Still, this was an opportunity. Before heading out, he watched several of Burbank's films carefully.
Gradually, he began to understand the director's style and had a sense of why the old man might be interested in him.
The next day, he postponed his trip to the Lima family and drove to São Paulo, the largest city in South America.
(End of Chapter)