Unfortunately, Luca suffered from heatstroke.
He felt dizzy all day, broke out in cold sweats, and had no energy in his limbs.
He could only lie at home and rest.
The next day, Kate returned from her business trip. When she saw his condition, she was quite angry.
"You said you wouldn't push yourself anymore, so how did you end up like this again?"
If he weren't sick, Kate would have liked to give him another scolding to teach him a lesson.
"Kate, you're back."
Seeing her return, Luca quickly sat up, smiling nervously. "I'm fine, just a mild heatstroke. I'll be okay after resting for a day. No need to worry."
For the past few days, he'd been lying in a box buried in sand, sweating and acting strenuously. After a while, it started taking a toll on him.
His whole body felt sluggish, drained of energy.
Kate carefully checked him over and, aside from some weakness, found nothing seriously wrong.
"See? I'm really okay."
Luca stood up and bounced a little. "Just feeling lazy and don't want to move."
"You're just too tired!"
Kate shook her head and helped him sit back down.
"Is this film almost done?"
"Not sure!"
Luca said helplessly. "Burbank got sick, so the assistant director is filling in. Yesterday's scenes were good, but Burbank still needs to review them. If he thinks it's good, then it's done."
"Maybe you should stop filming. It sounds like too much trouble."
Kate brushed his hair back.
Luca thought for a moment. "Alright, I've given it my all this time. If it still doesn't pass, then I might not have any better performance in the short term, and Burbank should find someone else."
He had really pushed himself this time, using every ounce of energy. If Burbank still wasn't satisfied, Luca would have no choice but to give up.
Before, he thought he'd never give up.
"Mr. Kelly, Mr. José Padilha is here," Barbara, the housekeeper, announced from outside.
"Please, show him in, Mrs. Barbara!"
Luca sat up again, explaining, "José is the assistant director. He's quite capable. I have a new project to discuss with him. Don't worry, it's not an art film, so it won't be as exhausting."
"Alright then!"
Kate left the room.
Luca walked to the door and saw Barbara leading José inside.
"José, welcome!"
Luca smiled and greeted him warmly.
"Haha, Luca, how's your recovery? I'm here on behalf of the crew to check on you," José said with a grin.
"Thanks, after a good night's sleep, I feel much better."
Luca invited him to sit inside.
"You've been working hard these days," José said sincerely.
Luca shook his head. "The heat is tough on everyone."
After the servant set down coffee, Luca asked, "Did Mr. Burbank see yesterday's scenes? Any feedback?"
"He hasn't seen them yet; the old man's not in the country."
José smirked.
Luca frowned. "Wasn't Burbank sick? Why would he go abroad? Is he seeking treatment?"
José scratched his head. "Well, actually… the old man isn't sick."
"Not sick?"
Luca furrowed his brow. "José, what does Burbank mean by this? Is he waiting for me to quit?
If that's the case, you can tell him he's won. I won't be able to finish this film."
"Luca, don't get upset."
José silently cursed Burbank for faking illness, seeing how upset it made Luca.
Wait!
Suddenly, José remembered that he had made up the illness, not Burbank. It seemed he was unfairly blaming the old man.
But at the time, José had wanted to push Luca a little, using Burbank's "final film" as motivation. Would that count as a harmless lie?
"Luca, take a look at this first."
José took out a copy of the Brazilian Daily from his pocket.
In the entertainment section, there was a news headline that caught Luca's eye—"Luca's New Film Buried Alive Enters Berlin Film Festival Main Competition."
"What?! Buried Alive is in the Berlin Film Festival?"
Luca was stunned and a bit confused. "José, what's going on? The film isn't even finished. How is it in the festival?"
"Hahaha~ It's simple. Last week, you had an incredible performance. Burbank was really impressed. In fact, it was already done then.
The director asked if you were satisfied with your performance, and you said you could do better. Seeing your potential, he asked us to help refine your skills, and you've done very well. Burbank is sure to be pleased."
"..."
Holding the newspaper, Luca felt a mix of emotions. So that's what happened. Just a moment ago, he was cursing the old man for being unprofessional.
"Luca, the film festival is about to end. Are you going to attend the awards ceremony?"
José smiled.
"I'd like to, but my chances of winning are slim."
This year's Berlin Film Festival had nearly 400 films from around the world, with 23 competing in the main competition.
Buried Alive had two nominations—Best Director and Best Actor. But with so much competition, and him only 22 years old, winning seemed unlikely.
"Luca, Burbank said Buried Alive has received very positive reactions at the festival. You might have a shot at the Silver Bear."
José encouraged him.
Luca thought for a moment. "When are you guys leaving?"
"I'm not going. The script you gave me the other day is excellent. I'm getting started on pre-production."
José explained that he had contacts in law enforcement and knew of some real-life undercover cases involving police in gangs. He wanted to find a case for reference.
Luca nodded, and they chatted more about the film.
The Brazilian version of Infernal Affairs had been written, but the rights negotiations were still ongoing, so it would be a while before things moved forward.
After chatting for a bit, José left the estate.
"Luca, what's going on?"
A little while later, Kate came downstairs, now dressed in loose, casual clothes.
Luca smiled and waved the newspaper. "Kate, Buried Alive has been selected for the Berlin Film Festival's main competition."
"But the movie isn't even finished yet!"
Kate said in surprise, quickly walking over and taking the paper to read it carefully.
"A Best Actor nomination?!
Darling, you're amazing! I knew you could become a big star. See? Wasn't I right?"
Kate hugged his neck, excitedly congratulating him.
"Yes, you were absolutely right!"
Luca smiled.
For the rest of the afternoon, phone calls came in from people congratulating him on the nominations.
While it was exciting to be nominated, it wasn't too overwhelming.
Although the Berlin Film Festival was one of the world's top international film festivals, the weight of a nomination wasn't on par with the Oscars. Winning, though, would be a different story.
Ding!
A message came in on Luca's phone.
"Are you going to Berlin?"
The message was from Charlize Theron.
Luca suddenly remembered—Monster had also been selected for the main competition, and Theron had received a Best Actress nomination.
She was probably on her way to Berlin or already there.
But why was she asking that?
Could this be a date invitation?
He thought for a moment before replying.
"I'll be there tomorrow afternoon. Drinks on me!"
"No time!"
Uh... What did that mean?
Luca scratched his head, feeling confused by women again.
"Kate, come help me figure out what this text means."
Since Kate had initiated the "flirting," it was only fair she help resolve it.