Gone with the wind

A private moment in Cannes

One of the most successful films of all time is Gone with the Wind.

It broke every record imaginable, and remarkably, most people around the world still recognize the title — even though the film was made back in 1939. As with all towering successes, it also attracted its fair share of criticism. The anecdotes alone could fill an encyclopedia.

One of those stories is particularly comforting for entrepreneurs, artists, and anyone who has ever tried to create something against all odds. The production of Gone with the Wind was, quite frankly, a mess. Four directors were fired. Screenwriters came and went. The start of filming was delayed by two years because the producer stubbornly insisted on casting Clark Gable as the lead. More than 1,400 women auditioned for the role of Scarlett O’Hara. Political controversies erupted, production problems piled up — chaos everywhere.

And yet, in the end, it became the most successful film in history.

At the center of it all stood the producer, David O. Selznick — one of the founding figures of Hollywood, and incidentally related to Jack Warner of Warner Brothers fame. If you ever find yourself overwhelmed by setbacks and close to losing heart, read the story of this film — and especially of Selznick, the man behind it, and to a large extent, behind Hollywood itself.

Early this morning I received a message from a now close friend. He told me that once again this new year, they had been invited to take part in a major dance event in Cannes — and therefore, of course, wanted to spend another day on my boat. January 7, 2026 has now officially become my first booking of the year.

And who is this friend?

A direct descendant of David O. Selznick — and on his mother’s side, also of Jack Warner: Tony Selznick.

No Hollywood ego. No star attitude. Just a genuinely warm, funny man with an extraordinary feel for dance. And not just any dance. When global stars like Madonna, Beyoncé, or back in the day Michael Jackson plan world tours, they need dancers. Television shows, films, large productions — when dancers are needed, you call Tony.

He runs an agency that specializes in discovering talented dancers and helping them find work worldwide.

Tony was genuinely surprised when he heard about my own past. Since then, we’ve clicked effortlessly. We even discovered we share mutual acquaintances — Louis van Amstel, Paul Harris — the world is small, especially in dance.

Tony isn’t short of means — otherwise he wouldn’t be able to hire me — but far more important: he’s simply a great guy. So this morning’s call went something like this:

“Arnold, in August we’re invited again to give workshops at the dance festival in Cannes. And of course, we’d love to spend another day sailing with you.”

A small anecdote.

I have a hairdresser in Cannes. Lovely woman. Not exactly a master stylist — but lovely nonetheless. One day she had a friend visiting, along with her young daughter. Did I mind? Not at all. The girl told me her greatest passion was dance; she was following a classical training program.

This was just a few weeks before Tony was due to visit again. I asked the girl if she would like to attend a major dance gala — one where exceptionally talented young dancers perform. She was instantly enchanted. Her mother even more so.

I promised to ask Tony if he could arrange tickets. He immediately said yes, but with young children you don’t joke around, so I wanted to be absolutely sure it would happen. And it did — spectacularly so. Tony arranged VIP treatment. Mother and daughter had the evening of their lives. Their tickets were waiting at the box office, listed as special guests of American superstars.

That evening — I didn’t attend myself — I received a photo from my hairdresser. Mother and daughter glowing. Pure happiness.

So Tony turned out not to be one of those Americans who talk big and deliver little. He had arranged everything perfectly. I’ve since also accepted that my hairdresser isn’t actually very good at cutting hair — but I still go back. When I told Tony and his friend Marc, they laughed uncontrollably.

So there you have it: my first client for 2026 is booked, and it genuinely makes me happy.

Do your best for people, and something comes back. Not always — but the moments when it does are what truly matter.

Here’s a photo of Tony on the boat and one of the mother and daughter, on their way to the dance gala.