mijobooks Chapter 80 See you in Toronto
Chapter 80 See you in Toronto
Early September, Lido Island, Venice, Italy.
The moment the presenter at the closing ceremony of the 62nd Venice International Film Festival slowly announced, "The Golden Lion goes to 'Brokeback Mountain' by Ang Lee," the entire Lido Press Centre fell into a brief silence, followed by a burst of applause and gasps that nearly lifted the roof off.
The image of Ang Lee receiving the Golden Lion trophy from Hayao Miyazaki under the night sky of Venice was broadcast around the world instantly.
It was early morning in Los Angeles, across the ocean, but filmmakers throughout Hollywood were already glued to their phones and computers.
Loud cheers erupted at Focus Features' marketing headquarters, and champagne was sprayed onto the expensive carpet.
They won, betting everything on the highest stage of the three major European film festivals, and with a prestigious Golden Lion Award, they completely shattered the unspoken defensive wall that mainstream North American cinemas had against LGBTQ+ themes.
In the 24 hours following the Golden Lion Awards, the entire North American film industry was thrown into chaos, as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water into a boiling oil pan.
All the previous conservative arguments about "gay themes being too risky," "mainstream audiences not being able to accept them," and "North American theaters resisting them" suddenly became shaky in the face of that golden lion.
Variety immediately updated its front page with the headline: "Brokeback Mountain's victory in Venice is rewriting the rules of the game in the North American independent film market."
The Hollywood Reporter went even further: "Focus Pictures has become the first real frontrunner of this awards season."
The reviews of the public relations preparations made earlier have also begun to circulate widely:
The New York Times: "Brokeback Mountain is a milestone because it was the first Hollywood film to tear off the distorted mask covering same-sex love... This film is not about sex, but about love, that kind of love that is entangled, separated, and hidden deep in the heart."
The Los Angeles Times: "The film evokes a deep sense of the delicate, mysterious, and unknown love that exists deep within the human heart. Like all great romance films before it, Brokeback Mountain simply brings all of this to life between two men."
The Wall Street Journal: "Whether Americans intend for Marlboro men to fall in love with another man remains to be seen, but Brokeback Mountain is certainly an exciting film."
The San Francisco Chronicle: "The emotions expressed in the film are so complex that you certainly can't call it a 'Western,' or even a gay film."
Roger Ebert, a senior film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, also gave it a thumbs up: "This gay-themed film, which could easily have been turned into a soap opera by an ordinary director, has become an absolute masterpiece thanks to Li An's careful and meticulous handling."
William Russell, Chairman of the London Film Critics' Circle: "Aside from the fact that the main characters are two cowboys, *Brokeback Mountain* has all the elements a classic love story should have. Li An successfully interprets this controversial topic with great intelligence and a moving style, helping all the actors in the film to perform at an extremely high level. This film is a historical monument worthy of our high praise."
Meanwhile, in Venice, the hotel corridors were filled with reporters running around carrying cameras, the air thick with the smell of perfume and the burnt smell of overheated flashes.
Anne Hathaway was immediately surrounded by a large group of reporters as she stepped out of the interview room.
"Anne! Anne! Look here!"
How do you evaluate "Brokeback Mountain" winning the Golden Lion?
What did Director Li An say when he hugged you backstage?
"Some say this is the biggest favorite for Best Picture at this year's Oscars, do you agree?"
The flashes of light almost blinded her; in the past, she was more often seen as a pretty girl, a Disney princess, and a sweetheart for commercial romantic movies.
But at this moment, Anne truly experienced what the "awards season storm" meant for the first time.
She answered a few questions, then, escorted by her assistant, squeezed through the crowd and slipped into a quiet lounge at the end of the corridor, closing the door to shut out the noise.
She leaned against the door, glancing down at the unread messages on her phone. Lin Ruiyang had sent her a text message immediately after the results were announced: "Tell Director Li An that he owes me a drink. Wait for me to come to Toronto."
On the other side of Lido Island, Ang Lee had just finished his last media interview and ran into Annie in the hallway back to his hotel suite.
Li An's face still bore a trace of fatigue, as well as the flush of having just won the grand prize. He even carefully held the heavy Golden Lion trophy in his hand.
He looked up and saw Anne, paused for a moment, then smiled gently and politely: "Anne, you must have had a hard time at the press conference. I hope the reporters outside didn't give you too much trouble?"
"No." Annie smiled gently and raised her hand to brush a few stray strands of hair behind her ear.
"But now I finally understand what a real film festival is." As she said this, her gaze involuntarily fell on the Golden Lion trophy in Li An's hand.
Li An seemed to notice the dazed look in her eyes and said gently, "Actually, I'm still a little confused myself."
"When I went on stage just now, my mind went blank for a moment."
"But you look remarkably calm."
"That's probably because I always have this expression when I'm spacing out."
Both of them laughed, and the tension that had been building up all night finally eased a little.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Li An looked up and asked, "By the way, did Lin send you a message?"
Anne was taken aback: "How did you know?"
"Because he sent it to me too." Li An held up his phone, a helpless smile on his face.
Meanwhile, in the president's office of Century City Searchlight Films, the last page of the fax report was slowly unfurled.
The atmosphere in Pete Rice's office was completely different from what it had been two weeks ago. The "Dallas Buyers Club" project proposal, which had previously been tucked away at the bottom of a drawer, was now placed in the center of the conference table.
There were even several newly printed market analysis reports next to it.
One page was highlighted: "After Brokeback Mountain won the award at Venice, a public opinion survey showed a significant increase in the acceptance of films about marginalized groups among mainstream North American audiences."
Pete picked up the phone and dialed Roger Sutherland's number.
"Rogge." Pete's voice no longer carried the businesslike caution of half a month ago, but instead carried a layer of suppressed excitement and urgency.
"Tell your client that Searchlight needs to meet with him in person. Not next month... Is he available now?"
There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.
Then, Roger Sutherland's voice, clearly surprised, came through: "Now?"
"Yes, now. I just finished an internal board meeting, and Lin was right, the wind has shifted. Tell Lin I want to talk about the Dallas Buyers Club again."
And—we've all seen the news about Matthew McConaughey.
"You don't believe those news reports anymore?"
"There are only a few idiots among the Hollywood executives; the truth will be revealed with a simple investigation. Besides, if it weren't for the role, he would have been in the hospital long ago."
As he said this, Pete's eyes gradually sharpened.
"A commercially successful male star who makes a living through romantic comedies suddenly willing to destroy his sexy image and turn himself into a skinny freak like someone with terminal AIDS. This in itself is already a kind of sacrificial performance that Hollywood loves."
After hanging up the phone, Pete sat back down at his desk.
The assistant asked cautiously, "Then... should we arrange a formal meeting?"
"certainly."
"I'm rearranging my schedule for Toronto next week; I'll go there myself."
The assistant was taken aback.
The CEO of Searchlight Pictures personally flew to Toronto to discuss the project? This is far beyond the scale of a typical independent film.
In contrast to the fervor in Hollywood, Beijing, fourteen hours away in time, is currently immersed in the cool, early autumn night.
"Lin, Pete Rice from Searchlight just called me. He's taken the bait! He's got full control of the eight million dollar budget, and he'll be flying to Toronto next week to meet with you during the film festival."
Upon hearing the news, Lin Ruiyang showed little emotion, only a slight, confident smile appearing on his face.
"He's in a greater hurry than I thought, Roger."
"Yes, and he has seen through the truth behind Matthew's dramatic weight loss and believes it's a high-level sacrificial performance." Roger chuckled on the other end of the phone.
"Next week in Toronto, I'll have the team prepare the draft contract for the tiered box office revenue sharing and director's cut. Have a great time in Toronto."
See you in Toronto, Roger.