The Best Director

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Goodnight, Moth!

Translator: 549690339

Wang Yang and others arrived outside Theater 5 at the Redstone Theater, where the small entrance was crowded with people. Executives from Newmarket and the minds behind “Memento” were all greeting guests attending the premiere. In front of the advertising board, media reporters were busy taking photos of lead actors such as Guy Pearce and Carrie Anne Moss. One of the main reasons the film garnered so much attention was because of Carrie Anne Moss, who had skyrocketed to fame after starring in “The Matrix”.

Hello and welcome! I’m Emma Thomas,” a black-haired Caucasian woman said with a beaming smile, approaching in a red evening gown, a small handbag in her left hand, shaking hands with Wang Yang, Jon, and others with her right, and warmly said, “I’m the producer of the film. Mr. Wang, Mr. Phil Tidemar… I’m delighted that you could join us for our premiere.” She glanced back and called out with a laugh, “Christopher, come over!” Emma then looked at Wang Yang and the others, smiling, “Chris is the director of the film, and also my husband. I originally had ‘skng’ on my agenda for this trip to Park City, but you know, Chris’s mind is all about films, so, regrettably, I had to cancel.”

Jon, Mark Stratmore, and others all chuckled, while Wang Yang’s attention was focused on Christopher Nolan, who was walking towards them. Nolan was in a black suit with a pale blue shirt and a blue tie, his hair neatly parted and seemingly gelled. With a gentle smile on his face, he approached his wife’s side and said with a bit of a British accent, “Hello, I’m Christopher Nolan.”

Wang Yang, a pleasure to meet you.” Wang Yang said with a smile as he shook hands with Nolan. After exchanging pleasantries with Jon and others, Emma Thomas, looking at her husband, suggested with a smile, “Chris, why don’t you introduce ‘Memento’?” Nolan nodded, “Well, the film has two narrative threads, one in black and white and the other in color, representing the current events and the fragmented memories. My idea is that films can enjoy narrative freedom, not confined by time, a pleasure novelists have enjoyed for centuries. They can freely use flashbacks, flash-forwards…”

Wang Yang listened with great enthusiasm. This was Nolan’s style of filmmaking—flashbacks, flash-forwards, a total jumble, one layer after another, and highly suspenseful. But Jon, Mark Stratmore, and others seemed somewhat uninterested. They were there to strike gold, not to study how films should be made. Emma Thomas noticed this and frowned secretly, interrupting Nolan with a laugh, ” ‘

that’s its selling point…

Memento’ might seem a bit complex, but gentlemen,

Emma Thomas tirelessly pitched the advantages of “Memento,” essentially saying that distributing the film was definitely the right move! After a while, upon seeing new distributors arrive, she excused herself with a smile, saying “I must leave you now,” and went off with Nolan to greet the new guests.

The 200-seat theater was filled with quite a few distributors and media. Everyone watched the black and white images playing on the big screen. Wang Yang, seated in the middle, watched intently; Mark Stratmore, Jon from Lionsgate, and others also watched seriously, jotting down notes, though many in the audience yawned or even left early. Buying this incomprehensible film for over 5 million dollars? What a joke!

By the end of the screening, there were only a handful of distributors left in their seats. People from each company started whispering to each other, swapping opinions on the film.

 

It’s an excellent film, but it’s not suited for theatrical release; it’s too complicated. People go to the cinema for entertainment, not to rack their brains. At most, it might make 4 or 5 million at the box office…” ”

might not be bad, but the distribution price is at most 2 million. Forget it, the risk is too great…” ” is innovative, but what we need are profits. Let’s go…

The director is very creative, and the filmmaking technique

Wang Yang, staring at the still bright screen, pondered the plot of “Memento.¹ The jumbled editing made it seem complex, but once the threads were untangled—black and white in forward chronology, color in reverse—it came together slowly like a jigsaw puzzle, revealing the story, though it still left many unresolved mysteries. He couldn’t help but laugh as he figured out the entire film. Truly fascinating! This “narrative freedom” turned a simple story into something so complex and enchanting. Fantastic!

 

With a limited run in 11 theaters initially, widening to 531, it could take in 25.54 million US dollars, showing that there were quite a few people interested in playing this “jigsaw puzzle game.” What would happen if they increased the marketing push, premiering in 500 theaters, widest release at 1500 theaters? Of course, he didn’t expect “Memento” to bring in one or two hundred million. This type of film was actually more suited for lounging on a couch at home, watching it over and over with a remote in hand to understand the story fully; it simply wouldn’t work in a cinema.

Although it had certain limitations, given its budget, it still had the potential to create a box office miracle. With these thoughts, Wang Yang leaned over and whispered to Mark Stratmore, “Mark, this film has great potential. We’ve got to buy it.”

What?” Mark Stratmore’s eyes widened in surprise. “My boss, to be honest, I’m still not quite sure what the film was about. I’m still pondering it.” He spread his hands, “You see, even with my MBA from the University of Southern California, it’s like this. How do you think regular moviegoers with their popcorn on a cinema date will react? This film isn’t suitable for release.

IP”

Wang Yang frowned and said, “Mark, I’m starting to doubt whether your University of Southern California degree is fake. Did I hit the nail on the head? Mark Slaughter rolled his eyes, and Wang Yang chuckled before seriously adding, “There’s no such thing as a movie that’s not suitable for screening. It’s all about how it’s promoted. As long as we position this film as a ‘high-IQ. thriller,’ there will be plenty of people who want to take on the challenge.” He patted Mark on the shoulder and declared resolutely, “No matter what, as long as Newmarket Films is willing to sell, we’ll buy it, with all the available credit!”

OK, seeing as I can’t change your mind anyway.” A look of resignation spread across Mark Slaughter’s face.

As soon as she entered the hotel room, Emma Thomas hadn’t even taken off her high heels when she looked at her husband with disdain and complained, “Chris, you acted like a fool today! Or do you think you’re still in high school? You’re 30 years old!” Nolan silently walked over to the kettle, poured a cup of warm water, and didn’t argue with his wife. Emma Thomas sighed softly and said slowly, “You need to be more passionate and let go of your reserve, offering distributors what they care about the most, how this movie can make money! Otherwise, why do you think they would distribute it for you?”

Emma, that’s exactly what I was saying.” Nolan took a sip of water and walked toward the couch holding his cup. Emma Thomas stood at the door, hands on her hips, took a deep breath, and said, “Chris, take your leather shoes off.” Nolan, leaning on the couch, looked down at the shoes on his feet and said indifferently, “I’ll take them off before I go to sleep.”

Emma shook her head with closed eyes, a look of resignation on her face, and said, “Chris, you know that 5 million investment was really hard for me to secure, and you know opportunities like this are rare, we must seize it!” She put on slippers, walked over and sat down next to him on the couch, grasping his hand and said, “Dear, promoting won’t affect the essence of your film, it’s time to tame your stubborn temper.” Nolan looked at her and replied, “I haven’t failed to promote, but I’m not a talk show host, what else can I say? It’s a good movie, a good movie, a good movie…”

 

Come on!” Emma exclaimed softly, frowning seriously, “Why did you come to Hollywood?” Without waiting for Nolan to answer, she answered her own question, “You want to make more movies, get more funding, and become someone like Hitchcock, right? Chris, that requires you to change.”

Nolan was silent for a while, then finally said, “Honestly, I don’t know why I came to Hollywood.” He suddenly laughed at himself and added, “Besides, I can’t even distinguish red from green, can I really become someone like Hitchcock?”

At his words, Emma Thomas’s heart softened, and she chose not to continue persuading. She patted his hand in consolation and said, “Baby, it’s not your fault. It’s just God’s design, making you different from the rest. I know you’ll be like Hitchcock, and you’ll even surpass him. Stop doubting yourself because of colors, okay?” Confidence returned to Nolan’s face as he nodded with a smile, “Okay.”

Right then, Emma Thomas’s cell phone rang in her handbag. She took it out and saw that it was Mr. Bauer from Newmarket Films. She answered, “Hello, oh, really?…” A joyful smile spread across her face as she ended the call and looked at Nolan, who was still smiling, and said, “Chris, great news! Flame Films wants to buy ‘Memento’!”

Nolan was stunned for a moment. He had expected some company to make an offer but didn’t expect it to be Flame Films. He asked in disbelief, “Oh, Wang Yang? He likes my movie?” He found it somewhat strange because as a thriller enthusiast, he had seen ‘Paranormal Activity,’ a classic of mockumentary and a masterpiece of psychological horror. The issue was that mockumentaries follow a strict chronological order, while ‘Memento’ narrates freely, breaking away from the constraints of time. These two have an essential conflict.

 

Yes, Wang Yang!” Emma Thomas nodded happily, recalling the previous reception. She smiled and said, “When you talked about your ideas last night, Wang Yang was the most attentive listener. It’s not surprising that he liked it.

Nolan pondered over the evening’s events and also nodded, murmuring, “Yes, he respected me.”

 

The next day, the news that Flame Films proposed a bid on ‘Memento’ spread quickly throughout Park City with the backing of Newmarket Films. Everyone knew Wang Yang intended to buy that confusing movie for 6 million dollars. It was said that this magical director had praised ‘Memento,’ declaring, “This film can work miracles like ‘Paranormal Activity’!” Of course, there was no confirmation of this statement, which might just be Newmarket Films’ self­promotion.

After all, that young man did have talent in filmmaking, but how ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ would fare was uncertain, and even less was known about his investment acumen. Blue Sky Studios’ ‘Ice Age’ wouldn’t be released until 2002, yet considering he could boldly spend a hundred million, half his fortune, then the current 6 million wasn’t really surprising. He was just the sort of madman who felt impelled to spend his money once he had it.

So two days passed without any company matching the offer, including Lionsgate. In the rumors swirling around Park City, projections for the Memento box office mostly ranged between 4 to 5 million US Dollars, with the more optimistic ones saying 6 million. Anyway, it was clear that the costs couldn’t be recuperated with cinematic releases alone, DVD might sell well, but that was just a maybe.

 

Yang, I don’t understand, do you really see that much potential in Memento? I just watched it again, and it’s so complicated.” Jon Phil’s doubtful voice came through the phone as Wang Yang walked out of the Redstone Theater, smiling into the phone: “Jon, if I want to buy this movie, it’s definitely because I think it has potential, and the reason is that I was utterly absorbed by it.”

Having set his acquisition target early on, Wang Yang’s role in Park City leaned towards that of a tourist, spending these days enjoying the film festival. He had just watched Girlfight and chatted with Michelle Rodriguez for a bit; as for the tough job of negotiating with Newmarket, that was left to Mark Urman.

 

Jon, you and I are different. You think about profit; I consider that too, but it’s my money. Sometimes, because I like it, I might spend the money to acquire it,” Wang Yang’s tone was half serious, half joking, making it hard for Jon on the other end to guess his actual thoughts. As he stepped outside the Redstone Theater, it was already past ten at night. A cold wind blew as Wang Yang pocketed his hands, continuing with a laugh: “I like Memento, Jon, so if Lionsgate’s offer doesn’t exceed 10 million, just don’t bother driving up the price.”

10 million? Yang, rest assured, I won’t compete with you even for 6 million! Jon chuckled, saying, “Even if Memento becomes a box office hit, I won’t regret it. Who am I to buy something just because I like it?”

Wang Yang smiled, his eyes gazing into the distance at a corner where a girl wearing a bucket hat was packing up her projection equipment. She had been here all day, and every night, he could see her wrapping up her gear. She removed the film canister from the projector but suddenly jolted, as if she touched a static charge, and the film canister slipped from her shaky grip, falling directly onto her foot. She winced in pain, jumped a bit, and accidentally bumped into the projector, causing a loud crash as it fell to the ground, and she twisted her ankle.

Oh, man! Jon, I have to hang up…” Wang Yang put his phone back into his pocket and hurried over to pick up the fallen projector, looking at the dazed Nancy, asking, “Nancy, are you alright?”

Nancy seemed to recover her senses, glanced at him, gratitude flashing in her eyes, “I’m fine! Thanks.” She bent down to pick up the film canister, and proceeded to gather her other belongings. She rolled up the small piece of the white screen and slung it diagonally across her back, one hand carrying the tied-up mini loudspeaker and film canister, the other holding the projector. She took a deep breath, and said to Wang Yang, “I’m off, goodbye.” With that, she headed toward a street by the square.

Wang Yang stood aside, observing her struggling and slightly limping gait, and her pain-enduring demeanor, he couldn’t help but furrow his brows. If Paranormal Activity didn’t get distributed, would he end up like this too? He couldn’t resist chasing after her, offering, “Give me the projector, I’ll help you carry it.”

 

Buddy, thanks,” Nancy bit her lip, shaking her head, “But I don’t need help. I’m fine.” Wang Yang didn’t want to argue, snatched the projector from her, and started to walk ahead, asking, “Aren’t you taking a taxi? Do you live nearby?” Nancy muttered under her breath and followed, her expression easing up quite a bit as she responded, “Yeah, just around here.”

Under the streetlights, their shadows stretched long on the pavement, as they walked a great distance alongside the street. Fewer people were around, and following Nancy’s lead, Wang Yang felt puzzled as they wound their way to an open grassy area. By the moonlight, he could just make out a tent standing not far away. Nancy said, “We’re here,” and he was surprised, exclaiming, “Oh, buddy, you live here?”

Is there a problem?” Nancy, completely unconcerned, placed the white screen and other items next to the tent, while saying, “This place is safe; no one will rape me here. If anyone comes, I’ll kick his balls in; besides, I don’t have anything worth stealing. I thought someone might be interested in this tent, but it turns out I was overthinking it.”

Wang Yang set the projector down alongside, the slightly whistling cold wind causing him to feel a tad heavy-hearted, yet listening to Nancy’s frankness, he couldn’t help but chuckle, saying, “Uh, I didn’t mean it that way. Just when I go camping, I can never sleep well, too many mosquitoes, moths, and such, buzzing around your head.”

 

There are no mosquitoes or moths around here now,” Nancy said with a laugh as she pulled open the tent and bent down to enter. With a click, the inside of the tent brightened up. She tossed something at Wang Yang and said, “Catch! Wang Yang clumsily caught it with both hands and saw that he was holding a can of beer. He blurted out, “Beer? Where did you find this?” Nancy looked at him strangely, twisted open her own can, raised her beautiful eyebrows as if something dawned on her, and burst out laughing, “Haha, don’t tell me this is your first time drinking!”

Glancing at the beer in his hand, Wang Yang grinned and shrugged, “I’m a good kid.” Nancy laughed so hard she bent over with the hand holding the beer shaking as she said, “Good kid! A 20-year-old billionaire who’s never drunk alcohol, oh my god…” Wang Yang laughed along with her, and the louder they laughed, the longer it took for them to stop. Nancy sat down directly on the grass in front of the tent, lifted her beer, and smiled, “Give it a try! This is a gift from that old guy upstairs.” With that, she took the lead and had a sip.

Wang Yang laughed as he opened the beer and took a big sip with a mix of smiles and frowns, the bitter and slightly spicy taste hitting him, “Not bad. But I have a question, will I get drunk off this?” Nancy drank on her own, chuckling, “Getting drunk off just one can of beer? That’d be pathetic.” Wang Yang sat down on the grass too, looked up at the moon in the night sky, and slowly sipped his first can of beer.

 

Do you ever think I’m a fool?” After a long silence, Nancy suddenly sighed, a hint of vulnerability flashing in her eyes. She took a swig of beer and said, “Directing is a man’s job, a college student’s job, right? If you’re not accepted by University of Southern California or New York Film Academy, it’s all over. A convenience store clerk is still a convenience store clerk.”

Wang Yang turned his head to look at her, seriously saying, “I don’t think so. ‘High School Musical 2’s director Sarah Schulman is a woman, and I just watched a movie called ‘Girlfight,’ directed by Karyn Kusama, who’s also a woman. Plus, Kevin Smith used to be a convenience store worker.” Nancy looked at him confusedly, “Kevin Smith?” Wang Yang, taken aback, counter­asked, “You don’t know?”

In 1993, 23-year-old Kevin Smith scraped together 25,000 US dollars with a few of his convenience store colleagues, and shot a film called ‘Clerks’ on 16mm black and white film stock. The film was bought by Miramax Films at the Sundance Film Festival and ended up grossing 3.15 million at the box office, which could be considered a major independent film legend.

Seeing Wang Yang’s puzzled expression, Nancy laughed heartily, “Of course I know, ‘Clerks’! You know, when I heard that there was a guy named Kevin Smith and another guy named Wang Yang, I felt like I could make films too, so here I am.” She tilted her head back to drink more beer but realized it was empty. She laughed, crushed the empty beer can in her hand, and said, “Hey, big director…” She looked at Wang Yang beside her and asked, “What are the requirements to be an assistant director? Do you need a college degree?”

Not necessary,” Wang Yang shook his head, drained his beer too, and said, “There are many different kinds of assistant directors, some are responsible for managing sub-group shooting work; others just handle coordination. Do you want to be an assistant director?” Nancy burped, propped herself on the grass with her hands and laughed, “I’m considering it. I plan on hanging around Hollywood. My film sucks, I know that. I want to learn more on a film set, then shoot my own film. So, if your film crew is hiring, can I try out for an interview?”

Seeing her determined look, Wang Yang couldn’t bring himself to say no, and there was no need to. Whether she’d succeed or not would depend on the interview. He nodded and said, “You can give it a try.” Just then, his phone rang inside his jacket pocket, he uttered an “Excuse me,” took it out and saw it was from Jessica. He quickly hung up, stood up, and said, “Nancy, I have to go now. Give me your phone number, and I’ll let you know when there’s an opportunity for an interview.”

 

OK.” Nancy nodded and gave him her number. Wang Yang memorized it, bid her goodbye, and walked back the way he came. Nancy stood up, watching his retreating figure, and suddenly shouted with a big laugh, “Hey, magic Yang, I forgot to say, I really liked your movie! I’m waiting to see ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’! Hurry up and release it!”

Wang Yang looked back at her, gave a thumbs-up with a smile, and softly said, “Moth, good night!”