Overall, "Following" is largely integrated with Nolan's first feature film "Memento" in the past timeline. Both stories are about a man who accidentally gets involved in a murder case and searches for the truth.
This phenomenon is actually very common in the circle.
The first few films of many directors are often a collection of various ideas accumulated over the past many years, and certain film styles will continue from the beginning throughout their entire careers. The most typical one is Quentin. In fact, Nolan also No exception.
On the big screen.
Through the male protagonist Bill's continuous pursuit, the film begins to have various interludes and flashbacks, and the timeline gradually becomes distorted and chaotic. At the same time, Bill seems to be getting closer and closer to the truth.
At the end of the story, in the same Nolan style, the mystery is not completely revealed.
The surface of the story is that the gang boss instructed his subordinate Cobb to kill his mistress who had hidden evidence of his crime, and found Bill as a scapegoat, but he was killed by Bill instead.
However, if you sort out the seemingly simple results, you will find many contradictions in details.
The key is Cobb.
And, why was Bill chosen on purpose, rather than purely by coincidence? Cobb was sent to do this dirty job, but he was not implicated in the ending, but the gang boss was killed by the protagonist. Why? Also, it has become a suspense whether the male protagonist has an actual interaction with the lost woman, or whether everything is just imagination.
It can be said that Nolan's debut film, through deliberately confusing interspersed editing, fully demonstrated the director's famous "brain-burning" style, so that most viewers only watched it once, and it was difficult to deduce a complete story from it. story, but this is definitely not David Lynch's stream-of-consciousness style that has no beginning or end. If you watch the movie repeatedly and carefully sort out the various details, you will get a complete story with clear ideas and logic. .
Inside the lobby of the Egyptian Theater.
After the movie was played, the main creators went on stage and began to talk about the behind-the-scenes of the film and interact with the audience. Simon did not participate, but wrote down his opinions on the release of "Following" on a memo handed over by Girl A in the audience.
After all, it is just a small film with a cost of 3 million U.S. dollars, and there is nothing that makes people feel amazing at first glance. Therefore, "Following" will not be scheduled for a popular schedule. It is expected to be released in February after Sundance and some publicity. Cinema.
Regarding the release of this movie, since there are successful examples in the past, Simon does not need to make any detours? He directly settled on two words: brain-burning.
As long as it can arouse the audience's curiosity? This movie will be mostly successful.
When the interaction here is over? The premiere of "Following" ends perfectly? Simon, Robert Redford and others will change positions together.
At noon, there is an official Sundance cocktail reception, mainly to entertain the film festival's jury team, the main creators of the shortlisted films, and other entertainment celebrities who came to Sundance.
As one of the main creators of the main competition film "The Following", Simon also came to greet Nolan and others first.
"It's a great movie, Chris. I've asked Gaomen Pictures to start distribution. I believe it will have a good time."
"Thank you? Mr. Westeros."
"Now that "Following" has come to an end? Chris? I'm looking forward to your next work? Do you have any ideas?"
"Not yet, Mr. Westeros," Christopher Nolan always acted a little humble and reserved when Simon? He is 26 years old, actually only two years younger than Simon, but in front of this legendary young tycoon, there is no A few people were able to remain calm, and after speaking, they quickly explained: "Actually, it's mainly because all my energy in the past year has been spent on "Following", and I didn't have time to think about anything else."
"Oh, of course it's okay. Focusing is a good habit."
A reception at the Sundance Institute headquarters.
Simon gave Nolan a few words of encouragement and couldn't help but think of the filmmaker's follow-up arrangements.
Speaking of which, Nolan's career line will definitely change a lot this time, and it will be very similar to Tim Burton.
In the original time and space, with the success of the "Batman" series, Tim Burton was one of the most popular directors in Hollywood in the 1990s. This time, because Simon personally led the entire DC movie universe and was not interested in Burton's style of the "Batman" series, Burton lost the opportunity to direct "Batman."
The result is that Burton's popularity in recent years is far less than it once was. If it weren't for the popularity brought by last year's "Sleepy Hollow", Burton might have gradually gone silent.
Let’s talk about Nolan. If it weren’t for the “Batman” trilogy that made Nolan famous after the new century, the other party might not have been able to get the opportunity to produce “Inception” and “Interstellar”.
This is what Nolan will face next.
Not to mention that the DC movie universe series has been very successful. In the next many years, as long as the DC movie universe is not completed, "Batman" is unlikely to be restarted. Even if it is restarted, based on the tone set by the DC movie universe, Nolan will not What a perfect person to direct this series.
Therefore, it is actually difficult to say how far Nolan can go this time.
Simon will give the other party a chance, but not unlimited support.
The discovery of Nolan, and even many other filmmakers in Simon's memory, is more out of the need to control Hollywood. The more outstanding filmmakers Daenerys Entertainment cultivates, the more choices there will be, and the dominance will naturally be more stable.
After chatting with Nolan a few times, Simon did not neglect the other people on the "Following" cast, especially the actress who played the murderous woman in the film, Natasha Richardson.
This actress was once well-known as the wife of Liam Neeson. Unfortunately, Hollywood history has changed. Liam Neeson, who is also a famous Hollywood playboy, is not related to Natasha Richardson. After "Schindler's List", even the "Taken" series that later brought him to the peak of his popularity was adapted by Simon and given to Jett Lee. Liam Neeson has been wandering around in recent years.
In addition, Natasha Richardson is actually a famous second generation in the European film industry. Her father is the British new wave director Tony Richardson, and her mother is Vanessa Ray, who has multiple Oscar nominations. Degrave, including his maternal grandfather Michael Redgrave, is also a famous British actor. He once won the Best Actor at Cannes and his family background is more prominent than Gwyneth Paltrow.
With such a family background, Natasha Richardson had no shortage of resources when her career started. Unfortunately, it never became popular. This is similar to many second-generation Hollywood actors, who even needed to star in small films like "The Following" Guest role in.
After all, whether it is the European film industry or Hollywood, in the final analysis, it is capital control. If your movie can sell well, it will naturally continue the glory of the family. Otherwise, investors will not care whose son or daughter you are.
"I really didn't expect you to guest star in this role, Nata, can I call you that?"
"Of course, Mr. Westeros, in fact, the main reason is that I like the script very much, and my agent also thinks the story is great. Although Chris is a newcomer, his professionalism has exceeded my expectations."
"Oh, actually I still remember that you acted in "Patti Hearst" back then. Apart from "The Following", Nata, what are you busy with recently?"
“Mainly doing plays on Broadway.”
"This is really a pity. You have such good conditions, you should be acting in movies."
"I thought so too, but it's a pity that "Following" was the only movie I auditioned for in the past year."
"In that case, Nata, if you are willing, I will keep an eye on it for you."
"Oh, Simon...thank you so much."
"You are welcome."
In fact, the main reason why Natasha Richardson's agent found out that this was a project that Simon Westeros was personally paying attention to was to win a female character who died quickly in the opening scene of "The Following". Sen didn't expect that he would actually be able to attract the attention of Westeros.
And this time.
Feeling the man's eyes sizing her up, Natasha Richardson was no longer a young girl, so her eyes swayed slightly. She quietly moved the goblet she originally held in her right hand to her left hand, then raised it to her mouth and sipped lightly. It was just the right time to greet him.
I wonder if he noticed the blank space on the ring finger of his left hand.
She is 32 years old and has been married once, but unfortunately the outcome was not very good. Although she currently has many suitors, she does not have a formally established boyfriend. If... Even if she knew that the man in front of her was a playboy, she still felt that it would be good to have sex with such a man.
Simon didn't rush to send out any invitations, mainly because he was too full last night and needed to control himself. Instead, he gave the woman a knowing smile and was about to leave to entertain other guests when he suddenly remembered something and asked: "Yes?" Now, Nata, do you like skiing?"
"Of course, this is my hobby since childhood. I take some time for skiing vacation every year." Natasha Richardson nodded and looked at her: "Simon, do you want to invite me to ski? The snow here at Sundance is Is the venue also very good?”
"No, I mean, well, I don't know what to say?"
Natasha Richardson felt a flash of confusion in the man in front of her and curled her lips: "Is there anything you can't say?"
I really don’t know what to say.
In memory, Natasha Richardson died in a skiing accident in 2009, when she was only 45 years old.
Although Simon does not believe that certain things will happen under the influence of his big butterfly, just like Frank Wells, the former president of Disney, who should have died in a skiing accident in 1994, but this time he is still alive and well. However, now that I remembered it, I couldn't help but remind it.
Looking at the intellectual face in front of him, which was actually in line with his aesthetics, Simon suddenly smiled and said, "Do you know the rumors about me being a psychic?"
Natasha Richardson tilted her head slightly and looked at the man in front of her: "I know, Simon, ha, I think this must be a joke, it's quite interesting."
"Actually not," Simon immediately restrained himself and said solemnly: "If you want to believe it, then from today on, don't ski anymore."
Natasha was still confused: "Why?"
"Because you could die on the ski slopes."
“…”
Simon also knew that this answer was too straightforward. He slightly opened his hand holding a glass of champagne and made a believe it or not gesture. He said no more and turned to leave.
"Hey Simon, what were you talking about with Natasha just now?"
"Bob, are you familiar with her?"
"That's not true. It's actually Natasha's mother, Vanessa Redgrave. I've watched her movie "Beauty" many times."
“Actually, I prefer ‘Blow Up’.”
"Oh, of course, it was also a very good movie, and Jane Platinum also starred," Robert Redford said, and then introduced a man in his thirties next to him: "Simon, this is Peter. Berg, the screenwriter of the "Bad Things" script that everyone has been talking about recently, and by the way, he also participated in Stallone's "Police Empire" last year, if you remember it?"
"certainly."
Simon said, reaching out and shaking hands with the other party.
Peter Berg was, obviously, a Jew.
This is a natural advantage.
In addition, Simon also knew more information about the other party. In the original timeline, this Hollywood filmmaker had directed films such as "Total Superman Hancock" and "Battleship". As for "Bad Things", Simon also had an impression.
Roger Ebert once called "Bad Things" the worst film of the year.
The quality can be seen.
It's a coincidence that this story is also about a group of bad friends who went to Las Vegas to hold a bachelor party and ended up in a mess. Later, some people believed that "Bad Things" was the source of inspiration for "The Hangover". This cannot be said. According to research, the later film "Heroic Night" starring Scarlett Johansson is more similar to "Bad Things".
Both are bachelor party themes.
"Bad Things" played a call girl to death, and "One Night in Rush" played a male stripper to death.
Then all kinds of chaos.
In fact, as a very famous tradition in the West, the theme of pre-wedding parties is actually very common, so it is impossible to say who imitates whom.
The difference is only success or failure.
The success of "The Hangover" is nothing short of miraculous. The fact that "Bad Things" was judged as the worst film at the end of the year is also a kind of 'strength', because many media simply disdain to evaluate worse movies.
Let’s talk about “Bad Stuff” again.
The story tells the story of a group of long-time friends who went to Las Vegas to host a bachelor party for Kyle, who was about to get married, but ended up having too much fun, leading to the death of a call girl. It was originally just an accident, but due to various scruples, the brothers decided to hide it, dismembered the call girl's body and buried it in the desert.
Then he returned to Los Angeles and started preparing for the wedding.
However, after all, it is impossible to treat this matter as never happening at all, so the brothers collapse one after another, triggering a series of mutual suspicions, even murders, and finally almost the entire army is annihilated.
Also, in the original "Bad Things", the male and female protagonists were Jon Favreau and Cameron Diaz respectively.
In short, because the style of the film is too mixed, the comedy is not like a comedy, the crime is not a crime, and the film is not dark to the end, the result is neither embarrassing nor embarrassing, and it becomes a failure.
The question now is very interesting.
I once again echoed the saying that movies are gambling. No one can know whether a movie is good or bad until it is actually completed.
Peter Berg has been in Hollywood for many years. After starring in "Police Empire" last year, his career improved slightly, so he came up with a script he had been preparing for a long time, namely "Bad Things", and signed up for the Sundance Institute's director training. , planning to switch from actor to director.
Compared with the worst reviews of the year in history, as a paper story, "Bad Stuff" received a lot of praise, and the script quickly spread at the beginning of the year, and even became a blacklist-level existence in Hollywood scripts. It can be said that it is prepared. It is so popular that every studio is vying for it, even Daenerys Entertainment is no exception.
Simon actually didn't interfere too much in this matter. He just mentioned it when chatting with Redford in the morning, and Redford took the initiative to bring Peter Berg to Simon at noon.
Compared with Nolan's humility just now, probably because he has been sought after by too many people recently, Peter Berg seemed quite confident and calm. After greeting Simon, he was still able to talk: "Mr. Westeros, first of all, I It must be stated that for the script of "Bad Things", I hope to direct the film myself, and if Daenerys Entertainment cannot accept it, I can only say that I am sorry."