After reading the fax in his hand, Simon called Amy to discuss some of his opinions, and also inquired about the progress of the casting of the male lead in "Batman".
Speaking of which, there are not many films in the Cannes Film Festival that can interest Simon. He does not plan to watch movies like he did at Sundance, but plans to use the next two weeks to Carefully organizing your thoughts on the Batman script.
Although this superhero movie is scheduled to start filming next year, there is actually not enough time.
In the next half year, in addition to the script, Simon also has to solve the problem of Bruce Wayne's various high-tech props in the film, such as the Batmobile. These are vehicles that can really run on the road, not just some models. From design to assembly, half a year may not be enough. In addition, many of the special effects planned to be used in the film also require a lot of time to prepare.
In the following days, Simon basically stayed in his hilltop mansion in the Le Cannet district to conceive of the script, constantly communicating with the United States. On the other hand, Janet and Jennifer traveled all over Cannes. Janet really made friends with Natasha Kinski. Although they did not stay overnight like that night, at noon on Saturday, Natasha Kinski returned for lunch with Janet again, but the woman's attitude towards Simon remained lukewarm.
On the other hand, various activities of the Cannes Film Festival are also in full swing after the opening ceremony. Of course, the main thing is the screening of various types of films. In addition to the official competition and non-competition screenings of the film festival, there are also many film screenings arranged by self-funded film companies in cinemas, beaches, auditoriums, etc. throughout the city. There are hundreds of screenings every day, which can be described as a real film festival. Movie event.
However, the official films of the festival are undoubtedly the ones that receive the most media attention.
The organizers also have a clear rhythm in arranging the screenings of each competition unit, usually based on the film's reputation or reputation, so that the twelve-day film festival will not be too dull. "Pulp Fiction" is scheduled on the Sunday of the first weekend of the film festival for this reason. A few days before "Pulp Fiction", the media discussion was triggered by Kieslowski's "Killer" and the British production company's film "Patti Hearst" based on true events.
Polish director Kieslowski had not yet reached the peak of his later "Red, Blue and White Trilogy" at this time, and "Murder Short Film" can be regarded as his famous work. The media from all walks of life naturally praised this film, and some even predicted that "Murder Short Film" will be the most powerful competitor for this year's Palme d'Or.
The other "Patti Hearst" is adapted from a kidnapping incident that shocked the world in the 1970s.
Patty Hester, the daughter of the Hearst family, an American media family, was kidnapped by thugs and subjected to brutal humiliation, abuse and brainwashing. She accidentally joined the thug organization and participated in many subsequent bank robberies.
Patty Hearst has therefore become the most typical patient of 'Stockholm Syndrome'.
After her arrest, the Hearst family used a large amount of resources, connections and even presidential pardons to successfully free the charming lady who had been sentenced to 35 years.
Compared to the overwhelmingly positive reviews for "Killer", the media ridiculed "Patti Hearst" to the extreme. It was obviously because of the influence of the Hearst family that the producers chose this very sensitive subject. , but the entire story is still handled in a secretive manner. For example, when the thugs were training members of the organization, even other female members were naked, but Patty Hearst, who was a hostage among them, was fully clothed.
A film critic from France's "Le Figaro" wrote in a mocking tone of 'If you don't dare to shoot it, don't shoot it': "According to the description of this film, I only saw the extreme hatred of the Hearst family by the mob. Respectfully, according to this logic, Miss Hester should have been released immediately instead of being brainwashed into becoming one of them."
In the 1980s, Cannes did not have an official program to formally rate films in each section. This process only started in 1997. However, the French media still organized a five-point selection. "Patti Hearst" undoubtedly received the lowest score of 1.3 points. In comparison, Kieslowski's "Murder Short Film" scored 1.3 points. Up to 4.6.
This continues until Sunday, May 15th.
The red carpet premiere of "Pulp Fiction" is scheduled for nine o'clock in the morning.
Although the quality of the film is still unknown, as Simon's second film after "Run Lola Run" which created a global box office of more than 400 million US dollars, "Pulp Fiction" is undoubtedly the most anticipated film of this film festival.
Before eight o'clock, there was already a lot of excitement outside the Cinema Palace. The number of media reporters attending the premiere was no less than that of the opening ceremony of the film festival. Many movie fans who had not received the invitation were openly holding up high-priced racquets in anticipation of the film. Get a movie ticket before the show starts.
In addition to the "Pulp Fiction" crew, most of the judges from the main competition and many Hollywood stars who came to Cannes this time are also confirmed to attend.
Seeing this grand occasion, Simon and others did not feel much pressure, but Orion Pictures President Mike Medowa seemed extremely nervous.
So far, Orion has released six movies this year. Although it has been a relatively off-season for movies before, among these six movies, only "Rattlesnake" starring Robert Duvall and Sean Penn is relatively successful. The others All five ended in failure.
These six movies already account for less than half of Orion's total release plan this year. It is conceivable that if there are no other hits throughout this year, Orion is likely to lose money again, or even encounter a crisis more serious than the one two years ago. .
You know, things are different now than they were two years ago.
After the stock market crash last year, the hot money pouring into the entertainment industry was like a spring on the verge of drying up. Even the seven major film companies began to experience crises. It is said that Coca-Cola Company has been privately negotiating with Sony to sell its Columbia Pictures shares. Universal's operating conditions, which had performed relatively well in the past two years, have also been deteriorating. We can only hope that the sequel to "Back to the Future" can save the overall situation.
In this case, once it is in crisis, it will definitely be difficult for Orion to turn around like it did two years ago.
"Pulp Fiction" is precisely the movie that is most expected to support Orion's performance this year. However, compared to those commercial films that are suitable for all ages, "Pulp Fiction" is really a bit too eccentric. Due to Simon's strength, Orion was completely unable to intervene in this project as he wished.
The film will be released on June 3. There is no doubt that the result in Cannes will be crucial to "Pulp Fiction".
Although he has received some information from acquaintances of the judges, Mike Medova has been very busy in recent days. Just last night, he held a media press conference at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Cannes. The major mainstream media attending the film festival will be entertained so that even if these reporters are not satisfied with the film, they can still write mercifully.
Compared with the original production cost of "Pulp Fiction" of US$8 million, Orion Pictures has unknowingly invested US$5 million in the promotion and public relations of this film. Next, if the film's reputation is good, it will definitely be released. We will continue to invest and will basically reach a position where the cost of film production is equal.
Amid this intense anxiety, Mike Medova still did not relax in greeting the guests attending the premiere. It was not until nearly nine o'clock that he came to sit next to Simon.
In any case, what needs to be done has been done, and what happens next depends on God’s will.
In the packed Rubiel Hall, the lights dimmed and the screen quickly came on.
After the opening credits of Orion Pictures and Daenerys Pictures, the first thing that appeared was still the original explanation of the term 'Pulp Fiction'. Then, the screen changed and a team of robbers played by Sean Penn and Madonna appeared. In the cafe.
In the hall, everyone was stunned when they saw these two people appearing.
Many senior media people still clearly remember the disaster caused by Madonna's consecutive appearances in several movies in the past two years. Therefore, the moment they saw Madonna, the first thought in many people's minds was that it was a failure.
Although many people had already known that Madonna and Sean Penn would guest star in the film, most people did not expect that Simon Westeros would put them at the beginning of the film.
At this time, listening to the two chattering about the robbery, although some people found that Madonna's performance did not seem that bad, such a plot still made people feel baffled. It wasn't until the two people who had been chatting happily suddenly broke out, pulled out guns and started robbing, that some viewers realized something different.
Then, the episode came to an abrupt end.
After the credits roll, the scene has shifted to Vincent and Jules, played by John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson.
Listening to the two people still chatting about burgers like two office workers, the audience, who had just been a little more interested by the outbursts of Madonna and Sean Penn, unknowingly became bored again, until the two arrived at the house of a few gangsters. residence, and then, all of a sudden, guns drawn and people killed.
The scene switches again to the boxer Butch played by Robert De Niro.
Still puzzling and chattering, Butch listened to the gang boss's instructions and met Vincent for the first time, which also laid some foreshadowing for the subsequent plot.
The narrative also turned back to Vincent again. After receiving the boss's instructions, Vincent rushed to Mia's residence after getting very high. At Mia's insistence, the two came to the Bunny Restaurant. Up until this point, the film had actually only been shown for half an hour.
Seeing the golden age star COS in the restaurant, many viewers had knowing smiles on their faces.
Moreover, direct and keen film critics suddenly discovered that the chatty style of this film still unknowingly inserted themselves into the plot of the film. With the classic swing dance of Vincent and Mia, some people even There was a certain feeling of being unable to stop, a feeling of wanting to know what would happen next.
However, unlike any movie model known in the past, except for a small number of people who have already seen the film, no one at the scene can guess the next plot direction of the film.
After Vincent and Mia's dinner, everyone basically felt that what followed would be a natural affair and cheating, but the plot once again evolved into a ridiculous farce. Mia took Vincent's drug by mistake and fell into a coma. The adrenaline scene inevitably left a deep impression on the audience.
Amid the cold joke about ketchup, the two's date also came to an end.
The story of the gold watch begins.
When Christopher Walken appeared on the screen to talk about the past of gold watches, many fans who had watched "The Deer Hunter" couldn't help but laugh at Simon's bad taste, especially when Butch, played by Robert De Niro, appeared later. It even reminded the hall of laughter.
You know, in "The Deer Hunter", Christopher Walken and Robert De Niro happened to play two Vietnam War prisoners of war. This plot is completely related to "The Deer Hunter". Christopher Walken survived from the prison camp and then brought back the gold watch that Butch's father had worked so hard to save.
Apparently, Robert De Niro played his own father.
Butch brutally killed his opponent in the ring and then began to escape. The audience who had just been immersed in the "Deer Hunter" was immediately stunned by Villalobos who appeared on the big screen.
In a taxi, in just a few minutes of the opposite scene, Robert De Niro seemed completely at ease, but an actress who was completely unknown in a certain circle, with fluffy hair, fair face, and cat-like lazy eyes, with The somewhat dangerous flaming red lips and the strange accent that was so charming that it made everyone take off their guard, unknowingly attracted the attention of all the audience.
Some film critics even subconsciously had an idea that they were reluctant to admit. This completely unimpressive actress actually suppressed Robert De Niro, who had already won two Oscars.
Maybe Butch doesn't have much room for performance, but the beauty, weirdness and danger of Esmedala's every move are hard to forget after just one look.
Even after this episode ended, many people were still savoring all the details in the shot and looking forward to the beautiful female taxi driver appearing again in the next episode.
This expectation even affects the subsequent plot advancement of the film.
It wasn't until Butch killed Vincent and met the gang boss that they were both kidnapped and brutally tortured. Only then did the audience recover from the profound sound they had just left and turn their attention to the plot of the film again.