Catherine Bigelow stopped eating for a while, and her straight waist leaned forward slightly. She put her hands on the table, and her eyes showed curiosity. Although she always called Eric a little guy, it was only because she found out that Eric After Rick actually made some of his own ideas, he teased the young man in front of him with a sense of rejection. When it comes to movies, anyone has to admit that what Eric has done in less than three years has surpassed the achievements of most filmmakers in their lifetime, so Eric said that she is filming "Point of Horror", Catherine also became serious.
Eric said slowly: "What I saw was loss and struggle, a kind of strong despair after some people struggled to break free from the shackles of the rules. Because of despair, the group of people like Baotie were unscrupulous and burned themselves crazily. Then it went to destruction; because of despair, Angelo Pappas became unmotivated, like many numb people, occasionally recalling the glory of the past, and then died in a certain action; because of despair, Johnny .Utah imprisoned himself in the pursuit of Bowty, like a walking dead, and finally he found Bowty, and then went to another confusion."
"It's... amazing," Catherine Bigelow slightly widened her eyes, and said with a little emotion: "I have asked Jim more than once how he feels about this script, and then he just said: Oh 』◆,, That's a great story, honey."
"So you see, even the people around you can't understand the script and the deep connotation, let alone the general audience. Their attention is often only those surfing and skydiving scenes that make people soar with adrenaline. , After watching it. They will think. This is a cool story. As for the dissatisfaction with the rigid social system and the desire for change that the film wants to convey, it is impossible for 90% of the audience to understand."
Catherine Bigelow frowned, showing a thoughtful look, and after a moment, she asked in frustration, "Why... like this?"
"It's very simple, because your influence is not enough."
Catherine glared at Eric: "I know I'm not as good as you little guy, are you proud?"
"I'm serious, if you have enough influence, then people will naturally pay more attention to your work. It will deconstruct and analyze your work in a deeper level, and then the idea you want to express can be seen by people. I understand. Take Jim’s "Terminator" as an example. In the eyes of many movie fans and the media, this sensational work, under the appearance of science fiction, expresses the accusation and condemnation of the endless development of nuclear weapons by human beings. The worry of nuclear war is a very sad theme, isn't it? But many people know that this is not the case at all. The inspiration for "Terminator" is actually just a nightmare that Jim had in a small hotel in Rome because of a high fever. .”
Catherine kept nodding at first, talking about "Terminator". The woman thought that what Eric said was very interesting, and couldn't help laughing: "I will definitely tell Jim what you said today when I have time."
Eric said in his heart that you must not have many chances. The early stage of "Terminator 2" has been prepared and will start in early September. After Eric came back from New York, he also participated in a meeting with the creators of "Terminator 2". Judging from the eye contact between Cameron and Linda Hamilton at the scene, the cliché between the romantic director and the sexy heroine The story has already kicked off, and it is estimated that the day when the filming of "Terminator 2" is finished is when Cameron and Catherine broke up.
Of course, Eric didn't mean to tell Catherine about this in advance, otherwise it would be provocation, even if the fault was on Cameron's side, it would definitely arouse women's resentment.
"I think Jim will definitely agree with me," Eric replied with a smile, and then returned to the topic just now: "So if you don't want to be a high-profile filmmaker, you need to maximize your influence There are many methods, such as shooting controversial films, producing high-grossing films, or directing award-winning films, etc. But filming controversial films is very risky, and if you don’t pay attention, it will backfire and cause public disgust. So I think, The latter two methods are more practical."
Catherine Bigelow shook her head, and said in a teasing tone with some envy: "These methods are easier for you, you are a little monster."
Eric smiled: "Well, I'll take you as a compliment, actually, I just want to say that I have a script here that can bring you enough influence. If you finish filming this Movies, I think any movie you make next will attract enough attention, but I don’t know if you dare to continue.”
"Dare...no...dare?" Catherine Bigelow asked back every word, stared at Eric and said, "Little guy, are you discriminating against me as a woman?"
Eric said: "At least in my memory, no female director has ever filmed a similar subject."
"Stop, let me guess," Catherine Bigelow got excited, propped her chin to think for a while, and asked tentatively, "Female directors are rarely touched, um... Like your screenwriter "Basic Instinct", it's emotional. Color chips?"
"Of course not. The standards of many female directors in Europe are much more open than "Basic Instinct."
"So, Westerns?"
"No, hey, that's right, I specially watched the mv you shot for the song "Reach". I really like your western cowgirl look in it. It's very cool and makes people..."
"Shut up, don't moleste big sister," Catherine glared at Eric reproachfully, but there was a faint smile on the corner of her mouth. Obviously, she didn't dislike Eric's words: "Let me think again think."
Eric shrugged and said, "Okay, let me give you some hints. What do you think Americans and even the entire Western society are most concerned about in recent months?"
"Of course it's the Middle East. There's going to be a war. Well, you don't mean to ask me to make a war movie, do you?"
Eric snapped his fingers, ignoring the curious gazes around him, and said, "Bingo, and it's definitely not the kind of war movie that makes a fuss, but an epic movie of World War II. There is no investment limit. What do you think?" It’s going to cost as much as it wants. It’s going to be available in time. I’m going to release it on June 6, 1994. That’s the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landings. So, are you up for it?”
Catherine Bigelow hesitated briefly. If Eric is serious, then the investment in this movie must be several times that of the "Point of Horror" in front of him. She is not the same as Cameron. Compared with Cameron's desperate fanaticism, Catherine Bigelow is more obsessed with movies. She likes to make movies and use movies to convey her views. But she also understands that if she takes over this big production. If you fail yourself, for a female director, it may mean a long silence, or even leave Hollywood permanently.
"Eric, let's talk about your script first?" Catherine still couldn't resist the temptation in the end, but she still asked this question first, if Eric's script didn't meet her appetite at all , then she can also naturally decline the invitation.
Eric had a panoramic view of the changes in Catherine's expression, for the script of the choice. Eric is still very confident that he can get Catherine into the trap, so he will use Catherine Bigelow's previous works. As well as the Oscar-winning "The Hurt Locker" and the subsequent "Hunting Osama Bin Laden" in memory have been carefully analyzed.
Many of Catherine Bigelow's works have a very strong personal style, whether it is the early "Ruthless" or the latest "Hunting Osama Bin Laden" in Eric's memory, there is a kind of calm despair, although There is a difference of 20 years between "Hunting Osama Bin Laden" in my memory and the current "Point of Horror", but the two protagonists of the two films, a man and a woman, end up on the same road. Insignia, one shed tears without the slightest joy, even if it was "The Hurt Locker", which won the best director, William went around in circles and stepped on the battlefield again.
And Eric chose a story about hope. Despair and hope seem to be two extremes, but they are often closely connected like brothers.
"This is a story about eight saving one," Eric said. "On June 6, 1944, after the D-Day landing, three of the four Ryan brothers died on the battlefield at the same time. Their mother died on the same day. Three death notices were received, and James Ryan, the youngest son left in the family, also went deep into the enemy's rear with the airborne troops, and his life and death were uncertain. In order to leave a glimmer of hope for this sad mother, the military high-level dispatched rice The eight-member team headed by Lieutenant Le went deep into the combat zone, trying to find James Ryan and take him away from the battlefield... "
Eric's eloquence is not bad, and the complete movie is in his mind, so the whole story is told, and Catherine has been listening carefully, and no one has noticed that the people in the restaurant have unconsciously Much less. The assistant director who was in charge of arranging the shooting schedule saw that the two were very engaged in the conversation, so he didn't step forward to remind them that it was almost time to shoot.
In Eric's view, "Saving Private Ryan" is not a completely American theme movie, at least it is very different from the theme movies he has seen.
The movie truly shows the cruelty and tragedy of the Normandy landing scene, and portrays a group of ordinary soldiers with distinctive personalities. Regarding their mission, a group of eight people is full of doubts and disputes from beginning to end. Some of the characters may die in their hearts. Ask why .
This kind of film with the torture of war and the portrayal of human nature obviously moved Catherine Bigelow, who is still a young literary woman in her heart, and she also understands that as a woman, if she can make such a war Epic movies, the sensation caused must be worldwide. As a female director who is discriminated against in Hollywood, Catherine Bigelow, who has a strong personality, is more eager to prove herself than many people.
Facing the woman's tempting expression, Eric said persuasively like a salesman: "How about it, Catherine, do you want to accept this script? Although you have never made such a big movie, it is not a problem, because the plan Released on the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landing, from now to June 6, 1994, you have nearly four years to concentrate on making this film, four years is enough time for you to prepare everything perfectly."
Catherine Bigelow didn't answer right away, but instead asked: "According to what you said, the investment in this film is estimated to be more than twice that of "Point Fright". Are you not afraid that I will screw up this project?"
If you mess up, you can pay for it, Eric thought evilly in his heart, but said: "Of course I'm not afraid, I believe in your ability, let alone me."
"If you're always meddling in filmmaking like a lot of Hollywood producers are, I wouldn't take this movie."
"As long as you approve of the script I wrote, then I will not interfere too much in the production of this film. I just said that when the film production encounters difficulties, I will help at the right time. But I believe that four years is enough solve all problems."
"Then you should write the script and show it to me first," Catherine Bigelow noticed that there were very few people in the restaurant, stood up and said, "It's time to work."
"Then I will write the script as soon as possible," Eric also stood up, and the two walked out of the restaurant side by side.
In the days that followed, Eric often appeared on the crew of "Point Horror". The script of "Saving Private Ryan" was successfully completed a week later, and Eric gave the first draft of the script to Catherine.
The woman was obviously more moved after reading it, and she also put forward a lot of suggestions for revision. Eric was also happy to agree to some trivial details, but when it touched on the core connotation of the script, Eric would not make too much. Instead, he argued with Catherine.
Therefore, during filming, crew members often see the director and producer discussing something, and occasionally get into disputes. This kind of situation makes many people feel a little nervous, fearing that this kind of dispute will affect the quality of the film. However, their worries were obviously superfluous. By the end of September, the filming progress had come to an end, and Eric and Catherine did not have any sharp conflicts.
For a month, while paying attention to the filming of "Point Fright", Eric also paid attention to the things in New York almost every day, and even flew to New York two or three times during the period.
The time came to October. After two months of deployment, the number of US troops arriving in the Persian Gulf had reached 500,000. A war was almost inevitable. In the first few days of October, the international crude oil price successfully broke through $40 high position. However, with the gradual increase of the military power of the US military in the Persian Gulf, and various measures to stabilize crude oil prices jointly introduced by the United States and Saudi Arabia, the growth of crude oil prices has also fallen into stagnation after reaching a high of 40 US dollars.
According to the usual practice, most people think that the next round of soaring crude oil prices should be at the moment when the war breaks out.
However, Eric knew that after the outbreak of the war, with the devastating offensive of the United Nations army, the price of crude oil not only did not rise, but fell instead. But this should already be a matter of next year, and now, it's time to count the first round of harvest. (To be continued..)