Chapter 1: Sundance Film Festival

[Chapter 1: Sundance Film Festival]

Knock, knock, knock! Knock, knock, knock!

"Sir, wake up!"

"Sir, are you still alive?"

---

January 26, 1992, Park City, Utah.

"The Jury Prize at the 8th Sundance Independent Film Festival goes to Buried! Congratulations, director Link!"

The chairman of the Sundance Film Festival announced from the podium during the awards ceremony.

A wave of enthusiastic applause erupted throughout the venue.

A handsome young man in a black suit stood up from the audience, exchanged a hug with Nicole Kidman beside him, and turned to make his way to the podium. He shook hands with Robert Redford, the chairman, and accepted a crystal trophy from him.

"Thank you! Thank you, everyone!"

Link raised the trophy with a smile. After months of navigating through, he felt a sense of relief upon receiving this trophy, calming his initial fears and uncertainties.

"Thank you, Sundance! Thank you to Mr. Robert Redford for establishing this beautiful and great film festival. I also want to thank the seven gentlemen and ladies of this year's jury. Thank you for choosing Buried among so many excellent films. This is my honor and the greatest encouragement I could receive!"

"Why?!"

While Link joyfully delivered his acceptance speech, a loud, disgruntled voice interrupted from the audience, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

"Why?! Why was the Jury Prize awarded to Buried?"

Quentin Tarantino shouted, his discontent palpable.

...

Quentin was the director of Reservoir Dogs, which had premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival. The film garnered significant attention due to its innovative themes and superb execution, making it the recommended opening film for the festival.

At the start of the festival, Reservoir Dogs generated more discussion and praise than any other film, dwarfing the less-known Buried by a hundredfold.

Before the festival had concluded, media outlets were certain that the Jury Prize would go to Reservoir Dogs, and many film critics regarded it as the best film at Sundance, expecting it to win at least two awards.

Dressed sharply in a stylish suit, Quentin sat quietly in the audience, waiting for his opportunity to accept an award.

Seeing other films take awards, Quentin remained unfazed, believing the Jury Prize would undoubtedly belong to Reservoir Dogs.

But when the award was finally given to Buried -- while Reservoir Dogs went home empty-handed -- it was a shocking revelation.

Quentin, who was known for his fiery temper, had tolerated the outcome for as long as he could. While Link was at the podium, he stood up to demand an explanation from the festival jury members.

...

"Quentin, don't shout; sit down."

Quentin's close partner, Lawrence Bender, pulled at him, urging him to calm down.

"Lawrence, don't pull me! I just want to know why they awarded the Jury Prize to Buried! How does it compare to my Reservoir Dogs?!"

Standing at six foot three, Quentin was brawny, and Lawrence Bender couldn't easily hold him down, resorting to gentle persuasion. "Link's Buried is also quite good. It cleverly utilized a domestic abuse story as its plot, presenting a strong stance against domestic violence and discrimination against sexual minorities.

While Reservoir Dogs is also remarkable, it glorifies violence and contains a lot of bloody and coarse themes; the narrative isn't as socially positive. It makes sense for the jury to give the award to Buried considering those aspects."

"Exactly!"

Just as Robert Redford, the chairman of the festival, stepped down from the podium, he commented, "The Sundance Film Festival's mission isn't just to discover excellent independent films but to also encourage filmmakers to produce films that contribute positively to society. In this regard, Buried excels beyond Reservoir Dogs.

Moreover, director Link's approach -- entirely set within a confined wooden box using just one actor and a few simple props -- makes for an exhilarating and gripping film, showcasing a brilliantly inventive concept with a distinctly unique directing style. Director Link's win is well-deserved."

Robert Redford's voice was firm, met with applause from the surrounding filmmakers.

Quentin huffed in displeasure, reluctantly returning to his seat.

"Haha, thank you for the endorsement, Mr. Redford."

Link smiled lightly, glancing towards Quentin in the audience. Into the microphone, he continued, "Even amidst Quentin's criticisms, I remain very happy. Michelangelo once said that all great works and artists are birthed from fierce competition and grow amidst external questioning. I am grateful to exist in this great era, in Hollywood filled with outstanding filmmakers.

Let's all strive to elevate the art of light and sound, creating more great films! Let history remember us all! Let history remember Sundance!"

Link raised the trophy, shouting with conviction.

"Well said!"

Thunderous applause filled the room as all the filmmakers stood to applaud Link's inspiring declaration.

Even Quentin, still visibly disgruntled, was nudged back to his feet by Lawrence Bender, forcing a few claps.

The enthusiastic applause continued for over a minute before it finally subsided.

Link waved to thank the audience and returned to his seat, which happened to be right in front of Quentin.

...

"Hmph! Director Link, you only succeeded by luck in winning that trophy; it doesn't mean much. How about a wager?"

Quentin Tarantino kicked Link's chair, leaning in provocatively.

Link handed the trophy to the female lead of Buried, Nicole Kidman, whom he had forgotten to thank during his speech. Nicole accepted the trophy with a smile and congratulated him.

"Director Link, you're afraid to gamble?"

Quentin challenged loudly.

"What are we betting on?"

Link tilted his head and asked with a smile.

"Let's wager on our films' box office performances. We're both rookie directors. Whoever's film performs better wins the bet. What do you say?"

Quentin raised his chin confidently, provoking Link.

"What's the wager?"

Link chuckled.

Quentin thought for a moment and pointed at the trophy in Nicole Kidman's hand. "If you lose, you publicly hand over this trophy to me."

Link laughed heartily. "If you lose, you'd have to come work at my film company and shoot two films for me, how about that?"

"Two?! You expect me to shoot two movies for you? Aren't you just after my trophy?"

Quentin protested.

"Hey, you're the one who proposed the bet, not me. If you're afraid of losing, you can back out,"

Link replied with a playful smirk.

Quentin frowned deeply. Ignoring Lawrence Bender's pulling, he extended his fist forward, saying, "Let's do it then! I know I won't lose."

Link smiled slightly, and with over fifty filmmakers watching, he fist-bumped Quentin, sealing the bet.

*****

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