Chapter 68: Movie Premiere
[Chapter 68: Movie Premiere]
"Link, the movie's about to premiere. Are you feeling nervous?" Chris Barnes paced anxiously outside the theater.
"Not at all," Link replied, brushing off the concern.
"You spent so much on marketing this film. What if the box office numbers come in low? You could lose everything you made from Buried."
"It's fine; I can earn it back," Link said confidently.
In West Hollywood, the Museum of Contemporary Art hosted the premiere of Paranormal Activity in the afternoon. The choice of venue was strategic -- a location close to the University of California, under a kilometer away, differed from the usual venues like the AMC The Grove. Fourteen theaters in major cities also featured the film, all situated near college campuses. The reasoning was straightforward.
Before a movie release, the film was submitted to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for rating. After review, it received an R rating, meaning viewers under 17 required parent or adult supervision. Although the film contained no nudity, profanity, or excessive violence, it could have been PG-13. However, the MPAA deemed the storyline too terrifying for that rating.
R-rated films generally attracted a younger crowd, excited for thrills and the classics of horror cinema, eager to share their experiences with friends. Screening near colleges ensured good box office performance and effective word-of-mouth promotion.
Regarding the premiere, Paranormal Activity had been marketed as a true documentary detailing genuine events. The male lead was deceased, and the female lead was missing. Without a director or writer, Guess Pictures merely had distribution rights. Link believed that bringing along Monica and Jeremy Northam would detract from the film's mysterious aura.
As a result, there was no red carpet and no formal entrance ceremony. Link and Guess Pictures invited over a hundred film critics and reporters, as well as 62 enthusiastic readers who had contributed ghost stories during the promotional period. Notable names included Jim Carrey, Sofia Coppola, Renee Zellweger, and Billy Crystal.
During an interview on TNT, Link had joked about using a handheld camera for a film and invited Billy to watch it. Today was the day he would fulfill that promise.
...
"Billy, great to see you," Link said, extending his hand for a shake.
"Hey, Link! I'm a host, so I'll be blunt. If this new movie doesn't hit the mark for me, don't be surprised if I say something bad about it on air."
"Not a problem; you can speak your mind. But I think you'll actually enjoy it."
"Ha! I hope you're right," Billy laughed.
...
After sending off Billy Crystal, Link continued greeting other attendees, including Aaron Kutz, deputy editor of The Hollywood Reporter; Ross Stanton, editor of the Los Angeles Times' entertainment section; Max Raymond, editor of the American Forum, famous journalist Thomas Miller; and prominent critics like Rudin Batchelor, and William Walford. Among them were writers, journalists, filmmakers, and members of the National Society of Film Critics.
In an era before the internet dominated, print media boasted a significant readership. These critics wielded considerable influence, acting as opinion leaders in the industry; their endorsements could catapult lesser-known films like Mean Streets and Koyaanisqatsi into popularity, while some hits could flop under their scrutiny. Link maintained a calm demeanor towards these critics; he understood what he wanted -- a hefty box office return, luxury cars, and a lavish lifestyle. Recognition was secondary. As long as the film did well, a few negative reviews wouldn't hurt.
...
"Hey, Link!"
Just as he finished with an important guest, someone tapped his left shoulder from behind. He turned, only to feel another tap on his right shoulder and heard a giggle -- there was more than one person.
"Hi, Sofia! Thanks for helping to brush off my suit. You're so considerate," he grinned.
"Who helped you? I just wanted to test your reflexes. The result? You're a bit clumsy," Sofia Coppola replied playfully.
Sofia, dressed in a formal ensemble -- a black silk slip dress and high heels, with her long golden-brown hair cascading down -- looked elegant. Yet, her confident words and gestures hardly matched the dainty image.
Her companion, a tall young woman of about eighteen or nineteen, sported similar hair, fair skin, and striking features reminiscent of Eastern European descent, with captivating silver-gray eyes. Link recognized her from the premiere of Chaplin; she was Milla Jovovich, who had co-starred as the female lead in the film and would star in the Resident Evil series.
"This is Milla. I brought her along to see the movie. I haven't found Monica yet," Sofia said.
"She's right there, the one in the black dress with the duckbill cap," Link pointed out to the audience.
"Why keep Monica's identity so secretive, especially when she's the lead?"
The latest buzz had coincided with this premiere.
"This film is a documentary without performances or a traditional leading lady; you have to maintain some confidentiality when you speak."
"That's misleading advertising," Sofia laughed, unimpressed.
"It's a promotional tactic," Link explained, maintaining a light-hearted vibe.
"Hmm. I don't care what your strategy is; just know if the film doesn't deliver, I'll be brutally honest. Milla, let's go," she said as she began to lead Milla toward their seating area.
...
Link resumed chatting with guests as Sofia and Milla made their way to the seats.
"Do you know Link well? Why were you chatting him up so much?" Milla asked Sofia, draping her arm over her shoulder.
"This is our second meeting. He's an interesting guy and truly talented."
"You mean from Buried? I heard people say it was great, so I went to see it. But I fell asleep in the first ten minutes. It was dull and uninspiring," Milla remarked, rolling her eyes.
Last year her film, Return to the Blue Lagoon, was nominated for five Golden Raspberries, impacting her career significantly. Subsequently, her agency facilitated her role in the critically-acclaimed Chaplin, hoping to turn her luck around with some positive reviews. Unfortunately, the movie was overshadowed by the sleeper hit Buried, which garnered more acclaim at the box office and in reviews, relegating her efforts to the shadows.
"It's undeniable, though. He single-handedly wrote, directed, and starred in Buried. No one can argue with his talent. I've even read his screenplay; it was brilliant -- very professionally crafted. Even my father praised his potential. And he's even younger than me," Sofia evaluated, giving Link a displeased glance as he interacted with others in his well-fitted suit, tall stature, and handsome but distinct features that stood apart.
His charm was almost intoxicating -- his confidence, ambition, and presence made him stand out like a star in the crowd.
Monica had a point; he certainly possessed some allure, Sofia had to admit with a huff.
"Sofia, is that Monica?" Milla nudged Sofia, pointing toward a curvy woman dressed in a black long gown in the third row.
"That's her. Link mentioned her identity required confidentiality. Let's sit here for now, and after the film, we can give him our thoughts, especially about how poor his new movie is."
Sofia and Milla found two empty seats in the center of the fourth row as the buzz of the premiere carried on around them.
*****
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