From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Tap, tap, tap — —

The sound of high heels hitting the ground echoed in the corridor, slightly hurried, until it reached the office door, where the knocking took over, the repeated sounds further highlighting the anxiety and urgency within.

“Come in!”

Having finally received permission, the door was pushed open abruptly, before it was even fully open, the call already rang out.

“Ripley!”

Lisa, “After we closed the online applications, those viewers refused to accept reality, so they thought they could try their luck by coming to the film center in person, but they didn’t expect…”

They weren't the only ones with the same idea.

Ripley had a headache, “Didn't you tell them that they can watch the movie the next day, and there’s no need to rush to watch it a night early?”

Lisa, “I told them.”

Ripley, “Didn’t you tell them that we closed online applications because the number of applicants exceeded capacity?”

Lisa, “Believe me, I told them.

But they said that since it's already over capacity, why not accept some more applications, there’s no need to set a limit, anyway, the final decision is based on luck through a lottery, unless we have already decided on the quota internally and are preparing for a backroom operation.”

Ripley laughed directly, “What kind of twisted logic is that?”

Lisa shrugged, “Yeah, I told them that it doesn’t make any sense, but they didn’t listen.

They said that we should continue to open applications anyway.”

Ripley opened her mouth, preparing to explain, but found herself powerless; things weren’t that simple, and couldn’t be explained in a few words — —

“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” chose to hold its screening at the Angelika Film Center, an act that recognized the work and industry influence of the Angelika Film Center; previously, “Elephant” had achieved great success with its previews here.

For this, Ripley was especially happy.

Ripley considered Anson’s popularity and the topicality of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”.

After opening online applications on the official website, she believed that the number of applicants could easily exceed one thousand, or even two thousand, making the competition fierce.

The Angelika Film Center is completely focused on independent and art films.

They only have six screening rooms in total, and no large screening rooms, with the largest venue only able to accommodate just over two hundred people.

In other words, if two thousand people applied, that would be a one in ten chance.

In Ripley’s view, this competition was already extremely intense.

So, what was the reality?

Two hundred thousand!

Not two thousand, nor twenty thousand, the number of applicants broke through two hundred thousand in a short week with overwhelming force, and it was still rising.

Ripley: … …

Even though she was experienced and knowledgeable, Ripley was shocked.

Following “Elephant”, they once again deeply felt Anson’s appeal.

If the “Elephant” preview was already crazy enough, then the current situation with “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” far exceeded the scope of what words could describe.

Sure enough, the waves that August 31st Band had stirred up in these three months were even more exaggerated than imagined.

But now?

Two hundred thousand applicants, competing for two hundred spots?

Ripley couldn’t imagine it, so she issued an announcement, stating that the online application channel would be closed after one week, giving the passionate movie fans some buffer time.

In the end, the number of online applicants unbelievably exceeded three hundred thousand, and even “The New York Times” gave a report, closely following the grand occasion.

Then, the scene before her appeared?

No online application, simply apply offline directly?

So, what to do?

After a brief shock and impact, Ripley couldn’t control her excitement.

The market promotion of independent art films has always faced many challenges.

It is precisely because of this that the status of the Oscars is highlighted.

Not to mention nominations or even winning awards, even just entering the awards season frenzy can bring many market promotion dividends.

However, Oscar-style films have their own set of artistic language and style.

Outside of the Oscars, there are many other types of art films and independent films, and their market promotion still faces many challenges and tests.

That works like "Elephant" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" that deviate from the aesthetic of the award season can continuously receive such attention, driving the vitality of the art film market—

This is a good thing, a great thing.

The key is, how should they make full use of the current situation to create more opportunities for independent art films as much as possible?

Not just the Angelika Film Center, but all independent films.

Letting out a long breath, countless ideas surged in Ripley’s mind, difficult to sort out for a while.

She looked at Lisa.

“Go, let’s go out and see what’s happening first.”

Lisa didn’t exaggerate.

The entrance of the Angelika Film Center was indeed noisy, with a long queue of at least a hundred people.

Normally, a hundred people is nothing, not worth mentioning.

But now, with the number of online applicants continuously breaking expectations, there are still so many people coming to the Angelika Film Center to try their luck with the same idea, which seems alarming.

Moreover, people were still gathering in twos and threes, one after another.

Obviously, they didn’t understand what was happening.

After talking and inquiring with the people in line, one or two more excitedly joined the end of the queue.

This scene made Ripley’s blood boil — —

A Charlie Kaufman, can actually stir up such an effect?

It's all because of Anson.

Those high-level academics are self-righteous, arrogant and rude, refusing to give Anson recognition, and refusing to change their prejudice after labeling him a pretty face.

But it doesn’t matter, they are willing to open their arms and welcome Anson’s arrival.

They really should seize the opportunity.

Ripley looked at Lisa, “Tell them that we can accept their applications, but currently the film center still chooses the online application lottery method.

Whether the current application method can be accepted, we still need to discuss and come up with a plan.

If they don’t mind, then accept the application; otherwise, we can only hope there will be a chance to meet in the future.”

Lisa nodded blankly, “Then what about you?”

Ripley took a deep breath, looking at the enthusiastic crowd in front of her, “Fight for opportunities for these enthusiastic movie fans, so that more people can feel the charm of independent films.

Movies are not just about commercial popcorn and the Oscar awards season.”

After speaking, Ripley clenched her fist, secretly cheering herself on, turning around and striding forward — —

Why did she join the Angelika Film Center in the first place, and why has she been in this job for so many years?

Wasn’t it all for a dream?

That passion was burning again, even though the difficulties ahead were heavy, it also represented infinite possibilities.

She liked that kind of possibility.