From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

The air was somewhat still.

Silence stretched out between the two ends of the telephone receiver, allowing the quiet to slowly spread, but the faintly surging sound of breathing could still be felt as thoughts churned.

Then, the voice from the other end of the phone finally broke the silence.

"…You're saying, three hundred thousand?"

Ripley leaned forward slightly and quickly replied, "Yes, Mr. Cooke. We've communicated with Focus Features and hope to increase the number of screenings."

"I know, this is a preview screening; one is enough, not a formal release."

"I know the film will be officially released the next day, so there's no need to rush."

"But we hope to increase the number of screenings to satisfy the audience's enthusiasm as much as possible."

"If we could use all the screening rooms at the Angelica Film Center for simultaneous screenings, launching the preview event in sync, we could accommodate one thousand and eighty-four viewers, and the meaning of this night would be completely different."

This was Ripley's idea—

Mobilize the entire Angelica Film Center to collectively join this carnival, turning a preview screening into a film fan festival.

"Mr. Cooke, everyone is anticipating Anson's latest work, which is different from any of his previous films, different from 'Elephant,' different from 'The Butterfly Effect.' After the storm caused by the August 31st band, people are expecting to see more from Anson."

"Similarly, for independent films, we've never experienced such a craze or such attention. We can't determine whether this is long-term or just a one-time event, or whether it can truly bring fundamental changes to independent films, but we hope to seize the opportunity."

As she spoke, Ripley's heart began to race, with uncontrollable excitement and elation, and bubbling hot blood burning in her veins.

However, there was no response from the other end of the phone, not a sound.

This slightly cooled Ripley's enthusiasm, and she couldn't even be sure if Edgar was still on the other end of the line.

"Mr. Cooke?"

Ripley called out cautiously, and a voice immediately came from the other end of the phone.

"I'm listening. I've been listening the whole time."

"But shouldn't you be discussing these matters with Focus Features, right?"

The Oscars are over, and Anson's schedule has nothing to do with the Academy now; however, Edgar was telling the truth—Anson couldn't cooperate with the promotion of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."

The root cause was still the character of Johnny Cash.

Now, Anson was wholeheartedly immersed in the filming of "Walk the Line," using his soul to perform, interpret, and immerse himself. This was undoubtedly the most challenging role of Anson's career, and Anson was fully enjoying it.

Because of this, Anson couldn't leave the set.

Time was an issue, but not the key one; the state of performance was. Once Anson left the set and the character, it would take time and effort to re-enter the role, and whether he could find the state of performance again was also questionable.

Moreover, the start date of "Walk the Line" had already been delayed by two weeks from the original plan, and the pressure of the filming schedule was also a factor that had to be considered.

In addition, there was another problem—

Kate Winslet.

Not long ago, Kate gave birth, officially becoming a mother.

Although there is no custom of "confinement" in Europe and America, Kate is a new mother, and everything seems chaotic and terrible. She is still trying to adapt to her new role, her daily life is a mess, and she has no time to lose weight and adjust her state.

For an actress, Kate's current image is indeed terrible.

Kate wasn't too worried about her image. In her own words, "Because of 'Titanic,' people have complained about my weight more than once or twice. I know people say that Jack couldn't climb onto the door because of me. I've been hurt, I've been desperate, I've been in pain, but now I've decided, screw it, my body is my own. All those who criticize and nitpick and try to make me ashamed can go to hell."

Rejecting body shame, starting with herself.

What really concerned Kate was that she didn't want to leave her child so soon.

Kate knew she would return to her acting career; she was 100% sure. But precisely because of this, Kate hoped to spend quality time with her child during this period after birth; otherwise, it would be difficult later.

Therefore, Kate's promotional schedule couldn't be coordinated either.

After comprehensive consideration from all sides, Focus Features simply took a different approach, abandoning the promotional model of mainstream commercial films and instead distributing it in the promotional style of independent art films. It didn't matter that Anson and Kate, the two leading actors, were both absent from the promotion.

In fact, Anson and Kate were both very regretful—

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" was their hard work. Both of them had tried their best to win this project in the first place, and they had put countless emotions and efforts into the filming process. They both very much wanted to see the final presentation effect of the film and hoped that the film could win more love.

Now, due to different reasons, they had to regretfully miss the promotion.

However, this is life, and they will eventually need to learn to make trade-offs.

Edgar denied Ripley's request without hesitation or delay. Ripley on this end of the phone had anticipated the difficulties but was still hit head-on.

"Mr. Cooke, the attention received by 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' this time is truly different. Maybe it can really bring a different reaction, allowing independent film art film enthusiasts to see Anson's charm. I also sincerely hope that people can see the Anson in my eyes."

Ripley was still trying, but Edgar was not so easily swayed.

"We made this difficult decision after careful consideration…"

Ripley's heart sank, with a kind of indescribable frustration.

But she never expected that Edgar's words would be interrupted by an intervening voice.

"Even if all the screening rooms at the Angelica Film Center are added together, there are only a thousand people, right?"

What?

Ripley was stunned, "…Anson?"

"Sorry to interrupt your conversation." The voice on the phone carried a faint smile, and you could even picture the warmth and sunshine on that face in your mind without seeing it.

"What I mean is, even if all the screening rooms are fully utilized, there are only a thousand people."

"And, assuming Kate and I show up, how should we appear in six screening rooms at the same time? Or do we go one by one, which wouldn't be the same as having the audience sit and wait?"