From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Zack Snyder: Hey! We're an indie film too, okay? Horror movies are stigmatized and marginalized, facing numerous difficulties with every release. Compared to "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," we're the real underdogs. Why doesn't the Angelika Film Center support us a little?

Sadness, frustration, resentment, anger.

However, it was all in vain.

Netizens: What are you talking about? Wasn't "Dawn of the Dead" a grand premiere at the Chinese Theatre? You have so many resources and you're still complaining, be careful you get struck by lightning.

Zack Snyder: … …

Much ado about nothing, that's the awkward situation "Dawn of the Dead" finds itself in. It made a grand, ostentatious display, with Universal Pictures seemingly ready to roll up its sleeves and get to work; but before there was even time to see the lightning, the rain had already begun to fall lightly, and in the blink of an eye, the sky cleared.

The speed of it was astonishing.

The key point is that this is only Friday, Friday! The second day after the premiere and screenings, the first day that "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Dawn of the Dead" were officially released, and what happened?

All eyes were focused on the Angelika Film Center in New York, while "Dawn of the Dead," which was released in over three thousand theaters across North America, didn't even make a ripple.

This, this…

But reality is so cruel.

When the audience for the first morning show all entered, the television stations and print media didn't rush to leave, all waiting at the entrance of the Angelika Film Center, patiently waiting until the first screening ended and people came out.

They swarmed forward, rushing towards the first batch of viewers.

Most of these viewers had already seen the movie at the preview screening last night, and came early this morning specifically to watch it a second time. Now, what the media is curious about is their second viewing experience, to conduct live interviews as soon as possible.

Some were teary-eyed, some felt refreshed, some were lost in thought, and some gathered in small groups, engaging in lively discussions —

A panoramic view, enough to clearly feel the lingering charm of the movie spreading.

Blair was immersed in her own thoughts, countless emotions and rationality pulling and colliding in her mind, to the point that she appeared slightly quiet.

It wasn't until a microphone appeared in front of her that Karen pulled her back in time, and she was able to break free from her thoughts and return to reality.

"Excuse me, you seem completely immersed in your own thoughts, is it because of the movie?"

Blair: … … Is it because of my ex-boyfriend?

She complained inwardly, but didn't show it on the surface, instead seriously considering it before speaking.

"This is my second viewing."

"I already watched it once last night at the Angelika Film Center; but the movie has a huge amount of information, and the timeline is disrupted, making it a bit brain-burning. I couldn't sort out my thoughts for a while, so I came early this morning to watch it again."

"I thought that watching it a second time, being mentally prepared, would make things easier; but that's not the case. I not only noticed more details, but also re-sorted and re-examined the entire story, and felt even more."

"I don't think this is a movie for everyone. This work is only suitable for those who are destined to see it."

Karen: … …

Reporter: … …

Passersby who were lining up to join in the fun suddenly felt like they were shot full of arrows.

The reporter was stunned, "So, you don't like this movie?"

Blair shook her head, "On the contrary, this is my favorite movie out of all the works I've watched in the past three years. Tonight, I plan to watch it a third time."

Reporter, "Then what you just said…"

"Go crazy for it."

Reporter, "Just like you are now."

Blair, "Just like I am now. I need some time to digest it properly, maybe find some like-minded friends to chat with."

Reporter: ? ? ?

These people already discussed it all night long last night, and now that they've finished their second viewing, they're still planning to continue discussing it, are they all crazy?

These reporters' thoughts are not strange.

To be precise, the general public all hold similar thoughts.

However, things did happen this way —

It's not just Blair.

It can be seen that the viewers who finished their second viewing spontaneously gathered together, sharing their new ideas, with animated expressions and gestures.

And the small group of viewers who just finished their first viewing were still immersed in the overwhelming impact of information, standing aside blankly and in astonishment.

How should the timeline be arranged? How did Joel and Clementine get together? What happened between Joel and Naomi?

How to see the relationship between the doctor and Mary? What roles do Stan and Patrick play in the story? What is their relationship to the main story?

The most absurd and funny scene in the movie? What is the significance of those scenes that break time and space in the traversing memories? Where do they come from?

How does it end? Why did Joel change his mind? Why didn't Clementine continue to argue? What does that smile represent?

Clementine's hair, Joel's tie, the decorations in the apartment.

Etc. etc. etc.

Information overload!

They originally thought that after finishing their second viewing, they would be able to fully understand the story; but they didn't expect to generate more doubts and more curiosity, and couldn't help but want to watch it a third time now, to explore more hidden details.

Of course, this is not all —

Anson's performance, Kate's charm, the experience of watching a movie on an outdoor screen.

Everything, everything, just can't stop.

Gradually, gradually, the bait thrown out by Blair slowly spread:

This is a carnival for literary youth.

This also coincides with Focus Features' consistent publicity strategy, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is becoming the number one must-see list for literary youth living in big cities, and its influence is spreading in all directions.

For the general public, this is even more attractive than the media's comprehensive score of 95 points —

Literary youth? Must-see list?

Some people sneer at it. In their eyes, these petty-bourgeois youths are pretentious and moaning without illness. "Literary youth" can completely be said to be a derogatory term.

Some people yearn for it. Behind this trend hides a dimensional reduction blow to artistic taste. They can't control their desire to chase the trend.

Some people are curious about how the movie is and need to watch it themselves before judging. If they don't like it, then they need to watch it before criticizing it, so that they can express their views with confidence.

This is reactance.

When a movie is labeled with "brain-burning", "literary", "profound" and so on, when movie fans like Blair emphasize that "only those who are destined will like it", the general public is instead stimulated —

Why?

Does being able to understand a movie make you superior?

A small group of people cursed and said they would refuse to watch it; a small group of people were curious and couldn't help but cast their eyes on it; a small group of people sang a different tune, "You think only literary youth can watch it, I just want to join in the fun."

Then.

A wave similar to but different from "The Butterfly Effect" and "Elephant" is quietly brewing, and spreading in a small circle in a tsunami-like manner.