From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

A record is born!

Witness history!

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" has topped the North American weekend box office chart, completely shattering the laws of the movie market. It's not only unprecedented but also likely unrepeatable, becoming a unique existence in North American film history by topping the box office charts with a mere three hundred theaters.

Madness! Utter madness! Everyone's gone crazy!

In fact, "Dawn of the Dead" performed admirably, especially considering the lukewarm reviews from critics. The market still responded positively, with a weekend gross of $22 million, roughly breaking even with its production cost. For Universal Pictures, known for turning small investments into big successes, this is another classic case.

Under different circumstances, such a performance would definitely warrant attention. Zack Snyder's first step as a director, while not spectacular, is solid.

Unfortunately, it ran into "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."

Or, more accurately, it ran into Anson, echoing the sorrow of "Why did Yu live, when Liang was already born?"

Every eye, bustling and clamoring, is fixed on "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"—

On its opening weekend, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" has already surpassed all of Charlie Kaufman's previous works, becoming the highest-grossing North American film for this genius screenwriter.

A single leap to the top.

Furthermore, it's only a matter of time before "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" becomes Charlie Kaufman's highest-grossing film worldwide, likely within the second weekend at the latest.

It's not just a surpassing; it's a complete and utter subversion.

All praise, all amazement, all attention, pale in comparison. The entire Hollywood is turned upside down, plunged into the shockwaves of a tsunami.

Before the release of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," controversy, provocation, siege, hype, and mockery were incessant. The collision of different factors and forces subjected the film to incredible pressure. It's commendable that Focus Features managed to maintain a clear head amidst the chaos and stick to their established strategy.

However, no one anticipated the direction of the story.

Everything is as expected: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" has become a pivotal turning point in Anson's career:

This independent art film, deviating from mainstream market aesthetics and seemingly unrelated to box office revenue, defied market laws, overturned everyone's predictions, shattered all expectations, and wrote a new chapter in history with its absolute dominance, silencing all the noise.

Unconvinced?

Suck it up.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the top executives of Hollywood film companies, seasoned producers, and those petty trolls—all of you step aside. People simply don't have time to deal with your resentment and frustration, not even a spotlight to spare.

Now, it's Anson Wood's time.

All eyes are on Focus Features—

After "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" completely overturned all the rules on its opening weekend, how should Focus Features arrange its subsequent release strategy?

The answer isn't difficult, is it?

Generally speaking, facing such a situation, every Hollywood film company can see the formula:

Accelerate the expansion, seize the momentum, focus on the opportunity, and immediately launch a full-scale release across North America. Write box office history in one fell swoop. Three thousand theaters isn't impossible.

And while competitors haven't even emerged, firmly solidify the film's "masterpiece" image in the eyes of the general public and Academy voters, laying the foundation for awards season far ahead of any competition. Other films haven't even started, and they're already far behind.

Favorable timing, advantageous location, and popular support—Focus Features has it all. This is an easy question, requiring no hesitation. Just boldly take the step.

In fact, everything is proving this point—

Overseas distribution companies are frantically calling Focus Features, trying to buy the distribution rights.

Charlie Kaufman's screenplays not only face market compatibility issues in North America but also overseas. Even in Europe, where art films have a broad market, Charlie's screenplays seem to be met with indifference for not being "arty" enough, as evidenced by the poor overseas box office.

Even the number of countries and regions willing to distribute Charlie's screenplays is relatively limited. So far, the best-selling overseas distribution rights for Charlie's screenplays are still for "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," because of the Berlin Film Festival endorsement, coupled with George Clooney's direction, which garnered a lot of credibility.

"Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" was released in twenty countries and regions worldwide, ultimately achieving an overseas box office of $17 million, which is not only higher than the film's North American box office but also Charlie's highest-grossing overseas film.

However, not to mention comparing it to commercial films, even compared to other art films and awards season contenders, the distribution in twenty countries and regions worldwide is still underwhelming.

Before the release of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," its lack of persuasiveness due to not attending any film festivals was a drawback. However, relying on Anson and Kate's star power, Focus Features still sold a batch of overseas distribution rights early on, with as many as fourteen countries and regions purchasing the rights, including markets like France and the United Kingdom.

Other countries and regions were waiting and watching, not looking at the film's box office performance but at the word-of-mouth after its release, and then making judgments based on their own market positioning, before discussing purchasing distribution rights with Focus Features.

Now, the calls are coming in.

The actions of these distribution companies are undoubtedly genuine proof.

Regardless of how those prejudices and discriminations view Anson, the reactions of these distribution companies don't lie. They understand the market best and are most ambitious. They don't care about Anson's status or reputation; they are completely driven by profit. They gather when there's money to be made and disregard when there isn't.

It's that simple.

From this wave, one can realize that Anson's appeal has reached a new height globally. The fact that a mere "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" can attract so much attention without attending any film festivals is unparalleled in Hollywood.

The overseas market is also worth anticipating; naturally, Focus Features doesn't need to hesitate in the North American market either. They should act decisively.

However, Focus Features didn't.

In this rolling tide, everyone is excited and feverish, everyone is cheering and anticipating, wildly touting "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" writing miracles and creating history, and Focus Features should be sweeping across the board; however, Focus Features appears particularly calm and composed.

Focus Features announced the release plan for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" in its second week: it will be released in 685 theaters across the United States, maintaining a steady pace of expansion.

Whoa!

A wave of uproar.

Everyone is in shock and disbelief. Six hundred and eighty-five? It's only a mere six hundred and eighty-five, not even reaching seven hundred?

What… what is going on!