Chapter 122

When Brokeback Mountain was released, although it received many negative reviews from conservative groups, it garnered immense support from numerous critics and media outlets.

Empire Magazine - "The delicate and restrained narrative style, brisk pacing, and poetic cinematography of Brokeback Mountain are the foundations of its transformation into a classic!"

After Christmas, at Capet Pictures, Charles Capet sat in his chair and called one of the heads of Focus Features, James Schamus, to complain about their limited screening of Brokeback Mountain.

"James, Brokeback Mountain has been getting rave reviews for half a month now, but you're only showing it in 320 theaters, and that includes about fifty of my own Pacific Theaters! You can't do this; our North American box office for Brokeback Mountain is only $15 million! The overseas box office is already $25 million!"

From far away in New York, James Schamus responded on the phone "Charles, don't worry, we are ramping up our efforts. Brokeback Mountain is highly controversial after all. There's no legal same-sex marriage in the United States, and we can't ignore the protest from conservative groups."

"Even if Brokeback Mountain won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival?"

"Relax, Charles. The number of theaters will double next week, I promise!"

After putting down the phone, Charles shook his head. Even if it doubled, it would only be six or seven hundred theaters.

At this moment, Phyllis Jones came in and handed a stack of reports.

"There was a massive tsunami in Indonesia yesterday morning, causing severe losses. It should be the morning of the 26th over there, right? In the name of my private charity foundation, donate $5 million to the International Red Cross and $500,000 to the United Nations Food Fund!"

"Alright." Phyllis Jones nodded and then asked, "Boss, I haven't seen Dona in almost a month. Did she go to New York again?"

Charles shook his head and said, "I sent her to San Francisco to handle some venture capital matters for me."

Dona Williams had been gone for a while. Could it be she hasn't found it yet?

"Oh, is that so?" Phyllis Jones nodded again and reported, "Boss, the film adaptation rights for Jordan Belfort's autobiography have been acquired for $800,000!"

"Great, that was quick!"

"How did Martin Scorsese's The Aviator do at the opening?"

"It opened on the 17th in 40 theaters with an $850,000 performance. From the second week, the number of theaters expanded to 1,800. Last weekend's ten-day North American box office was $10.8 million," Phyllis Jones quickly answered Charles's question, as today was Monday.

"The film's reviews are good; it's also a strong contender for the Best Picture Oscar. However, the most buzzed-about film now is Million Dollar Baby, which has been showing in a limited release for half a month with fewer than ten theaters, probably aiming for Oscar qualification!"

Charles nodded and agreed, "I've seen Million Dollar Baby. It's indeed very inspiring, and Clint Eastwood is really quite capable!"

Clint Eastwood was already 75. His earlier Dollars Trilogy was a classic in Western movies. The romance film The Bridges of Madison County also received good reviews.

Action, romance, and literary films - he mastered them all. An actor and director!

"In terms of reputation and artistry, our film Brokeback Mountain isn't inferior. Boss, we must compete in next year's Oscars!" Phyllis Jones reminded.

"Don't worry. We have to ramp up the film's promotion. With the two-film contract with Focus Features completed, notify the publicity department to prepare $2 million for promoting Brokeback Mountain. TV stations, newspapers, media, and meet-and-greets - get Director Ang Lee and the main actors like Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Michelle Williams to make appearances." This was to help with Brokeback Mountain public relations.

Director Ang Lee, Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, and leading actress Michelle Williams all performed excellently. There was no reason Brokeback Mountain wouldn't catch the judges' eyes.

"Boss, Brokeback Mountain received quite a few Golden Globe nominations. Its main competitor in the Best Motion Picture - Drama category is The Aviator, but most people favor our Brokeback Mountain!"

The Golden Globes in America. Charles honestly didn't care much about this award. The Aviator facing off against his Brokeback Mountain, was its bad luck!

*****

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