Chapter 115

In Los Angeles, Charles had just attended a screening of Brokeback Mountain at the USC Shrine Auditorium.

As soon as he walked out the theater, a group of reporters immediately surrounded him.

L.A. Times Reporter: "Mr. Capet, regarding this film Brokeback Mountain, what movie do you think it should be compared to?"

"Compared to? How about The Bridges of Madison County? It's a dreamy kind of love!"

The reporters thought for a moment, then many of them couldn't help but laugh.

Fox News Reporter: "Mr. Capet, a lot of groups recently feel that Brokeback Mountain linking American iconography like cowboys with homosexuality is inappropriate. What do you think?"

"What do I think? Is American freedom not big enough to accommodate a gay couple?"

Reporter: "Larry H. Miller, the billionaire owner of the Utah Jazz NBA team, banned the screening of Brokeback Mountain in his theaters, citing that 'the film deviated too much from traditional family values and is very dangerous'."

Charles showed a regretful expression and said, "I can only say it's a pity. Homosexuals should be blessed, not spurned and opposed. I also regret and don't understand Governor Schwarzenegger vetoing the California gay marriage legalization bill!"

Seeing the enthusiasm of many television and newspaper reporters, Charles quickly waved and hurriedly left the theater.

Sitting in his business car, Charles rubbed his eyes, took a sip of wine handed to him by Dona Williams, and said, "Tell the driver to take me home; let the production team handle the rest."

Brokeback Mountain had other producers and directors; Charles wouldn't waste too much time on just one film.

"Fox News always supports the conservatives, but other networks like CNN and NBC are very supportive of homosexuals," Dona Williams quietly reminded him.

"Don't worry. Whether it's Fox News or other conservatives, they wouldn't dare openly criticize homosexuals. Supporting homosexuality might not be as politically correct as not discriminating against African-Americans, but saying it openly would still attract public backlash," Charles wasn't too worried.

Discrimination always existed, but no one dared to say it publicly. How can you be part of the free world if you don't support it? As long as you talk the talk, it's fine.

"I didn't expect Miller to be the first to openly oppose in Utah. The Jazz team owner is quite a celebrity, isn't he?" Charles shook his head and said regretfully, didn't he understand the idiom "the bird that sticks out gets shot"?

There were quite a few supporters of Brokeback Mountain, and the homosexual community could voice their support. Wasn't he just asking for trouble?

"He's a Mormon, his family has been faithful to orthodox Mormon teachings for generations," Dona explained.

There're many branches of Mormonism: devout, peripheral members, and atypical ones. Most people pursued it for the polygyny practice.

Though illegal, it indeed existed in Utah, as early Mormon teachings stipulated that polygyny and polyandry would lead to heaven after death.

Though later abolished, many Mormons still supported this system, and Utah was the Mormons' stronghold! Its state laws' penalties for polygamy were much lighter than elsewhere.

"Whatever, Larry H. Miller only runs a few theaters. His main business is car dealerships."

Charles leaned back in his chair and didn't think much more about it. After all, Brokeback Mountain really was about gay cowboys; controversy was unavoidable.

As the car drove down Hollywood Boulevard, through the window Charles could feel the Halloween atmosphere.

Dona brought up another topic, "Matrix Pictures is releasing Saw II in over 2,900 theaters!"

Charles casually replied, "It's a sequel. The first film had a good reputation, and we spent more than $7 million on promotion."

"Well, this Friday's opening of Saw II might be our least controversial film this year!"

After participating in The Passion of the Christ and producing Brokeback Mountain, he didn't expect the bloody and violent Saw II to be the most normal film.

It was Friday, Saw II had its premiere the previous night at the Pacific Dome Theater on Sunset Boulevard.

Competitors releasing at the same time included Sony's horror film The Grudge, which launched in over 3,300 theaters last week in North America and grossed $39 million on opening weekend.

Meanwhile, Capet Pictures' Matrix Pictures released Saw II in 2,900 theaters on Friday, grossing $32 million and becoming the weekend box office champion.

Sony's The Grudge had a second-weekend gross of $22 million, ranking second, with a 44% drop.

In ten days, The Grudge had grossed over $70 million in North America, while this remake of a Japanese horror film had a production cost of only $10 million.

Compared to Sony's The Grudge and DreamWorks' remake of The Ring, one can only say that DreamWorks lagged behind. Where did the $55 million production cost go?

...

It was Election Day in America, and the voting for a new president happened that day. Charles, knowing the result, was uninterested in wasting time following it.

Saw II was doing well at the box office; what more needed to be said?

"Boss, Saw II will soon be released in France, Australia, and Germany. The rest will have to wait," Phyllis Jones reported the progress to Charles.

In France, it's being released by EuropaCorp, in Australia and New Zealand by Village Roadshow, and in Germany by Constantin Film.

Given their long-working relationship with Capet Pictures, letting them handle distribution meant Capet Pictures would at least have a stronger revenue share.

"As for other countries and regions, we need more distributors for the Japanese market. It's a big market and a fan of horror films. For the rest, let Philip talk to the big six's international distribution groups." Charles knew that overseas distribution needed connections and resources.

"Besides, Capet Pictures should set up distribution offices in places like the UK, France, Germany, and Japan. They're large markets. If there's suitable talent, we should establish distribution networks in these countries first."

For other places, there's no choice but to find distributors. Charles knew just managing the primary markets would consume a lot of money, time, and energy.

"Understood!" Phyllis Jones, capable of being Charles's personal assistant, indeed had the skills and attitude that matched his preferences.

She was truly capable.

*****

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