Chapter 186: Quentin Tarantino

"You must be Quentin Tarantino," Arthur said with a smile when he met the young 29-year-old Quentin Tarantino in a bar in Park City.

"Reservoir Dogs has an eccentric plot and sharp, cold dialogue, and the soundtrack is great. The non-linear narrative and the dialogues full of dark humor give the movie a distinct style!"

Quentin Tarantino nodded. "I used to work in a video store, watching all kinds of movies every day. Including a lot of westerns and Hong Kong kung fu movie tapes. I really like those!"

"Well, Reservoir Dogs will participate in several film festivals and be released later this year," Arthur said, taking a sip of his drink.

"Galaxy has promised to invest in your next film. They won't break their word. You can start preparing your script now!"

As an unknown new director, being recognized by Galaxy, with Reservoir Dogs bought for $2 million for the North American rights and support for his next script, was a fantastic outcome for Quentin Tarantino.

"Thank you, Mr. Smith," Quentin Tarantino had no objections. After all, Reservoir Dogs was a cult film with a niche audience.

With Galaxy's support for his next film, the budget would surely be much higher than the modest amount for Reservoir Dogs. This film was his key to entering Hollywood!

"Work hard," Arthur said before leaving with a smile, wrapping his arm around Nicole Kidman as they returned to their hotel.

In another hotel in Park City, Harvey Weinstein and his brother Bob Weinstein from Miramax looked frustrated.

"We missed out. Quentin Tarantino is quite special. Reservoir Dogs is highly rated among cult film enthusiasts," Harvey Weinstein regretted, knowing Miramax was no match for the mighty Galaxy.

Bob Weinstein scoffed, "A few years ago, Steven Soderbergh made a big splash at Sundance with Sex, Lies, and Videotape, but last year's French drama Kafka was mediocre at best.

What does one success mean for a young director? We should focus on genres like youth and horror films. We need commercial works right now!"

Bob Weinstein was dissatisfied with his brother Harvey's focus on art films. In the past two years, Miramax had released about 30 low-budget films annually, but their combined box office returns were less than one or two films from others.

"You don't understand. A film needs controversy or sex to be better distributed, to get the most profit for the least cost," Harvey Weinstein regretted missing the controversial The Crying Game last year, which Galaxy had snapped up without hesitation.

As for Reservoir Dogs, Miramax simply didn't have the resources to compete. If a major studio had shown interest, even Galaxy would have had to step aside.

Since achieving success in 1989 with Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Cinema Paradiso, and My Left Foot, Miramax hadn't found other impactful films, and their high debt made things increasingly difficult.

Back at their hotel, Arthur and Nicole Kidman soaked in the hot springs. "Let's go back tomorrow. There's no need to attend the festival's closing ceremony," Arthur said.

Nicole Kidman leaned against Arthur, "You've been meeting with Robert Redford these past few days. It seems you had a long discussion?"

Robert Redford was the chairman of the Sundance Film Festival.

Arthur smiled, "Nothing much. I have high hopes for the Sundance Film Festival's growth. I talked with Robert Redford about a partnership."

"Galaxy can support some films from the Sundance Film Festival in theaters each year, and in return, the festival will give Galaxy some priority rights to certain films."

"Alright," Nicole Kidman kissed Arthur on the cheek. "No wonder you've been staying here for several days. You had a purpose. I thought a low-budget film wouldn't warrant your personal attention."

Turns out, he was here specifically to talk with Robert Redford!

"Well, don't underestimate that new director, Quentin Tarantino," Arthur said, his hand moving to Nicole Kidman's chest.

"In my opinion, Quentin Tarantino is even more talented than Steven Soderbergh. Though he might not be handsome, he certainly has talent!"

"Steven Soderbergh, the director who made Sex, Lies, and Videotape a few years ago at Sundance," Nicole Kidman was skeptical. "Do you think Reservoir Dogs can make $30 million at the box office?"

Sex, Lies, and Videotape had broken independent film box office records with over $30 million!

"Well, I'm talking about future achievements," Arthur admitted. Even with his high hopes for Quentin Tarantino, he wouldn't compare Reservoir Dogs to Sex, Lies, and Videotape. They were on different levels.

Reservoir Dogs making $5 million at the box office would be good, considering its clear strengths and weaknesses.

"Okay," Nicole Kidman hadn't expected Arthur to think so highly of Quentin Tarantino. She let it go.

"Arthur, was my performance today in the theater satisfying?"

"What?" Arthur was taken aback. Nicole Kidman gave him a look, "Winona told me she had serviced you in the theater before. How did I compare?"

Arthur facepalmed, "What do you two talk about? She even told you that?"

Nicole Kidman smiled, "She said you're different in the theater than at home, much more intense."

"Today, I felt it too. I don't need to spend as much time making you surrender at the hotel!"

Arthur looked at Nicole Kidman, touched her face, and smiled, "Did she tell you I'm even more intense at other times?"

"When you're asleep or just waking up?" Nicole Kidman grinned mischievously.

"Why don't you find out?" Arthur raised an eyebrow suggestively...

*****

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