The Academy Awards Ceremony in 2004 was held on Sunday at 5:30 PM Pacific Time, while the passion of the christ, distributed by New Market Films, premiered four days earlier on Wednesday.
With its inherent religious controversy, the passion of the christ had very little advertising; the intense debate among religious followers ensured that the media would not miss reporting on the passion of the christ.
Controversy is also a form of publicity, and New Market Films easily secured over 3,000 North American theaters for its opening.
With a 10% distribution commission and a marketing and distribution investment of 5 million US dollars, New Market Films did not invest much.
On Wednesday, it grossed 26.55 million US dollars in North America in one day;
On Thursday, 14.78 million US dollars;
On Friday, 23 million US dollars;
On Saturday, 33 million US dollars;
On Sunday, 27.80 million US dollars.
By the following Monday, the passion of the christ had raked in 100 million US dollars at the box office, undoubtedly taking the top spot for the week.
However, the Oscar is a globally watched awards ceremony, and extensive newspaper coverage still focused primarily on the Oscar.
Nevertheless, the passion of the christ had gained unstoppable momentum, and Mel Gibson quickly contacted overseas distribution companies to bring the film to international theaters.
However, the Oscar's popularity was significant; director Peter Jackson's the lord of the rings 3: the return of the king won a total of 11 awards, including best picture, best director, and best makeup.
With all 11 nominations winning, the lord of the rings 3 set an unprecedented record and equaled the record for the most Oscar wins in a single ceremony.
Sean Penn and Charlize Theron won best actor and best actress respectively for their films mystic river and monster.
At Capet Pictures, in Charles's office.
"Henry, we need the film adaptation rights for Cormac McCarthy's novel no country for old men, published last year. Go negotiate for them."
Henry Winster took the novel, casually flipped through it, and nodded.
Back in his office, Henry Winster began to read. As a pioneer of modern literature with a strong and powerful writing style, a master of thrillers who loves to pierce your brain cells with suspense and humor, Cormac McCarthy's novels are still very popular among certain groups.
no country for old men focuses on a man who was originally honest and upright, beginning when he accidentally finds a briefcase containing 2 million US dollars in the border region of Texas. His overly rash handling of it triggers a series of targeted pursuit stories.
Charles was also stimulated; how could Capet Pictures not have an Oscar for Best Picture? Barring any surprises, million dollar baby, distributed by Warner Bros., will likely be the best picture at next year's Academy Awards Ceremony.
brokeback mountain definitely can't compete with million dollar baby!
In the evening, Charles came to the Plaza Hotel in Beverly Hills. Charlize Theron had won the oscar best actress winner, and as her Agent, Evelyn Capet naturally had to celebrate.
She was already an Executive Vice President at ETA, so her ambition naturally swelled with her rising status.
Scarlett Johansson arrived arm-in-arm with Charles; the monster crew, Evelyn's friends, and others were all present.
"An oscar best actress winner!" Scarlett Johansson was preparing to film wedding crashers and did not attend this year's Oscar at all.
Charles put his arm around the Lady's waist, listening to the envy almost overflowing from her tone.
"You go ahead, I need to speak with my mother first!" Charles said, patting Scarlett Johansson, then walked away.
Evelyn Capet was originally laughing and talking with company employees, but seeing Charles approach, she walked directly towards him.
"Charles, only just arriving?" Evelyn looked at her son, then glanced at Scarlett Johansson, who had come with Charles, but didn't pay it any mind.
"Ah, the passion of the christ has done very well since its release these past few days, I'm just a bit excited," Charles was genuinely happy.
"You didn't come to the Vanity Fair Dinner last night either, you missed a lot of interesting things," Evelyn said with a smile.
Charles shook his head, "I don't have much ambition when it comes to awards!"
"Alright then, but are you having any difficulties with the production budget for your mr. & mrs. smith?" Evelyn suddenly inquired about funding.
"Why? Do you know investors?" Charles smiled, then shook his head, "Not short of funds for now, I can get a bank loan anytime."
Evelyn Capet was surprised: "Don't you know that two Wall Street funds have formed two film investment companies and brought a large amount of capital to Hollywood?"
"I know," Charles replied, having attended various Hollywood receptions and balls, "Legendary Entertainment, established by fund manager Thomas Tull, and Relativity Media, established by Ryan Kavanaugh! They've been actively promoting their film fund plans to investors and banking institutions recently."
Evelyn reminded him: "Then what about you? Aren't you going to try to get some?"
"I only make a few films a year. What they're doing this time is venture capital, not financing loans. To reduce risk, they'll invest in many films at once; it's a package investment," Charles shook his head.
"Even if I look for investors now, it will primarily be for single-film investments."
Charles spread his hands. After all, Capet Pictures not only lacked distribution channels but also the credibility of a major film studio.
Their first choice is always the major studios; Capet Pictures is currently just an independent film production company and is not yet qualified to sit at the table.
"Alright then, but your investment in the passion of the christ this time was excellent. Many distribution companies are regretting it now; New Market Films must have made a lot of money this time," Evelyn Capet said, while straightening her son's tie, he was quite handsome.
Charles smiled and casually said, "A North American box office of over 300 million US dollars is absolutely no problem, and the investment in marketing and distribution costs was low. We didn't spend money on any advertising; the main costs were replication, production, transportation, and some taxes."
Then he whispered, "Now that Charlize is taking on commercial films, her salary should have increased quite a bit, right?"
"Last night at the Vanity Fair Dinner, Paramount offered 10 million US dollars for aeon flux, a female action sci-fi film they're preparing!" Evelyn replied with a smile.
"Paramount started preparing for it last year and originally wanted to cast Rodriguez, but now they want to switch to Charlize."
"Of course, Charlize will also need to spend several months losing weight and shaping her body to perfectly embody the film role!"
Charles nodded. He knew about aeon flux; it was a huge flop, but 10 million US dollars in salary was the highest Charlize Theron would ever receive.