As soon as brokeback mountain was released, although it drew a lot of negative reviews from conservative alliances, it received strong support from many film critics and media.
"brokeback mountain's delicate and restrained narrative, crisp and free-flowing pacing, and beautiful, poetic cinematography all laid the foundation for it to become a classic!" — Empire
After Christmas, at Capet Pictures, Charles sat in his chair and called James Schamus, one of the heads of Focus Features, to complain about their limited screening of brokeback mountain.
"James, brokeback mountain has been critically acclaimed for half a month since its release, but you only have 320 cinemas showing it now, which includes about fifty cinemas from my own Pacific Theatres;"
"You can't do this, our North America box office for brokeback mountain is only 15 million US dollars! The overseas box office is already 25 million US dollars!"
James Schamus, far away in New York, responded on the phone, "Charles, don't worry, we are increasing our investment and efforts. brokeback mountain is, after all, very controversial. There is no law legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States right now, and we cannot ignore the joint opposition from conservative groups."
"Even if brokeback mountain won the golden lion at the Venice Film Festival?"
"Don't worry, Charles, the number of cinemas will double next week, I promise!"
After hanging up the phone, Charles shook his head; even after doubling, the number of cinemas would only be six or seven hundred.
At this moment, Phyllis Jones came in, holding a stack of thank-you letters and handing them to Charles, with a shocked expression on her face.
"Boss, you donated over 5 million US dollars in total to various Chinese panda protection associations and foundations within three months?" How could Phyllis Jones not be shocked?
"What's wrong, is there a problem? How cute are the two pandas at the National Zoo in Washington! I heard that the number of pandas is not large now, and protecting pandas means protecting the environment!" Charles opened the letters; currently, these were the largest single donations they had received.
After putting them in the drawer, Charles had no particular thoughts. Anyway, if he was going to donate to charity, donating to giant pandas was at least better than donating to American bums.
"Oh, right, a major tsunami occurred in Indonesia early yesterday morning, causing heavy losses. The time there should have been the morning of the 26th. In the name of my private charitable foundation, donate 1 million US dollars to the International Red Cross and another 500,000 US dollars to the UN Food Fund!" Fortunately, Charles had already donated over 5 million to the giant pandas, otherwise, this Indonesian tsunami would have been costly. For such a major event, even for reputation's sake, he had to donate.
As for Indonesia, Charles actually hoped it would sink completely; he would rather donate to Africa than to that place.
It's estimated that the International Red Cross will use Charles's donation for disaster relief in Indonesia anyway, so be it!
"Oh, okay!" Phyllis Jones nodded and then asked, "Boss, I haven't seen Donna for almost a month. Has she gone to New York again?"
Charles shook his head and said, "I sent her to San Francisco. I asked her to handle a few venture capital matters for me."
Donna Williams has been gone for a while, could it be that she hasn't found it yet?
"Oh, is that so?" Phyllis Jones nodded and then reported, "Boss, the film adaptation rights for the wolf of wall street have been acquired for 800,000 US dollars!"
"Good, that was quick this time!"
"What was the opening performance of Martin Scorsese's the aviator?"
"It opened on the 17th in 40 cinemas, earning 850,000 US dollars, but from the second week, the screening scale expanded to 1,800 cinemas. As of last weekend, the North America box office for ten days was 10.8 million US dollars," Phyllis Jones quickly answered Charles's question, as today was Monday.
"The film has a good reputation and is also a strong contender for the Oscar for Best Picture, but currently, the strongest contender is million dollar baby, which has been in limited release for half a month, with no more than 10 cinemas showing it. It should be for Oscar registration!"
Charles also nodded in agreement, "I've seen this million dollar baby too, and it is indeed very inspiring. Clint Eastwood's ability is truly strong!"
Clint Eastwood is already 75. Not to mention his early Dollars Trilogy, a classic among American Westerns; the romance film The Bridges of Madison County also has a good reputation.
Proficient in action, romance, and art films? And able to act and direct!
"In terms of reputation and art, our film brokeback mountain is not bad, boss. We must compete for the Oscar next year!" Phyllis Jones reminded him.
"Don't worry, the film was already going to increase its publicity. Anyway, the contracts for the two films with Focus Features have been completed. Notify the publicity department to prepare 2 million US dollars to build momentum for brokeback mountain, including television, newspapers, and media press conferences. Director Ang Lee and the main actress should all make good appearances," this would also help brokeback mountain's public relations.
The performances of Director Ang Lee, Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, and the lead actress Michelle Williams, everyone, were excellent, there's no reason why brokeback mountain wouldn't be favored by the jury.
"Boss, brokeback mountain has received many nominations for the Golden Globe Awards. Its biggest competitor for best picture in the drama category is the aviator, but most people are optimistic about our brokeback mountain!"
The American Golden Globe Awards, well, Charles genuinely doesn't care about this award. the aviator running into his brokeback mountain is its bad luck!