章節 20: Let's fight

"Excuse me, sir, our manager is not interested."

"We can buy the copyright for €800,000, what do you think?"

"It's impossible for the film to be shown in theaters. Let me tell you, your movie can only make a small impact in the offline market."

"Our manager is not here."

"Our company doesn't distribute other people's movies. Yes, even buying the rights is not possible."

...

He had been traveling continuously with René and Thomas for a week, from Paris to Cannes, trying out many big companies, but the results were not good. These big companies were all hesitant, offering different conditions, but none of them mentioned theatrical release.

Undeterred, Lyman also contacted some independent distributors. Some of them produced and distributed low-budget movies themselves, while others primarily acted as agents for distribution. But they also didn't believe that this movie could be shown in theaters.

Gradually, Lyman's confidence and enthusiasm, which were initially high, began to wane. Now he even considered whether to sell the film's copyright and settle for the home video market. At least there would be people who could see the movie.

Sometimes, after a day of running around, exhausted and drained, he would feel truly frustrated. Damn it! Why doesn't anyone want to give this movie a chance?

...

In July, on a typical morning, the large trees on both sides of the street seemed to be knocking on something. Outside the house, Lyman pursed his lips, silent. René and Thomas looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

"There are still a few distributors in the Saint-Denis province that we haven't contacted. Should we go today?" René broke the silence, looking at Lyman with a hint of expectation. He hoped LRenéman could regain his spirit.

"After running for so many days and receiving only rejections, how about you? Do you still have confidence?" Lyman glanced at Thomas, not knowing what to say. The atmosphere felt somewhat oppressive, "Let's sell the movie rights. The highest offer is already from Warner Bros., that guy named Gaiman, willing to pay €1.2M. With that money and the experiences of these past few days, we can conclude this journey." After a long pause, Lyman spoke calmly.

René was stunned. He had never considered this option, but why did Lyman make such a decision? Immediately, he responded, "If we make a movie that won't be shown, what's the point of making it?"

His voice was loud and harsh, causing Lyman to raise his voice involuntarily, "But they think the risk is too high, and the possibility of losing is great. In other words, the movie we made is worthless, just a bad film. Think about it, a bad film shouldn't see the light of day, right?"

René fell silent, and after a while, he said, "We still haven't approached many companies. We can even try Hollywood. There are more opportunities there, as Heath Ledger said. There are more distribution companies over there."

Yes, who would want their hard work in making a movie to be sentenced to death from the very beginning? But if it's not possible here, would Hollywood work? Not to mention the expenses along the way, would those professional managers really be willing to take the risk? Lyman fell into contemplation.

René next to him remained silent, and Thomas wouldn't intervene in this matter either. For a while, the three of them became mute. What aspirations could a loser have for a failed film he made? Perhaps entering the offline market would be its best destination.

Actually, thinking about it, it wasn't bad at all. With an investment of €500,000, to make a profit of €700,000 after going around, that was already a success, wasn't it? This was his first film. Looking back on the twenty-something years of his past life, he never imagined he would make any achievements in the film industry. At that time, what he thought about more was when he could independently direct a set. Directing a TV drama and overseeing a camera crew would have been satisfying enough.

He once thought his future days would be like most directors in China, working diligently, gaining experience, and naturally obtaining opportunities. But now, he had made a film that still had value. Wasn't that good? He looked up at the sky, involuntarily thinking, "The sun is really big!"

"Let's go to Italy," René said.

His words interrupted Lyman's thoughts, bringing his attention back to the present. "What?"

René blurted out this sentence without rhyme or reason, but he had also pondered it. He continued, "They don't have high expectations for this film, but we have confidence. So we should strive to give it the treatment it deserves, rather than going along with others' opinions."

"The Venice Film Festival starts next month. Let's submit it for exhibition. If it's not a bad film, there will still be an audience who can appreciate it."

Lyman poured cold water on the idea, reminding him, "Do you have a way to submit it? It's already July, the registration deadline has long passed, and even if you can register, why would others give you a screening? The main competition section isn't something you can just enter as you please."

"We don't need the official screening venue, we can do it in the surrounding area."

"But even if some viewers are satisfied, what does it matter? If the distribution companies don't approve, this film still won't make it to theaters."

"How can we be content without trying? I have put so much effort into this film, and so have you, Thomas, and every member of the crew. Everyone is persevering and wants to make this film successful. Until the last moment, I won't give up." René said excitedly, "The worst result is that it goes to the offline market. Will we be worse off than we are now? There's nothing more to lose, so let's go to Italy."

René stared into Lyman's eyes, his gaze determined and powerful. "And "Buried" is our work. Even if it's going to die, it should be sentenced by the audience. Even if it's going to be buried, there should be a funeral."

Thomas interjected, "I think René is right." Both of them looked at Lyman, waiting to hear what he had to say.

Lyman lowered his head, and for some reason, a phrase came to his mind: Even if we have to lose, let's lose willingly. "If you all say so, then what else can I say?" He raised his head, looking at the two, "Let's go to Venice."

Hardly a secret, the Venice Film Festival, along with the Cannes Film Festival in France and Berlinale in Germany, is known as one of the three major international film festivals in Europe. Moreover, it is the earliest one established, founded in 1932, and is also known as the "Father of International Film Festivals".

Over the years, it has gradually developed its own unique traditions: it focuses on film enthusiasts from various countries and encourages them to create innovative films, even if they have flaws, as long as they demonstrate creativity, they can be accepted by the festival. The motto of this film festival is "Film in the service of serious art".

So every year from August to September, on Lido Island in Venice, Italy, aspiring directors and producers from all over the world gather with their works, hoping to find their patron and make a name for themselves at this grand event.

In response to this, major international film and television companies also prepare their funds, eager to find delicacies in this film feast, bringing profits and even talents to their companies. It's not a dream. Over the past few decades, many film masters have emerged from the Venice Film Festival.

Zhang Yimou, Wong Kar-wai, Jia Zhangke, Ang Lee, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Jiang Wen...

The brilliant Akira Kurosawa, Takeshi Kitano, Hirokazu Kore-eda...

And many other film talents have made their mark here.

This year was the 58th edition, and René's words convinced Lyman. He decided to participate.

"So, what about the money?"

Lyman awkwardly calculated his recent finances and realized that the money he had conned was already gone. Even the €50,000 for the backup plan had been used up. It was spent on travel expenses and accommodations during this period of running around.

"I still have about €10,000 here. Is it enough?" René said, lowering his head. He had planned to ask his father for more money, but his father had had enough of his fooling around and cut off his source of funds. He couldn't even get pocket money anymore, and his mother had hardened her heart and stopped giving him any. Now he only had this little bit of money he had accumulated over time.

Altogether, it was less than €60,000. With the round trip travel expenses, accommodations, and considering the projection equipment needed to screen the film, even if they rented it, it still required money. This small amount of money was undoubtedly insufficient for the entire operation. René also knew he was being too idealistic, so he quickly said, "I'll figure out a solution. We'll be able to solve the problem."

"Huh, Lyman, René, I have about €30,000 here. Is that enough?" At a critical moment, Thomas stepped forward. "If it's not enough, I can go ask Uncle Angus for a loan. He's nearby, so it's on the way."

"No need, the three of us have around €90,000 together. We'll be thrifty, and it should be enough to screen our film at the Venice Film Festival."

The entire cycle from early August to the end of August and the beginning of September, during this long period of time, they hoped it would give "Buried" the outcome that it deserved.

Lyman didn't expect the film to be picked up by a distribution company and released in theaters anymore. At least, it would be witnessed by the audience, screened openly and honestly. That would be enough. Just like what René said, even if it's going to die, it shouldn't die silently. It should have something to show, like a shooting star crossing the sky. It would be worth it.

"Is everything packed?" The next morning, the three met again at Lyman's place.

"Yeah."

"Me too."

"Then let's go."

On July 29, 2001, the three boarded a flight to Venice, Italy.

There, they would search for the most suitable destination for their work, "Buried".

The plane took off smoothly, albeit with some delay, but eventually flew steadily in the stratosphere. Lyman looked at the big fluffy clouds outside and suddenly thought of Heath Ledger. If he were here, he wouldn't want to see this film getting buried and forgotten...