As the screen finally turned pitch black, the lights above illuminated, and the previously quiet theater suddenly buzzed with the voices of the audience engaging in discussions.
"This film is really good, unbelievably so. It's a war movie that almost made me shed tears. The director is so adept at creating atmosphere. It's just that the deaths of "Wardaddy" and Norman at the end left me a bit dissatisfied. It would have been better if the ending could be changed a bit..." A couple walked down the aisle, and upon hearing the guy's comments, the girl nodded in agreement, saying, "Yeah, the director is too ruthless. The entire Fury squad sacrificed themselves, and it sent chills down my spine."
Her boyfriend added, "I think it's great. It depicts things so realistically. When it's released tomorrow, I want to watch it again..."
"Is your heart made of stone?" the girl complained.
"Oh, I misspoke. The ending does need some changes," the boyfriend promptly corrected himself.
Hearing these praises, Bella smiled and paid no attention to the organizers inviting the cast and crew to speak on stage. She simply turned and left.
Lyman stood up, and the rest of the film's creators also got to their feet.
He turned to look at the audience, listening to their applause and enthusiastic cheers, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
The host quietly handed him a microphone, and some audience members whistled loudly upon seeing the scene.
The whistles and applause continued, and Lyman became even more uncertain about what to say. He quietly watched the increasingly excited scene and suddenly left his seat, taking two steps back, and then bent down deeply, bowing.
The applause grew even more enthusiastic, and the sounds of these signals kept flooding his ears, drowning out all other sounds.
What should he do next? He was never good with words, even negotiations and fighting for benefits relied on tactics and the other side making concessions, not verbal arguments.
"Thank you," he said simply.
After bowing, Lyman began hugging his crew members.
He embraced Nicolas Cage, who had been a bit nervous before but had finally calmed down. His expression was somewhat nostalgic.
"Did you see that? Everyone loved your performance," Lyman hugged him tightly and praised.
"Wardaddy"'s character was central to the movie's twists and climaxes, even guiding Norman's transformation.
Nicolas indeed lived up to Lyman's expectations. This man, who was naturally free-spirited, advocated liberty and spoke of false love, portrayed a completely different character.
A character with a heart as hard as iron, yet with a soft side, quiet but speaking through actions - "Wardaddy".
His performance was crucial for the film, and he delivered.
"Really? Lyman, I didn't notice," he replied with a strong embrace, smiling.
Next was Heath Ledger.
"You'll be a great actor, I'm telling you."
"Thank you."
After releasing Heath Ledger, he went on to hug the others one by one - René, Thomas, George, and even the members of the shooting team that came from afar.
Until finally, Eva Green stood brightly before him.
She smiled and opened her arms, coming forward to embrace him.
Lyman didn't refuse; his feelings for her were indeed complicated, but at this moment, he didn't want to dampen the mood.
It belonged to him and her as well.
After the embrace, all the creators faced the audience.
Then, Lyman picked up the microphone and began to speak, "Thank you very much to all the audience present here. Thank you for patiently watching this film."
The applause resounded once more in the hall.
Lyman had already said the typical lines about the challenges of shooting and the difficulties in production. He didn't really feel it, nor could he utter insincere words to elicit emotions. Instead, he shifted the focus to the actors, allowing them to speak.
After the main creators delivered seemingly heartfelt yet ultimately conventional speeches, it was time for the media's news interviews.
After all, the film would be released tomorrow, and it was crucial to generate as much attention as possible through these unofficial kings. And, of course, money was indispensable in this process. Flattering words required a fee, and Paramount Pictures was well-prepared. After answering a few routine questions, they handed out red envelopes.
Both sides were happy, and finally, the premiere came to an end.
However, the film might have ended, journalists and audiences had left, but some participants remained.
This group naturally consisted of people who came to support through their networks. Led by Paramount Pictures staff, they left the China Theatre and arrived at a nearby hotel's banquet hall.
CAA and Paramount had prepared a reception party, which was also an essential part of the premiere.
The screening at the cinema was only the beginning, and the subsequent social interactions were equally indispensable.
"Hey, Lyman."
Shortly after the party began, many people approached Lyman, especially the actors, who seemed quite enthusiastic.
"A fantastic film, truly captivating. I hope I'll be lucky enough to work with you someday," Tom Cruise said with a smile.
Lyman naturally bypassed the topic. Who knew if Tom was just being polite or genuinely meant it? Regardless, whether he refused or agreed, it wasn't an easy answer. So, he raised his glass and nodded to him, saying, "Thank you."
Tom Cruise was a clever person. Seeing Lyman's tactful response, he naturally knew that there was no real intention in that direction. Maybe there was, but it definitely wasn't now. After a toast, Tom saw someone else coming over to greet him and found an excuse to leave, saying, "Sorry, Pe is waiting for me over there. Let's talk another time."
"Sure," Lyman nodded.
"Hey, Lyman, this film was superb," the person said and raised a glass in a gesture of approval.
They clinked glasses, and Lyman smiled, saying, "Thank you."
Jennifer Lopez suddenly leaned over and whispered, "How about coming to my place for a cup of coffee tonight?"
"Maybe next time," Lyman declined politely.
Jennifer Lopez didn't insist and left, but the look in her eyes showed she wasn't entirely satisfied.
Lyman knew very well why these people were so enthusiastic. He was the director, and they were actors.
This meant that these people were willing to show a friendly attitude to manage their relationship. However, the true power players in the film industry wouldn't be like this.
For example, Sherry Lansing wore a smile on her face, but her insincerity and formality were poorly concealed. For her, what she truly needed was the profit generated by the film. Who created that profit wasn't important.
His identity as a director was evident, and his achievements were there for all to see. This meant that people would seek his favor, which he didn't mind. But the people he needed to win over were inevitably unreliable acquaintances.
Connections and relationships in the industry were often harsh and realistic like this.
"Hey, Tom, where did you just go?"
In a corner of the banquet hall, Penelope placed her wine glass on the table in front of her and looked at her boyfriend, Tom, with some reproach. "You left me here without a word, and you didn't tell me beforehand."
"Sorry, Pe, I just went to have a drink with director Lyman, so it took some time," Tom Cruise explained.
"Is he that special? Do you need to actively make friends with him?" Penelope, a Spanish actress who had started in television dramas, didn't quite understand the differences in the American film industry. She furrowed her eyebrows slightly and asked.
"No, he's not special at all," Tom emphasized, "It's just that his success came so quickly; his progress is truly surprising."
He turned his head to look at the young director, who was still surrounded by a group of people, and said with a touch of emotion, "A year ago, who had heard of him? But a year later, there was "3 Idiots", and now this "Fury"... Hmm, it's hard to put into words."
"He always succeeds. As for the future, who knows? Maybe soon, he'll grow to the point where even I need to seriously befriend him. From what I see now, it's not far off."
Penelope glanced over there and recognized the Coen brothers and the famous Nicole Kidman surrounding that man. They were chatting and laughing as if they were not dealing with someone who was virtually unknown a year ago.
Well, it wasn't surprising when she thought about it. Would Paramount Pictures and CAA go to such great lengths to host such a grand premiere for a film directed by an unknown?
With this in mind, it no longer seemed strange.
Penelope sighed softly. Other people's success always seemed particularly enviable. She couldn't help but compare herself with him. In just over a year, he had climbed from the bottom of the film industry to his current position.
In contrast, she had practiced dance since she was a child, but what was the result?
Just because of her Spanish identity, even though she had some fame in her own country, when she came to Hollywood, she was still worthless and had to start from scratch. If she hadn't used some tricks to get close to Tom, she probably wouldn't have had any acting opportunities.
Moreover, she heard that he was a French director. This clear comparison made her feel even more inexplicably sorrowful.
Americans loved him but not her. Even with Tom, she could only scramble for roles in the television industry, let alone leading roles in films.
In the world's largest film market, there were countless opportunities, but they had nothing to do with her.
Inexplicably, she glanced at Tom again. Although they were boyfriend and girlfriend, she couldn't feel any extra care from him. Perhaps in his eyes, she was just insignificant.
Ah, men, they were always like this.
But it was fine; she also had her own ulterior motives and wouldn't get hurt.
They both took what they needed, and she was open-minded about it.