Although he was prepared, the storm of public opinion that followed was more intense than everyone thought.
After the article in the "New York Times" splashed a spark, it seemed that all of a sudden, many media's original surprise and appreciation of "Lola Run" turned into doubts.
In fact, this kind of doubt has always existed since "Lola Run" was released.
In any case, it is a bit weird for a young man who is only 18 years old and has no chance to enter a formal film school to suddenly make an excellent film like "Lola Run".
However, before the "New York Times" article, everyone was engulfed by an atmosphere of admiration and worship for the genius. Even if someone raises an objection, it is often regarded as jealous.
Now, authoritative newspapers such as The New York Times, which have a strong influence worldwide, are the first to raise questions. Coupled with the secret promotion of interested people, all the speeches that were suppressed by the mainstream wind have all become noisy.
"A puppet or a genius? The difficulty of executing the core positions in "Run Lola" is revealed."
"Analysis of the film soundtrack process, on why it is impossible for Simon Westero to complete the "Lola Run" film soundtrack himself."
"Amazing shots, false behind the scenes."
"The eighteen-year-old scam deceived the entire federal film marketing at once."
"Simon Westeros high school classmate: He works very hard, but it is impossible to become a film director."
"The real capital and technology of "Lola Run" is Janet Johnston, the daughter of the tycoon, and Catherine Bigelow, a top student at Columbia Film School."
"The former lighting engineer of "Lola Run" accused Simon Westeros of nothing."
"..."
"..."
For a time, not only newspapers, but even major radio and television stations in North America participated in this discussion, and they became keen to find evidence that Simon Westero could not have the ability to shoot "Rola Run". In a short period of time, San Jose, where Simon had lived, once again welcomed many reporters from all over the country, and the scale of reporters around Simon's mansion has expanded again.
On the other hand, Simon's team quickly fought back. However, there was no rush to clarify the facts, but pointed the finger at Mark Horrington who published the questioning article in the "New York Times".
Early the next morning, Daenerys Pictures issued an official statement through the Los Angeles Times, reprimanding Mark Horrington for making it impossible for him to film "Lola" based on Simon's growth environment. The conclusion of "Quick Run" is a kind of arrogance and prejudice derived from its own incompetence, and even a kind of discrimination against the lower-level federal people with the superficial superiority of its rich middle class.
In the United States, the lethality of the big hat of 'discrimination' is too great.
Mark Horrington responded immediately, publicly stating that he only asked Simon Westero to stand up and prove that he has the professional ability to shoot "Lola Run" without any discriminatory intent.
This time, Simon did not respond.
However, the "New York Post" under News Corporation quickly appeared an article criticizing Mark Horrington's request for a person to "prove himself innocence" is a very bad rascal act. Since Mark Horrington believes that "Lola Run" was not filmed by Simon Westero, he should personally produce solid evidence, otherwise, rashly questioning is a serious violation of the reputation of others. Simon Westero has sufficient reasons to initiate a reputation infringement lawsuit against him.
After such a confrontation, Mark Horrington, who was unable to resist, suddenly fell silent.
However, since the storm of public opinion has been set off, it is impossible to easily eliminate it. In the following days, through digging into more details about Simon's growth, analyzing the content of the film "Lola Run", and even through the messy news provided by 'Hollywood insiders', all kinds of doubts still abounded.
Simon, with the help of WMA, Fox Pictures, Orion Films, etc., come and see you.
At the same time, Brian de Palma, David Giller, Robert Redford and many other Hollywood circles who had good relations with Simon began to speak out for Simon.
In addition, after two days of urgent consultations, Fox Pictures President Ronald Goldberg approved Amy Pascal's resignation application in advance.
Daenerys Pictures immediately held a press conference to announce that Ms. Amy Pascal, former vice president of Fox Pictures, will soon join Daenerys Pictures as the company's president.
The announcement of this news has undoubtedly strengthened the confidence of many members of the public who have begun to waver under the influence of various frenzied and questioning news once again. After all, if Simon is just a young man with a reputation, it is absolutely impossible to recruit a vice president of a big film company to work for him.
However, soon some newspapers took the initiative to expose the'truth', claiming that Amy Pascal quit Daenerys Pictures only to personally be responsible for the upcoming investment by Fox Pictures and Simon Westero as the'producer' "Reaper is Coming", which just shows that Fox Pictures has doubts about Simon Westero's ability.
Such annoying has been tossing until Friday, March 13.
Many things have also reached a tipping point.
Because of this day, the box office data for the tenth movie week in 1987 was officially released.
The media turmoil during the working day inevitably caused many ordinary people to have doubts about the behind-the-scenes truth of "Lola Run", but in just a few days, the box office of this film did not suffer much.
In the new week, the box office number of "Lola Run" finally reached 25.62 million US dollars, with a cumulative box office of 57.71 million US dollars.
Obviously, just the nationwide large-scale release in the first week almost doubled the North American box office of "Lola Run". In the next two to three weeks, as long as there is not much decline, the total box office of "Lola Run" will smoothly break the 100 million dollar mark.
"Lola Run" is still "Lethal Weapon".
The first week of the $15 million big-production film grossed $8.22 million at the box office.
Although the screen size is more than 100 yuan more than that of "Lola Run" and its reputation is not bad, the box office appeal of "Fatal Weapon" is obviously far from the "event movie" like "Lola Run". In comparison, the box office scale is naturally only one-third of it.
Even after including the subsequent "Field Platoon", "Most Ghost Street 3" and "Angel Heart", the last four movies out of the top five box office this week have a combined box office of only 27.63 million US dollars, which is completely comparable to "Lola Express". The box office data of a movie "Run" is comparable.
In the afternoon.
Inside the cliff mansion in Palisades, Los Angeles.
Catherine Bigelow took the coffee that Janet handed over, and saw the little girl Janet sit down beside her, smiled and hid to the side to prevent her from sticking to her body, and then confronted Simon on the other side of the sofa. Said: "Have you not gone out these days?"
Simon looked at Catherine, who had just returned from Arizona, and was very moved. During this period of time, although there are a lot of troubles in the media, many people I have known in the past six months, Brian de Palma, David Giller, Sandra Bullock, Jonathan Friedman And so on, they are all providing enough care and support to him.
Hearing the woman's question, Simon nodded and said, "Yes, I can't do anything when I go out anyway, just stay at home."
In recent days, the number of reporters guarding Simon's mansion has not decreased at all. In order to avoid these troubles, Simon has either contacted the outside world by phone, or Mike Meadowa, Pat Kingsley and others rushed over in person. , He didn't take a step out at all.
Doing this really makes myself a lot quieter. However, much of Simon's work was basically stopped.
Although Ronald Goldberg approved Amy's resignation application in advance for his own interests, Fox delayed and refused to sign the contract for "Death is Coming" as soon as possible.
For the "Butterfly Effect" a month later, although Fox will not secretly act like other people, but also offered to help, but now it is clearly watching the follow-up development of the situation.
In all fairness, this matter has continued to the present, no matter what the result is, it will be difficult for Simon to completely get rid of doubt for a long time. Some things, even if they are false, are said to be 10,000 times, it is difficult to clear them up.
Catherine was holding the coffee cup, and seeing Simon looking at herself, she turned her eyes slightly and said, "Then, what are you going to do next?"
"This matter should be over," Simon replied: "I am going to New York tomorrow, and I have already contacted NBC's "Tonight Show". The schedule for next Monday will make some explanations and statements on the show."
Although Catherine had not encountered the current situation, she also felt that this kind of thing could not be ended so easily, and asked: "Is this all right?"
"There will definitely be follow-up media actions," Simon gave Catherine a relieved look, and then asked about the woman herself: "Where is your side, I remember it happened to be on the schedule this week. ?"
Catherine nodded and said, "However, I will go to Oklahoma next week to get some location shots. Then I will return to Los Angeles for post-production."
The story of "Blood Corpse Night" takes place in Oklahoma, but due to climate, tax rebate, etc., the filming location is Arizona. In order not to look too clumsy, it does need some additional exterior scenery.
Simon said: "I'll help you then."
Catherine smiled shyly, and said: "In the future, someone will definitely say that my movie was not made by Catherine Bigelow."
Simon smiled and said, "This is just right, I happen to have this trouble too."
After chatting for a while, Jonathan Friedman, Mike Meadowa, Pat Kingsley, Amy Pascal and others came to Simon's residence one after another. I will rush to New York tomorrow. It is naturally impossible for everyone to go. This afternoon, I just have to sort out the next coping strategies again.