Throughout the long river of cinema history, there are always certain films that remain etched in people's memories—whether they've seen them or not, whether they like them or not, they've at least heard their names. Citizen Kane, Gone with the Wind, The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Forrest Gump and among these masterpieces stands Schindler's List.
Schindler's List faithfully portrays the true story of German businessman Oskar Schindler, who saved over twelve hundred Jews from Nazi extermination during World War II. The film is widely regarded as one of Steven Spielberg's most important works.
Before Schindler's List was released, Spielberg was best known as a master of commercial cinema. Blockbusters like Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Jurassic Park had established him as one of Hollywood's top directors. Yet, many critics accused him of lacking artistic depth. Schindler's List changed that perception entirely.
The film marked a creative transformation for Spielberg—an evolution from pure entertainment to profound artistry. It not only won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, but also achieved commercial success. More importantly, as a Jewish filmmaker, Spielberg used the medium to confront one of history's darkest chapters with brutal honesty and emotional power.
While there have been many films depicting the Holocaust—such as the later classics Life Is Beautiful and The Pianist
Schindler's List remains the most influential of them all.
Hugo had watched Schindler's List many times. Each viewing brought new emotions. He couldn't deny that Spielberg's portrayal of Schindler leaned too heavily into American-style heroism—perhaps a bit exaggerated—but the film's artistry and message were undeniable. It was, without question, one of the most significant works in cinema history. "Classic" was a title Schindler's List fully deserved.
What Hugo admired most wasn't just the film's themes or meaning, but the raw emotion Spielberg infused into every character. The main roles, the supporting ones, even the extras—all reflected the humanity and moral struggle of that turbulent era.
To Hugo, this was the true magic of cinema—like music, it carried emotion. Comedies brought joy, action films brought adrenaline, romances brought passion. Whether it was an art-house film or a popcorn blockbuster, every movie had value. As long as it reflected genuine human feeling, it was a good film.
Too many people, he thought, exaggerated the importance of "depth." They claimed that only films like The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Forrest Gump, The Lord of the Rings, or Schindler's List qualified as great cinema. But film, as an art form, comes from life itself and life isn't only about moral lessons or profound messages. It's also made up of humor, chaos, and simple emotions. A movie that makes the audience laugh or feel something—that's already success.
That's why Hugo loved Schindler's List: it provoked thought while also delivering an overwhelming wave of emotion. Beyond Oskar Schindler himself, the film's secondary characters—Nazi officer Amon Goeth, Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern, the one-armed worker, the girl in the red coat, the Jewish maid—all left unforgettable impressions.
When Hugo learned that the project Tracy and Ron were competing for was none other than Schindler's List, the shock hit him like a thunderclap.
By now, Hugo had fully accepted the reality of living in 1992. He'd been moving forward step by step, focused on his present rather than fantasizing about the future. But today, Schindler's List had appeared out of nowhere, forcing him to realize where he truly stood—right in the heart of Hollywood's golden decade. And 1994, the year destined to birth countless cinematic legends, was just around the corner. He wasn't just witnessing that era; he was becoming a part of it.
The classics of 1994 were dazzling: Forrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, Interview with the Vampire, Pulp Fiction, Léon: The Professional, The Lion King, True Lies, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Legends of the Fall, The Mask, Speed, Natural Born Killers… a constellation of brilliance lighting up a single year.
And now, standing on the very last day of 1992, listening to talk of Schindler's List, Hugo could feel his blood boiling with excitement.
Every inch of him radiated that energy—so much that even Joseph could see it, and Rick, too, couldn't help but notice. Rick was puzzled: Hugo was this excited just hearing the film's name? Could it be that he'd already read the original novel? After all, the screenplay was based on a true story, written by one of the survivors saved by Oskar Schindler, and the novel had been published back in 1982. It wouldn't be surprising if Hugo had read it.
Rick smiled curiously and asked, "What's this? Are you interested?"
Inside, Hugo was shouting with excitement—Yes! Of course I'm interested! To be part of a film destined to become a timeless classic was an irresistible temptation. It was the kind of opportunity that made it impossible for him to say no. The thrill running through him was the same as when he first learned he might work with Al Pacino or Jack Nicholson—his hands were literally trembling.
His amber eyes glimmered with light, filled with eager anticipation. But standing nearby, Joseph's heart sank even deeper. If Hugo truly wanted to be part of this project, it was the agent's duty to make it happen. And yet, given his current limitations, Joseph knew he didn't have that power. Ron, however, did. That realization left Joseph both disappointed and disheartened.
Even though Hugo was overflowing with excitement—the allure of a masterpiece like Schindler's List blazing before him like the sun—he eventually forced himself to calm down. Deep inside, he knew this was a dream beyond his current reach.
With Joseph still a rookie agent, trying to get close to a monumental project like Schindler's List would be nearly impossible. Realistically, Ron and Tracy were the best—and perhaps only—path forward. But even that path was full of thorns.
At the moment, Ron and Tracy were still fighting to secure their own positions in the production, with no real decision-making power. But Hugo understood one thing clearly: Tracy would never want him involved. And as for Ron, his offer was even more absurd—"Choose me, and you'll have a foot in the door." The result, however, was still uncertain. And to pursue that uncertainty, Hugo would have to pay a steep price—betraying Joseph.
Of course, no one in the agency business would call it "betrayal." After all, Hugo wasn't someone Joseph had discovered from scratch—Ron had originally introduced him. And partnerships shifting toward stronger allies was part of reality in Hollywood, where loyalty often proved paper-thin.
But to Hugo, it would be betrayal. Leaving Joseph just to chase a role in Schindler's List would make him no different from Ron, who had once abandoned him without hesitation. There would always be other chances, other masterpieces in the future. Was he supposed to change agents every time one failed to land a role? Was he meant to chase every so-called "classic" like a moth drawn to flame? That wasn't who he wanted to be.
Besides, Hugo knew that after the humiliation of the Golden Raspberry Awards, he never would've survived long enough to reach Scent of a Woman without Joseph by his side. Others might not have noticed, but Hugo knew how invaluable Joseph's support had been.
He had started from nothing, climbing step by step as an actor and Joseph had been doing the same as an agent. Hugo didn't feel he had any right to criticize Joseph's lack of connections or limited resources. On the contrary, he wanted to keep fighting alongside him. Missing Schindler's List might simply open the door to another great project—who could say?
Thoughts swirled through his mind, but in the end, Hugo made his choice. Between a classic film and a loyal friend, he would choose the friend without hesitation. So, despite the staggering temptation, despite how difficult it was to turn away, Hugo decided quickly and firmly.
"Oh, no," Hugo said at last, looking at Rick with a calm smile. "I don't think Steven Spielberg would be interested in casting me, so I'd better not get involved." He gestured lightly toward Joseph. "Joe already has a few projects lined up for me—I still need to go through those scripts. Ambition is important, but greed never ends well."
Rick blinked, momentarily stunned, a flicker of admiration showing in his eyes.
As for Joseph—who had been weighed down by despair only moments ago
Hugo's words struck him like a bolt of lightning. He froze in place, completely rigid, unable to move or speak.
...
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