As the credits rolled and the lights came back on, many in the screening room felt as if they were waking from a dream.
After a brief silence, a ripple of applause swept through the room. Though not fervent due to the small crowd, it was remarkably synchronized.
Due to budget constraints and other factors, the crew members who joined the production were mostly behind-the-scenes professionals who had long been involved in low-budget independent films.
As film professionals, they naturally cared deeply about the movies they made. However, after watching a few of the films they had previously participated in, they gradually lost any sense of anticipation.
Despite having the backing of people like Brian De Palma, most of the crew initially didn't believe that a young man like Simon could produce a truly outstanding film. Many people came to the preview this time because several big names would also be attending.
Unexpectedly, the outcome far exceeded their expectations.
With a similar budget of hundreds of thousands of dollars, compared to the B-movies they had previously been involved in, which relied solely on sex and sensationalism, 'Run Lola Run', while not a mainstream commercial film, was absolutely a world apart.
In fact, many couldn't help but think: 'This is what a movie should be'.
In the front row of the screening room, although he had been surprised by Simon's talent in filmmaking more than once, and had seen samples of 'Run Lola Run' multiple times before, at this moment, savouring the film's truly top-tier soundtrack, David Giler was once again astonished.
Director, screenwriter, cinematographer, lighting, editor... and now composer.
David Giler was left with only curiosity, wondering what else that kid sitting not far from him could do.
Beside David Giler, Brian De Palma was equally moved.
From the initial idea to the final cut, a film goes through many steps. Any deviation in any of these steps can lead to the final product differing greatly from the creator's original vision.
Many viewers often criticize bad films for their rigid plots and lack of logic.
However, these bad films absolutely start with a very complete concept or script; otherwise, no film company would easily invest tens of millions of dollars.
A complete script resulting in a flawed, bad film involves the issue of a film's completeness.
A film's completeness includes not only whether it fully conveys the story intended by the script, but also aspects such as the quality of its special effects, the excellence of its editing, and the quality of its soundtrack.
After watching the final cut and comparing it to the script he remembered, Brian De Palma realized that 'Run Lola Run' was definitely a film with a very high degree of completeness.
If 'Run Lola Run' were a commercial film, Brian De Palma would be certain that it would achieve excellent box office results.
However, even though it's not a commercial film and its subject matter deviates from the mainstream, anyone who watches it, even if completely uninterested in the story, will surely give it very positive reviews.
This is the advantage of 'Run Lola Run'.
Inside the screening room.
After watching the film, everyone was deep in thought.
However, if there was one person who was most profoundly shaken, it was definitely Peter Sanders, Vice President of Fox.
A few months ago, when he accidentally learned about the impressive effect of Simon's sample footage, Peter Sanders was somewhat dismissive.
Even if he had a high talent in cinematography, he was ultimately just a young newcomer to Hollywood. Peter Sanders didn't believe that a young man like Simon could produce even a barely watchable film.
He heard that this kid was also juggling editing, scoring, and a whole host of other tasks.
That made it even more unreliable.
It was simply reckless.
It was just a shame about the rumoured $650,000 investment.
As Vice President of Fox, he only managed to reach that figure, including salary, bonuses, and everything, during good years.
Having been in the industry for decades, Peter Sanders deeply understood that while talent was important in filmmaking, the most crucial elements were experience and tempering. Without ten or eight years and several films of refinement, it was simply impossible to make a film that would be recognized.
Then, the eighty minutes that just passed completely overturned his long-held perceptions.
His initial dismissiveness had now turned into profound shock.
Though his abilities might not be outstanding, having reached his current position, Peter Sanders certainly did not lack the discerning eye to judge the quality of a film.
Like Brian De Palma, Peter Sanders also realized that 'Run Lola Run was definitely a film with a very high degree of completeness.
Such a film, even with a limited audience, could absolutely achieve commercial success with proper management.
After all, human nature strives for perfection.
A highly complete film is like a jade stone meticulously carved by a sculptor; compared to crudely made products, consumers, even if they don't particularly like the type of jade, would obviously prefer the one that is more delicate and exquisite.
As he pondered, he saw everyone getting up and warmly chatting with Simon Westeros. Peter Sanders also stepped forward, but with a distracted expression, he said, "Simon, I have some things to attend to back at the office. How about this, at 4:30, you can come over, and we'll talk".
Simon heard Peter Sanders' words, smiled and nodded, and politely escorted the other party out of the screening room.
Afterward, everyone chatted warmly for a while, and the crew members who participated in the preview gradually left.
As the lead actors, Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves specifically apologized to Simon; both already had new film contracts and would not be able to join him in Sundance in the coming days.
Simon naturally understood; not to mention the Oscars, even traditional, established film festivals were far beyond what Sundance could compare to at the moment. Furthermore, the Sundance Film Festival did not have acting awards, so the lead actors of the participating films had even less motivation to rush to Park City.
After successively seeing everyone off, David Giler and Brian De Palma unexpectedly stayed until the end this time.
Seeing that only two women were left beside Simon again, David Giler didn't shy away and said to Simon, "Sanders was just playing hard to get. You must have felt it; that's just the kind of person he is. So, don't agree to his terms immediately later. If possible, it's best to drag it out until after Sundance. Actually, Simon, I think you should take 'Run Lola Run' to some more influential film festivals—Cannes, Berlin, Venice—these are all much stronger than Sundance, and with the quality of your film, they will definitely accept it."
"I understand, David," Simon nodded and added, "Actually, I also thought about participating in the Cannes Film Festival and such, but the film was only recently completed, and the recent Berlin Film Festival registration was long missed. The other two are too far away. Besides, I actually hope 'Run Lola Run' can focus on the American domestic market".
David Giler nodded understandingly. He actually knew that Simon's reasons for forgoing overseas film festivals were not limited to these. Funding was also a very important factor.
Moreover, even if they were to go, with the quality of 'Run Lola Run', attracting attention would certainly not be a problem, but the chances of winning an award were very slim, and the possibility of returning empty-handed was greater.
The few of them chatted for a while longer, then David Giler and Brian De Palma said their goodbyes and left.
Simon retrieved the copy of 'Run Lola Run' and left the screening room with the two women.