American fame and fortune

Beverly Hills, Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

The 85th Oscar Nominees Luncheon is taking place.

Academy President Tom Sherak and host Natalie Portman walked onto the podium, facing the large screen in the background, preparing to announce this year's nomination list.

Martin sat at the table in the front and middle, smiling naturally and without any pressure.

Next to him, David Fincher's face was tense and his palms were sweaty. Of course he wanted a perfect result for this last trip to the Oscars.

And a nomination is your ticket to winning.

In contrast, as producers, Graham and Louise did not have so much pressure.

The two of them are representatives of investors, and there is no pressure because the film's box office performance is good enough.

"Escape from Tehran" is still being screened in North American theaters and will continue until the end of the Oscars. As early as last month, the North American box office exceeded the $200 million mark.

Today, the North American box office has accumulated 223 million U.S. dollars. Compared with the production cost of 60 million U.S. dollars, the commercial income is excellent enough.

However, the film's response overseas was much different. After all, this is a very politically correct American-themed film.

"Escape from Tehran" has been released in some overseas markets such as Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

To this day, the overseas box office has not exceeded US$100 million.

Including Martin, the crew hopes to gain something at the Oscars.

The Oscars still have a great influence overseas. Winning the heavyweight Oscar awards can greatly increase the commercial income in overseas markets.

Next to Martin's table was the "Lincoln" crew headed by Spielberg.

Martin glanced at Daniel Day-Lewis, who was sitting next to Spielberg. The Academy darling had already won numerous awards for best performance at the Sentinel Awards.

Oscar winner is a sure thing.

This person's artistic achievements in performance are extremely high, but in daily life, it's okay not to mention it.

As a representative of the Methodists, it is said that during the filming of "Lincoln", Daniel Day-Lewis regarded himself as Lincoln throughout the whole process, and even signed a Black Emancipation Proclamation on the set...

Behind the "Lincoln" crew, where the "Pi" crew was, Ang Lee and Gil-Nette were a little nervous.

Although it has done a lot of crisis public relations and continued to attack its main competitor "Escape from Tehran", except for the initial reports accusing the opponent of false content, the follow-up response was passive, and it was beaten to the point where it was hard to hold one's head up.

The confidence of both of them was almost destroyed.

Ang Lee looked at Martin and David Fincher in front of him and shook his head secretly.

Even though there was no evidence that the bad things he experienced in "Pi" were related to Martin Davis, he determined that it was the other party who did it.

Ang Lee has a feeling that this person is more difficult to deal with than Harvey Weinstein.

On the podium, Tom Sherak and Natalie Portman began to announce the nominations.

"The nominees for Best Sound Editing include "Skyfall," "Pi," "Anna Karenina," and "Django Unchained"..."

"The nominees for Best Visual Effects include "Pi", "Avengers", "Snow White and the Huntsman", "The Hobbit"..."

"The nominees for Best Artistic Director include "Pi", "The Hobbit", and "Lincoln"..."

After winning multiple technical award nominations, "Pi" subsequently received nominations for Best Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Ang Lee and Gil-Nette, who were originally anxious, unconsciously raised their heads and felt that their film was good again.

The two looked at each other and saw the same thing in each other's eyes: "It seems that the impact of the email scandal and subsequent visual effects spectacle reports was not as great as expected?"

Gil-Nate has been putting out fires everywhere during this time, and he also has a fire in his heart, but no one has put it out for him.

He couldn't help but whispered to Ang Lee: "If we can get the best director and best picture nominations as planned, after the luncheon is over, you accompany me to find Martin Davis and David... Let’s talk Finch.”

This was not in line with Ang Lee's usual style of hiding behind the scenes. He frowned slightly: "Isn't it bad to do this?"

Gil-Nate shook his head slightly. Ang Lee always likes to hide.

The work and purpose are deeply hidden.

Tom Sherak announced his nomination for Best Actor at this time, and Martin Davis once again received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for "Escape from Tehran."

But both Ang Lee and Gil Nate know very well that this bastard just won the award last year, and the role of Tony Mendes is not a breakthrough, so it is unlikely that he will win again.

Then, came the most critical nominations for Best Director and Best Film.

The first to be announced are the nominations for Best Director.

Li An looked up at the big screen and pricked up his ears.

"The nominees for Best Director are David Fincher, Steven Spielberg, David Russell, Michael Haneke, and Bach Zeitlin!"

Ang Lee didn't hear his own name, and looked at the name of the director and the title of the corresponding work displayed on the big screen one by one. There was neither his name nor the title of "Pi".

The raised head dropped slightly and Ang Lee sighed softly. His second attempt at Best Director failed like this?

Among the best movie nominations announced next, there was also no "Pi"!

Gil-Nate's hand under the table firmly grasped the arm of the chair.

Although it was nominated for a series of technical awards, the most important ones, Best Director and Best Picture, failed. "Pi"'s plan to win awards this year was a complete failure.

Those technical award nominations, even if they win all the statuettes, are still not as good as a performance award for Best Supporting Actor and Actor.

Not to mention the best director and best film among the four major awards.

Li An also felt very uncomfortable. In his opinion, this was the second time he had fallen into the hands of Martin Davis.

Last time, Brokeback Mountain lost out on Best Picture.

After the nomination list was announced, Ang Lee said: "Let's go."

Gil-Nate nodded: "There is no need to stay here anymore." He said to the people at the same table: "The nominees will take a group photo later."

Ang Lee stood up first and glanced at the crew of "Escape from Tehran" in front of him. Instead of going through the front door, he walked toward the back. There was another door in the banquet hall.

Gil-Nate followed behind and walked out in silence. It was not until he left the banquet hall that he said: "Nearly ten million dollars in public relations expenses."

Li An's face didn't look good either.

The two of them must give an explanation to the producer and distributor about this matter.

The film crew dedicated resources to compete for Oscars, but the two people directly responsible for it messed up.

The two came out of the hotel, ignored the reporters who gathered around them, got in the car, and asked the driver to go back to Century City.

"'Escape from Tehran' is going to be the biggest winner," Gil-Nette said.

"It can't be stopped." Li An knew this very well.

Of course, they can continue to find ways to discredit the film, but if they want to create a certain momentum among the public opinion, they must invest a lot of money.

The film studio will definitely not invest money.

Pay out of your own pocket? Ang Lee is not stupid.

Gil-Nate sighed: "I've done so much, but got such a result, I'm not satisfied."

Ang Lee smiled bitterly: "I am not willing to accept it, but what else can I do? I can only wait and see. If there is a suitable opportunity, I can engage people like Martin Davis or David Fincher."

Gil-Nate nodded: "That's all it can do."

It took Ang Lee several years to hold back the film "Pi", but he is a very tolerant person and knows that he cannot afford to offend someone of Martin Davis's level without a suitable opportunity.

I can only hold this breath for the time being.

…………

In the hotel banquet hall, the crew of "Escape from Tehran" was in jubilation.

Martin hugged David Fincher, Graham and Louise one by one to celebrate, and high-fived Tony Mendes who came over to watch.

These are just to boost morale for the next stage of winning prizes, not to mention popping champagne at halftime.

"Escape from Tehran" did not receive many nominations, with only five nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Picture.

Every weight is very important, even the best adapted screenplay and best editing are heavyweights in the minor awards.

David Fincher was very excited and said to Martin: "If I can win the Oscar this time, if you have any projects in the future, just come to me, it won't be a problem."

Martin laughed and said: “It’s just ‘Split’ for now.”

At this point, he suddenly thought of Joker. This type of film seems to be more in line with David Fincher's style.

There is no rush now, it will not be too late to talk again after the project script is released.

Under the joint promotion of Martin, the Nolans and Warner Pictures, in early 2013, DC Films decided to shoot and produce a separate "Joker" movie.

The project has been pushed through the Warner Bros. review board and once it gets the green light, it will be officially approved and announced to the public.

At the end of the luncheon, all the nominees, including Martin and David Fincher, came to the hotel lobby to take a group photo of the nominees.

This is an annual event at the Oscar Nominees Luncheon.

Correspondingly, there is the envy and disappointment of those who were not nominated.

Martin heard from the Warren Beatty couple that the Film Academy is planning to reform the nominees luncheon. In the future, the list of nominees will be announced in advance, and then the nominees luncheon will become only attended by nominees.

In this way, the college can not only save money on banquets, but also avoid some embarrassing scenes.

After the group photo was taken, Martin, Spielberg, and Daniel Day-Lewis standing in the C position chatted for a few words.

Martin did not ask the latter for acting advice. The two have completely different styles. Daniel Day-Lewis's acting style of not being crazy or living is not suitable for him.

Instead, it was Spielberg who specifically said to Martin: "If there is a suitable opportunity in the future, let's work together."

On this occasion, Martin would of course say something beautiful: "Steven, you are my dream director. I am watching "Jaws," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "ET" and "Jurassic Park." I grew up watching your movies.”

The two chatted for a short time.