Chapter 375: The Meeting

Chapter 375: Chapter 375: The Meeting

There was no denying it; this was an exceptional story.

With sincere emotions, delicate writing, well-rounded characters, and a sense of tragic beauty, it was exactly the kind of material Ang Lee excelled at.

That style of using restrained narration to convey intense emotions suited Ang Lee much better than a commercial blockbuster like The Hulk.

If filmed well, this movie could very likely become Ang Lee’s comeback, and might even have a shot at the Oscar.

Yet, the problem lay precisely in the subject matter.

In today’s Hollywood, LGBT subject matter still remained on the fringes.

Although there were successful cases like The Wedding Banquet and Philadelphia, those films were either light comedies or focused on social issues.

A film that directly and deeply depicted love between two men, like Brokeback Mountain, had never had a large-scale release before.

What Kevin worried about was that no matter how well the film was made, its sensitive subject matter might restrict its release, preventing it from entering mainstream theaters and limiting it to small-scale screenings in art-house cinemas, which would severely diminish its box office and influence.

In that case, not only would it fail to help Ang Lee return to the public eye, but it might also get him labeled as a "niche director," completely cutting him off from the commercial blockbuster market.

More importantly, American society at the time had limited acceptance of the LGBT community, and this film would likely trigger strong opposition from conservatives, possibly even leading to boycotts.

For Ang Lee’s career, this was a huge risk.

After agonizing over it for a whole night, Kevin finally made a decision.

He called Ang Lee again, his tone firm.

"Ang Lee, stop vacationing on the cruise ship and pack your things to come to Los Angeles immediately."

"We must talk to Irene Coppola in person and get a clear picture of Brokeback Mountain, including her production plans, distribution strategies, budget arrangements, and her expectations for this subject matter."

"Only when we have all of this figured out can we decide whether or not to take on this project."

Ang Lee was silent on the other end for a few seconds before saying, "Alright, I will book a flight to Los Angeles tomorrow."

He knew that Kevin’s worries were not unfounded.

The project was indeed full of unknown risks, and only through face-to-face communication could they make the safest decision.

After hanging up, Ang Lee walked to the balcony and looked out at the port of Bergen in the night.

The lights were brilliant, and the waves still gently lapped against the pier, but his heart was in turmoil.

The story of Brokeback Mountain was like a seed that had taken root in his heart, making it hard for him to let go, yet the risks of the subject matter were like a chasm that made him hesitate.

He did not know what the outcome of this trip to Los Angeles would be, nor did he know if he would ultimately take on the project.

But he knew this might be the most important choice of his career so far; one wrong step and he could lose everything, but if he seized this opportunity, it might lead to a new turning point.

The next morning, Ang Lee completed the paperwork to disembark early, reluctantly said goodbye to the "Nordic Star" cruise ship, and embarked on his journey to Los Angeles.

His heart was filled with both anxiety and anticipation; he hoped to reach a cooperation with Irene but also feared that this sensitive subject matter would bring him irreparable losses.

Meanwhile, in Malibu, Irene also received a call from Kevin and learned that Ang Lee was about to come to Los Angeles to discuss the cooperation for Brokeback Mountain in person.

She was full of confidence in this film, but at the same time, she fully understood the other party’s concerns.

Since this film could achieve huge success in her previous life, it was impossible for it to fail in her hands.

As long as she could make Ang Lee trust her, feel her sincerity, and understand her plan for the project, she would definitely not miss this opportunity.

She immediately began organizing the project materials for Brokeback Mountain, including the script adaptation ideas, production budget, and distribution strategy, while also arranging for Ang Lee’s reception.

She knew that this meeting was crucial; it not only concerned the success or failure of Brokeback Mountain but also whether her cooperation with Ang Lee could proceed smoothly.

Besides the preparations for Brokeback Mountain, Irene also received some good news.

Lisa told her that the copyright negotiations for A Song of Ice and Fire had made new progress.

George R.R. Martin’s agent indicated that Future World Pictures’ terms were very attractive, and Martin himself was very interested in Irene’s creative philosophy and hoped to talk to her in person.

Irene had Lisa schedule a meeting with Martin for next Friday; after all, being too eager would inevitably make others think she was a pushover, and she still needed to make the other party feel that she did not absolutely need them.

Future World Pictures’ headquarters had moved twice and was now located in the heart of Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.

The glass-curtain office building shone brightly in the sunlight, and the logo at the entrance was simple and powerful, demonstrating the ambition and strength of this emerging film and television company.

Irene arrived at the office half an hour early, and the assistant had already prepared the conference room: light-colored leather sofas, a conference table with a natural wood texture, fresh white roses on the table, and three cups of warm coffee, creating a relaxed yet professional atmosphere.

At exactly ten o’clock in the morning, Ang Lee and his agent, Kevin, arrived on time.

Dressed in a dark gray suit, Ang Lee looked more professional than he had in his casual attire on the cruise ship, though there was still a trace of travel fatigue in his eyes.

Kevin was carrying a black briefcase, his expression serious, clearly well-prepared for the discussion.

"Ang Lee, Mr. Kevin, welcome to Future World Pictures."

Irene stood up with a smile to welcome them and shook hands with both of them. "You have had a long journey. Please sit down, have some coffee, and rest."

"Irene, the speed of your company’s development is truly impressive."

After sitting down, Ang Lee swept his gaze across the spacious and bright conference room and could not help but exclaim.

"It is just good luck, plus the support of my team."

Irene smiled modestly. "Compared to Director Ang Lee’s achievements in the film industry, I still have a long way to go. By the way, was your cruise trip smooth? Do you feel any regrets about ending it early?"

Mentioning the cruise trip, a relieved smile appeared on Ang Lee’s face.

"It was fine. Although it was a bit rushed, it was definitely worth the trip."

"The scenery in Northern Europe is beautiful, especially the natural landscape of the fjords; it is serene and magnificent, which helped me relax quite a bit after having been tense for so long."

"Plus, this trip led me to Brokeback Mountain, which was a pleasant surprise."

He paused and added, "This period of reflection has also helped me clarify many things."

"As a director, I cannot keep dwelling on past achievements, nor can I shrink back because of one failure; I must dare to try different subjects and challenge myself."

Kevin nodded from the side. "Speaking of which, we have to thank you, Irene. If it were not for your invitation, Ang Lee might still be on the cruise ship, agonizing over what to do next."

"It is my honor to have you join."

Irene took a sip of coffee.

The warm coffee slid down her throat, easing the slight awkwardness of their first meeting, and the atmosphere gradually became more harmonious.