Richard - Jonathan Dana phoned to tell me he was representing the film. I knew virtually nothing about it. He sent me a screener, and I watched it and was fascinated. I wasn't sure I understood everything, but I was intrigued and fully captivated, and discussed it further with Jonathan. About a week later, he asked me how I felt about it and I said, “I need to see it again and really think about it.” And he said, “You'd better watch it quickly, because I got Betsy Chasse coming to town day after tomorrow, and she wants to meet with you.”
So I watched it and Betsy and I had a great conversation about it and shortly thereafter. we were working on an agreement for my representing the movie for international sales.
Herald - What was it that grabbed you about the movie?
Richard - It was something very different - something that really challenged the mind, the intellect. It made me think. There were ideas and concepts in it that perhaps were working in my subconscious, or that I had briefly considered. But in the film they were addressed very succinctly, very clearly. And I thought they were important themes and ideas, and I felt that there could be some interest in this movie in other parts of the world.
Herald – Where was the movie in its US release at the time?
Richard - The film hadn't been released very long, but had already grossed about 2 million in the box office. I thought there might be business internationally, but I didn't have a real clue. Not knowing how it would be received, I decided to just jump into the void with it, if you will.
Herald - So how was it received? Were there any surprises there for you?
Richard - There were a couple of people who understood early and responded. But most people sort of looked at me, scratched their heads and shrugged. But the biggest surprise to me came in February of 2005. By that time the film had grossed $10 million or so in the United States. I screened it in the market at the Berlin Film Festival, and was ecstatic that on a Sunday night at 7:30, a film that wasn't even in the festival itself - just in the marketplace - pulled in 125 buyers from all around the world to see it.
I was devastated when, within the first ten minutes, about 20 people walked out. Within the next five minutes another 30 walked out. And by 30 minutes into the show I had 18 people remaining. I sent Will an e-mail, and he probably thought I was borderline suicidal. I was just devastated. I couldn't figure out what the hell was going on.
But I was also surprised because, if nothing else, you're in the film business. And here was a movie that had grossed ten to $12 million theatrically in the United States. How can you leave five or 15 minutes into the movie? Next > 1 2 3
