Chapter 16: Let the Applause Begin

Upon entering the theater, Robert glanced around casually; the seats were about half full. He didn't head to the front row but instead sat in the very last row and said to Catherine and Eric, "You two go ahead and sit wherever you'd like, no need to stick with me."

Catherine and Eric exchanged a few words and then sat on the other side of the aisle.

Robert took off his wool coat and noticed that many people in the front rows were drinking coffee. He turned to his assistant and said, "Simon, go grab me a coffee."

Simon went to the concession stand, saw some instant black coffee in paper cups on the counter, and asked, "Is this all you have?"

"Yes, that's all," Mason explained. "It's free with the movie, no charge. The director is covering it."

Simon took a cup and asked, "How many do you need?"

Simon grabbed one cup and returned to the theater, handing it to Robert, saying, "They only have instant coffee; it was provided by the film crew."

Robert took a sip. "Using free coffee to lure people in—clever idea," he remarked. He then instructed, "Hand out the surveys, collect them when the movie ends. No need to return to me; find your own seats."

This was the usual procedure, and the four assistants went off to distribute the surveys. The doors closed, and the movie began.

In the third row, Hawk received a survey and a complimentary pen. The survey was straightforward, asking for a post-screening rating with a maximum of five stars. Hawk was relieved, seeing that nothing unexpected had happened. Whether or not the deal went through, he had already made a profit on this venture.

The audience, fueled by the strong black coffee, was alert. Despite a large Mexican cast in the film, most people kept their eyes fixed on the screen.

One older girl yawned, clearly bored, while a younger girl next to her glared as if the older one was stealing her allowance. The older girl quickly straightened up and focused on the movie.

Across the aisle, a bearded man noticed someone in front of him leaning to one side and gave the back of their seat a kick. The person immediately sat up straight.

Simon chose a seat, his eyes scanning the audience periodically as he watched the film. He wasn't particularly interested in this Mexican-focused movie, but he was surprised to see how engrossed the nearby white audience was, watching intently.

The other three assistants had similar experiences, though they were not surprised; they'd often seen films they personally found dull that turned out to be well-received by audiences.

Once the movie started, Robert didn't touch his coffee again. The film followed a neatly structured three-act format, telling a redemption story popular with Hollywood and American audiences. It touched on themes of family and friendship, and though the production was a bit rough, the budget constraints were clear. Even if a Hollywood studio had made it, the result wouldn't have been much different.

The only issue was, why wasn't the lead character white?

It had been a few years since Robert had seen a movie like this, and the last time, many people had walked out early. But to his surprise, this time, no one was leaving.

Robert observed from the back row that almost all the audience was deeply engaged, with hardly anyone even leaving for the restroom. This was unexpected.

As the movie reached its final act, Catherine breathed a sigh of relief. None of the viewers had left early, and Robert was still watching. While there wasn’t a particularly explosive atmosphere, the quiet attention of the audience was a good sign.

Catherine began to feel hopeful. The film might sell its rights and recoup its investment, possibly even turning a profit. She glanced at her boyfriend. He might be a bit of a sycophant, but he certainly knew how to help elevate her standing.

The film came to an end, and the credits started rolling.

Hawk, who had been prepared for this, started clapping first. The people around him followed suit, and soon the entire theater erupted in applause.

Everyone in the audience was clapping.

Hawk was the first to stand, giving a standing ovation! Others who had been prepped beforehand also stood and clapped. From the back left, Larson stood up, encouraging those around him to follow.

In different areas of the theater, the four assistants, including Brand and the bearded man, also stood up. The people around them followed suit, giving a standing ovation.

The entire audience was on its feet, clapping!

The applause lasted for thirty seconds, then a minute…

Catherine remembered Hawk's instructions and pulled Eric’s arm. “Idiot, go take a bow!”

The actors of District Heights were all temporary hires, and the only one from the crew present was the director himself. Eric had never experienced such a scene, and the applause overwhelmed him. He got up and hurried to the front, almost tripping in his nervousness.

Hawk thought his nervousness added to the authenticity of the moment, increasing its impact.

A rookie director receiving such recognition—excitement, shock, confusion...

Eric stood in front of the screen and bowed to the audience.

Hawk kept clapping and even intensified his effort, and those around him clapped harder as well. The applause grew even louder.

Eric straightened up and bowed again.

Hawk glanced down at his phone in the cup holder—less than four minutes had passed, so he wasn’t in a hurry.

The applause continued.

The excitement spread to the back row. Robert slowly rose and started clapping gently.

Everyone has their own criteria for judging films. As a commercial manager for a film company, Robert’s standard was simple: A good movie is one that the audience likes.

That’s what makes it commercially viable.

In the past, movies that received such enthusiastic applause at film festivals often went on to be successful.

Larson and the bearded man glanced through the crowd and spotted Hawk. In their minds, they were cursing him. The applause was going on too long, and their hands were starting to hurt.

Up by the screen, Eric bowed again, thinking to himself, "When will this end? Are they trying to clap their hands raw?"

Hawk had been keeping track of time, and when the six-minute mark hit, he stopped clapping and sat back down. The applause gradually died down, and the audience followed suit, taking their seats.

Hawk had been a bit conservative. In another five or six years, this kind of thing would become standard practice at major European film festivals, with applause lasting ten minutes or more.

“Thank you! Thank you!” Eric shouted gratefully.

The applause started up again.

As the film ended, the audience began to leave. Robert’s assistants stood by the exits, collecting as many surveys as possible to get immediate feedback.

Simon was gathering surveys when a bearded man approached and asked quietly, "I’ve got a question for you. You’re from Hollywood, right? Have you heard if Winona Ryder really stole the underwear Bill wore in Zipline?"

Simon was taken aback. He had no idea and thought, "Am I less informed than the fans?"

Hawk quickly handed his survey to someone else and distanced himself from the conversation.

As the audience left the theater, they headed excitedly to Alpine Pizza. Hawk had done everything he could, and now the outcome was beyond his control. He joined the others at the pizza place.

Keeping his word, he pulled out the $10 bills he had Bill exchange earlier and handed one to each person.

The film festival had just begun, and he’d likely need this crowd again later.

The bearded man found Hawk in the crowd, handed him a beer, and toasted him. “Here’s to you, buddy!”

Hawk took a swig, bumped fists with him, and then toasted with the silent Brand.

Brand suddenly remembered something—the $1,000 party expense had fallen on George Hansen.