Sex, Lies, and Videotape

As the Sundance Film Festival came to an end, many people saw the well-received "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" as having come away empty-handed, without receiving recognition from the Sundance Film Festival.

This immediately put Steven Soderbergh, who had been fairly confident, in a difficult position. Several independent distributors that had originally shown interest in the film also began to back away.

"Relax, Steven. Don't rush," Aaron comforted Steven Soderbergh in the hotel room.

"Come on, how can I not be anxious?"

Steven Soderbergh sighed. "Rysher Entertainment, Savoy Pictures, Trimark Pictures—these independent film companies are all taking a wait-and-see approach. They don't have enough confidence in the film."

"Since 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' didn't receive Sundance's recognition, they're worried that a film they spend money to acquire will fail!"

Aaron Anderson smiled. "It's not that they don't dare buy the film. They just don't want to pay what it's actually worth."

"You don't want to sell it cheap either, do you?"

Was "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" difficult to sell?

No. It was still a matter of price. The offers these companies were willing to make were far below what Steven Soderbergh and Aaron Anderson had expected.

Sure enough, by evening, a representative from another independent distributor, Miramax, arrived.

Miramax's representative, Harvey Weinstein, would become enormously famous in the future, but for now, he was merely an independent film distributor who relied on "sex" films to draw attention.

"I'd heard that the negotiator for 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' was a young man, but I didn't expect you to be this young."

Harvey Weinstein couldn't help clicking his tongue as he looked at Aaron Anderson.

"With your build and looks, it'd be such a waste if you didn't become a star!"

Aaron Anderson smiled and, out of respect for his profession, shook the man's hand. "Good evening, Mr. Weinstein. I'm Aaron Anderson, director Steven Soderbergh's representative."

Harvey Weinstein nodded. "Let's not waste time. One price: Miramax offers $600,000 for the North American theatrical rights and videotape rights to 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape.'"

"I don't think any film company can offer more than that."

Steven Soderbergh's eyes stirred. He was clearly tempted, but Aaron Anderson stopped him with a look, signaling him not to interrupt.

Sitting on the sofa, Aaron Anderson lit a cigarette and took a drag. "'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' is an excellent film. You know it, and so do I."

"Sundance's indifference doesn't really mean anything."

"No." Harvey Weinstein shook his head.

"It means risk."

"Hahaha, risk is opportunity." Aaron looked at him. "Right now, aside from Sylvester Stallone's blockbuster action films, gangster dramas and family melodramas also have sizable markets."

"'Rain Man,' which was released late last year, just won Best Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globe Awards, and its box office keeps climbing. That shows the family drama market has always been huge."

"'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' may not compare to 'Rain Man,' but surely its prospects are worth more than this?"

"Harvey, you need to understand that there are plenty of arthouse films about sex and lies, but Steven added videotapes to this one. That's the genius of the idea!"

"Aaron, film distribution also depends on the ratio of investment to return," Harvey Weinstein reminded him.

Aaron shook his head. "We don't care about this Sundance Film Festival at all. 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' will be sent directly to Cannes next."

"This kind of film will definitely have extraordinary appeal for the Cannes Film Festival. Several producers at CAA think highly of it."

"If no film company distributes it, CAA will send it to Cannes and use the Cannes Film Festival platform to find buyers. A good film can't possibly stay buried!"

Harvey Weinstein had been interested the moment he saw the film's title, and after watching the finished product, he had become even more certain.

Yet he hadn't expected the other side's representative to think just as highly of it.

"What price are you asking?" Harvey Weinstein asked.

Aaron held up two fingers. "$2 million for the North American theatrical rights!"

"That's impossible." Harvey Weinstein rose to his feet at once.

"Then can you provide a release slot and guarantee screenings in no fewer than two hundred theaters?"

"Of course not. Steven Soderbergh is a first-time director, and the actors are complete unknowns. We can't make that promise!"

"Harvey, you and I both know this film has tremendous potential, and Steven Soderbergh has confidence in it too." Aaron's face was filled with confidence.

"Once it goes to Cannes, this film will definitely shine. By then, distributors will be bidding against each other!"

Harvey Weinstein's expression changed. "No independent film at Sundance has ever sold for a high price of over a million dollars."

"Mm, I believe there will be one this year."

"Two million is impossible. One million for the theatrical rights and videotape rights."

Aaron shook his head. "Impossible. For the North American theatrical and videotape rights, the minimum is $3.5 million!"

"Aaron, you're too greedy. If you insist on this, 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' will definitely never make it into theaters."

"No, you underestimate CAA. I contacted Ms. Paula Wagner earlier and sent her a copy. She likes it very much too!"

Aaron had to bring out an important name to bolster his position now. Tom Cruise's agent carried enough weight.

As for CAA chairman Michael Ovitz, he was currently shuttling between the United States and Japan, helping Japanese electronics giant Sony acquire Columbia TriStar Pictures, a major Hollywood studio.

"Don't forget, Cannes is the real battlefield. I think you understand how much European filmmakers love this kind of arthouse film."

Harvey Weinstein sighed. "$800,000 for the theatrical rights!"

Aaron shook his head. "I think we should wait until Cannes to continue this discussion."

As he spoke, Aaron stood up.

Harvey Weinstein took a deep breath. "One million dollars for the North American theatrical rights!"

Steven Soderbergh's breathing grew rapid, and his face had already turned red.

Aaron stubbed out his cigarette. "One final price: $1.2 million. We'll fully cooperate with Miramax in taking the film to Cannes."

"Since Steven financed the film through loans, Miramax must pay in cash within one week!"

"Fine. I'll have someone prepare the contract as soon as possible." Harvey stood up directly, preparing to leave first.

Then he turned back for another look. "Aaron Anderson, right? You're very good!"

After Harvey Weinstein left, Steven Soderbergh could no longer contain himself. He jumped up. "Aaron, have I ever told you that you're a genius?"

"$1.2 million for the North American theatrical rights! Do you know you just made history?"

Steven Soderbergh's own target price had only been eight or nine hundred thousand dollars, and that had included both the North American theatrical rights and videotape rights.

Even he didn't have as much confidence in the film as Aaron Anderson did.

Aaron took a breath. "Miramax just made a headline for itself too—the most expensive independent film deal at this year's Sundance Film Festival!"

Judging from the other man's performance just now, Aaron had already realized that he had asked for too little.

No wonder Harvey Weinstein would become so famous in the future. Sometimes, that fat man's eye for talent was truly sharp!