Sitting in the movie theater, Powell felt a bit bored.
He wasn't a fan of Gilbert, nor did he enjoy the kind of blockbusters that Gilbert's fans boasted about. On the contrary, he preferred films with a more artistic touch, like The Sixth Sense.
He had gotten this premiere ticket because he heard that Flipped was going to be a low-budget art film, so he casually joined an online raffle held by Melon Studio.
He didn't expect to be so lucky and win.
Since it was a weekday, he had to take time off from work and travel from Boston to attend the premiere.
Powell worked in Cambridge, Boston, as a sociology professor at Harvard University an elite intellectual by American standards.
In this era, American university professors weren't affected by the woke trend, nor were they subject to woke buffs.
Even if you were biologically male, identified as an attack helicopter, a vegetarian, and a member of an animal rights group, if your academic ability was lacking, you still couldn't become a university professor.
Essentially, although universities in this era also cared about social connections and networking, if you didn't have the capability, it just didn't work.
So Powell was the type of professor with real substance. He had published several sociological works, all well received.
Especially his analyses of North American society in the 1950s and 1960s these books were adopted by many North American universities as textbooks and standard references.
Unfortunately, the premiere ticket only came with one seat. Otherwise, Powell would've loved to bring his wife and daughter along to watch it could've been fun.
He didn't attend the red carpet ceremony beforehand and instead went straight into the screening hall.
At fifty-five years old, he was a middle-aged man. Squeezing in with a bunch of young people felt a bit undignified.
Youth is full of energy, passion, and stardom-chasing that's their privilege. An old man like him should act with a bit more composure.
On the red carpet, Gilbert appeared alongside the two main stars, Scarlett Johansson and Robert Pattinson.
Scarlett Johansson was used to these kinds of events. She had been attending red carpet ceremonies with Gilbert since childhood, even walked the Oscars she had that star aura.
Robert Pattinson, on the other hand, had been a virtual unknown before starring in Flipped. He didn't have much acting experience, let alone experience walking red carpets.
Seeing Robert Pattinson looking nervous, Gilbert comforted him: "Don't be nervous. Just try to keep smiling and wave to the fans around you.
Look, Scarlett's doing great."
Robert looked at Scarlett. Sure enough, she was composed and graceful posing for the media and occasionally interacting with fans, signing autographs and such.
Meanwhile, Robert felt uncomfortable in his suit and struggled with the flashes from all the cameras.
This was his required course for entering Hollywood: getting used to the camera flashes.
Robert couldn't help but admire Scarlett under the barrage of flashes, she didn't even blink and maintained her perfect poise.
At the end of the red carpet, when the fan interaction segment finished, the event's temporary host was already waiting.
Undoubtedly, as a low-budget production without A-list stars, the biggest focus of Flipped was Gilbert himself.
But Gilbert had no intention of stealing the media spotlight. He simply answered two questions, praised the cast and crew, and briefly teased his next project.
Then Gilbert stepped aside, leaving the stage to Scarlett and Robert Pattinson.
The host asked first: "Scarlett, Robert what was it like working with Director Gilbert?"
Robert Pattinson went blank for a second. Looking at the sea of fans below the stage, he got nervous and couldn't find his words.
Scarlett, however, remained composed. She was used to scenes like this, having been seasoned by experience.
"It was great. This is the first time I've officially starred in one of Gilbert's films before, I only had cameos or supporting roles," Scarlett said with a hint of grievance.
But she quickly changed tone: "This time, I really enjoyed the shoot. I loved the story. And as for Gilbert's skills no need to say more.
Robert was great too. Don't be fooled by how nervous he is now this was his first lead role, but he performed really well on set. I believe that after watching the film, many girls will fall for him."
After speaking, Scarlett turned to Gilbert as if asking how she did.
Gilbert gave her a thumbs up. Scarlett's answer helped ease Robert Pattinson's awkwardness.
Though still a bit nervous, at least he wasn't stammering anymore thanks to Scarlett's remarks.
Robert said: "It was a dreamlike experience. One day, you're told you're making a movie with Gilbert one of the best directors in the world. The feeling is just indescribable.
I felt nervous, excited, expectant, and uneasy all at once.
But during filming, Director Gilbert guided me really well.
He taught me how to act, how to deliver the emotions the director wanted.
Filming is no easy task especially when several cameras are pointed at you. It's hard not to look into the lens and still complete your performance.
But Director Gilbert was so patient. He didn't scold me for my terrible takes. Instead, he tolerated, encouraged, and taught me.
This movie might look like a small production, but we all poured our hearts into it. I hope everyone likes it."
Gilbert didn't say much the focus of tonight was on the two actors, and they certainly got attention.
Down below, a few reporters taking pictures whispered among themselves. One looked at the young Robert Pattinson with envy: "I heard this is Robert Pattinson's first movie—and he's working with Gilbert.
That's a pretty high starting point!"
"Yeah," another reporter nodded in agreement. "Compared to many Hollywood stars who clawed their way up from the bottom, he's basically skipping steps."
"But becoming famous young isn't always a good thing," one reporter commented. "A lot of child stars burn out later in life."
"Didn't Scarlett also become famous young? And she's doing fine now!"
"Hey, look who's backing her. As long as Gilbert's around, Scarlett won't face the same pitfalls that usually plague child stars.
Wasn't Flipped basically a personal project by Gilbert to promote her?" said a seasoned reporter.
Indeed, from the outside, many couldn't understand why Gilbert would make a movie like this. The prevailing theory: to launch Scarlett Johansson.
In that light, Scarlett was actually doing better than Spielberg's goddaughters. Of course, those goddaughters often brought trouble on themselves.
Drew Barrymore was doing okay her Flower Films studio was doing pretty well.
But Gwyneth Paltrow wasn't as lucky. She lost her Best Actress Oscar to Naomi Watts. In recent years, her movies had flopped both critically and commercially, and she was becoming a box office poison.
One couldn't help but wonder when Gwyneth Paltrow dreams at midnight, does she regret parting ways with Gilbert back then?
If they hadn't separated, maybe Naomi Watts's place today would've been Gwyneth Paltrow's.
But let's be realistic: with Paltrow's difficult temper, even if she didn't want to break up, Gilbert surely would've kicked her aside. She wasn't some dowager empress no need to bring misery on herself.
The rest of the cast appeared one by one, along with several guests showing support. Naomi Watts, as the matriarch of Melon Estate, also showed up. Her baby bump was starting to show a bit, but today she wore loose casual clothes instead of a gown, so no one could tell.
No one said Naomi Watts was disrespecting the premiere her relaxed attire made her seem like part of the family with Gilbert and Scarlett. Because only with family would you dress so comfortably.
Indeed, during interviews, Naomi treated Scarlett like a little sister, her admiration and fondness clear in every word.
But the biggest surprise at the premiere was Charlize Theron's return. Her Monster was set to premiere in the December awards season as a limited release, aiming for Oscar contention.
Although everyone believed Return of the King would sweep the 2003 Oscars, it wasn't expected to be competitive in Best Actor or Best Actress.
After filming Monster, Charlize Theron spent months recovering her look and figure, and arrived at the Flipped premiere fully back in the public eye.
Since The Matrix made her a star, Theron remained stunning after recovery, with an added powerful presence regal, queen‑like.
Returning to the public spotlight, Charlize Theron made a gorgeous appearance and walked confidently.
After the red carpet, fans and media without screening tickets dispersed. The rest entered the theater for the second segment. Charlize then took a seat next to Gilbert.
Gilbert and Theron already knew each other. Rumor said that after Naomi Watts became pregnant, Theron spent three nights with Gilbert alone. Tonight, Theron looked radiant those three nights seemed thoroughly satisfying.
"I haven't seen the movie yet, don't know the story. Is it any good?" Charlize asked curiously.
"Charlie, you know Scarlett might not be thrilled to hear that she always thinks her movies are the best," Naomi laughed.
"Then that's my mistake," Charlize instantly apologized, then asked Gilbert, "Darling, once I win the Oscar, what path should I take?"
Ha! The Oscars haven't even happened yet, and Theron's already planning her post-win route. But from another angle, she seemed brimming with confidence and real potential. Besides, Gilbert's backing gave her peace of mind sure she wouldn't miss out on Best Actress.
Gilbert typically didn't interfere in the careers or film choices of the women around him. Monster was Charlize's own pick. His only intervention had been with Naomi Watts when Harvey Weinstein tried to lure Naomi by promising her an Oscar, Gilbert stepped in and stopped it.
Since then, all the women around him knew that Gilbert didn't like Harvey Weinstein, so they instinctively avoided Harvey's projects. It proved that although Weinstein was adept at pushing for Oscars, he wasn't invincible after all, the Academy doesn't belong to him.
And as for raunchier roles, even though Gilbert never explicitly forbade them, the women instinctively wouldn't take them.
Gilbert thought for a moment, then offered Charlize some advice: "I think once you win the Oscar, you should venture into the fashion world and public philanthropy. Both can effectively maintain your status as an A‑list actress.
As for future scripts, if you're unsure which roles to take, come ask me I can offer some reference."
On the outside Charlize Theron gave off queen‑like composure: confident, radiant, dominating. But around Gilbert, she unconsciously revealed a shy side, her voice softening completely instinctive, not even noticed by herself.
Hearing Gilbert's suggestion, Theron felt happy at this stage, she just needed the two of them to have a child. "Tonight I'll get back and work on it," Charlize thought.
After this interlude, the film screening began. Powell, seated in the back row, had been waiting a long time and was starting to feel worn out.
But as the movie started, he jolted awake adjusting his glasses, he prepared to watch attentively. Apart from lucky people like him, celebrities and media aside, the rest of the audience were Gilbert's devoted fans.
No matter the film, fans would definitely give it high marks. But Powell could evaluate the film from an objective standpoint.
The moment the film began, a filter washed over the visuals. The story was set in the 1950s–60s just the era Powell lived through.
The narrative unfolded through dual perspectives: starting with the heroine Julie's viewpoint new neighbors moved in near her home. Julie enthusiastically pitched in and saw the male lead Bryce, whose star‑bright eyes immediately captivated her. So Julie fell for the boy next door.
From Bryce's perspective, the neighborly girl was annoying she kept pestering him, and he devised many ways to shake her off.
The first ten‑odd minutes of the film recount the same events from both sides. Though this method is common in Hollywood, Gilbert's skill lies in filming it with surprising brilliance and evoking wry smiles from the audience.
Powell was already immersed in the atmosphere the film created, stirred by nostalgia. He'd lived through that era and watching the movie reminded him of the past.
He and his current wife had met the same way. Powell sank into memories, clearly moved by how the film evoked his own experiences. Many of the young fans there were probably recalling their own first loves childhood crushes on boys or girls.
That's the appeal of nostalgia maybe the film's biggest selling point lies in that.
....
Hi For access to additional chapters of
Director in Hollywood (40 chpaters)
Made In Hollywood (60 Chapters)
Pokemon:Bounty Hunter(30 Chapters)
Douluo Dalu: Reincarnated as Yan(40 Chapters)
Hollywood:From Razzie to Legend(40 Chapters)
The Great Ruler (30 Chapters)
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu