America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 844 La La Land

As a film made entirely in Los Angeles, La La Land's premiere was naturally held in Los Angeles.

The pre-release promotion focused on one theme: Martin Davis's first time singing on the big screen.

First times in life always spark endless imagination and attract special attention.

On the day of the premiere, the number of moviegoers at the Los Angeles Music Center was no less than that of Martin Scorsese's other film premieres.

Besides the main cast and crew, Taylor Swift, who happened to be in Los Angeles, accepted Martin's invitation to attend the premiere.

As Taylor walked down the long red carpet, looking at the frenzied fans on both sides wearing red Coca-Cola T-shirts, she suddenly felt a strange, mysterious force wafting through the air.

Is this the power of faith?

She had no idea that at the headquarters of the Cult of Cola in Atlanta, High Priest Robert was praying.

Taylor muttered to herself as she walked to the media area, confidently showing off her long legs and beautiful back.

Martin was being interviewed in the media area when the host immediately pulled Taylor over.

"There are quite a few scenes in this film where the male lead sings." The host looked at Taylor and asked Martin loudly, "You and Taylor are good friends, did you ask her for advice?"

Martin said seriously, "Of course. Back in the film's preparation stage, I went to Nashville to ask Taylor for advice on many singing issues. She helped me solve a lot of difficulties. If it weren't for her careful guidance, I wouldn't have been able to perform so well in the film."

The host then asked Taylor, "What do you think of Martin as a student?"

Taylor said with a smile, "Martin is very talented in singing. He can learn many techniques very quickly. I think he should consider developing in the music field. Maybe we will see a new pop king."

Beyond the mutual flattery, Taylor also wanted to be practical: "I'm planning to invite Martin to be my guest performer on my next tour."

This news is sure to attract attention, so the host asked, "Is this true?"

Taylor gave Martin a very peculiar look.

Martin understood, after all, he had already been a special guest performer at Taylor's concert.

Taylor Swift's New York concert this year is considered a classic by her fans. Even after halfway through the show, the quality of her singing did not decline and remained at a very high level.

Martin said, "Of course, I accepted Taylor's invitation."

The brief interview ended there, and Martin and Taylor left the media area together and went into the theater.

Taylor said as they walked, "How wonderful it would be if we could invite you to every concert."

Martin shrugged: "You're busy, and so am I. It's okay to attend one or two events occasionally."

"Ah, it would be nice if you could stay by my side." Taylor suddenly had an idea, moved closer to Martin, and said in a low voice, "How about this, before my next tour starts, let's set aside a week to spend time together."

Martin had a bad feeling and asked, "Taylor, what are you trying to do?"

Taylor blinked, her eyes innocent, and said, "I don't want to do anything, I just want to keep my singing voice, and only you can help me with that."

Her solution was simple: "I'll freeze it for a week, and then I'll take a portion during each concert when I change clothes."

Martin thought to himself, "Are you planning to become a machine?"

"That'll perfectly solve the problem!" Taylor, always meticulous, noticed Martin's strange expression and said, "I understand! I understand! If I take it, I'll definitely have to pay a price. I'll get a bunch of girls with me, and as for me... how about that?"

Martin could do it on the spot, but absolutely not. He immediately refused: "Are you planning to kill me? A week is enough to kill someone. Let's do it on the spot."

Taylor was quick-witted and immediately understood Martin's concerns: "Don't be afraid."

Martin, who had been through a DNA paternity test, was very cautious about such matters, saying, "I'm not worried about you, I'm worried about other people."

Taylor had no choice but to say, "Okay, I'll send a plane to pick you up for the most important concert."

The two entered the VIP room together.

Director Damien Chazelle then approached Martin and said, "Let's talk for a bit."

Taylor immediately released Martin's arm: "I saw a friend."

After she left, Damien Chazelle asked, "Martin, the Whiplash project?"

It was because of this short film that he came to Martin's attention and eventually became the director of "La La Land".

Martin, of course, wouldn't go back on his promise. He said, "I've already asked the studio to prepare the materials and register the relevant studio. You gather your team, and once the promotional period for La La Land is over, we can start preparing for Whiplash."

He then asked, "Do you need to rest for a while?"

"No need," Damien said. "I've rested for too long."

Martin cautioned, "You only have a budget of $1000 million, so plan ahead."

Damien nodded and quickly went elsewhere.

Director Denis Villeneuve, whom he had just met this year, came to his side and asked, "Was it going well?"

Damien smiled. "Very smoothly, Martin... how should I put it, very trustworthy."

Villeneuve said, "Although I sometimes like to interfere in the casting of leading actresses and important supporting actresses, I never break my promises and I don't interfere in the filming process. I like working with investors and producers like that."

Damien asked, "Your Sisinar has started filming?"

"Filming has just begun." Villeneuve rubbed his temples. "The lead actress, Alexandra Daddario, is a headache. Her acting isn't very good. When filming gunfight scenes, with all the big movements, the audience's attention will be easily distracted, and they might not focus on the film itself."

Damien, who had also experienced Martin cramming actresses into his productions, said, "Actresses are fine as they come. Investors and producers like Martin just put a few pretty actresses in the crew and don't interfere much in other aspects. How many places in Hollywood can you find such a relaxed filming and production environment?"

Villeneuve, recalling his partner Taylor Sheridan's new idea, said, "I also want to continue working with Martin, and it would be best if we could get him to play the male lead."

Their collaboration, "The Town," has long since finished its run in North America and is nearing the end of its overseas screenings. The film has achieved great commercial success.

The film ultimately grossed $2.23 million at the North American box office, but its overseas reception was slightly weaker, and it has yet to break $2 million. Its global box office totals $4.11 million.

As the time drew near, the guests began to head to their seats in the theater.

Led by Martin and Damien, the main cast and crew entered last.

Saoirse Ronan came over and automatically followed Martin, saying, "Teacher."

Martin nodded and asked with concern, "How did the audition for 'Beauty and the Beast' go?"

Saoirse replied, "With your recommendation, I can directly participate in the third round of auditions. The screenwriter is Greta, the choreographer is Mandy Moore, and you are one of the producers. I am very confident."

Martin said, "I'll also be there for the third round of auditions."

Saoirse laughed; she had learned a lot of her teacher's methods: "That way I can win fair and square."

The group then entered the screening room, and everyone fell silent as they entered amidst the applause of the audience.

After a brief media event, the main cast and crew took their seats in the front row.

Martin sat with Saoirse Ronan on one side and Clara on the other.

She knew that Martin and Saoirse had a close relationship, so aside from normal social interactions, she didn't talk to Martin much.

However, while sitting down, she secretly slipped a note into Martin's pocket containing her new home address.

Martin can go there anytime he wants.

Martin put the note away without saying anything more.

A few months ago, she recommended Clara to the cast of Avengers: Age of Ultron through Alan Horn.

Clara easily beat a fellow countrywoman in the audition and landed the role of one of the Korean-American female scientists.

According to South Korean media, Clara has become an international movie star.

A few rows later, the very tall Karlie Kloss arrived late, repeatedly apologizing, found Taylor's seat, and sat down in the empty seat next to her.

Taylor asked, "Why are you so late?"

Karlie Kloss said, "My agent called me at the last minute and told me to go back first thing tomorrow morning because there's a show I need to attend."

The lights gradually went out, and the screen lit up. Taylor nodded: "Let's watch a movie."

The film opens with a traffic jam and a song and dance show, which is also the first time the male and female protagonists meet.

After watching for only a short while, Karlie Kloss whispered, "Taylor, haven't you noticed how slutty this female lead is?!"

As the woman Katy Perry calls America's number one bitch, Taylor obviously saw through it, saying, "The female lead looks like she's pursuing her dreams, but actually... I can't comment."

Carly said, "Look, she turned her back on her boyfriend in such an important setting, even before they broke up, and ran off to find someone new."

She crossed her arms and said, "We're all bitches too, but we would never do anything this bitch."

When the film showed the scene of the male and female protagonists breaking up, Taylor couldn't help but say, "The female protagonist is too dramatic. The male protagonist's career had just started to take off, and she started complaining. Why? Because she couldn't find that sense of comfort from him anymore. He used to be a loser too, and she couldn't stand seeing him succeed, so she finally ruined his career."

People like Carly, who are in the entertainment industry, easily empathize with this: "Everything is hidden beneath dreams and artistic pursuits."

At this moment, the female lead's solo performance failed, and she returned to her hometown with a shattered heart. Taylor said in a low voice, "This movie is a bit strange."

As the film nears its end, the male protagonist pulls the female protagonist back to her artistic dreams. Unsurprisingly, the female protagonist leaves the male protagonist to pursue her dreams, and succeeds in doing so, even marrying a producer.

Carly said, "This ending isn't fairytale-like at all; it's too Hollywood."

Taylor understood: "Didn't you notice? Between love and dreams, the female protagonist chose her dreams, not the man who represented love..."

Carly suddenly realized: "This is what women like to see."

Taylor said, "Many female viewers may like it, and male viewers will like it too. After all, the female lead is essentially a bitch, and the male lead is lucky to leave her."

As the film neared its end, Carly turned to ask, "How was the musical number? You're a professional, after all."

"The choreography and design were both good, and the male and female leads performed very well." Taylor has some authority to speak on this: "Martin's dancing was better than his singing. His dancing was at a professional level, but his singing... was just so-so. The female lead's singing and dancing were both outstanding. If you ignore the star effect, her singing and dancing are actually better than Martin's."

In this regard, Carly believes Taylor, a professional singer.

The screening of "La La Land" has now ended.

For the average viewer, musicals are mainly about having fun. If the songs and dances are good and the story is passable, it's enough to make the viewing experience enjoyable.

The audience erupted in thunderous applause.

After the routine curtain call, the premiere ended.

Martin waited a while before coming out of Chandler Hall and getting directly into Taylor's car.

Besides Taylor, Karlie Kloss was also in the car.

Taylor started the car and said as he drove, "I called Blake Lively; she'll be at the Ritz-Carlton soon. You don't need to go home tonight, right?"

"Nobody's home." Martin stretched and put his arm around Carly, who was in the back seat. "I thought you weren't coming."

Carly suggested, "How about we go to your place tonight?"

Martin refused outright: "Hotels are better. I've booked the top floor of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel long-term, and I've converted it into a rooftop garden."

Carly immediately abandoned her previous idea and said, "Great, we can have sex in the field!"

Taylor shouted excitedly, "I'm going to shout at the sky until everyone in the hotel hears me!"

Carly grabbed Martin's hand and pulled it into her arms, saying, "We're going to be on the front page tomorrow."

Taylor didn't care: "If I shout, who knows who shouted?"

Upon arriving at the hotel, Martin had Taylor drive directly into the underground parking lot. The top-floor suite had a private elevator, and the three of them went straight upstairs.

Before the elevator even reached the upper floor, Blake Lively called; she had already arrived.

A few minutes later, Martin was the first to arrive at the rooftop garden that came with the room. He turned on the lights, sat on the sofa chair, and waited patiently.

Before long, a unique fashion show began.

Three blonde, long-legged girls with model-like figures, dressed in Victoria's Secret outfits brought by Carly, put on a scaled-down version of the Angels show.

That evening, the front desk of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel received numerous complaints about strange female shouts coming from the open windows, keeping them awake.

While they were rehearsing song and dance under the starry sky, the film's promotion and marketing were in full swing.

The film is of high quality and has a large enough budget, so it naturally has a good reputation.

That evening, the online versions of major media outlets were filled with praise.

The Hollywood Reporter commented, "The film isn't perfect, but it's undeniably captivating in its stylistic presentation and individuality."

The Los Angeles Times praised Martin Scorsese and Saoirse Ronan: "The two actresses' soft singing was captivating, and their performance was near perfect!"

The film's ratings were then released, with the first one to receive a 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

With positive word-of-mouth, La La Land began its wide release in North America.

It got off to a flying start, grossing $2275 million on its opening day.

The film's IMDb rating has been released, with an average user score of 8.6.

While audience reviews have been positive, the film's content has also sparked widespread discussion, especially on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, where opinions on the female lead have diverged sharply.

"La La Land, a story about an honest man and a manipulative woman."

The male protagonist's dream includes the female protagonist, but the female protagonist's dream only includes herself.

"The female lead's dream is not art, but to become rich by becoming a star."

"Throughout the movie, the female lead's two boyfriends both became stepping stones in her life."

Similar voices have emerged one after another.

But for every person who criticizes the female lead, there is just as many who support her, especially in the social context of 2010 and beyond.

Feminists or left-leaning groups became the female protagonist's biggest supporters.

"Amidst the heroine's pure dream, everything else should pale in comparison."

"Rather than calling this a romantic musical, it's more accurate to describe it as a film about pursuing realistic dreams. In this day and age, does anyone still believe that love is everything? In my opinion, the realization of a woman's personal value is far more important than love."

"Some people might say that love is above all else, and what's the point of dreams without love? But reality will wake you up and show you how serious the consequences can be of abandoning your own dreams to fulfill the other person's wishes."

The online discussion was extremely heated, and it quickly became one of the hottest topics on social media.

The discussion even extended beyond the scope of the film, becoming a debate about the personal value of women.

The female lead in "La La Land" actually received more support.

Because she chose to realize her own life's value!

As we all know, movies are never afraid of being discussed repeatedly during their theatrical run; what they fear most is a lack of buzz.

This wave of public opinion has driven more people to go to the cinema to watch "La La Land".

By Saturday, the film's attendance had improved again, and its daily box office had risen significantly, reaching $2541 million that day.

In its opening week in North America, La La Land grossed $6721 million in nearly 4000 theaters.

(End of this chapter)