The drizzle fell from the sky without warning, causing the temperature of the weather to drop by quite a bit. But because of this, the fog that shrouded the land began to gradually dissipate, and the surrounding scenery became a lot clearer. The small English manor located in the suburbs was faintly discernible in the mist and rain, adding a lot of interest to the scenery.
The driver turned the steering wheel and drove off the road into the manor. He went around the flower terrace in the front yard and stopped in front of the villa.
"Hello, Mr. Payne," the lady who had been waiting at the door greeted Payne Clarkson who got out of the car.
"Hello, Jonathan." Clarkson, who was wearing a windbreaker, nodded and then introduced to Adriaan who got out of the car with him, "Eide, this is Anya Kubrick, Stanley's eldest daughter."
Then he turned to the lady and said, "Anya, this is Director Adrian Kewell I mentioned to you before."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Kewell. I've heard of your name." Anya held out her hand with a decent smile, but there was still a hint of indifference in her tone.
"Me too, Ms. Anya. I hope our sudden visit did not disturb Mr. Kubrick's rest," Adriaan shook hands with her, not caring about her perfunctory attitude.
"Please come with me." An Ya made an inviting gesture and led the way into the house.
"How is Stanley recently?" Clarkson followed and asked.
"Father came back from the hospital. Although he is conscious, his mood is not very stable. He always stares out of the window for a long time. You know how big a blow it is to him," Anya said as they walked.
"Yes, it's really bad. God bless him, I hope he can pull himself together," Clarkson echoed.
The three quickly came to the bedroom upstairs. Anya asked them to wait outside for a while, and then came out again after a while.
"In view of father's current situation, I hope you won't disturb him for too long. Ms. Betty is outside, please call her if you need anything," Anya said and pointed to the middle-aged woman dressed like a butler who came out with her.
"Thank you, I promise it won't be too long." After Anya's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, he took Adriaan into the room.
On the spacious bed, an old man who looked to be in his seventies was leaning against the headboard. There was a large bald patch in front of his head, and he had a grizzled beard. His head was turned to the side, and he looked at the raindrops outside the window numbly.
"He's getting old so fast. He's not even 70 years old," Clarkson could not help but whisper.
Although the voice was very soft, there was no other sound in the bedroom at the moment, so the old man on the bed struggled to turn his head, coldly looking at the two people who came to visit.
"Hey, Stanley. I didn't expect to see you like this. It's terrible." Clarkson coughed awkwardly.
"Hello, Mr. Kubrick. I'm Adrian Kewell. I believe you know why I'm here." I'm Adrian Kewell. I believe you should know why I'm here, "Adriaan patted Clarkson on the shoulder and took the initiative to speak. Clarkson tactfully took a step back and left the scene to Adriaan.
Kubrick didn't say anything. His expression was still cold and indifferent, but there were occasional flashes of stupefaction.
"If you agree, I hope to sit next to you and explain to you. Is that okay?" Adriaan looked at him with a calm expression.
The old man suddenly widened his eyes with a hint of anger, as if he wanted to see through him. However, after a long time, he finally nodded.
"Thank you." Adriaan bowed politely and then sat on the bench by the bed. He put the briefcase on his knees and opened it, taking out a not very thick folder.
"I've seen and analyzed all the movies you've directed and produced. You're very good at using color to outline the picture to express emotions and space. You like to use classical music as a soundtrack, and you use it very well. Whether it's in line with the meaning of the picture or completely opposite, the two can achieve a strange balance..." Adriaan began to talk non-stop.
Kubrick looked a little serious at first, but soon became a little absent-minded. But when Adriaan took out a few pictures, he immediately narrowed his eyes.
"Very familiar, isn't it? This is based on the opening scene of your 'Clockwork Orange'. The key is red and gold, but it seems a little depressing in the narrow space. It's very suitable for the psychology of Dr. William who came to rent a suit, isn't it? " Adriaan explained the picture. "Of course, because I was in a hurry, I didn't draw very well. Some parts may not be well done, but I believe it should be able to express part of the feeling."
Looking at the color of the face that was somewhat similar to Tom Cruise's, and Adriaan's explanation, the old man on the bed finally began to be a little moved.
Adriaan quickly changed the picture and then continued to talk. Kubrick finally put all his attention on him. One was talking, while the other was listening. During this period, Anya came to see them several times, and other relatives also talked to Clarkson, but never disturbed them.
"I think this part should be accompanied by Shostakovich's' Waltz No. 2 '. That kind of lazy tune complements the vanity, frivolity, and depravity of the upper class." Adriaan finally finished explaining the last picture. He stopped to drink some water to moisten his throat, then looked at Kubrick, who was about to start thinking.
"I know, as a director, you really don't like others to criticize your work. I'm the same. Otherwise, I wouldn't be a producer for every work. But, Mr. Kubrick, you've been planning for this film for a long time. I believe you have a lot of ideas for it. You've done almost all the preparation work yourself. Do you want to leave it to your own devices?
Yes, I'm not you. Although I've studied your works, I can't understand what you're thinking about and what you want to express. However, there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people. What you want to express may mean something else in the eyes of others. You said yourself that the meaning of the film should be left to the audience to guess.
So why can't I try? I've read through your script several times. You've considered all the details. I believe I can grasp your essence in the picture. I don't do it for anything else. I just want to pay my respects to you. If the production doesn't meet your expectations, you can ask for the film not to be released. What do you think? "Adriaan concluded in a sincere tone.
Although Kubrick remained expressionless, he soon showed a look of hesitation.
An imperceptible smile appeared on Adriaan's face. He then sat up straight, "It takes time to decide this kind of thing. Let's leave these things here. You can think about it carefully for a while. But whether you agree or not, please call me or Payne, okay?"
After a long time, the old man finally nodded reluctantly and closed his eyes.
"By the way, the film doesn't seem to have a name. I've looked at the ones they've provided, and they don't seem to be very good. So I thought about it. What do you think of the name 'Eyes Wide Shut'?" Adriaan stood up and was about to leave when he suddenly said something.
Kubrick suddenly opened his eyes. Adriaan smiled, bowed, and left the bedroom with Clarkson. He declined Anya's invitation to stay.
"To be honest, I've never seen Stan like that," Clarkson said with emotion after getting back in the car and leaving the small English manor.
"That's normal. Not everyone will be paralyzed by a stroke," Adriaan said jokingly.
"Come on, Eide, you know I'm not talking about that. Stanley never tolerates anyone interfering with his power as a director. It's a miracle that you can get him to consider it." Clarkson shrugged and then looked at him with interest, "Tell me, Eide, how sure are you that Stanley will agree?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"Yes, I don't know. I've done everything I can. Now it's up to Kubrick. It doesn't matter to me whether he agrees or not, right?"
Hearing this answer, Clarkson smiled bitterly and didn't speak again. Adriaan turned his head to look at the window. The rain had stopped, and the smile on his face grew wider. The world was really strange. He didn't expect that the famous Stanley Kubrick would be paralyzed in bed because of a stroke. He couldn't even speak, and he left behind a mess. This was supposed to be his last work.
In his memory, Kubrick didn't live until the 21st century. It seemed that he died of a heart attack in his sleep after finishing his last work. There were no rumors of him having a stroke. But then again, who could be sure of this kind of thing? No matter how good the tabloids were, they couldn't get Kubrick's medical report. After all, he was almost 70 years old, and he looked very fat. It should be normal for him to have a cerebral hemorrhage. It was just that this last work obviously couldn't be completed.
Although Adriaan had made up his mind to take a good rest this year, although Kubrick was not the kind of director he hated, he was not much better. But after all, this was "Wide Awake, Warning", and everything was ready! Even though he subconsciously asked Clarkson if he was willing to take over — some things had obviously become instinctive — after thinking about it carefully, no matter from which perspective, taking over the film was very worthwhile.
But Warner didn't intend to do this at first. Kubrick's works had almost never sold well. They would invest in his new film to gain fame. If Adriaan took over midway, then all their efforts in the early stages would be tantamount to making a wedding dress. But Adriaan immediately said that he would not ask for anything. He just wanted to replace Kubrick in the guiding tube to pay tribute to the great director.
"I want to imitate Kubrick's style as much as possible. I want to direct a Kubrick film, not mine," Adriaan said when he contacted Clarkson again.
Warner's attitude immediately changed 180 degrees. Which Hollywood film company didn't want to cooperate with the miracle director? Unfortunately, so far, they either bought the script from him or co-invested in a certain film. He only took the guiding tube for his own film. No matter the reason for further cooperation this time, the gimmick and the impact would definitely be no less than investing in Kubrick's new film. After all, the audience for Kubrick's works was too small. Besides, the fact that the miracle director took over Stanley Kubrick's new work was already quite eye-catching.
However, Warner agreed, but Kubrick didn't. Adriaan still didn't want to take over the film. Kubrick had been preparing for this film for several years. It was almost impossible to get the old man to agree. This guy was also a tyrant on the set. According to the memories of the actors who had worked with him, when he needed you, he would speak to you kindly, but if you didn't meet his requirements, he would mercilessly use the loudest voice to scold you.
In fact, every great director had a dictatorial side. Spielberg was like that, Coppola was like that, Cameron was like that, and so was Adriaan. How could Kubrick be an exception? Since this was something he wanted, he wouldn't let others see it even if he took it to his grave. Therefore, Warner's inquiry was immediately rejected.
But Adriaan didn't give up. He spent a lot of time preparing and asked Spielberg to help him.
"I don't want you to help me convince Mr. Kubrick, Steven. I just want to get a chance to convince him in person," Adriaan said to Spielberg.
Spielberg and Kubrick had always had a good relationship. A few years ago, Kubrick also wanted Spielberg to direct and produce the science fiction novel "One Summer of Super Fantasy Toys" into a movie. Yes, the future movie "AI", so there was no better candidate than him.
"I have carefully studied his work. I just want to pay tribute to him and help him complete this work," Adriaan explained his behavior.
Although Spielberg didn't fully believe his words, he was convinced after he showed him what he had prepared. With Spielberg's persuasion, and Warner's efforts, Kubrick finally relented, which led to the previous scene.
"From my point of view, the possibility of Kubrick agreeing is more than 80%, but even if he refuses, I have no loss. It's Warner's business." After returning to the hotel, Adriaan repeated what happened today to Charlize. When the female secretary asked about the possibility, Adriaan shrugged.
"Really no loss?" Charlize asked with a half-smile.
"Of course." Adriaan raised his eyebrows calmly. "What's the problem?"
"No, nothing. I forgot that you always have a lot of tricks up your sleeve, and some people are willing to jump down." Charlize stood straight with her chest out. The professional suit matched her figure more and more. Her eyes wandered, and no one knew what she was thinking.
"Can you explain it in detail, dear Charley?" Adriaan withdrew his gaze from the floor-to-ceiling window of the hotel room and stared at her beautiful face with interest.
"Are you so sure that Kubrick will agree? According to the information I have collected, he is also a very possessive person. "Charlize didn't answer but changed the subject.
"Because I know what he likes," Adriaan said calmly, as if he had won.
The things he prepared, the scenes with a strong Kubrick flavor, were all extracted from the original version, not to mention the soundtrack and names. Although there were rumors that Kubrick was not satisfied with the released version and had planned to re-edit it, he went to heaven before it started. According to his family later, Kubrick liked the movie very much.
Obviously, his family's statement was more credible. Was there anything more convincing than using something he liked to persuade him? In addition, he was now paralyzed in bed, and the preparation of the movie was nearing the end and could start shooting at any time. He certainly wouldn't give up, so it was very likely that he would agree.
However, Kubrick might also refuse. After all, anything could happen in this world. Since he was paralyzed in bed because of a stroke, it was not likely that he wouldn't take the movie to the grave.
It didn't matter. Whether it succeeded or not, it wouldn't make much of a difference. Adriaan repeated it again in his heart, but after thinking about it carefully, he shook his head with a wry smile. This was "Wideout."
Adriaan didn't like Stanley Kubrick. As mentioned before, although he was not the disgusting self-righteous director in Europe, he was not much different.
Kubrick established his position with "Spartacus," but it was the most commercial of all his works. It was "A Space Odyssey 2001" that made him completely famous. Today, people may be dismissive of the technology shown in the movie, but it was really amazing in the 1970s. Many people, such as James Cameron, had the idea of becoming a director because of this movie. However, the key reason for the movie's popularity was the technology, and it was not what the movie itself wanted to express.
In fact, Kubrick's movies were very niche. Basically, they were not optimistic at the beginning of their release. After a period of time, their reputation began to slowly improve. Even the recognized classic horror movie "The Shining" or the best Vietnam War movie "Full Metal Jacket" were like this. This had something to do with Kubrick's own aura. For example, Woody Allen released a movie every year. There was not much difference between each movie, but there were still people who pursued and invested in it, because Woody Allen's reputation had been established. With this reputation, there would always be people who would say good things about him.
However, although Kubrick was also a niche director, there was one thing that some directors could not do. He could always use the film technology to the greatest extent in the shooting, and he rarely complained that others did not understand.
"Let the audience guess," he always said.
This was another point of view that Adriaan did not agree with. He always believed that a good movie must be clearly expressed by the director, and then let the audience guess the other half. After all, there were a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people.
Therefore, the key to his enthusiasm was still because this was "Wideout!"
