Chapter 71: The Shadow Behind the Premiere
Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, a cool sea breeze swept across Alcatraz Island, scattering the lingering afternoon heat. The usual endless streams of tourists were nowhere to be seen. In their place stood countless men and women dressed in formal attire, alongside the inevitable reporters clutching their cameras.
It was Thursday, May 6, 1993, and night was about to fall. Although The Rock would not officially open across North America until the next day, its premiere had already raised the curtain on Alcatraz Island.
"Kevin Costner, Mel Gibson, Demi Moore..."
The cameraman snapped photos as he spoke to the female reporter beside him. "I just got off the phone with Colstenson. Almost all of CAA's top-tier stars showed up for Interview with the Vampire! Why were we sent to Alcatraz Island instead of the other premiere?"
"Movies always have to speak through their box office."
Although only twenty-five, Sarah had been in the industry for years and was a highly capable reporter for the Los Angeles Times entertainment section. She tied her long auburn hair into a neat ponytail and said, "No matter how star-studded the red carpet lineup is, if the movie isn't good enough, the audience still won't buy it."
"Do you really think Duke Rosenberg's new work can truly compete with Interview with the Vampire?"
Hearing the cameraman, the corners of Sarah's mouth curled up slightly. "I've interviewed Duke. He's a confident and incredibly talented young director. Even if the box office for The Rock doesn't beat Interview with the Vampire, it won't trail far behind."
Cheers suddenly erupted from the spectator stands opposite the press area. Christopher Lee, heavily hyped by the media recently, stepped onto the red carpet. The veteran actor and his legendary background had clearly won a solid level of recognition from the fans. Sarah could even faintly hear several people shouting that he was the most handsome and coolest old man around.