Echoes of Hollywood

"Director Stanton, can you share your feelings about winning the Oscar for Best Director for the first time?"

Outside the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, Murphy had just walked the red carpet when a dozen reporters surrounded him in the interview area, bombarding him and Gal Gadot with questions.

"Miss Gadot, are the social issues in the USA really as serious as you mentioned in your acceptance speech?"

Murphy and Gal Gadot had already addressed these questions backstage at the Oscars, so they ignored the reporters. Guided by the event staff, they entered the Hilton Hotel and joined the bustling crowd in the main ballroom.

This was Oscar Night, the party hosted by Vanity Fair after the Oscars ceremony.

Due to being delayed by reporters outside the Dolby Theatre, Murphy and Gal Gadot arrived late. The ballroom was already packed, especially with the night's triumphant winners, who were celebrating enthusiastically.

Murphy quickly found his table and led Gal Gadot over. Robert Downey Jr., who had won Best Actor, was drinking with the somewhat disappointed Margot Robbie. Two empty glasses sat in front of them.

"Our star has arrived!"

Margot Robbie raised her glass towards Murphy and Gal Gadot, "To Murphy, cheers!"

"Well said!" Robert Downey Jr. also raised his glass, "Let's toast to Murphy!"

Others, like Philip Lasher and Helena Espla, stood up and raised their glasses, "Cheers!"

Murphy took two glasses of wine from a waiter, handed one to Gal Gadot, and raised his own, "Cheers, everyone!"

After downing his drink, Murphy's excitement, which had not yet faded, was reignited. He chatted and drank with Robert Downey Jr. and others, savoring the moment he had worked so hard to achieve.

After a while, with so many people coming to congratulate him, Murphy drank a few more glasses and began to feel tipsy.

"Let's go home," Gal Gadot suggested, "You'll get drunk if you drink any more."

"Alright." Murphy nodded. Not wanting to lose composure in public, he waved to Robert Downey Jr. and the others, "You guys continue, I'm heading out."

Without paying attention to anyone else, they left the Hilton Hotel and went straight home.

It was a long night, and for many, it was a sleepless one, especially for the numerous entertainment reporters. The Oscars would be the front-page headline for all entertainment news the next day.

"Oscar Night's biggest surprise: Murphy Stanton ends a decade of being a runner-up, winning Best Director. 'Diego-Ross' sweeps Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Actor, becoming the biggest winner!"

"Last night's Oscars were full of surprises. 'The Artist' was upset, winning only a few minor technical awards and being completely overshadowed by 'Diego-Ross'!"

Even the major national newspapers, in their entertainment sections, were filled with news about this year's Oscars.

"'Diego-Ross' created the biggest upset at this year's Oscars, winning the final three major awards over the previously favored 'The Artist,' and giving Murphy Stanton his first taste of the Best Director Oscar. While Weinstein Company did win Best Actress with Meryl Streep, their total haul fell far short of expectations, making them one of the night's biggest losers."

—The Washington Post

"When the young Best Director winner, Murphy Stanton, received the heavy statuette from Tom Cruise, the world held its breath. Though he missed the record for the youngest Best Director, no one could deny his greatness. Hollywood has now entered the era of Murphy Stanton!"

—The Los Angeles Times

"'Diego-Ross' won three of the four most significant awards—Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture—an unexpected joy, yet one that was widely anticipated. For director Murphy Stanton, this night was undoubtedly a 'night of unbelievable ecstasy.' It was a great personal victory for Murphy Stanton and a victory for the Academy's youth-oriented reforms!"

—The New York Times

As for the entertainment media, most praised Murphy enthusiastically.

"Without a doubt, Murphy Stanton is becoming a master filmmaker, a true maestro. His visual storytelling techniques are always the most brilliant and stirring."

—The Hollywood Reporter

Of course, as with every Oscars, there were also critical voices, especially from the tabloids, which loved to stir up controversy to attract attention.

"Scandal! Murphy Stanton's win is shrouded in controversy. 'Diego-Ross' lacks both the artistic value and popularity of 'The Artist.' Its wins for Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture are entirely due to the maneuvering of CAA and 20th Century Fox. This isn't a victory for cinema; it's just a successful PR campaign!"

Although this tabloid's sensationalism touched on some truths, no one cared, not even the disappointed Weinstein Company. Since the 1990s, which Oscars big winner hasn't benefited from successful PR and campaigning?

Such critical voices were not uncommon. Compared to other films, "Diego-Ross" didn't have many advantages and wasn't entirely exceptional.

However, Murphy didn't care. His Best Director Oscar was indisputable, and the mainstream media were largely praising him. Those tabloids couldn't stir up much trouble.

Another point was that these Oscars could significantly change the market position of "Diego-Ross."

No matter what, the Oscars' influence in North America and worldwide is immense. The Oscars for Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture, besides bringing great honor, could directly translate into financial gains.

Talking about money in the context of the Oscars might seem vulgar, but look at Hollywood's major companies, especially Weinstein Company and the Weinstein brothers. Do they compete for Oscars just for art and glory?

Any rational person could easily judge.

The Oscars effect on "Diego-Ross" was most immediately seen in its box office numbers, which had been modest until then.

"Diego-Ross" had not yet fully exited North American theaters. 20th Century Fox had worked hard to keep it there. Before the Oscars, the film was only showing in fewer than 400 theaters with a paltry less than 3% screen share. But the day after the Oscars, with the expansion of screenings, "Diego-Ross" was now showing in 2,200 theaters across North America, with a screen share approaching 25%.

Most importantly, influenced by the Oscars for Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture, many North American moviegoers flocked to theaters to watch "Diego-Ross," whether for the first time or again. This saw its daily box office jump from under $50,000 to over $3 million. Over the weekend, it grossed $5.54 million, $6.46 million, and $5.10 million over three days, bringing in $17.1 million in North America.

Including previous weekdays, "Diego-Ross" was now nearing the $100 million mark in North American box office!

Everyone believed it would inevitably cross the $100 million threshold.

At the same time, 20th Century Fox, after long delaying its international release, finally rolled out "Diego-Ross" in major markets in Europe, Latin America, and the Far East the day after the Oscars and before the following weekend. While the film's genre limited its overseas potential, the Oscars halo helped it gross nearly $40 million overseas in seven days.

"Diego-Ross" had finally surpassed $100 million globally.

In smaller international markets, 20th Century Fox adopted a sell-off strategy for "Diego-Ross." As an Oscar Best Picture winner, it could command higher prices. For example, selling the film to China earned $5 million.

While not a massive amount, for a film of this genre, it was quite significant. Without the Oscars for Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture, it wouldn't have fetched a third of that price, and China Film Group wouldn't have given it a second glance.

The film's future earnings would continue to grow over time, with box office being just one part. Despite ongoing negotiations for various ancillary rights, the Oscars' halo would boost "Diego-Ross" TV, online, and DVD sales far beyond typical niche films.

Moreover, as the film crossed the $100 million mark in North America, its ancillary rights sales could increase further.

A week after the Oscars, the media frenzy began to settle. Murphy also commissioned a custom display case to house his Oscars.

However, along with the display case arrived some bad news about the Catholic Church at Wave Manor.

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