[Chapter 494: Oscars]
"Link, something's happened."
In mid-February, Link was on the set at Fordham University in New York City when he got a call from Sean Tangney. Sean sounded urgent, and after Aishwarya answered the phone, she handed it to him immediately.
"What's going on?"
"Just got the news that Harvey Weinstein committed suicide last night in an LA jail."
"Suicide? Are we sure?"
"Not confirmed yet. That's what I heard."
"Get Bob Weinstein on the line and find forensic experts to investigate. This doesn't seem simple."
Harvey was scheduled to appear in court the next day to present evidence and testimony proving Jeffrey Epstein was involved in the terror attacks against Link. Yet now, he was dead in jail from an apparent suicide.
The timing was too sudden; there had to be some hidden truth.
It reminded Link of Jeffrey Epstein's fate. Epstein had been imprisoned following the Lolita Island scandal and had committed suicide in a Manhattan jail awaiting trial. Many similarities existed.
But was Harvey's death really suicide?
If not, who was the killer?
What was their motive?
All these questions needed investigation.
Shortly after Sean's call, Link also got a call from Joseph Schuertz, head of intelligence at Blackwater. Joseph had also learned about the incident and revealed that Epstein had visited Harvey in prison a few days ago, and the two had a dispute.
Harvey had since changed his cellmate, and his death was suspected to be related to the new cellmate.
Blackwater's intelligence team was investigating the connection between this cellmate and Epstein. If they found evidence of collusion, it could lead to Epstein's conviction.
Link assured them of full support financially, legally, and through his network.
---
Soon after Link received the news, media outlets got wind of it, reporting through various channels.
Some believed it was suicide. After imprisonment, Harvey's reputation and career were ruined; perhaps out of shame, he ended it himself.
Others suspected foul play. Bob Weinstein stated in an interview that his brother Harvey would never suicide voluntarily. He believed someone wanted to silence him to prevent exposure and promised to continue the investigation to bring the killer to justice.
Police information indicated Harvey was calm in jail with no signs or reasons for suicide; the likelihood of murder was high.
Several suspects emerged, including Link himself.
Some media claimed Link had sent an assassin to the prison to kill Harvey in revenge.
This view was quickly refuted. Harvey was bankrupt, jailed, and facing conviction -- punishment he deserved. Link was a reputable figure and had no reason to risk such dirty work.
Second suspect was Jeffrey Epstein. Rumors suggested Epstein and Harvey conspired to hire assassins to kill Link. With Harvey arrested, he was expected to testify against Epstein. Yet at this critical moment, Harvey supposedly took his own life.
If judged by the principle that the greatest beneficiary is the prime suspect, Epstein was the top suspect.
Others suspected included Michael Ovitz and Barry Diller, rumored to have participated in the assassination attempt on Link. Eliminating Harvey ensured their safety from being exposed.
In response to these suspicions, Epstein, Ovitz, and Diller all issued statements expressing sorrow over Harvey's death, claiming friendship and denying involvement. Epstein publicly supported Harvey's family seeking the truth, insisting if it wasn't suicide, the killer must be punished.
After Harvey's death, many filmmakers who had worked with him expressed regret. Over nearly thirty years in Hollywood, Harvey's reputation was mixed.
He had done many bad things, including fraudulently securing film rights, harassing actresses, and hiring hitmen.
Yet he also did good. He successfully distributed many independent films that were initially obscure, purchasing rights cheaply, re-editing, and re-releasing them, resulting in box office hits and enriching the industry.
He discovered many talented independent directors, including Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Giuseppe Tornatore, etc., who became famous in the film industry after cooperating with Miramax Films.
Quentin Tarantino lamented Harvey's passing in interviews, praising him as an outstanding producer whose death was a huge loss for world cinema.
Directors Soderbergh and Woody Allen, along with actors Jack Nicholson and Michael Douglas, publicly mourned.
Harvey likely never expected that his early death would somewhat soften his torrid reputation.
Following the death, the FBI announced the formation of a special task force in Los Angeles to investigate, promising answers to the family and the public.
---
Link didn't involve himself further in the aftermath, continuing filming in New York.
By March, just before the 71st Academy Awards, Link paused his work and returned to Los Angeles for the ceremony.
This year's Oscars were held at the Hollywood Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Guess-MGM had 12 movies nominated, including American Beauty, As Good as It Gets, Anywhere But Here, Gia, One True Thing, Kill Bill, Tomorrow Never Dies, Rush Hour 2, and There's Something About Mary.
They had a total of 48 nominations -- more than the combined six major studios.
...
"Guess Pictures is terrifying," said Barry Diller, president of Fox. "They not only dominate the box office but are now monopolizing the Oscars. If they keep this up, Hollywood might just become Guess Pictures' little kingdom."
Ron Mayer shrugged helplessly. "What can we do? Their films have quality, with strong box office and critical success. We can't learn enough to compete."
"Don't be so pessimistic," Ovitz said, smoking and smiling at the TV. "Link embraces an open, cooperative approach with other studios like Columbia and New Line. Their collaborations have lasted over seven years. Afterward, Disney and Warner Bros. also worked with Guess Pictures with good results. Other studios could do the same."
"But even then, we're only making money following Link's lead -- never surpassing him or Guess Pictures. Do you accept that?" Diller asked passionately.
"With the strong, you learn to submit," Ovitz warned. "If not, Universal and Fox might just fire you."
Diller fell silent; their contracts were five years. Underperform, and the board would end the agreement. Then not only would surpassing Link be impossible, but even chasing him would be out of reach.
Ron sighed quietly and smoked.
...
"Link got another Best Director nomination. Guess who will win?" Quentin asked, stroking his beard.
"Of course. American Beauty is outstanding -- no other last year's film comes close. The Best Director award will be his," said Steven Soderbergh.
"Not necessarily," Quentin said. "Link is only 27. No one under 30 has ever won Best Director at the Oscars. And he's had scandals -- assassination attempts, new girlfriends, baby news. The Academy prefers directors with professionalism over wild ones like him."
"It'll be Link. He shoots three films a year -- blockbusters and high-level indie movies. No one in the industry is more professional and hardworking. So the award belongs to him, no matter what," Rodriguez said.
"Hmph, let's just wait and see; loser buys ice cream," Quentin challenged.
"Ice cream? You won't even buy a beer?" Rodriguez laughed.
"I have uses for my money, can't waste it," Quentin said unapologetically.
Rodriguez rolled his eyes and looked at the stage.
...
The previous Best Director winner, James Cameron, appeared with the envelope, reminisced briefly, causing laughter.
He opened the envelope, shrugged, and announced,
"The 71st Academy Award for Best Director goes to Link for American Beauty! Congratulations, Director Link!"
There was a two-second silence, then a roar of applause and cheers.
Almost all the guests stood, looking toward Link. He wore a dark suit, stood tall and commanding.
Many shouted "Link is amazing!" and "Congrats, Link!" The atmosphere was electric.
...
"Ha! I was right -- Link's amazing," Robert Rodriguez shouted.
"It's so unexpected. When Cameron shrugged, I thought the winner wasn't Link. Didn't expect him to take it," Quentin said lazily, clapping.
"I told you he'd win. You shouldn't doubt it," Quentin added.
"Fine, I owe you all ice cream."
...
Amid thousands cheering, Link waved and stepped to the stage.
"James, your shrug scared me."
"Ha! I meant it was expected, no surprise."
"I'm honored to receive this from you."
"The honor is mine."
Link shook hands with Cameron, took the Oscar statuette, and approached the microphone.
The applause resumed, lasting for a long moment until Link gently gestured to quiet the crowd.
He smiled and said, "Nice weather today."
Though plain, his dry humor made many laugh.
"This afternoon, as I left home to come here, Monica told me to prepare an acceptance speech -- she said I had a good chance to win. She pointed to the Los Angeles Times; the paper predicted just that," Link shrugged.
Laughter filled the room.
"I said no need. Since 1992, when I first picked up a camera after arriving in this magical land of Hollywood, I wrote my acceptance speech. For every Oscars ceremony since, I carried that card in my pocket -- to prepare in case the Academy surprised me.
But they never did.
In seven years, I've been to five Oscar ceremonies, missed Best Director four times. I took the card out four times, then had to put it back and applaud others. Now, it's soaked with sweat and has become a mess of paper."
He spread his palm, showing a crumpled paper mass.
Audience laughed and applauded, some with tears, especially those who'd experienced similar near-misses.
"That speech from seven years ago isn't quite right anymore. But I always remember: when we're mediocre, glory doesn't find us. When we excel, the goddesses of the heaven bow and kiss our foreheads. So keep going, everyone -- every dog has his day!"
Link waved and left the stage.
Thousands stood, cheering loudly. The roar nearly lifted the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion's roof.
...
"Did Link say something profound? I didn't feel it," Ben Affleck smirked, clapping.
"It's not the speech but his actions," Matt Damon said, clapping passionately.
"Link started as an ordinary guy, lower in status than us, but he never gave up. He worked tirelessly and, after seven years, reached the pinnacle -- standing on the Oscar stage winning Best Director.
His story tells everyone not to care about background or bad luck; persistence leads to success. Link's example inspires beyond measure, worthy of being called one of the greatest inspirational figures of our time, alongside Lincoln, Washington, and Martin Luther King."
Joaquin Phoenix, Edward Norton, Ryan Phillippe, and Mark Wahlberg nodded in agreement.
"You guys are exaggerating. Link's not ordinary -- never was. Who else has had nonstop box office hits from their first film? Who turns box office shares into a billion-dollar fortune?
No one.
Link's a genius. A super genius and unbelievably lucky. His success formula can't be copied.
You better be clear-headed. Don't get misled by his story," Ben Affleck said.
"Don't worry, we know who to learn from," Matt Damon and others looked at Link admiringly.
Ben Affleck rubbed his forehead, knowing his words were wasted.
...
"Darling, you said it perfectly," Monica said.
After Link stepped down, the girlfriends embraced and kissed him. Nearby, film people congratulated him, praising his heartfelt speech.
Link smiled and thanked them, explaining his speech was improvised. Now, with his status, he didn't have to be cautious like ordinary actors giving Oscar speeches -- thanking the Academy, producers, crew and avoiding offense -- as if accepting a gift.
He could speak freely, saying whatever he wanted, without thanking anyone.
Others found this boldness justified rather than arrogant.
Applause and cheers carried on for over four minutes until host Whoopi Goldberg came on stage, calming the crowd.
The ceremony continued with other awards.
*****
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