Knock knock knock! Knock knock knock!"Sir, wake up!""Sir, are you still alive?"
January 26, 1992 – Park City, Utah
"The winner of the Jury Grand Prize at the 8th Sundance Independent Film Festival is... Buried Alive! Congratulations to Director Link!"
At the Sundance Film Festival awards ceremony, the chairman of the jury shouted from the podium.
Clap clap clap!The audience burst into enthusiastic applause.
A handsome young Chinese man in a black suit stood up from the guest seats, hugged the woman beside him—Nicole Kidman—and then turned to walk onto the stage. He shook hands with Chairman Robert Redford and accepted a crystal trophy from him.
"Thank you! Thank you, everyone!"
Link raised the trophy with a smile. After months in this foreign land, America, he had felt anxious and uncertain at first—but now, holding this award, he felt much more at ease.
"Thank you, Sundance. Thank you to Mr. Robert Redford for founding this wonderful and great film festival. And thank you to the seven members of this year's jury. I'm honored that you chose Buried Alive among so many excellent films—it's the greatest encouragement I could receive."
"Why?!"
Just as Link was happily delivering his acceptance speech, a voice of discontent interrupted from the audience—loud and abrupt, drawing everyone's attention.
"Why? Why would the jury give the grand prize to Buried Alive?"
It was Quentin Tarantino, shouting angrily.
Quentin was the director of Reservoir Dogs, and he had entered the film in this year's Sundance Film Festival. The movie, with its novel theme, humorous and compelling content, and high production quality, had been chosen as the festival's opening film.
At the beginning of the festival, Reservoir Dogs had garnered more attention, discussion, and praise than any other film, far surpassing the then-unknown Buried Alive.
Even before the festival ended, the media unanimously predicted that the Jury Grand Prize would go to Reservoir Dogs. Many film critics believed it was the best film of the festival, and at the very least, deserved to win two major awards.
Tarantino wore a sharp-looking suit and had slicked back his hair, waiting quietly in the audience for his moment to go onstage and claim his award.
As other awards were handed out to different films, Tarantino didn't mind—he believed the grand prize was his for sure.
But when it was finally announced, the prize went to Buried Alive, and Reservoir Dogs went home empty-handed.
It was shocking and completely unexpected.
Tarantino, known for his temper, had held it in long enough. But now he couldn't take it anymore. As Link took the stage, he stood up and loudly demanded an explanation from the jury.
"Quentin, don't shout, sit down!"His close partner and Reservoir Dogs producer, Lawrence Bender, tried to calm him.
"Bender, don't pull me—I just want to know: Why did they give the grand prize to Buried Alive? How is that movie better than Reservoir Dogs?"
Tarantino, nearly 6'3" with a strong build, was impossible for Bender to restrain. All he could do was try to reason with him.
"Link's Buried Alive is good too. He picked a very timely and sensitive subject—telling the story of a gay man suffering domestic abuse, clearly speaking out against both domestic violence and discrimination. It's socially impactful and helps create a better environment.Reservoir Dogs is great as well, but it glorifies violence, has a lot of gore, profanity, and sexual themes—its message isn't as positive. The Sundance organizers probably took that into consideration when they gave the prize to Buried Alive."
"Exactly!"
Chairman Robert Redford, who had just stepped down from the stage, walked over and said, "The purpose of Sundance isn't just to recognize excellent independent films—it's also to encourage filmmakers to create movies that help improve society. In that regard, Buried Alive surpasses Reservoir Dogs.
"Beyond that, Director Link innovatively confined the entire film to a small wooden box, using only one actor and a few simple props—and still managed to deliver a gripping, intense, and emotionally powerful experience.His concept is brilliantly clever, and his directing techniques are fresh and unique. They offer real inspiration for the future of cinema. Director Link deserves the Jury Grand Prize."
Robert Redford spoke firmly.
Clap clap clap!
The filmmakers around them applauded in unison.
Quentin snorted and reluctantly sat back down.
"Haha, thank you, Mr. Redford,"
Link chuckled softly, glanced down at Director Quentin, and said into the microphone:
"Although I was challenged by Director Tarantino, I still feel very honored. Michelangelo once said: All great works of art, and great artists, are born in fierce competition with their peers and grow amid the voices of doubt from the outside world.I'm glad to be living in such a great era, to be in Hollywood surrounded by so many talented filmmakers.Everyone, let's continue working hard to carry forward the art of light and shadow, of electricity and sound. Let's make more great films and let history remember us—let history remember Sundance!"
Link raised the trophy and shouted.
"Well said!"
Clap clap clap!
Everyone in the venue stood up and applauded—not only for Link's grace and composure, but also for his passionate and inspiring speech.
Even Quentin, despite still looking annoyed, was pulled to his feet by Lawrence Bender and forced to give a few begrudging claps.
The enthusiastic applause lasted over a full minute before it finally died down.
Link waved in thanks and returned to his seat, right in front of Quentin.
"Hmph! Director Link, you only won that award by playing it smart. It doesn't prove anything. Dare to make a bet with me?"
Quentin kicked the back of Link's seat as he spoke.
Link handed the trophy to Buried Alive's lead actress, Miss Nicole Kidman. He'd forgotten to thank her during his speech, thanks to Quentin's interruption. Nicole took the trophy with a smile and congratulated him.
"Director Link, do you not dare?"
Quentin pressed loudly.
"What's the bet?" Link turned his head and asked with a smile.
"Let's bet on box office numbers. We're both first-time directors, so let's see whose movie performs better at the box office—that will show who's truly the better filmmaker. What do you say, dare to bet?"
Quentin Tarantino lifted his chin, full of confidence.
"What's the stake?" Link asked with a smile.
Quentin thought for a moment, then pointed at the trophy in Nicole's hands and said: "If you lose, you'll publicly hand me that trophy."
Link burst out laughing. "If you lose, you'll come work at my film company and direct two movies for me. How about that?"
"Two?! I only asked for your trophy, and you want two movies from me?"Quentin protested.
"You're the one who proposed the bet, not me. If you're afraid of losing, feel free to back out."Link said casually.
Quentin frowned deeply. Ignoring Lawrence Bender's tugging, he clenched his fists and growled, "Fine! I accept. I'm not going to lose."
Link gave a slight smile. Under the gaze of over fifty filmmakers around them, he bumped fists with Quentin—sealing the bet.