Javits glances around. There’s a man in dark glasses drinking a fruit juice. He seems oblivious to his surroundings and is staring out to sea as if he were somewhere far from there. He’s smartly dressed and good-looking, with greying hair. He was one of the first to arrive and must know who Javits is, and yet he’s made no effort to come and introduce himself. It was brave of him to sit there alone like that. Being alone in Cannes is anathema; it means that no one is interested in you, that you’re unimportant or don’t know anyone.
He envies that man, who probably doesn’t fit the list of ‘normal’ behaviour he always keeps in his pocket. He seems so independent and free; if Javits weren’t feeling so tired, he would really like to talk to him.
He turns to one of his ‘friends’.
‘What does being normal mean?’
‘Is your conscience troubling you? Have you done something you shouldn’t have?’
Javits has clearly asked the wrong question of the wrong man. His companion will perhaps assume that he’s regretting what he’s made of his life and that he wants to start anew, but that isn’t it at all. And if he does have regrets, it’s too late to begin again; he knows the rules of the game.
‘I asked you what being normal means?’
One of the ‘friends’ looks bewildered. The other keeps surveying the tent, watching people come and go.
‘Living like someone who lacks all ambition,’ the first ‘friend’ says at last.
The ‘friend’ laughs.
‘You should make a film on the subject,’ he says.
‘Not again,’ Javits thinks. ‘They have no idea. They’re with me all the time, but they still don’t understand what I do. I don’t make films.’
All films start out in the mind of a so-called producer. He’s read a book, say, or had a brilliant idea while driving along the freeways of Los Angeles (which is really a large suburb in search of a city). Unfortunately, he’s alone, both in the car and in his desire to transform that brilliant idea into something that can be seen on the screen.
He finds out if the film rights to the book are still available. If the response is negative, he goes in search of another product – after all, more than 60,000 books are published each year in the United States alone. If the response is positive, he phones the author and makes the lowest possible offer, which is usually accepted because it’s not only actors and actresses who like to be associated with the dream machine. Every author feels more important when his or her words are transformed into images.
They arrange to have lunch. The producer says that the book is ‘a work of art and highly cinematographic’ and that the writer is ‘a genius deserving of recognition’. The writer explains that he spent five years working on the book and asks to be allowed to help in the writing of the script. ‘No, really, you shouldn’t do that, it’s an entirely different medium,’ comes the reply, ‘but I know you’ll love the result.’ Then he adds: ‘The film will be totally true to the book,’ which, as both of them know, is a complete and utter lie.
The writer decides that he should agree to the conditions, promising himself that next time will be different. He accepts. The producer now says that they have to interest one of the big studios because they need financial backing for the project. He names a few stars he claims to have lined up for the lead roles – which is another complete and utter lie, but one that is always wheeled out and always works as a seduction technique. He buys what is known as an ‘option’, that is, he pays around $10,000 dollars to retain the rights for three years. And then what happens? ‘Then we’ll pay ten times that amount and you’ll have a right to 2% of the net profits.’ That’s the financial part of the conversation over with, because the writer is convinced he’ll earn a fortune from his slice of the profits.
If he were to ask around, he’d soon find out that the Hollywood accountants somehow manage it so that no film ever makes a profit.
Lunch ends with the producer handing the writer a huge contract and asking if he could possibly sign it now, so that the studio will know that the product is definitely theirs. With his eyes fixed on that (non-existent) percentage and on the possibility of seeing his name in lights (which won’t happen either, at most there’ll be a line in the credits, saying: ‘based on the book by…’), the writer signs the contract without giving the matter much thought.
Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, and there is nothing new under the sun, as Solomon said more than three thousand years ago.
The producer starts knocking on the doors of various studios. He’s known in the industry already, and so some of those doors open, but his proposal is not always accepted. In that case, he doesn’t even bother to ring up the author and invite him to lunch again, he just writes him a letter saying that, despite his enthusiasm for the project, the movie industry isn’t yet ready for that kind of story and he’s returning the contract (which he, of course, did not sign).
If the proposal is accepted, the producer then goes to the lowest and least well-paid person in the hierarchy: the screen writer, the person who will spend days, weeks and months writing and re-writing the original idea or the screen adaptation. The scripts are sent to the producer (but never to the author), who, out of habit, automatically rejects the first draft, knowing that the screen writer can always do better. More weeks and months of coffee and insomnia for the bright young talent (or old hack – there are no halfway houses) who rewrites each scene, which are then rejected or reshaped by the producer (and the screen writer thinks: ‘If he can write so damn well, why doesn’t he write the whole thing?’ Then he remembers his salary and goes quietly back to his computer.)
Finally, the script is almost ready. At this point, the producer draws up a list of demands: the removal of any political references that might upset a more conservative audience; more kissing, because women like that kind of thing; a story with a beginning, middle and an end, and a hero who moves everyone to tears with his self-sacrifice and devotion; and one character who loses a loved one at the start of the film and finds him or her again at the end. In fact, most film scripts can be summed up very briefly as: Man loves woman. Man loses woman. Man gets woman back. Ninety per cent of all films are variations on that same theme.
Films that break this rule have to be very violent to make up for it, or have loads of crowd-pleasing special effects. And since this tried and tested formula is a sure-fire winner, why take any unnecessary risks?
Armed with what he considers to be a well-written story, who does the producer seek out next? The studio who financed the project. The studio, however, has a long line of films to place in the ever-diminishing number of cinemas around the world. They ask him to wait a little or to find an independent distributor, first making sure that the producer signs another gigantic contract (which even takes into account exclusive rights ‘outside of Planet Earth’), taking full responsibility for all money spent.
‘And that’s where people like me come in!’ The independent distributor can walk down the street without being recognised, although at media-fests like this everyone knows who he is. He’s the person who didn’t come up with the idea, didn’t work on the script and didn’t invest a cent.
Javits is the intermediary - the distributor!
He receives the producer in a tiny office (the big plane, the house with the swimming pool, the invitations to parties all over the world are purely for his enjoyment – the producer doesn’t even merit a mineral water). He takes the DVD home with him. He watches the first five minutes. If he likes it, he watches to the end, but this only happens with one out of every hundred new films he’s given. Then he spends ten cents on a phone call and tells the producer to come back on a certain date and at a certain time.
‘We’ll sign,’ he says, as if he were doing the producer a big favour. ‘I’ll distribute the film.’
The producer tries to negotiate. He wants to know how many cinemas in how many countries and under what conditions. These, however, are pointless questions because he knows what the distributor will say: ‘That depends on the reactions we get at the pre-launch screenings.’ The product is shown to selected audiences from all social classes, people specially chosen by market research companies. The results are analysed by professionals. If the results are positive, another ten cents gets spent on a phone call, and, the following day, Javits hands the producer three copies of yet another vast contract. The producer asks to be given time for his lawyer to read it. Javits says he has nothing against him doing that, but he needs to finalise that season’s programme now and can’t guarantee that by the time the producer gets back to him he won’t have selected another film.
The producer reads only the clause that tells him how much he’s going to earn. He’s pleased with what he sees and so he signs. He doesn’t want to miss this opportunity.
Years have passed since he sat down with the writer to discuss making a film of his book and he’s quite forgotten that he is now in exactly the same situation.
Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, and there is nothing new under the sun, as Solomon said more than three thousand years ago.
Welcome to Share with Friends - Free Texts for a Free Internet
Now you had a chance to read the first 1/11 of “The Winner stands alone” and we stop here the publication of the first pages. The book, already released in Brazil and Portugal, will start being published on March 19, in UK, followed by US, France, Greece, Bulgaria, Australia, Holland. In nearly all the other countries, it will be published from June to December 2009.
I would have to agree that this book was different than the others!It has to do with modern society and in a work place that everyone thinks is glamorous!As i read above you can also take it in all work places!It speaks to us about a mans dreams and how wrong he can interpritate them.
I have all your books but one of my favourites is When Veronica desides to die.I had my mother at the hospital when i read it and it gave me hope!And when welost her it gave me strength to go on.
Just a small thank you for your books that are there besides us in every moment of our life(happy or not)!!
Alexandra from Greece.
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Hola Paulo,
Es currioso ver como a mucha gente les ha gustado todos tus libros como a mi.La primera vez que oi tu nombre y el del libro Alquimista, estaba en el camino de Santiago.Tiempo despues lei este libro y muchos otros (casi todos)Currioso tambien encontre que lei un libro justo en una semana, que luego me entere que tu habias escrito en una semana.Estoy segura que del The Winner Stands Alone que acabo de leer lo que tienes en el blog, me va a gustar la vision tan diferente que solo tu nos puedes dar.Solo voy a tener un poco de lio de idiomas, hasta ahora he leido todos en Castellano, ahora estoy leendo en Aleman (Die Hexe von Portobello), y acabo de leer un trozo en Ingles, y se que el libro sera publicada antes en Holanda, que aqui en Austria.
Te doy las gracias por existir y darte cuenta de tu mision en tu vida.Ojala todos llegamos a darnos cuenta de nuestra mision!
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I’m from algeria your books are available all over Algeria in French ,I really like your books and mainly the way you talk about religion ,you’re such a politically correct ,you must have taken a look on many religions ,congratulations
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Olá, eu fiz meu comentário sobre o Livro O vencedor está só e foi deletado posso saber porque??????? Algum problema de toc comigo rs pq eu comentei algo muito legal… abraços de luz
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Paulo Coelho Reply:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Pode mandar de novo? Coloque no workshop por favor.
Paulo
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I liked this book however I think it was very different from the previous ones. At the beginning I thought it to be a bit superficial, since always that I pick one Paulo Coelho´s book is because I am looking for some spiritual inspiration.
However, after reading a bit I realised that Paulo was criticazing our world of power, money, etc…really I think this is how evil manifests in our days, people so greedy they just want more and more and more, and no humanity at all, specially in big cities such Ny or London.
On the other part, the character Igor for me represents this people who fights for a cause, religion, etc…in Igor you think his causes are ridiculous so this let´s you to compare it to terrorist groups or other groups not that radical fighting for a cause. They are so convince and as when the english conquered the world they relied in “it is God´s will”. It is so easy that argument.
Well, that´s my reading of it, correct me if I am wrong. I really feel that this book reflects the society, or part of it, we live with nowadays. Perhaps not all the people has the ” opportunity ” to live the fashion, modelling, actor life, neither myself, but I bet It must be really horrible. The good thing for readers or bad thing for life, is that you can extrapolate it to any other professional careers.
And, as always, this book, contrary to my previous thoughts when I started the book, had something to tell me.
Alice
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ma puteti ajuta si pe mine.am cateva intrebari la care nu gasesc niciun raspuns
1 cand se va lansa cartea si in romania?
2 am observat ca au fost puse primele 12 capitole ale cartii aici,dar se va publica toata cartea?si cand se vor mai publica capitole?
3:am 17 ani si am un blog.dorinta mea este de a publica ce e scris acolo ( http://adikady2009.blogspot.com) intr-o carte..nu am bani,si doresc daca stiti numele unor edituricare publica astfel de carti gratis…
4:domnule coelho ne puteti spune care va fi tema viitoare carti a dumneavoastra?ati fost vreodata in romania?
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Mr coelho,
Your book shows a reality that our world is ruled by mafias and superclass. They manipulate every detail and every reality…Even human wrights are manipulated by them and for there interest.
God protect us and every one from these manipulators
Ali from Lebanon
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Barbara Velazquez Reply:
August 6th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
do you think Osama Bin Laden one of the superclass?
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Paulo Coelho Reply:
August 6th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
The person who wrote the book “Superclass”, David Rothkoph, listed Bin Laden in the 6.000 people who rules the world.
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Dear Paulo,
I hv read all your previous books n i like this new book so much.thanks for such a nice book.
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Dear Paulo,
When your new book will be published in Spain??. I love all your books and can not wait to get your last book in Spanish too.
Thanks in advanced for your reply.
Best regards.
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Dearest Paulo,
The first book and favorite book I read of yours was “Eleven Minutes” - i told all my friends to read it because its such an authentic book. I love all your books since it has changed my life and the way i view things, also making me see things i never considered vital in life. At times when i am down, i go out and buy a book of yours I havent read and it inspires me and gives me the will power to go on. I dont just read your books to let time pass by, I consider your books a good friend that can always give me advice, wisdom, joy, understanding and love in times of need.
I cant wait to read ” The winner stands alone” because I know I will enjoy it as much as any other books of yours. I just love your work. Thank you.
I cant believe my favorite author might be reading what I write here :)
Greetings from Bangkok.
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Paulo,
We have been waiting The Winner Stands Alone in Bahasa-Indonesia…! Hope to able to read it soon.
Thanks a lot Paulo for your books!
Limantina Sihaloho, Indonesia
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I read the winner stands alone in the estimated time of two days. I couldn’t get my hands off it! Now, there are two things I think should be said about this novel. It’s a hard book to read. It’s not at all easy. The thing with this novel (which raised so much negative criticism I read on the internet) is the saddness and rather angry essay type of writing Mr. Coelho wrote with in this novel- not expected (at all!) from a well known spiritual teacher and novelist (I even call it The Sad Coelho Novel!). But that’s not bad at all, because there is a cause. He isn’t like any of the new generation’s jibbing-jabbing nonesense talkers who just hate everything about our modern culture (of vanity and celebrities). No, there’s a deep meaning of everything in this novel. I traced every quote I could trace in this novel so I could understand the general highway its leading to and then only I knew that Mr. Coelho is after all a Mr. Coelho. He haven’t changed at all, his view of life and of the lifestyles of the rich and famous haven’t changed at all (But I doubt that the world, which is so hypnotised by the celebrity society is ready to accept his criticism). That’s the first thing. Now. The number two thing that makes it actually harder is the non-focusing on a certain topic to talk about. You see, Mr. Coelho talks about estimately a thousand topics in just 300 and something pages. Which makes it a hard read, but of intense great quality. I even felt like crying when he talked about the ‘blood diamonds’ thing.
But this novel is not at all the thing we would expect from the Alchemist. Actually it’s better than I thought it’d be because finally he’s not looking in the normal spiritual Coelho’s type of worldview (I was afraid that he’d take a risk and write another Witch of Portobello, though it’s one of his best!). No, he’s looking, and looking hard. The traces of his old works are visibly seen in this novel to the extend that I lined a quote from it, written in the exact words from Brida and Like The Flowing River when he talks about being caught in a web of time on this earth while our spirits are eternal.
Generally speaking. This novel is now on my favourite’s list along with the Zahir, the Alchemist and The Witch of Portobello. It’s something new. And those who don’t know Mr.Coelho’s other works will easily misjudge him because of that. They better do their homework first!
You’re definitely an on-a-roll winner, Mr. Coelho.
Love from Syria!
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Mata Hari Reply:
June 10th, 2009 at 8:50 am
This is probably the book of the century, the one that makes the world have a good look at itself.
:)
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Oh paulo, you have brought love, laughter, peace, understanding and much, much more into not only mine, but so many peoples lives, with your beautiful writting. I have loved every book you’ve written, some more than others but loved them all, re reading my favourites time and time again, always finding a new little gem, a deeper understanding. I am so sad to finish each new book and avidly await your next one, joyfully buying it as soon as it reaches the shops. I teach Reiki and have been recommending your books to my pupils for years. They unlock doors for anyone on a spiritual journey, giving them the courage to persue their dreams and fight to reach their goals.
I hate to add this comment, I don’t mean to be crual Paulo, but your latest book. ‘The winner stands alone’ was so unlike your other books, I really didn’t find any joy or meaning in this book. Did you write it, am I missing a vital point? Please re read some of your older work and you will understand why I am so disapointed in this book. Please bring back the magic in your work, you have the power to change lives. You are a great writer and I would imagin a fine human being.
God bless you Paulo, I look forward to your next book.
Thanks. Carolinex
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Paulo Coelho Reply:
June 8th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Dear Caroline,
writing is an act of need - I don’t choose my topics in regards to anyone but myself. Otherwise my books would not be sincere.
Having said this - it’s true that this book is somewhat different. But in the end it is all about the dream - and how it can be manipulated.
Much love
Paulo
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caroline prudence Reply:
June 9th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Well, I sort of understand what you are saying, but your book did really change the view I had of you. it was just sadness in every chapter, pain and loss and despair, and agony and murder. and 11, why every chapter is add to 11, what does that mean?
i just saw the darkest despair in every person, where there is no hope.
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Anas al' Hourani Reply:
June 9th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Well. true said about the dark side of everything. Sadness and Hatred and most of all- vanity. But, there’s one thing more to be said about this novel. I guess you haven’t really understood what Jasmin’s role is all about. You see, she didn’t follow the majority of celebreties and worked with HH. Instead, she followed her guts, her dreams, and followed her true love. That forties lady that gave her all the hope in the world. Yes, all the other characters are sad, even Jasmin has the inner conflicts she always had since that accident that happenend to her, but she followed her dreams, and ended up in the arms of a woman she really loved. That’s the typical Coelho that I can’t not see in this novel. Other characters are a major move for a spiritual teacher first of all. But who dare to deny despair and sadness, and the greatest of all, unequality? we are all unequal. But when we strive to be something that we are not, in a hope of vain, the result therefore is what Coelho is trying to explain here.
Bottom line, goody for the laughter and joy in every aspect of the world, but it would never harm if one looked closer. At what’s really happening inside a world I (personally) never knew about it’s details because I was never fascinated by it.
This novel is new. Mr. Coelho knows that well, and excuse me for answering on his behalf. Maybe it’s just that the world isn’t ready for this kind of criticism yet. A criticism for a world that we all are stunned about.
Love from Syria.
Anas.
Ehsan Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I have not read the book yet but I’m eagerly waiting for it to be published in Sweden.
I must share somethign though, after reading caroline’s comment. I don’t know how it is with you but personally I feel alive when I’m burning out of pain. It is the agony that awakens the soul and let us taste the sweetness of life.
Mr. Coelho’s books so far have been dominated by light, love and joy which is wonderful, however perhaps not always so realistic. For him to have written a dark novell, depicting the naked truth for what it is only shows that he has matured even more as a writer and person.
I’ll share more thoughts when I’ve read the book, inshaAllah (God willingly)! :)
ruzz Reply:
June 28th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
As an author i can understand the difficulties encountered.
Every book is an outcome of newer thoughts and changed perspective,if all the books would have the same tone than why would people wait for new releases.Just remember as every day is a new day and cannot be compared to other days,every book is the fruit of a new thought.Is there any such law that if a person writes something once,hes supposed not to get off the track and write something better.
And for you Mr. Paulo,i dont believe your saying that you write for yourself,it cannot be true.Every artist needs admiration for his work…
Gooluck
Ruzz
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Ali Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Ehsan, what you are saying is certainly one way but not the only way. That is taking under consideration the particular situation where one has to look and see if indeed the soul is asleep or if the soul is indeed alive. There are many paths and many ways. Agony and pain are not the only way to feel alive. This I have found even from scriptures, in certain circumstances and situations in life by certain people to have been used as a more or less a case of justification for not finding another way out or not having the courage to find or look or even partake in another path then the one most easily available. The path of the least resistance to oneself, and the great agony to another and to use as alibi. So you choose to take the path of martyrdom, know that there are other paths as well.
حب
mr.coelho
i have been a huge fan of yours from alchemist but my all time favourite and book which grabbred intrest of my friends at college is eleven minutes . there is a saying in india that reading a book means making a aquaitance and rereading is visting an old freind eleven minutes is such a dear and close freind of me and my freinds. i cannot understand people who donot see story of a woman moving . i recently read your winner stands alone i couldnt stop reading straight into night i really felt sad for igor he needs a real women to take care of him not olivia in angel form . i mean he is so emotional ,behind veneer of a soldier and tough guy he is such a boy he needs a women to keep check of his dangerous side and re introduce him to true love unconditional love i am sorry to suggest this to such a great writer as your self but i think gabreila would give that soothing effort.no offence sir .
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Hi I am reading the winner stands alone.
so true that planet earth will destroy us before we destroy it.
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kerry Reply:
June 7th, 2009 at 6:19 am
I love your work So much and stand by for when your next book is out.
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Dear Paulo,
I have read all of your books, and I am always excited to find a new one. The Winner Stands Alone was a stunning experience. It seems to be a more subtle message to follow you intuition to discern evil, and to protect one’s self from being in evil’s harm. Evil is so subtle, I think you are talking about a Divine or supernatural vigilance to the energies around. I am still in this book’s grip.
Do you give seminars in France?
Thank you so much for your work.
Lyndall
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Paulo Coelho Reply:
June 7th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Dear Lyndall,
thank you for this interesting point of view - indeed the devil is to be found in details.
Concerning your question : no - I don’t give seminars. My books are my way of sharing.
Love
Paulo
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Dear Paulo,
I sometimes synchonicity when it comes to finding your books ready for sale. I was recently asked: “has your favourite author Paulo Coehlo written any new books?” and my answer then was, “Not sure, but am looking.” About 4 days later, I was hustling through the Ottawa Int’l airport in Ontario, Canada,and in the first and only bookstore I saw that day was your newest book, “The Winner Stands Alone.” It was in instant purchase so I could start reading it while I waited for my plane, and flew home to Prince Edward Island.
Often the publication of your books appears just as I’m hoping for a new one to read. I’m always pleased.Thank you for reading this and most of all for writing the books.
my best wishes,
Sandra Ireland…a long time fan with all of your books in my bookcase.
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Paulo Coelho Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Dear Sandra,
thank you for sharing your story with me.
Much love and may you always keep your beautiful enthusiasm.
Love
Paulo
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I think one of the underlying messages in the book so far is precisely that one person’s judgment of another person’s worth is not enough. Igor was wrong to take the life of Olivia and steal her right to achieve her dream.
The emptiness of wealth & fame & beauty is subjective–none of us can know what is in the mind and heart of the other human being without genuinely listening and connecting. So it is also true that Igor made a mistake here, even though he was just trying to achieve his dream, too. It’s just that when everybody is fighting for their dreams, people hurt one another and it’s one of the most painful realities we must face as human beings.
I don’t think the novel is necessarily laying a judgment against worldly gains as-is, but rather is warning that we can turn objects into dreams. Sometimes the dream has nothing to do with the results. Like the treasure that Santiago found in the end of The Alchemist–”if I had told you where it was, you never would have seen the Pyramids in Egypt. They were beautiful, weren’t they?”–we can’t just equate the gains or losses in a person’s life with their dream.
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