Financing the risky film, especially in a weak economy, was problematic.
It was one of the riskiest films ever made.
And this makes it even more unlikely that a first-time director will make a risky film with limited commercial prospects.
Columbia has its early hopes set on two expensive and risky films.
At the time, however, conditions were still encouraging for a risky film and, he said, his movie might have done better with Sundance exposure.
But would we get as many great and risky films?
Geoffrey Gilmore, its director, said the festival would feature more risky films than it has recently.
"Creativity is a risk, and no one wants to finance a risky film."
As the series demonstrates, he went on to make other equally ambitious and risky films.
But I want to complement this by making some risky films.