The Greatest Showman #814 - One Group of Peace

The shutter sounds gradually calmed, the flashes faded, and the press conference site revealed its original appearance. The venue, which could accommodate 300 people, was packed to capacity, filled with eager audiences. Cameras lined the central aisle and the open spaces on both sides, recording every moment. The busy figures around the room filled every available space, and behind the venue, a large number of staff bustled about, creating a buzz of excitement in the shadows where the lights didn't reach.

The air in the room was thick with the warmth of anticipation, like the sun rising in the morning, filling the entire space.

This was the fifth day of the Berlin Film Festival, and it was 9:00 AM on the first press conference of the day. The theme focused on a low-budget independent film, but the press hall was packed. Not only were all the seats filled, but even the staff couldn't resist coming in to join the excitement. It felt as though all the attention of the festival had converged in this one room.

Despite the buzz around Meryl Streep receiving a lifetime achievement award, this year's competition lacked the usual star power. Among the finalists were Christian Petzold, a leading figure of the "Berlin School," a movement of young German filmmakers; Nicholas, the writer of the original script for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; and Danish cinema's last superstar, Mads Mikkelsen, alongside Diane Kruger, the model-turned-actor who had made a name internationally. However, these filmmakers' influence was largely confined to Europe, and even in that sphere, their reach was not as broad as expected. Even Hollywood's Billy Bob Thornton, despite his fame, did not make a global impact.

The biggest names at this year's festival were probably Vittorio and Paolo Taviani, who won the Palme d'Or in Cannes in 1977 with My Father and My Lord and received a lifetime achievement award in Venice in 1986. Though their contributions to Italian neorealism were monumental, their advanced age meant they no longer commanded the same attention they once did.

Yet, despite these established figures, the real sensation was the film Detachment, a collaboration between Tony Kaye and Renly Hall. Kaye had made his mark on the European art scene with American History X fourteen years ago, and Renly, who had quickly risen to prominence, was now at the pinnacle of the new generation. Renly had achieved global popularity with Fast and Furious 5, Love Crazy, and I'm Anti-Cancer—and, with two exceptional performances in 2019, he had made the Oscar nomination list. This made him the focal point of the Berlin Film Festival that year.

As a result, the Detachment press conference was grand. There weren't enough seats for the 300 journalists, and even the festival staff joined the audience. It was a morning press event that felt more like a red carpet moment. Such attention could only be afforded to top Hollywood stars like George Clooney or Brad Pitt, and while not quite as extravagant as Cannes, it was rare to see such buzz in Berlin, a festival known for its more serious atmosphere.

Even Tony Kaye, a seasoned director, was taken aback by the grandiosity of the event. He exchanged glances with Renly, both of them chuckling lightly. The lively atmosphere was a clear indication that Detachment had already won a lot of attention—an excellent start to the festival.

The host's voice rang out from the side of the stage, announcing, "The press conference is starting now. Reporters can begin asking their questions."

Renly, with a laugh, quipped, "Is it just now? I thought the questioning session had already started?" His comment brought laughter from the reporters.

He shrugged slightly, opened a bottle of water, and took a sip. The room suddenly fell silent, with all eyes on Renly, which made him pause and look at Tony in confusion.

Tony, sitting beside him, leaned slightly forward, his voice filled with a hint of amusement. "The questioning session has already started, but you didn't name any reporters, so they couldn't stand up."

Renly blinked, realizing his mistake. He smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, this is my first time attending such a grand film festival. Looks like I still have a lot to learn." He gestured for Tony to take the reins.

Tony, still smiling, picked up the microphone. "Does anyone want to ask Renly a question?"

Instantly, almost every reporter's hand shot up in the air. Some couldn't contain their excitement, their arms raised as high as possible, their bodies leaning forward. It was a sea of hands, a sight to behold.

Renly glanced at the scene and, without missing a beat, gestured toward one reporter. "Yes, the lady with the blue scarf."

The other raised hands immediately dropped, and all eyes turned to the reporter, who stood up to ask, "Renly, this is your first visit to the Berlin Film Festival. What is your impression so far?"

Renly smiled and answered, "I think I'll go with 'passionate.' Since arriving at the airport yesterday, the city has shown me its rich history, welcoming fans, and a unique energy. Yesterday afternoon, I met a lovely group of fans outside my hotel, and one of the boys gave me a Detachment movie poster—that was the first time I saw the actual poster."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Just before the press conference, other fans heard about it and gave me a new poster. I can't think of a better way to start the festival."

Tony, ever the comedian, chimed in, "Maybe a brilliant sunny day could've made it better?" This drew another laugh from the crowd.

Renly, still smiling, replied, "If you came from London, you wouldn't say that!" The room erupted with laughter at the mild jab about London's infamous weather.

After the laughter died down, Renly continued, "Not only that, but last night I went to the cinema to watch some of the films being showcased here. I met many members of the audience and shared thoughts on the films. Their enthusiasm and positivity really left a strong impression on me. So, yes, 'passion' is definitely my first impression of the Berlin Film Festival."

As the atmosphere lightened, the questions continued. The next one addressed Renly's absence from the Golden Globe Awards two weeks prior due to filming Edge of Tomorrow, which prompted Renly to smoothly navigate the conversation, saying, "That's another story for another time. But let's focus on today's topic, shall we?"

The crowd appreciated Renly's wit and professionalism, and the next question flowed in a similar polite, yet probing, manner.