The Greatest Showman (#816) - First Impressions

What is the essential difference between European films and American films? Is it the pursuit of profit or the pursuit of art? Is it rooted in history, culture, philosophy, and a foundation of ideas? The true distinction lies in the depth of ideas that form the foundation of each cinema culture.

For instance, French films often contain philosophical dialogue; Italian films tend to operate in the tradition of realism, with a keen focus on human emotion and everyday life; while German films often delve into political, social, and historical issues. This sensibility permeates all genres, even commercial, popcorn-style movies. The way lines are written, characters are developed, and the story is directed — all carry subtle marks of these different cultural backgrounds.

Europe's long history, with its ideological shifts and cultural upheavals, creates a clear separation between its artistic creations and those of the United States. These "heritages" are sometimes absent from the commercial machinery of Hollywood.

Thus, European cinema tends to reject Hollywood productions. Even though the Cannes Film Festival has become a sort of outpost for Hollywood in Europe due to commercial interests, Cannes critics remain notoriously harsh and critical of Hollywood. American filmmakers often need to work tirelessly to gain a foothold in Europe and earn respect.

This was precisely why Andy Rodgers arrived in Berlin early. For actors who work in art films, the recognition and support of the European market are crucial. Such recognition often becomes an important bargaining chip when returning to Hollywood and advancing their careers.

A prime example is Sean Penn. While he started his career in Hollywood, the American film industry has never shown much interest in him. Instead, the major European film festivals opened their doors to him. In just ten years, he won Best Actor at Berlin, Cannes, and Venice — only then did he firmly establish himself in Hollywood, eventually winning two Oscars.

Now, Renly has achieved something remarkable: he has won the favor of European journalists, at least making a positive first impression, which is rare and unexpected. With that, attention shifts to the movie Transcendence.

"Renly, may I ask you, if given the chance, would you be interested in going to China to promote the film?" A reporter from China asked, quickly switching back to Chinese after the initial question in English. It was an unexpected but welcome change — interviewing a Hollywood star in Chinese at the Berlin Film Festival felt like a unique experience.

Renly was momentarily taken aback. With one foot in his past life and the other in his present, he sat on stage, his Chinese soul beneath his English-speaking skin. He answered the question in English, feeling a sense of nostalgia as he recalled the lyrics from Cleopatra:

"The only gift God gave me was life and a divorce, but I read the script, and the costumes were just right, so I would play my part well."

He smiled at the thought, raising his lips, "Yes, I would be happy to go." Renly nodded, confirming his interest. "Actually, I've been looking forward to going to China. It's such a magical place. I thought I would have the chance this summer, but unfortunately, I missed it. I guess I'll have to wait for the next time."

As soon as he finished speaking, the reporters raised their hands again. Asking Renly questions was like digging for treasure — each answer revealed something new. The conversation quickly returned to Renly, and the press conference, originally scheduled to last 45 minutes, stretched to an hour with no sign of ending. Despite the host's reminders to wrap things up, the journalists' enthusiasm remained unabated. Finally, the host glanced at his watch, shaking his head. "Last question, please! After this, the press conference will conclude."

As the reporters reached for the last opportunity to ask, a young female reporter, likely under 30, posed a general yet engaging question: "What's the most memorable part of the film? I'd like to hear from everyone on the crew."

The question was met with whistles of approval from the audience. The host sighed but smiled, knowing he had little choice but to move on. "We have limited time, so we'll only hear from Tony and Renly."

As expected, Tony's response was playful, "Mad. Renly's a lunatic." He grinned mischievously, while the rest of the crew laughed.

Renly chuckled along, adding, "That's it. Tony said it all. And I can't say anything more now. Tony is also a lunatic. If the official festival magazine writes tomorrow about two lunatics making a movie, I don't think it will help box office sales."

His witty tone made everyone burst out laughing, and the room lightened with shared amusement.

After a moment, Renly's expression grew more sincere. "Actually, the part that impressed me most was the intention behind the film — Carl and Tony's focus on a specific group, aiming to reflect certain realities and explore important issues. That's rare, and it became the soul of the movie. For me, it provided the inspiration to perform and made the entire collaborative process extraordinarily special."

His words, free of jokes, were met with quiet attentiveness from the reporters, who seemed to absorb the sincerity in Renly's voice.

Renly paused, then smiled. "This feels like a Berlin Film Festival moment now. Serious, profound, and composed."

The light-hearted banter gave way to applause, whistles, and laughter. The press conference came to an end in a wave of enthusiasm.

As the main crew members left, reporters lingered behind, continuing to exchange thoughts and opinions.

"He's a special actor. I haven't seen anyone like him in years. Humorous, energetic, and at the same time, gentlemanly, with wisdom and depth."

"Isabelle Huppert?"

"No, Huppert is more reserved. Hall still has that youthful energy. He's willing to take on movies like Fast and Furious 5, which is quite different."

The conversation continued, each journalist intrigued by Renly's performance, his apparent multilingual talents, and his potential impact on European and Asian markets. Some even compared him to Leonardo DiCaprio in his early years, pointing out his future potential.

As Renly and his team left the press conference, the first day of their Berlin Film Festival experience was just beginning. The premiere of Transcendence was scheduled for the next day, but today was already packed with official duties — interviews, photoshoots, and videos — that would keep them busy well into the night.

Renly chatted with Tony as they walked, reflecting on the press conference when they heard hurried footsteps and a distant shout, "Wait! Renly!"

Before they could turn around, a group of staff members in black suits blocked their way. "The press conference has concluded, and future interviews are scheduled for later."

One figure in the crowd, holding a camera and briefcase, called out, "I'm not here for an interview. I just want Renly's autograph. It's a personal request."

Renly paused, considering for a moment. "Of course, it's my honor," he said aloud.