The Greatest Showman #1337 - Full Attention

Renly's name echoed through the crowd, a continuous roar of excitement building around him. Fans screamed, cheered, and shouted with wild energy as the heat from the frenzy began to rise. The air grew thick with the humidity and warmth, as though every breath was charged with the palpable buzz of anticipation. Under the stars and the fading sea breeze, Renly could feel the unmistakable difference of Cannes—a world where reality and illusion blurred.

This wasn't Berlin, Sundance, or Toronto—this was Cannes, a festival like no other. More than the world's largest film market, Cannes represented the glittering pinnacle of cinema's most extravagant red carpet. The entire town was transformed into an intoxicating swirl of vanity and spectacle, where even the knowing madness was addictive.

Cannes was louder than the Oscars.

The red carpet stretched barely 50 meters, yet Renly took over 30 minutes to make his way to the media area. With every step, the crowd's energy enveloped him. Shouts, cheers, selfies—it was all part of the ritual. He would pause, smile, chat, and keep moving, as though there were no finish line in sight.

The reporters on-site weren't there to critique the films but to capture the essence of Cannes in real-time. Their task was to document the spectacle, from interviews to flashes of excitement, covering the event with a rapid, almost feverish pace.

As Renly approached the media area, the frequency of camera shutters skyrocketed. Initially a few "clicks," the noise soon crescendoed into a steady chain of "click, click, click," a relentless symphony that created a storm of flashing lights and sound.

The whole scene was consumed by the flashing lights—Renly's path through the red carpet bathed in the kind of spotlight that could almost ignite the air itself. His vision blurred, the sharp brightness forcing him to squint against the blaze, while a buzzing sensation filled his ears. The madness of the festival was real, and it was overwhelming.

Suddenly, a voice rang out, cutting through the chaos: "Master, may I ask, do you have any expectations for this year's Cannes Film Festival?"

Renly, still adjusting to the roar of the event, leaned in and shouted back, "'Venus in Fur,' 'Immigration,' and 'Father Like Son.'"

The reporter, stunned, blinked in confusion. It wasn't the answer they expected. They had wanted insight into Renly's thoughts on the Palme d'Or or the Best Actor award, but Renly, in his usual unpredictability, had completely misunderstood the question. Without skipping a beat, he turned and continued walking away, leaving the reporter behind, his face filled with questions.

The red carpet was still filled with celebrities and guests, but Renly's progress was halted by handshakes, greetings, and endless stops. Even Steven Spielberg made time to say hello. The carpet seemed endless, like a century-long journey, until finally, Renly spotted a familiar figure—Ang Lee.

This encounter was special. Renly had admired Lee for his seamless blending of Eastern and Western cultures in film, his ability to find balance in every shot. The chance to meet Lee, especially at Cannes, felt like a long-awaited moment. Renly had met Spielberg and other industry giants, but Ang Lee, as a member of the jury, was a different kind of idol. This time, it seemed as though fate was aligning for them to finally talk.

As Renly moved forward, he caught sight of another figure—Emma Watson.

"Good evening. Nice to meet you, Mr. Hall," she said with a distinct London accent. It was a warm greeting from the star known worldwide for her role in Harry Potter.

Renly paused. "Good evening, Miss Watson. It's nice to see you again."

While their encounter was cordial, the subtle difference in their words hinted at something more. This wasn't their first meeting—Renly had previously crossed paths with Emma on the set of Edge of Tomorrow, and the two had shared mutual friends. But this was their first public interaction, their first time meeting in the professional world as fellow actors. Their childhood connection was long behind them, but it wasn't lost on Renly that their relationship had evolved in such an elegant way.

Emma's background, however, was not just about Hollywood fame. Raised in an elite family with roots in the law, Emma's academic journey had taken her from Brown University to Oxford University, continuing a long tradition of excellence that had shaped her family's legacy. She was not only an actress but a member of a refined, intellectual world that Renly was only just beginning to glimpse.

As they exchanged pleasantries, Renly couldn't help but recall the last time he had met a member of the Watson family: Emma's parents, both Cambridge alumni. It was a quiet reminder of how the connections we make in childhood shape our destinies.

In this moment, standing together under the spotlight of Cannes, Renly realized that the journey of his own career, like Emma's, was only just beginning to take form. The world was watching, and what came next would only add to the history they were both writing, step by step.

4o mini