The Greatest Showman #1339 - Nepotism

Being part of the film festival jury is not as easy as it may seem. The judges must remain highly focused, watching 20 complex art films in just 12 days, each film running for two to three hours. In addition to the films, there are media interviews and social gatherings, often held at a high frequency and intensity, almost daily.

This is just for the main competition. If necessary, they may need to watch more films.

Rumors often spread about one of the judges falling asleep during a screening, but this isn't slander—it's the reality. The judging process at the film festival is a significant test of both mental and physical endurance. Some of the art films have a slow pace that can easily make one drowsy, but ultimately, the judges are human too.

Obviously, when Ang Lee spoke to Renly earlier, it was a joke, perhaps a complaint or a rant.

Renly, however, was unbothered. His smile bloomed as his mood lifted, "How can you be so sure I'm not refreshed from enjoying the festival too much?"

"Sophistry. We all know Renly Hall can talk his way out of anything, and I'm not going to argue with you," Li An pretended to be serious, but his eyes betrayed him, twinkling with amusement, as though speaking to a younger family member.

Renly and Ang Lee had crossed paths at the Oscars, a brief but memorable encounter that left a lasting impression. They discussed the interpretation of Eastern culture in Ang Lee's film The Life of Pi, touching on reincarnation, fate, and philosophy. Renly's insights truly caught Ang Lee's attention, as his perspective as a "British" man gave his take on Eastern values a unique and valuable edge. That conversation had stayed with Ang Lee since.

Li An smiled and asked, "So, did you find any films worth discussing this time?" He playfully took on the role of the elder again.

"Adele's Life," Renly replied without hesitation, his answer clear.

Li An's smile widened, and he raised a hand to tap Renly lightly, then shook his head with a mix of amusement and reproach. Renly didn't argue, simply shrugging with a smile. "I knew you would like it."

The Life of Adele captured the struggles and nuances of middle-class life in France, something Ang Lee deeply appreciated. The movie's delicate portrayal of human emotions and difficulties aligned with his tastes.

Renly's answer seemed to cater to Ang Lee's preferences, but Li An decided to tease him further. "Do you think I like it as an audience or as a judge?"

"Both," Renly answered frankly, glancing at Li An with a playful smile in his eyes.

Li An raised his face in mock seriousness, asking, "So, do you think I'd like Drunken Country Ballads?"

Renly grinned and repeated the same question back at Li An, "As an audience, or as a judge?" The effect was entirely different.

Li An paused, then smiled and shook his head, admitting that, as a judge, he had to remain objective and avoid talking about films during the festival, no matter who they were about.

Renly let out a soft laugh and changed the subject. "So, are you preparing for a new project?"

Li An's eyes brightened slightly. "You know, if it's your work, I have no problem with it."

Renly was earnest. After The Life of Pi, Ang Lee, like many great directors, started exploring deeper dimensions of storytelling using technology. He embraced 120-frame technology and 3D to push the boundaries of cinema with Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk.

Human eyes can process visual information in roughly 0.1 seconds. A 120-frame rate—five times the usual 24 frames—produces an incredibly detailed, immersive experience, though it also puts more pressure on the viewer's eyes. Ang Lee hoped to take his audience deeper into the characters' inner worlds through this pioneering technology.

However, Billy Lynn's Halftime Walk didn't succeed. Despite critical acclaim, it underperformed at the box office, and its prospects in awards season were lackluster. Many fans questioned Ang Lee's ability, citing two main reasons: his Eastern perspective failed to resonate with American audiences, and the actors' performances, magnified by the 120-frame technology, fell short, lacking the depth and expression necessary to carry the story.

Despite its failure, Ang Lee remained confident in the technology and announced that he would continue using it for future projects.

If Ang Lee was behind the next project, Renly would have no reservations about joining, even knowing it could be another Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration with such a visionary director.

Li An could see the enthusiasm in Renly's eyes and didn't question it for a second. However, he couldn't resist joking, "Is there no problem with Hulk?"

The Hulk was a major failure in Ang Lee's career, both in terms of the finished product and its commercial performance. It was clear that Ang Lee's delicate, emotional style was not suited for such a large-scale commercial film.

Renly pretended to be embarrassed, glancing away in mock guilt, which only caused Li An to laugh even harder.

In private, Ang Lee was known for his sense of humor, and his jokes often contradicted the serious director persona he displayed publicly.

"What? Are you suggesting we shouldn't be too friendly with the main creative team of the competition films to avoid accusations of nepotism?" a voice interjected from nearby.

Renly and Li An turned to see Steven Spielberg striding toward them.

"If you're going to get cozy with the competition, it's better to do it out of the sight of reporters," Spielberg teased, joining the two.

Renly raised an eyebrow, "Wouldn't it be better to get close to them right in front of the reporters?"

Ang Lee and Spielberg exchanged glances and chuckled together. Spielberg then adopted the stance of an elder, his hands behind his back, and said, "You'd better make sure tonight's film is as great as everyone expects. Otherwise, I won't hold back during the jury discussion."

Renly nodded politely, silently agreeing. His actions spoke louder than words.

The two directors laughed again. Spielberg gave Renly a friendly pat on the arm. "Come on. Nicole sent me to rescue you. You've been on the red carpet for nearly an hour, but the reporters haven't let you go yet. More importantly, we've all been waiting impatiently. When does the film start?"