The Greatest Showman#1356 - humorous

Renly's simple words sparked a wave of applause, laughter, and whistles throughout the press conference hall.

For most of the newer self-media reporters riding the trend and joining the event out of curiosity, the humor in Renly's statement was somewhat lost. They could sense the amusement in the room but couldn't quite grasp its depth. Only a handful of seasoned professional bloggers, well-versed in the nuances of European film festivals, caught the joke and laughed along.

In Cannes, in France, the director is always the protagonist. The phrase "film is the director's art" is deeply ingrained in this culture. When people discuss a movie, the director is the central figure—even the most famous actors are seen as an extension of the director's vision.

Take, for example, Drunken Country Ballad.

People would say, "That Coen Brothers film was fantastic," rather than, "That Renly Hall performance was incredible."

This tradition holds in Berlin and Venice as well, with Toronto, Telluride, and Sundance gradually adopting similar perspectives. Yet, in those festivals, recognizing an actor's contribution is not uncommon. But here at Cannes?

Here, the spotlight belongs to the Coen brothers.

Understanding this context, Joel and Renly both turned toward Ethan.

Ethan met their gazes without hesitation. "I think that's a really interesting question. Joel and I took a long break after The Earth. For over two years, we weren't actively searching for new inspiration—until last year's Grammys."

He gestured toward Joel. "As Joel just said, we were deeply moved by Renly's performance. If you've ever listened to The Beast or the Don Quixote album, you'd know. Through the music, you can feel the raw emotion—dreams, struggles, life itself."

Ethan continued, his voice thoughtful. "It's an interesting question because it highlights something rare. Imagine—it's 2011. How many people are willing to stop and create an album like Don Quixote? A deeply personal, intricate work that might not have a mainstream audience? How many people are willing to take the time to truly listen to it?"

"Movies are the same."

The hall fell silent. All eyes were on Ethan.

He adjusted his glasses and pressed on. "Joel and I are fortunate. We can find support for almost any project we want to pursue. Even for a film that might not seem commercially viable, there are people willing to believe in us. But for many independent filmmakers, that's not the case."

"There are so many talented, passionate creators who are stifled by the industry's impatience, urgency, and commercial constraints. Some are eventually forced to abandon their dreams altogether. And yet, in a song from Don Quixote, Renly sang—"

'So grasp your dreams, how dare you forget our scars? I'll turn into a beast for you. If you pay enough, nothing counts, few dreams can be remembered.'

Ethan recited the lyrics, then turned to Renly with a smile. "Did I get that right?"

Renly nodded, his own smile confirming it.

Ethan chuckled. "So, Joel and I crafted this story. We knew it wasn't going to be a popular film. We wanted to capture the beauty of the 1960s while also portraying the hardships and heartaches of dreamers. This is a story about both artists and dreamers."

"At Cannes, the audience loved the film. And I don't think it's because of us. It's because of Renly. He made everyone hear the melody of Don Quixote and the voice of LeVern Davis."

The spotlight returned to Renly, who playfully spread his hands. "I guess it's my turn again?" His lighthearted tone elicited soft chuckles across the room.

"I've always believed it wasn't about me," Renly continued. "I simply told the story of a loner chasing an impossible dream. I used to think that no one cared about art anymore, that no one cared about dreams. That I was just another lone wanderer."

He smiled. "But clearly, I was wrong. Don Quixote was heard. LeVern Davis was heard. And trust me, when you find yourself resonating with this film, the real joy doesn't belong to our crew—it belongs to all the dreamers still fighting in the dark."

He paused, then added mischievously, "Come on, even a loser like LeVern never gave up. You should have more faith."

The room erupted in laughter.

Just then, a reporter stood up, attempting to ask a question in English but struggling with a heavy accent. The room quieted as people tried to make sense of his words.

Renly, ever the gentleman, offered a reassuring smile. "You can use French."

Ethan glanced at Justin in confusion. Justin leaned over and explained, "Renly speaks multiple languages fluently. He demonstrated it back in Berlin."

"I never realized you were paying such close attention to me," Renly teased, causing Justin to feign shock—prompting another round of laughter.

Regaining his composure, the reporter asked in French, "Renly, what was the most challenging part of filming this movie? Between singing and acting, which was harder? And finally, do you have any plans for your next album?"

Renly burst into laughter. "I'll answer the last one first: No. Sorry, I'm not much of a singer. But the Drunken Country Ballad soundtrack is already finished."

He turned to Joel and Ethan, switching to English. "When does it officially release?"

"The sales opened on Cannes' opening night," Joel said dryly. "Though, from what I hear, they haven't been great."

Renly nodded solemnly. "Not surprised."

Laughter rippled through the hall.

Turning back to the reporter, Renly continued, "The hardest part of filming? Definitely the acting. Every melody and lyric had meaning. They were part of LeVern's story. Performing meant fully immersing myself in both the music and the character. It was a challenge on all fronts."

Justin interjected suddenly. "Don't believe him! He's just being modest."

The room fell silent in surprise. Justin pointed at Renly. "He's a natural-born singer. And he gave LeVern a whole new soul. Don't take my word for it—ask Carey. I know nothing about acting."

All eyes turned to Carey Mulligan, who sighed in mock exasperation. "Great, thanks, Justin. See what you got me into?"

Laughter filled the room once more.

Carey smiled. "I'll say this—Leonardo and Renly are two very different actors. Their approaches, their energy, how they collaborate—it's all unique."

Her words touched on one of Cannes' biggest topics: her experience starring in both The Great Gatsby and Drunken Country Ballad alongside two of Hollywood's most talked-about actors.

And with that, the press conference continued, filled with more questions, laughter, and the undeniable charm of Renly Hall.