The Greatest Showman - Roundtable Interview
"Ethan, can you discuss the live performance aspect of this movie? We know that most of the songs were performed live. How did you capture the actors' singing emotions?"
"Justin, you were involved in the production of the original soundtrack. Can you talk about your experience collaborating on this project? Personally, I'm most curious about the adaptation of the song Five Hundred Miles. What inspired the arrangement?"
"There are rumors that the crew is planning to hold a concert featuring the movie's soundtrack. Is this true?"
"Ethan or Joel, can you elaborate on the sound editing and effects? In previous works, you've been meticulous about using sound details to enhance the atmosphere. This time, with a significant number of live performances, it seems you've deliberately avoided overuse of sound effects. Was that an intentional choice?"
"Renly, you've recently worked with Alfonso Cuarón and the Coen Brothers. Can you share your thoughts on the differences between these collaborations?"
"Also, why did Drunk Town Ballad adopt a ring structure? Are the opening and closing scenes identical, or is it a flashback? What led to this creative choice? Additionally, what is the significance of Yuli Sith's big yellow cat? Renly, how did that influence your performance?"
The press conference buzzed with energy, showing no signs of slowing down. Originally scheduled for 30 minutes, the session stretched to 45 minutes as reporters eagerly sought more answers. Yet, despite their enthusiasm, the organizers had to bring the event to a close.
As the Drunk Town Folk Ballad crew left the conference hall, many journalists lingered, exchanging opinions about the film, the press event, and their overall impression of the Cannes Film Festival.
Amidst the bustling crowd, Emily and Mark found themselves in the company of like-minded film enthusiasts, animatedly discussing their thoughts.
Suddenly, Emily's phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, she saw an email notification. As she opened it, her eyes widened with excitement. Her entire demeanor shifted as she gasped in disbelief.
"Oh my God!"
Emily couldn't contain her excitement. "I've secured a spot in Renly's roundtable interview!"
"What?!" "No way!" "So jealous!" "Emily, send me your list of questions right now! You have to ask Renly in person!"
"And don't forget to take pictures! I need to know what it feels like to interview Renly up close. I'm already getting excited!"
Moments later, Mark checked his own email. "Wait—I got in too!" He practically jumped with joy. "We both got into the roundtable interview!"
At major international film festivals, media interviews are highly sought after. Even lesser-known films in the main competition attract significant media attention. With over 4,000 accredited journalists at Cannes, securing an interview—even a group session—is a rare privilege.
To manage the overwhelming demand, film festivals organize interviews in different formats:
Roundtable Interviews: Small group discussions with three to ten participants, lasting 30 to 60 minutes.
Small Talk Interviews: Short, spontaneous interactions at screenings or parties, relying entirely on chance.
Exclusive One-on-One Interviews: Reserved for top-tier media outlets, offering exclusive access and special privileges.
For independent journalists like Emily and Mark, securing even a roundtable interview was a major achievement. Many media professionals would leave Cannes without any interview slots at all, making this opportunity all the more significant.
Mark laughed as he read through the email. "This is hilarious. The interview is scheduled for 3:30 PM because Renly has a movie he must watch before then—Omar, from the Un Certain Regard section. That's exactly how it's written in the email!"
The group burst into laughter. Renly prioritizing a film screening over an interview was both amusing and endearing.
Emily giggled as she read further. "It even says: 'If time is tight and you can't attend, you may interview Joel and Ethan an hour earlier. Alternatively, you can schedule with Kerry or Justin. *All film lovers will understand. By the way, is anyone else watching Omar?'"
The laughter continued as they imagined Renly's commitment to cinema.
"Did Renly write this email himself?" someone asked in disbelief.
Mark shook his head. "No, it's from Roy, his manager. But some parts are in quotation marks—clearly Renly's own words."
"Roy must have been exasperated drafting this email," another friend joked.
"This just proves how much Renly genuinely loves movies," Emily mused. "He's not just a star—he's a true cinephile."
Emily and Mark exchanged a glance.
"So, what do you think?" Emily asked.
Mark hesitated before responding thoughtfully, "Honestly, I really want to see Omar. Renly has great taste in films, and I think watching it might give us deeper insight for our interview later. Even though Un Certain Regard isn't as prestigious as the main competition, I'm sure it'll be worthwhile."
Emily nodded. "Agreed. If it's the same screening, we might even get a chance to discuss it with Renly afterward. Let's go now before we run out of time."
Film screenings in the Un Certain Regard section often had tight schedules, making it essential to plan accordingly.
More importantly, with the roundtable interview at 3:30 PM, there was a risk of missing the evening's main competition premiere. But this was Cannes—where the days were packed, and sleep was optional.
Wasting no time, Emily and Mark bid their friends farewell and dashed toward the screening hall.
The rain poured relentlessly as they navigated through the chaotic festival grounds. Along the way, they encountered paparazzi hoping to capture Renly's arrival. Unlike Berlin, where the focus was on the art of film, Cannes placed equal emphasis on its stars.
The screening of Omar took place in a small venue accommodating fewer than 80 people. Unexpectedly, Renly's presence caused a stir, attracting more attention than anticipated.
After the screening, Emily and Mark realized they were running late. They had hoped to walk with Renly and discuss the film, but given the circumstances, they had no choice but to hurry to their next destination—the grand Barrière Hotel, where the roundtable interview awaited.
The only silver lining? The rain had finally stopped, and the sky was clearing up. At last, they could run through Cannes without being drenched.