The Greatest Showman - Chapter 1359: Real Materials

The so-called roundtable meeting sounded grand, but in reality, it was held in a small conference room, barely the size of a palm. Once ten reporters crammed inside, there was hardly any space to move, and even breathing felt restricted.

After yet another roundtable discussion, the reporters filed out in a row. The scene resembled a school of sardines exiting a Finnish sauna—cramped, hurried, and chaotic.

Kerry, who had just finished his interview, followed behind them. Checking his watch, he scanned the surroundings but saw no sign of Renly. Flashing a polite smile at the waiting journalists, he said, "You can head in first and wait. Renly is very punctual—unless he's on set. Otherwise, he's never late."

Emily, slightly nervous, impulsively asked, "What is Renly like in private? Any dos and don'ts? Any topics we should avoid?"

Kerry blinked playfully. "You don't need to worry about Renly. I'd be more concerned about yourselves."

Some of the reporters exchanged knowing looks. The seasoned journalists who had interviewed Renly before smiled knowingly, while the newer self-media reporters remained puzzled—including Mark.

Emily nudged Mark's sleeve, casting him an inquisitive glance. "Wasn't Renly really friendly at the press conference just now?"

Mark shrugged. "The Renly I know has always been kind."

"My ears are tingling. A true lady wouldn't gossip behind someone's back." A polite yet teasing voice echoed in the corridor. Renly appeared, simply dressed in a shirt, yet effortlessly commanding attention.

Kerry spread her hands. "Sorry, I'm no lady."

Renly approached with a subtle smirk and greeted Kerry in the French manner, a polite air kiss near the cheek. "But Marcus would certainly disagree."

Kerry's cheeks flushed slightly as she shot Renly an exasperated look. She wasn't shy about her marriage being public knowledge, but she preferred to keep her personal life out of work conversations. Renly, of course, was well aware of this but still managed to catch her off guard.

With a composed expression, Renly acted as though the previous remark was entirely innocuous, as if Marcus were just another crew member, and their filming experiences were simply casual anecdotes. Yet, Kerry's reaction could easily invite unnecessary speculation.

Realizing this, she rolled her eyes and quipped, "You know, Joel and Ethan were right about you." She referenced the Coen Brothers' playful remark about Renly's mischievous side in Inside Llewyn Davis.

Not waiting for Renly's retort, Kerry quickly walked away, ensuring she wouldn't fall into another of his verbal traps.

Renly chuckled and turned to the reporters. "It looks like we're running a bit behind schedule. Let's get started, shall we?"

The corridor had become increasingly crowded—clearly, Renly wasn't the only one with a packed agenda. The itinerary was relentless: roundtable discussions, individual interviews, and promotional events stretched late into the night. For the next three days, it would be the same; even with careful planning, time was still scarce.

"Renly, was your meeting with Emma Watson this afternoon prearranged?"

"Renly, are you and Emma dating?"

A flurry of questions erupted before he even entered the room.

Without a word, Renly calmly glanced at the reporters. His composed gaze alone was enough to make them instinctively rush into the conference room, leaving the speculative murmurs behind.

Once inside, Renly took a quick survey of the room and settled into a red single-seat sofa, crossing one leg over the other. His posture was relaxed yet poised. With an inviting smile, he gestured, "Please, take a seat."

The way each reporter seated themselves revealed their experience level. Some settled quickly and confidently, while others hesitated, gauging their surroundings. Emily was among the latter. Though she had grown accustomed to being around celebrities over the past few days, sharing an enclosed space with Renly now felt different. His presence, so effortlessly commanding, made her palms slightly damp with nervousness.

It was unmistakable—this was a different level of interaction.

"Let's get straight to it." Without a moderator, Renly took the initiative to begin.

A brief silence hung in the air as the journalists exchanged glances, hesitant to go first. Then, breaking the stillness, a voice finally spoke up.

"Renly, what are your thoughts on EGOT?"

Renly's response was immediate and cool. "That has nothing to do with Cannes."

The air in the room tensed. His tone wasn't angry or dismissive—just precise, firm, and unwavering. Without elaboration, he simply let the weight of his words settle, waiting for the next question.

Emily now fully understood Kerry's earlier warning.

This same question had been asked at the press conference, and Renly had already made it clear that he didn't want to discuss it at Cannes. Yet, when it was brought up again, he shut it down with quiet authority, leaving no room for negotiation.

Lesson learned: every question must be chosen carefully.

Taking a breath, Emily spoke. "Renly, I'm Emily from Emily's Film Blog. What are your thoughts on Omar, which just screened? And outside of the main competition at Cannes this year, do you have a personal favorite?"

"Ah, the lady from the red carpet." A warm smile crossed Renly's face, instantly dispelling the tension. The transformation was subtle but complete—the oppressive atmosphere lifted, and the room felt at ease again.

To Emily's surprise, Renly remembered her.

"I think Omar has its limitations, but you can see the director's strength in shot composition and emotional depth. The chilling effect of the ending was particularly striking. For actors, stripping away embellishments and delivering raw emotion is a challenge, but the non-professional cast brought a unique authenticity. Overall, I liked it a lot."

"Power—the power of performance and the power of cinematography. Which do you think is more important?" Mark jumped in eagerly. "In Inside Llewyn Davis, everything feels restrained, yet it leaves a profound impact. What conveys that force?"

Renly's eyes sparkled with engagement. "It's a combination. Some directors act as mere recorders, capturing the actors' chemistry naturally. Others, like the Coen Brothers, use light, sound, and framing to shape performances. Take the opening and closing shots of the film—they appear identical but evoke completely different emotions, giving the story a distinct resonance."

"Renly, your performance in Inside Llewyn Davis was extraordinary. Any secrets to your preparation?" another reporter asked.

Renly smiled. "Stay hungry." Then, after a pause, he elaborated. "I once read an interview with Daniel Day-Lewis. After each film, he takes a break—not out of exhaustion, but to allow himself to crave the craft again. That hunger fuels his performances. It's something I strive for too, making sure I'm fully committed each time I step into a role."

"Is that why you've chosen to take a break recently?"

"Exactly."

As the conversation flowed naturally, Emily took in the dynamic exchange. This was the beauty of roundtable discussions—insights emerged organically, sparking unexpected revelations. Of course, the success of such an interview depended on the participants having real depth, bringing genuine substance to the table.

"So, what was your most satisfying or unforgettable scene in Inside Llewyn Davis?" Emily asked, her curiosity piqued.

The discussion had only just begun.