Chapter 1535 - Grand Success

When Gravity was first announced, the media response was cautious. On one hand, there was excitement about the collaboration between Renly and Alfonso Cuaron, but there were also concerns. After all, science fiction films like 2001: A Space Odyssey had flopped at the box office when first released, and Blade Runner was only reappreciated decades later. So, what made Gravity an exception?

Following the missed opportunity at Cannes and the controversy of being excluded from the Venice Film Festival's main competition, expectations for the film remained in a state of uncertainty.

But now, with the world premiere behind them, the mystery had been resolved.

Alfonso Cuaron, Renly Hall, and Rooney Mara.

When these three main creators took the stage, the audience stood up as one, offering their highest tribute.

Was Gravity perfect as a film? There were differing opinions, of course. Every work has its flaws. But as a commercial film, Gravity reached a pinnacle in visual effects, artistic achievement, philosophical depth, pacing, and emotional buildup. It drew comparisons to The Dark Knight, striking a delicate balance between art and commerce, and arguably offering an even richer viewing experience.

With a brilliant director, a talented cast, an excellent script, and groundbreaking visual effects, Gravity became a timeless masterpiece in cinematic history.

The applause continued to swell, an uncontainable energy that lingered even twenty minutes after the film ended. The audience's emotions hadn't yet begun to settle.

Amid this frenzy, the host, Pascal Leider, beamed. How could this premiere be any more successful? But before he could speak, the audience was caught off guard when Alfonso Cuaron, usually reserved, suddenly addressed them.

"Before we start the post-screening interview, I want to take a moment to express my respect," Alfonso said, his voice slightly tense but resolute. He turned and gestured toward Renly. "It's because of this great actor that we are here today. Renly's understanding of the character and the story inspired us all during filming. Seeing the final product today, I can't help but think, thank God Renly played Ryan."

Alfonso paused, then gave Renly a round of applause. The audience followed suit, their applause thunderous.

Renly, now the center of attention, couldn't help but laugh. He smiled helplessly at Alfonso, but didn't refuse the praise—after all, it was too much to brush off.

Pascal, sensing a slight shift in tone, grinned. "Great. You've just used the word 'great.' Do you consider Renly a great actor?"

"Yes," Alfonso replied without hesitation. "I think every audience member will take something different away from this movie, but there's a depth to Ryan's character that Renly brought to life. Without him, Gravity wouldn't be what it is."

Renly, ever the humble one, raised an eyebrow. "Wow, a Lifetime Achievement Award already? I didn't know we were giving those out today." He grinned, easing the tension, and the audience laughed. "Look, I know I'm a good actor. But, for the sake of this movie's box office, let's stay modest."

The room chuckled, the atmosphere lightening again. Pascal smoothly redirected the conversation to Rooney. "What about you, Rooney? Do you agree with Alfonso?"

Rooney, always quick-witted, avoided saying "great," not wanting to make it sound too lofty. "I'm still looking forward to working with Renly again," she teased, casting a fleeting glance his way. "But I'll admit, he's an excellent actor."

She continued, her tone more thoughtful. "I remember when we first started filming. Renly took the time to understand Ryan Stone, to really imagine the struggles of a person stranded in space. Ryan isn't just a character in a film—he feels like a real person, with a past and present that Renly brought to life in the most remarkable way."

Rooney's earnest words had a quiet intensity, but as she spoke, she felt Renly's gaze on her. Unable to ignore it, she turned toward him. "What? Is something wrong?" she asked, half-amused.

Renly smiled, raising his eyebrows. "Oh, nothing. Just wondering if I need to step up my game. I mean, I don't want Alfonso to have to call me out for slacking off on the next project!" The comment set off another round of laughter.

"Now, back to the movie," Renly said, redirecting things back to the heart of the interview.

Pascal took the opportunity to bring up something he'd heard about the making of Gravity: "Alfonso, I understand you personally went to the West End to invite Renly to join the cast. Is that true? Were you already impressed by him before working together?"

The interview then shifted to discuss the themes of the film, the behind-the-scenes stories, and the unique challenges of filming. The three continued to engage thoughtfully, peeling back the layers of what made Gravity such a remarkable achievement.

Then came the final segment: audience questions.

Despite the length of the interview, excitement still buzzed through the crowd. One-third of the audience had their hands raised, eager to ask questions. Pascal, with practiced ease, called on one of them.

"Renly, for you personally, what do you think the real theme of Gravity is? Is it about survival in space? Or is it about family?"

It was a simple question, but its depth reflected the audience's understanding of the film. They had clearly been thinking deeply about it.

Renly took a moment before responding thoughtfully. "At its core, Gravity is a story about transformation and rebirth, about nurturing life. But if we dive into the characters, it's more philosophical—it's about existentialism."

He continued, "For some, family and connection are the meaning of life. For others, it's about freedom and dreams. And for some, the possibilities are endless. On a deeper level, it's a reflection on existence itself."

"Every audience member will interpret the film differently, and that's the beauty of it. Our job was to present it, and Alfonso's brilliance lies in creating a space where these interpretations can flourish."

Renly's words left the room in thoughtful silence, a profound end to an already historic night.

Though the film's promotion would continue with Warner Bros. eager to steer the conversation away from such heavy topics for the sake of box office numbers, Renly's philosophical musings had set the tone for the festival's closing.

After the Q&A session, the creators were once again surrounded by reporters, the interviews stretching on for another half-hour. Even as the evening came to a close, the excitement and admiration for Gravity were palpable, a wave that promised to continue for months to come.