Rooney carefully sized up the figure of Renly before her. Although they had spent the day watching two movies together and had been together for most of the day, she had never truly taken the time to observe him properly until this moment.
Under the flickering light of the bonfire, his cheeks were tinted with a warm hue of red. His dignified brows seemed as if they were delicately painted with Eastern ink, and his profound and vast eyes resembled an unfathomable night sky, yet it sparkled with countless stars twinkling, concealing beneath his gentlemanly and elegant countenance a rare determination and sharpness. However, his thick lashes concealed those bright eyes, making them elusive to notice.
Sensing the scrutiny, Renly turned his head, his expression a mix of puzzlement. His deep hazel eyes mirrored the faint firelight, resembling the depths of an Atlantis ocean illuminated by gentle radiance. "My goodness, you're quite the lunatic," Rooney didn't shy away from his gaze, instead, she curved her lips and replied effortlessly.
A sleepless night found them engaged in conversation by the bonfire's warmth. It began with discussing "Buried", then transitioned to "The Social Networks", "127 Hours", and "The King's Speech". They touched upon other captivating films and even revisited their earlier debates on cinema, pondering which among "The Shawshank Redemption", "Forrest Gump", and "Pulp Fiction" truly stood as timeless cinematic classics.
As the night grew darker, the debates didn't wane; on the contrary, they grew more fervent. If they hadn't delved into these discussions, Rooney couldn't have fathomed the extent of effort Renly had put into portraying the role in "Buried".
In the afternoon, she had heard that Renly had spent eight hours in a coffin. Yet, that remained a vague concept, lacking tangible understanding, until their candlelit nocturnal conversation. People only witnessed the brilliance of "Buried", they saw Renly winning an Emmy Award at just twenty, and they marveled at his debut's astonishing impact. What they didn't see behind the film were the relentless efforts Renly had poured in.
Even for a prodigy, success was not readily assured.
"Heh." Renly didn't respond to her statement. He didn't mock or engage in self-deprecation, just a faint upward curve of his lips and his gaze fixed upon the distance, a silence that settled in.
Only Renly himself knew that he wasn't a prodigy, or at least, he didn't believe himself to be one.
All his confidence, perseverance, expectations, and dreams had been shattered throughout his growth. George and Elizabeth had never affirmed his efforts, persistently suppressing his enthusiasm for acting. Were it not for his two lifetimes' worth of experience, for the refinement forged during a decade of confinement in his previous life's bed, were it not for the determination and stubbornness borne from the joy of rebirth, he might have given up long ago.
Even after winning an Emmy Award, even after the recognition garnered by "Buried", deep inside, Renly still felt he needed to strive harder. Like a duck paddling on water, behind the serene facade, there was vigorous legwork, no room for a moment's slack.
Rooney had initially expected Renly to jest in response, yet he refrained. Unconsciously, she stared at the side of his face. Whether it was due to the density and chill of the night or the dimness and faintness of the bonfire's glow, she caught a trace of delicate vulnerability within the curvature of that profile.
Rooney lowered her gaze and turned her head away, refraining from further words. Then, she lifted her head once more, following Renly's gaze to the distant forest and sky, where all was tranquil and silent.
Crackling, crackling. The cracking sounds of the bonfire's bursts swirled in the air. The young people sitting around it continued to depart and return, now thoroughly exhausted. Some simply covered themselves with jackets and drifted into dreams right there, while others remained animatedly engaged in spirited conversations.
"Dawn is breaking," Renly's voice shattered the serene tranquility, softly resonating like the gentle plucking of a cello.
On the horizon's edge, a scorching red burst forth, faint yet dazzling in its energy. It forcefully tore through the sprawling night, instantly transforming the inky blackness into a shimmering azure, as though silk had been torn asunder across the expanse. The sharp and radiant halo resembled a flurry of sharpened blades, churning the sky and earth with merciless intensity. Above, the vast sky began to shift into astonishing hues, rendering words colorless. Mouths agape, they stood in silence, enraptured by this natural miracle.
"Another new day," Renly stretched in a yawn, a brilliant smile adorning his face. Despite the sleepless night, there was little exhaustion. Instead, he exuded vitality and clarity. Bathing in the languid morning sun, it was an intoxicating sight.
Rooney nodded involuntarily. "Indeed." The tightness at the corners of her mouth eased, giving way to a delicate, ever-present smile – light-hearted and content. "Time flies by so quickly. Now, with the sunrise, is it time for farewells?"
Renly turned his head, a trace of playful mischief glinting in his eyes. This caused a mild flush to spread across Rooney's cheeks. Fortunately, the crimson sun descended, casting its warm embrace upon her face, masking her embarrassment.
"Before Sunrise", the classic romantic film released in 1995, garnered the affection of countless devoted fans. It narrated the story of two strangers who met on a train headed to Vienna, fell in love at first sight, and spent a beautiful night together in Vienna, conversing throughout. With the sunrise, they bid each other farewell. This talkative film truly depicted the process of love from its budding to its palpitations, culminating in a convergence.
Nine years later, in 2004, the second installment of the series, "Before Sunset", was released, reuniting two strangers who had pined for each other but missed out on nine years of contact.
Rooney's earlier statement was evidently alluding to this film, while Renly's gaze hinted: Was last night a date?
"I can tell you in advance that I haven't purchased a ticket leaving Vienna." Renly's suggestive response further heated Rooney's cheeks. Nonetheless, she managed to regain her composure. Lifting her head, she revealed a charming face and fair neck, and extended an invitation, "Today, I plan to relive moments at the cinema. How about you?"
"How coincidental. I intend to do the same," Renly replied with a smile.
In the blink of an eye, sunlight bathed the entire land. Slumbering youths began to awaken, and one young person dashed over, tapping Renly's shoulder. "Last night's chat was delightful. Now, I must get in line. I'm watching "Buried" again, despite the torment. But after our discussion last night, if I don't rewatch it, I fear I won't be able to sleep tonight." As he spoke, he let out a shout and hurried toward the direction of the town.
"Wait for me, wait for me!" Several others beside him also followed suit. Those who had yet to wake up were roused, and the tranquil campsite transformed into a lively scene.
Renly looked at Rooney, who gestured toward the departing figures. "I plan to join them," she indicated. A second viewing of "Buried".
"How could I possibly say "no"?" Renly's counter-question brought smiles to both of their faces.
Rooney stood up hastily, following the footsteps of the crowd with a sprint forward. Yet, after running only a short distance, she saw Renly's lively strides catching up with her own. In the spirit of competition, she pushed on with renewed vigor. "Hey, this isn't a marathon!" Renly's voice reached her from behind, neither hurried nor sluggish, prompting a radiant smile to light up Rooney's face.
In the distance, the serpentine line outside the town's movie theater once again came into view. At this early hour, passionate film enthusiasts embarked on a vibrant new journey.
Unlike other film festivals, Telluride's festivity gathered numerous urbanites involved in reporting and critiquing films, but the festival itself didn't produce an official brochure. Instead, all discussion was left entirely to the audience. This implied that, unlike Toronto, there was no official avenue in Telluride to judge a film's quality. However, the films screened in Telluride were selected through rigorous screening, assuring their inherent quality. Their average standard even surpassed that of Europe's three major film festivals, making them stand out.
To gauge a film's quality, the most effective way was to join the queue at the cinema. Whichever film's tickets sold out most quickly undoubtedly garnered the audience's approval. The most direct method was to converse with the crowd, discussing any film at random. The audience here wouldn't hesitate to share their opinions and perspectives, presenting the most unfiltered, genuine feedback.
Entering its second day, the acclaimed "The Social Network" and "The King's Speech" had risen above the rest. Amid the attention, the former's global premiere here garnered significant focus, its discussion rivalling the latter's momentum. With the awards season set to begin, the atmosphere was poised for a new peak.
In addition, "Buried" was silently seizing a fresh round of attention, an outcome that could be considered both expected and unexpected. From Toronto to Telluride, this low-budget thriller was entering an intense state, maintaining its high-energy pace.
"I don't like the political metaphors within it, I've said it, I don't like them!"
"But those are what make the film distinctive..."
"I've said it, I don't like them!"
"You're simply unreasonable! Look, Renly is right here, Renly, Renly, come here and mediate! He thinks the political metaphors disrupt the coherence of the story, but I believe..."
"It's a fact, a fact. Even if Renly is here, it won't change the fact!"
The screening had just concluded, and Renly and Rooney hadn't even managed to exit the auditorium before they were accosted by two people, engrossed in a fervent argument.
Rooney had been discussing a scene's performance with Renly, but the discussion was rudely interrupted. Surprisingly, Renly didn't display impatience; instead, he sensed the genuine enthusiasm and fervor. Raising his hand in an attempt to calm them down, but the two persisted in their heated debate, which genuinely left him amused and exasperated. "I think I'll leave you a bit of space," Renly furrowed his brows slightly, delivering his words earnestly.