Renly's response left Cornell utterly stunned. He blinked his eyes, seemingly not grasping the meaning of Renly's words, and blurted out, "What?"
Originally, Renly had no intention of acknowledging Cornell. Their discussion was at its most intense and fiery moment. The last thing he needed was an interruption. Yet, Cornell's appearance halted the entire conversation. Even Jessica didn't continue speaking; she looked at Cornell with curiosity, and the atmosphere immediately cooled down.
"I'm currently busy and don't have the time for an interview," Renly turned his head, offering a polite smile to Cornell. "I apologize, but you'll have to wait for the next opportunity."
"Are you f*cking kidding me?" That was the only thought in Cornell's mind. For journalists, the word "refusal" didn't exist in their vocabulary. More accurately, even if the person refused, journalists would persistently continue asking questions. Moreover, most of the time, artists begged journalists for interviews, especially newcomers.
"But this is Sundance, I have the right to interview, and you have the obligation to accept the interview," Cornell suppressed his profanity, striving to maintain composure as he spoke.
How had he never known that Renly was such a hard nut to crack? Although he had suffered a bit of a setback on the Golden Globe Awards red carpet, Gavin Hunter had never mentioned that Renly was this troublesome.
A sense of absurdity welled up within Renly, yet he maintained his politeness, his smile unchanged. "Indeed, this is Sundance. But this is my personal time, and work matters are reserved for work time."
"Like Crazy" hasn't been released yet, so the promotional activities naturally haven't begun. Actually, during this period and even before and after, the schedule is packed with work, interview after interview, endlessly. The upcoming awards season will also be incredibly busy, whether "Buried" manages to secure an Oscar nomination or not.
Now, finally having a moment to catch his breath, he just wanted to enjoy the atmosphere of Sundance with these film enthusiasts.
Cornell stared at Renly, dumbfounded. His mind raced, and he said in an assertive tone, "Is it because I interrupted your date? Are you on a date with Jessica Chastain? When did you two meet? Will you attend the Oscars with Jessica? Did you come all the way to Park City to support Jessica's new work?"
The noisy voice buzzed in his ears incessantly, like mosquitoes. Renly's smile contained a touch of helplessness. He glanced at Jessica, his eyes twinkling with a playful light, and courteously handed over the right to answer to the lady.
Unexpectedly, Jessica pursed her lips, then shrugged lightly and mouthed, "He's not interested in me." Renly was left chuckling at her effort to clarify the situation.
Turning back, Renly maintained his smile and addressed Cornell, "This… gentleman." He emphasized the title. After all, their face-off on the Golden Globe Awards red carpet had happened just last week. How could he forget this assertive journalist? "I'm in the middle of a conversation with my friends. Your approach is rather impolite. I think the interview can wait. After all, this isn't a rapidly changing Iraq, is it?"
Cornell gritted his teeth and yet didn't give up. Without any hesitation, he continued to press on, speaking forcefully, "You specifically rushed to Sundance, not staying in Los Angeles for promotions—does that mean you've given up? The crucial moments of the awards season are now. Don't you have any special plans? Don't you have any expectations for the upcoming Oscar nominations?"
Renly's eyebrows lightly furrowed, the corners of his mouth curved upward, and he gently shook his head, exhibiting a frustrated appearance. "As a journalist, your preparation is truly inadequate."
While "Like Crazy" hadn't engaged in any form of promotion, shouldn't the most basic task for journalists be to ascertain the lineup of films participating in the Sundance Film Festival?
Cornell was utterly perplexed.
The lineup of films competing at the Sundance Film Festival was fairly predictable every year—whole chunks of unfamiliar names with no reference value. For independent film big shots like Quentin Tarantino and the Coen Brothers, if they were attending, there would have been press releases and substantial official promotion from Sundance. Even without reviewing the list of participating films, journalists wouldn't be so pushy.
For Entertainment Weekly, which focused its attention on gossip news, Cornell didn't feel that any preparation was necessary at all.
However, Cornell certainly wouldn't back down in front of Renly. Thus, he raised his voice, speaking more assertively, "Aren't you the one who's not clear on the situation? Due to Lionsgate's suspected improper campaigning, "The Next Three Days" had its eligibility revoked. Now, major distribution companies are adjusting their promotion plans. Are you sure staying in Park City is a good idea? The next period of time will be bustling in Los Angeles. Or do you think your friends in your date are more important?"
The last sentence was directed at Jessica.
Jessica, however, wasn't daunted. With a composed smile, she met Cornell's gaze calmly, neither subservient nor arrogant, yet she didn't provide a direct response either. This momentarily left Cornell at a loss.
Renly, on the other hand, appeared slightly surprised. "You say "The Next Three Days" had its eligibility revoked?" This film had been generating considerable buzz since Toronto. After Lionsgate missed out on "Buried", they put all their energy into the college PR for "The Next Three Days". Now, not even the chance to compete remained. This was undoubtedly a heavy blow for Lionsgate.
Dimly, Renly sensed some information, but the moment was fleeting, too brief to grasp.
"Thank you for the update." That was Renly's response—no contradiction, no debate, no discussion, no sentiment. Just a simple "thank you".
Such a response was completely unexpected for Cornell. He had interviewed countless artists—either angry, embarrassed, cooperative, resistant, fierce, each with a distinctive reaction. Yet, the Renly before him, polite and gentlemanly, distant and indifferent, made it nearly impossible for him to find an entry point.
To his own astonishment, Cornell hesitated.
Renly paid no more attention to Cornell, resuming the discussion with his companions, "…What do you all think?" For journalists, the best way to handle them was either to respond positively or ignore them with a cold shoulder. Although this might be perceived as aloof and refusal to cooperate, what Renly needed least right now was disruption.
However, Renly's intentions were destined not to materialize. This time, his discussion didn't evoke any responses. Carefully assessing the situation, Renly realized that everyone was reserved, their peripheral vision constantly focusing on Cornell. The expressions on their faces and in their eyes seemed a bit hesitant and restrained. This left Renly feeling somewhat helpless.
For Renly, journalists were not only not frightening but also quite familiar, easy to handle. However, for most people, journalists were a rather unique profession, evoking curiosity, fear, and even admiration.
Under Cornell's surveillance, having a smooth conversation was nearly impossible. Although Renly was reluctant to admit it, Cornell's arrival had disrupted today's discussion. It seemed that it was time to bring the discussion to a close.
With a polite nod to the small group around him, including Jessica, Renly turned and left. His cheerful mood was suddenly intercepted by the journalist, leaving him not only helpless but also somewhat regretful.
He had originally thought that, like Telluride, Sundance wouldn't have too many journalists, and even if there were any, they wouldn't steal the show. That journalist from earlier had truly put a damper on things.
"Renly! Renly!" Cornell's frustrated shout came from behind, "Do you realize how impolite your behavior is? A newcomer who hasn't even made any achievements yet is acting so high and mighty! This is truly disappointing!" After Cornell finished speaking in a raised voice, he observed Renly's departing figure, intentionally trying to provoke him, but he still felt let down.
There was no anger, no frustration, no panic. Renly maintained his unhurried pace, as if he hadn't heard anything at all. Truly impervious.
"... Are you sure you won't accept the interview? Are you sure you won't make any response? Are you sure you'll leave so rudely? Well, you'll have to bear the consequences. You've only just earned a Golden Globe nomination, yet you're already acting all high and mighty. After spending so much time here, you end up encountering all sorts of people..."
Cornell's chattering voice continued to pour forth from behind, but Renly never once halted his steps. Because he knew that the journalist was attempting to provoke him or make him pause to argue. Once the conversation began, the journalist would have free rein. There was absolutely no need for him to care about such rubbish.
"Clap clap clap," a series of brisk footsteps approached from behind, and then Jessica's figure appeared, standing beside Renly and walking alongside him. "I'm heading to the café to grab a cup of hot coffee. What about you?" Jessica spoke casually, as if she hadn't heard Cornell's voice at all.
"I could use a cup of coffee." Renly responded with a smile, "Do you have any film-viewing plans this afternoon?"
Renly and Jessica left the cinema in this unhurried manner. Cornell shouted after them for about thirty seconds from behind but realized it had no effect. A wave of frustration and anger overwhelmed him; he could hardly believe his eyes. But he couldn't just give up like this.
He had missed Renly once in Toronto. Was he about to miss him for a second time in Park City? Before other media outlets encountered Renly, if he could secure an exclusive interview... Cornell remembered the attention that Gavin had garnered from his two exclusive stories.
Gritting his teeth, Cornell suppressed the boiling anger in his chest and quickly caught up.
In the bustling cinema lobby, people kept coming and going, and with just three people leaving, there was no real impact. Those six or seven individuals who had conversed with Renly and Jessica earlier refocused their attention and resumed their discussions, returning to their normal state.