"So many people want to ask questions?" Joe was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed.
Such scenes were not uncommon at Sundance. Every audience member actively engaged in film discussions. Sometimes, the post-screening discussions were even more interesting than the movies themselves. However, today seemed a bit exaggerated. Joe even began to suspect if every single person in the room had raised their hands.
Joe scanned the crowd but realized that it was impossible to choose amidst the sea of arms. The task was passed onto the cast. "Drake, you choose an audience member to ask a question." Now it was Drake's turn to be dumbfounded. Joe quickly added, "Just pick a seat number."
The whole audience started to cheer, but nobody knew their seat numbers. They all began to check their seats, saying things like, "What row are we? What's our seat number?"
Drake looked at the commotion before him and chuckled. He was still somewhat nervous. This was his second consecutive year at Sundance. Last year's film, "Douchebag", had hardly garnered any attention, even criticisms were scarce. It had been quietly engulfed by the torrent of independent films. Now, happiness was coming too suddenly and too eagerly. He seemed unprepared.
"Um, I was originally planning to call out the seat numbers according to birthdays, but my birthday is in March." Drake nervously wiped the sweat from his palms, his gaze landing on the third row.
After all, Sundance was a film festival, and reporters were an essential part. Rows three and four were filled with reporters.
"I think the first question should go to an audience member. Thank you all for your support," Drake awkwardly said, scratching his head sheepishly. His curly hair looked somewhat amusing. But with this sentence, the entire audience burst into cheers and applause. "Well, I'll use Renly's birthday then. Renly's birthday is in November..."
"Ah ah ah!" Suddenly, a wave of screams erupted in the crowd, interrupting Drake's words like a bolt from the Renly. But soon, the screamers realized their rashness and quickly quieted down. This little accident caused collective laughter among the audience.
Drake couldn't help but smile. "Renly's birthday is on November 20th. So, let's go with Row Eleven, Seat Twenty. We'll give the first question opportunity to this audience member."
The gaze of everyone in the room shifted to the back. Everyone was searching for Row Eleven, Seat Twenty, yet nobody stood up. In fact, no one even knew where the eleventh row was.
William noticed that many eyes were focused towards them. He looked left and right, and someone tapped his shoulder from behind. "Your seats are in Row Eleven." William nodded, checked his seat number, which was nineteen. He felt somewhat regretful and sighed disappointedly. But then he quickly realized, "Seat Twenty!"
"Hope, Seat Twenty!"
William vigorously shook Hope, who seemed confused. Her mind hadn't caught up yet. With the help of William and Tessa, she stood up and raised her right hand. In an instant, all eyes were on her, and the host's voice could be heard, "Staff, please give the microphone to this... uh, young lady?"
Hope was utterly bewildered, not sure what was happening. She then felt something being placed in her hand, and fragmented voices echoed in her ears, "It's your turn to ask a question." The words echoed, but couldn't form a coherent sentence. She looked at Tessa and then at William, still without an answer. Her gaze eventually fell on Renly.
Drake picked up the microphone. "Young lady, who would you like to ask a question to?"
"Heir." Hope instinctively said and then hesitated, "I mean, Renly."
A renewed chorus of cheers erupted in the venue. Drake, beaming, handed the microphone to Renly. Even Jennifer, Felicity, and Charlie, standing by his side, joined in the cheer, clapping their hands to rekindle the atmosphere.
Hope stared fixedly at Renly and watched as he took the microphone, his face lighting up with a bright smile. "What's your question?"
His magnetic voice resonated gently in her ears. Hope had barely begun to open her mouth when her tears overflowed uncontrollably. Overwhelmed with excitement, her entire body trembled. Breathing heavily, she found her tears impossible to restrain. The emotions she thought she had calmed were once again shattered at this moment, collapsing like an avalanche.
Applause echoed through the scene, rallying for Hope. Renly's voice rang out again, "No need to rush, take your time. We have plenty of time."
Hopping covered her mouth. She didn't understand what was happening; her emotions were overwhelming.
Looking at Renly before her, she remembered Jacob's gentle and focused eyes, as if the entire world belonged to only Anna. Then she recalled Renly sitting on the street, performing "Ophelia" with lightness and enjoyment, harnessing the full charm of the music... At this moment, reality and illusion blurred entirely.
She had never known she could lose control like this, all because of an actor, an unattainable actor. Yet, she truly liked him, really, really liked him. Her tears were uncontrollable, and her sobs were silent. It was as if she had lost the whole world and yet won the whole world.
"Uhh!" The screams exploded around her, growing louder, and Hope bent over, bursting into tears. Amid the surging sound, she lifted her head. William, Graham, and others had all retreated. Renly was standing beside her.
Renly, standing right beside her.
Hope was utterly stunned, raising her head to incredulously gaze at Renly. His deep brown eyes held a myriad of stars, bright and luminous.
Then, Renly politely embraced her. The world began to shake, screams and cheers almost piercing their eardrums. But when Renly's arms wrapped around her, the world suddenly fell silent. It was as quiet as a warm harbor, exuding a dry woody fragrance under her nose, causing her to instinctively close her eyes.
"Why? Why can't Jacob and Anna, who clearly love each other, be together? Why?"
Hope finally couldn't hold back, crying and stammering, "Why? Why?" She just kept repeating the same sentence, as if she had endured countless grievances, releasing all her emotions.
Why couldn't the world be simply black and white? Why couldn't love be a bit simpler? Why couldn't they stay innocent forever? Why would reality inevitably change them beyond recognition? Why couldn't love conquer all? Why couldn't fairy tales be real? Why couldn't happiness be eternal? Why did two people who loved each other sincerely end up growing apart?
And why did they have to learn to grow up eventually?
Renly didn't answer; he simply patted Hope's back gently, gradually soothing her. He looked towards Tessa behind Hope, smiling and nodding before releasing the embrace.
Hope wiped away the tears on her cheeks in a fluster, only to notice the damp spot on Renly's white shirt. Instantly embarrassed, she wished she could disappear into the ground. Yet, Renly paid no mind to it and his lips curved into a gentle smile. He asked with concern, "Are you okay?"
Hope nodded anxiously, trying to conceal her blazing cheeks.
"Next time when you bring other friends to watch this movie, remember to remind them to bring tissues," Renly's gentle voice carried a hint of playful teasing, sparking light laughter from the people around. Hope herself felt even more bashful, her lips unconsciously curving upward as she chuckled.
This mix of crying and laughing was truly amusing.
Then, Hope saw Renly turn and walk away, gradually fading into the distance. Tessa, standing behind her, suddenly hugged her tightly from behind, gaping widely without a sound. Her eyes and face were filled with unrestrained excitement, the whole world lighting up.
Back on the stage, Renly addressed the microphone, "So, the previous question was: why can't Jacob and Anna, who clearly love each other, be together, right?"
Hope nodded eagerly, her eyes swollen like a rabbit's, yet her smile blossomed brightly on her face. After nodding, she realized that Renly might not be able to see from this distance, so she adjusted herself and pointed at the microphone, confirming once again.
Renly turned to Felicity and then to Drake, "This is an intriguing question because in the movie, Jacob and Anna are together, starting anew in Los Angeles. However..."
Renly paused for a moment, smiling himself. "However, I believe this is the question that the movie leaves for everyone. Each person has their own answer in their heart. Some believe they will go on together, while others think they will eventually part ways. Some may blame Jacob, others may blame Anna, some may attribute it to external circumstances. It's a question that everyone is free to imagine."
"On a personal level," Renly paused slightly, organizing his words, "I've always believed that life is only given once. If you miss something, it's gone forever. Life itself is imperfect. If we want to be happier, freer, more fulfilled, then we must seize every moment, be a little braver, and then braver still."
"I believe Anna and Jacob... simply missed each other." This was some insight Renly gained from portraying Jacob and also from his own experiences in this world.
Of course, everyone knew these truths, but putting them into practice was far from easy. If he hadn't been given a second chance, he might not have done better than Jacob, even if he hadn't experienced the accident. Imperfections and impermanence were the essence of life, weren't they?
Just as everyone thought the answer had concluded, Renly continued, "This is my perspective. Next, let's hear Anna's thoughts, as well as the director's. Perhaps you can gain some insights from them."
The audience blinked in surprise, then burst into cheers. This time, Felicity and Drake found themselves at a loss.