Capítulo 370: A surprise
Mark's voice came through the microphone, clearly resonating throughout the screening hall. A buzzing sound rippled through the air, causing a slight tension to fill the atmosphere. Everyone instinctively turned their heads, their gazes converging on the crew of "Like Crazy". Then, as if a collective thunderstorm, applause erupted, a resounding applause akin to a roaring wave.
After missing out on the Audience Award and the Directing Award, "Like Crazy", which had garnered significant attention and popularity at this year's Sundance, now appeared somewhat subdued during the awards ceremony. The past days of accolades and excitement seemed like a pile of bubbles, dissipating instantly with a gentle breeze, leaving no trace behind.
Such a situation was rare at Sundance.
Unlike Toronto, the media here did not deliberately hype certain works, and the audience didn't artificially elevate them either. Excellence was excellence, mediocrity was mediocrity, and the feedback in the official program was fairly reliable. Nearly everyone had naturally assumed that "Like Crazy" would sweep the night, but unexpectedly, the evening had quieted down.
Now, the first trophy had finally arrived, albeit belatedly. Yet, better late than never.
What was more crucial was that this trophy was in praise of Renly, in praise of the Renly who had emerged out of nowhere in the past six months, the Renly who had delivered a deeply moving performance in "Like Crazy", the Renly who had exhibited astonishing talent in the realm of acting!
From unexpectedly winning an Emmy for "The Pacific", to being nominated for a Golden Globe for "Buried", and now receiving the Sundance Special Jury Prize for "Like Crazy", with only three works, Renly had demonstrated his acting prowess in a comprehensive manner. His rapid ascent was like a rocket soaring into the sky, asserting a prominent position among the new generation of actors!
Incredible! Truly incredible!
With every performance, every role, every work, Renly presented a refreshingly new display of acting. The chorus of admiration and praise had been repeated again and again, to the point where people were left speechless. Besides "genius," what other more fitting word could express the depth of their admiration?
Even the long-established and accomplished Natalie Portman seemed to be slightly overshadowed by Renly's meteoric rise.
This led people to recall the special feature in The New York Times from three days ago. Perhaps, they were indeed witnessing a legend, a piece of history.
People might not necessarily love the film "Like Crazy", but no one could deny the awe-inspiring nature of Renly's performance. Even the most discerning critics spared no praise. Virtually the entire Park City was cheering, jubilating, and boiling over because of Renly. In this moment, every member of the audience applauded, proving this unequivocally.
"Ah, ah, ah! It's you, it's you!" Jennifer Lawrence leaped up first, grabbing Renly's shoulder and shaking him vigorously. Her ecstatic expression made it seem as though the winner was not Renly but herself.
Felicity also beamed with a face full of smiles, rising to her feet and gazing at Renly quietly before breaking into enthusiastic applause.
No one understood better than her just how remarkable Renly's stage presence was. Even now, she couldn't help but recall the details and scenes from the film's shooting, savoring the mixture of bitterness and excitement in those tangled emotions. Tonight, this Special Jury Prize was entirely well-deserved!
Renly's reaction was slightly delayed. His first thought was, "Did Mark announce the wrong winner?" It was as if the colossal blunder at the 89th Academy Awards in 2017, where the wrong envelope was handed out, came to mind, turning into a big joke.
Then his second thought was, "Can the Special Jury Prize be awarded to actors? Shouldn't it be given to the film?" That's how it worked in Berlin, Cannes, and Venice. What was going on at Sundance?
Next, he spotted Jennifer jubilantly cheering. Whistling, screaming, and leaping in place, her celebration resembled a party. Renly's heart was caught up in the festivities, and a smile formed on his lips, mirroring the raised eyebrows of Jennifer.
Renly stood up, and Jennifer was the first to approach, giving him a tight hug. "You deserve this! You deserve this!" Then came Felicity, followed by Charlie.
Stepping back half a pace, Jennifer looked at Renly, her eyes flickering with a fiery determination. She knew that Renly was an outstanding actor who was continuously improving. However, she wouldn't easily admit defeat. On the path of exploring acting, she intended to chase after Renly's footsteps and continue advancing.
"Like Crazy" was just the beginning. She was already eagerly looking forward to the next opportunity to collaborate and act alongside Renly.
Lastly, it was Drake. He gave Renly a big hug, patting his back with force. He wanted to say something but found himself speechless. Instead, he beamed with a brilliant smile, nodded, and then raised both hands high, applauding Renly. This simple gesture conveyed his genuine emotions.
As Renly stepped onto the stage, the applause and cheers from the audience reached a crescendo, the deafening sound echoing throughout the screening hall. At this moment, the awards ceremony truly reached its climax, not with the Grand Jury Prize, but with the Special Jury Prize. Turning around, he could even see many people rising to their feet, clapping in congratulation and admiration for Renly.
Such treatment was truly awe-inspiring.
This was Sundance, the haven of independent cinema; this was Park City, the paradise for film enthusiasts.
Here, there were no age limits, no barriers of experience, and no shackles of fame. People simply loved movies, idolized them. As long as you had talent, ability, and passion, you could find a warm haven for your burning enthusiasm here, along with a group of fellow enthusiasts. You could freely and uninhibitedly wander through the world of cinema.
Just like in this moment, Renly, who was only twenty-one years old, who had graced the screen for less than a year, had won the entire Sundance's applause!
Watching the seething ocean before him, Renly's heart surged. It was even more exhilarating than his Emmy win, more exciting than receiving the crowd's support on the red carpet, and more jubilant than the first scene shot in "The Pacific".
It wasn't solely because of this trophy. Just looking at the weight of the trophy, the Sundance Special Jury Prize couldn't possibly compare to an Emmy. It was because of this passion, pure, simple, and sincere passion.
This gathering of people, united by their love for cinema, broke down barriers because of the movies, coming together to cheer for their beloved works. They cast aside life's troubles, societal responsibilities, and the weight of age, holding onto a fervor akin to moths drawn to flames, diving into the world of cinema, setting their lives ablaze, and radiating brilliant splendor.
In this moment, Renly felt an unprecedented sense of belonging, evolving into a participant in the live cheers and shouts, becoming a part of the Sundance Film Festival, wild, intense, exuberant, and carefree. And, freedom.
Renly's eyes grew slightly moist, but the smile on his lips couldn't help but burst forth. He didn't need to be reserved, or genteel, and certainly not constrained. Here, on this stage, at this very moment, he could be his true self, just like when he stood on stage, stood before the camera, fully immersed in his performance.
"Congratulations." Mark's voice sounded in his ear. He gave Renly a polite hug, patted his back, and loudly said, "Enjoy it in this moment."
Renly turned his head and saw Mark's sincere and radiant smile. He couldn't help but smile heartily too, nodding at Mark. "Thank you."
Taking the trophy from Mark's hands, Renly examined it closely and carefully. It was a very ordinary trophy, a transparent diamond-shaped block, lacking any special design, let alone any ornate borders. Yet this seemingly plain trophy was so weighty, so heavy on his heart that it almost took his breath away. The warmth in his eyes turned into a stream of happiness, and his eyes brimmed with a brilliant smile.
"Thank you." Renly raised his head and addressed the microphone. His voice calmed the applause in the room, but a whistle could still be heard, leading to collective laughter. "Jennifer, thank you for your enthusiastic support. I won't forget to mention the members of the cast in my acceptance speech." Renly's impromptu jest caused the audience to burst into laughter.
Jennifer, who had just been whistling, immediately transformed into a demure lady, standing in place with an elegant demeanor. She wore an innocent expression, as if she didn't understand a word Renly had said. The rest of the cast of "Like Crazy" were already doubled over with laughter.
"I love Sundance because everything here revolves around movies, and solely movies. It reminds me of the joy I felt the first time I stepped onto the stage, trying my hand at acting." Renly's lips carried a wide grin, and the glistening tears in his eyes twinkled under the lights. His emotional state was even more profound than during his Emmy win. "So, I think awarding me this trophy today is a reminder of the starting point of this dream journey: I am an actor, and I am striving to become a genuine one."
Thunderous applause erupted once again, intermingled with many whistles, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Starring in "Like Crazy" was a very special experience. Thank you, Felicity, thank you, Charlie, thank you, Jennifer..." Renly intentionally paused slightly after mentioning "Jennifer," the implication couldn't have been clearer, causing another wave of laughter. "And most importantly, thank you, Drake. Thank you for inviting me to be part of this work, and thank you for taking me through this painful yet wonderful memory."
"Lastly, I'm grateful to every person who loves movies."
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