Chương 333: Venice Film Festival opening
After the whirlwind promotional tour, Lucas found himself boarding a plane to Italy for the upcoming Venice Film Festival. The premiere of "Gravity" was scheduled for the following day.
Upon landing in Venice, Lucas made his way to the Hotel Excelsior, the festival's main hub. As he entered the lobby, he spotted his castmates and Alfonso Cuarón gathered near the check-in desk.
As Lucas entered the hotel lobby, he was greeted by the excited voices of his castmates.
"Lucas!" Sandra called out, pulling him into a warm hug. "How was your flight?"
"Not bad," Lucas replied, grinning. "Though I think I prefer space travel now."
Chris laughed, clapping Lucas on the back. "Speak for yourself, man. I'm still recovering from those harnesses."
Paul, looking a bit overwhelmed, approached Lucas. He whispered to Lucas, "Dude, can you believe this? Venice Film Festival? Me? I feel like I'm dreaming."
Lucas chuckled, giving his friend a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Relax, Paul. You've earned this. Just enjoy the ride."
Alfonso greeted Lucas with a warm handshake. "Lucas, my friend. It's good to see you."
After catching up with everyone, Lucas excused himself for an interview. He made his way to a quiet corner of the hotel where Krishnan Guru-Murthy was waiting.
"Mr. Guru-Murthy," Lucas greeted, extending his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Krishnan Guru-Murthy leaned forward, a warm smile on his face. "Lucas, thank you for joining us here on Channel 4 News."
Lucas nodded, returning the smile. "Thanks for having me, Krishnan. It's great to be here."
"So, 'Gravity' is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival tomorrow. How are you feeling about that?"
Lucas chuckled. "Oh, you know, just casually presenting our film at one of the most prestigious festivals in the world. No pressure or anything."
Krishnan laughed. "I'm sure! What can audiences expect from 'Gravity'?"
"Well," Lucas began, his eyes lighting up, "I think they can expect a visual experience unlike anything they've seen before. Alfonso has really pushed the boundaries of what's possible in filmmaking. And hopefully, they'll feel the emotional journey too. It's not just about the spectacle."
"Speaking of the spectacle, I've heard the filming process was quite challenging. Any war stories you can share?"
Lucas grinned. "Let's just say I have a newfound respect for astronauts. Those spacesuits are no joke. I think I sweated out half my body weight during filming."
Krishnan raised an eyebrow. "But I heard you were quite the trooper, spending hours in the suit?"
"Well," Lucas shrugged modestly, "I figured if real astronauts can do it, I could at least try. Though I'm pretty sure NASA doesn't have to deal with Alfonso yelling 'Cut!' every five minutes."
The interview continued in this light, friendly manner, with Lucas sharing anecdotes about the filming process and his excitement for the premiere.
As the interview progressed, Krishnan's questions took an unexpected turn. "Lucas, I'd like to ask about your family situation. There have been some recent criticisms from your father and stepmother, accusing you of being ungrateful. How do you respond to that?"
Lucas's expression shifted, his earlier warmth replaced by a guarded look. He glanced at the crew and cameraman, his brow furrowed. "I'm sorry, but I thought this interview was about 'Gravity'?"
Krishnan pressed on, "It's a fair question, given recent media coverage. Your family situation has been a topic of public interest."
Lucas remained silent for a moment, then spoke firmly, "I'd appreciate it if we could return to discussing the film."
He looked around, seeking support from the crew or a director, but Krishnan seemed to be in full control of the interview.
"Lucas," Krishnan pressed, his tone professional yet insistent, "these are questions the public wants answered. Your family situation has become part of your public image. Don't you think your fans deserve to know the truth?"
Lucas took a deep breath, visibly trying to maintain his composure. "I appreciate that there's public interest, but I'm here to discuss 'Gravity'. My personal life is not up for debate."
Krishnan nodded, but didn't relent. "I understand, but surely you can see how your family situation might impact your work? How do you separate your personal struggles from your professional life?"
Lucas's jaw tightened. "With all due respect, Krishnan, I've already stated that I'm not comfortable discussing this. Can we please return to talking about the film?"
"Of course," Krishnan said smoothly, "but don't you think it's important to address these allegations? Your father has made some serious claims about your behavior."
At this point, Lucas's expression hardened completely. He shook his head silently, then said, "I'm sorry, but I'm done with this." Without another word, he stood up and began removing his microphone.
Krishnan attempted to salvage the situation, his tone now more conciliatory. "Lucas, if we could just clarify a few points. It's important for your fans to hear your side of the story."
But Lucas was already walking off the set. As he reached the door, he turned back briefly. "I came here to discuss my work, not to be ambushed. This interview is over."
The door closed behind him, leaving Krishnan and a stunned crew behind.
As the door closed behind Lucas, Krishnan couldn't help but draw parallels to his interview with Robert Downey Jr.
A slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, quickly masked by a professional facade of concern.
In his mind, he knew that this walkout, much like Downey's, would generate significant buzz. An actor of Lucas's caliber showing discomfort and ultimately leaving an interview was guaranteed to attract viewers and spark discussions.
Krishnan was well aware that this approach to journalism was controversial. Some would criticize his tactics as unethical or unnecessarily provocative. But in his view, it was about pushing for truth, even if it meant making subjects uncomfortable. He believed the public had a right to know about the personal lives of public figures, especially when those personal issues became part of the public discourse.
Moreover, in the cutthroat world of media, sometimes controversy was the best way to stand out. High-profile walkouts like this one ensured that his interviews would be talked about, shared, and dissected on social media and in other news outlets.
As the crew began to pack up, Krishnan was already mentally preparing his defense for the inevitable backlash. He'd argue that he was just doing his job, asking the hard questions that others shied away from. Whether people agreed with his methods or not, they'd be talking about the interview - and that, in his mind, was a success.
***
Lucas returned to his hotel room, his mood soured by the interview. He took a few deep breaths, reminding himself to focus on the premiere. Tomorrow was a big day, and he couldn't let this incident distract him. With that thought, he settled in for the night.
The next morning, his phone rang. It was Neil.
"Hey, how are you holding up?" Neil asked, concern evident in his voice.
Lucas frowned. "I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"I just saw the video of you walking out of that interview on the internet."
Lucas sighed heavily. "Great. Just what I needed before the premiere."
"Don't worry about it too much," Neil reassured him. "Focus on the opening. That's what's important right now."
"You're right," Lucas agreed. "Thanks, Neil."
After hanging up, Lucas spent the day preparing for the evening's events.
As the sun began to set over Venice, Lucas arrived at the Palazzo del Cinema for the opening ceremony of the Venice Film Festival. The red carpet was lined with photographers and journalists, their cameras flashing incessantly.
A sizeable crowd had gathered behind the barricades, eager to catch a glimpse of the stars. As Lucas stepped onto the red carpet, a wave of cheers erupted from the spectators. He waved to the crowd, a genuine smile on his face despite the stress of the previous day.
He posed for photos, signed a few autographs, and exchanged greetings with fellow actors and filmmakers.
***
As the stars arrived at the Venice Film Festival, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Spectators pointed and whispered as they recognized familiar faces.
"Look, there's Scarlett Johansson!" one fan exclaimed as the actress gracefully walked the red carpet.
"And Matt Damon!" another chimed in, spotting the Matt.
The crowd continued to chatter excitedly as more celebrities appeared - Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, and Nicolas Cage among them.
But when Lucas Knight stepped onto the red carpet, the cheers noticeably intensified.
"There he is!" a young woman squealed. "Lucas Knight!"
"Can you believe he's the one who took down Harvey Weinstein?" her friend added, admiration clear in her voice.
"Speaking of Lucas," another spectator interjected, "did you see that interview he walked out of yesterday? It's all over social media."
"Yeah, that journalist was way out of line," someone else agreed. "Good for Lucas for standing up for himself."
As Lucas made his way down the carpet, the crowd's enthusiasm only grew. Despite the controversy of the previous day, or perhaps because of it, Lucas seemed to have an even stronger following.
After the excitement of the red carpet and a series of brief interviews with various media outlets, the attendees made their way into the Sala Grande, the main theater of the Palazzo del Cinema. The grand auditorium, with its plush red seats and ornate decor, quickly filled with a mix of industry professionals, critics, and lucky film enthusiasts.
As the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the audience. The festival's director took to the stage to introduce the film and its creators. Alfonso Cuarón, Sandra Bullock, and Lucas Knight were invited up for a brief introduction.
Alfonso spoke passionately about the journey of making "Gravity," thanking his cast and crew for their dedication. Sandra and Lucas each said a few words, expressing their gratitude and excitement for the audience to experience the film.
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For advanced chapters, check p@treon.com/NewComer714.
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