Refusing to go on a date

"I don't like that movie."

A loud voice echoed from the street, interrupting the lively conversation among Renly and the others. Everyone turned their heads and saw a man in his early thirties with a simple cap and shorts, wearing a faint smile and shaking his head continuously.

Feeling the gazes, he continued shaking his head and shouted again, "I don't like it! Jesus Christ, I really can't like that movie."

Facing the accusation, Renly opened his hands and replied loudly, "At least you stepped into the movie theater."

"But there won't be a second time for sure." The man didn't hesitate, retorted directly. After speaking, he found it amusing himself and his lips curved upwards. He disdainfully waved his hand and then briskly walked away without looking back.

Unexpectedly, another voice came from the other side of the street, "Hey man, I don't like that movie either." Following the voice, it was an African-American couple. The one speaking was the man with dreadlocks. His girlfriend in his arms laughed incessantly, patting his chest repeatedly but unable to stop him. "Why isn't the movie's male lead a black guy, and he's so handsome? I hate this movie, I swear!"

A simple conversation sparked light laughter from pedestrians on both sides of the street, even the audience seated outside the cafe joined in the response.

This was Telluride, the unique Telluride.

Everyone could express their opinions about a movie. Just like viewing art, it was a very personal matter. Some movies were praised highly, yet someone might not like them. Some movies were criticized harshly, yet someone might enjoy them. So, every viewer had their unique viewing experience.

What made Telluride truly special wasn't just providing a platform to openly express opinions or an environment for equal communication between the crew and the audience. It was the peaceful demeanor of everyone. Liking was liking, disliking was disliking. Even criticism didn't need to hurt each other's feelings. Art inherently possessed a heart that could embrace all praise and criticism.

Turning around, Renly saw the young man who looked like a college student standing in front of him, a face of innocence on his expression. "Honestly, I wouldn't step into the movie theater to watch it a second time. It's simply torture!"

This appraisal made Renly burst into laughter, "That's the highest praise I've heard."

After the discussion, the young people dispersed once again with a booming noise. Unlike the blockade and enthusiasm at the Toronto Film Festival, in Telluride, you could see actors in every corner. No frenzy was needed. Everything was about the movie and only about the movie.

After bidding farewell to everyone, only Renly and Rooney remained in place. Renly turned to Rooney and gave her an apologetic smile. "For me, too, this is the first time. Before today, I was the one being ignored."

Just now, no one recognized Rooney. Compared to Renly, Rooney had been rolling in Hollywood for over three years, nearly four. She starred in two movies, "Tanner Hall" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street", and made guest appearances in the popular TV show "ER". However, her fame hasn't really taken off, even in this "The Social Network", the main weight of the roles was still on the two male actors.

Surrounded by people in this approachable movie festival in Telluride and not recognized, it was indeed quite awkward and somewhat disappointing. That's why Renly expressed his apologies.

However, there was a hint of self-mockery and jest in Renly's tone, making Rooney also show a slight smile. "I guess, after "The Social Network" is screened, our positions might shift." With confidence and a touch of playfulness, she slyly retorted, subtly countering. This made Renly chuckle helplessly. "But after our discussion just now, I'm becoming more and more excited about the movie. When expectations become too high, it's not a good sign."

Renly spread his hands candidly. "I accept any form of criticism."

Rooney's eyes sparkled a bit. Her expression seemed unchanged, but a flash of clever mischief passed through it. "This is a small town, but there are tens of thousands of viewers. After this afternoon, I might never meet you again."

The Telluride Film Festival attracted over a hundred thousand viewers every year, bringing vitality to this small town. Although it couldn't be compared to the three major European film festivals that attracted thirty to forty thousand viewers, the audience members who were willing to come to Telluride were all dedicated movie enthusiasts. The significance was naturally different.

A playful glint appeared in Renly's raised eyebrows, a hint of teasing in his gaze. "So, are you inviting me on a date?"

Rooney lightly shook her lower lip and the helpless smile on her lips carried a trace of mockery and playfulness that vanished in an instant. "Of course not, charming prince." The tone of banter couldn't be more obvious. "I'm just inviting you to watch "Buried" with me. If you lack confidence in the movie, then forget it."

While speaking, Rooney's distinctly black-and-white eyes lifted slightly, thoroughly assessing Renly. There was a provocative stimulation in her gaze, a clear attempt to goad him without fearing his insight.

Renly didn't hurry to respond, leisurely taking out a cigarette from his pocket. After taking a drag and holding it at the corner of his mouth, his peripheral vision remained on Rooney. He sensed the aversion in her gaze. Because of the legalization of marijuana and the festive atmosphere of the film festival, almost everyone had a pack or two of marijuana in their bags. Yet, there were still those who didn't like it.

Renly lightly bit the cigarette, then raised his right hand, clamping the cigarette between his fingertips and lowering it again, without any intention to explain. Instead, he retorted, "If I watch "Buried" with you, does that mean you'll watch "The Social Network" with me?"

Rooney hadn't expected this turn of events. Her gaze shifted from the cigarette to Renly's face, an expression of astonishment that she didn't conceal. Renly shrugged. "That's fair, isn't it?"

Rooney glanced at the cigarette. "So, is this considered a date?"

The smile at the corner of Renly's mouth was like a spring breeze passing through the Chinese parasol tree leaves, gently rippling open. "Of course not, Snow White."

Rooney bit her lower lip, but her smile couldn't help but lift. She had to lower her head to compose her expression, then nodded. "Okay, no problem. But I don't eat popcorn."

Renly raised his hands in a surrendering gesture. "I'm on a diet."

This statement genuinely made Rooney laugh. The gentle laughter that spilled out could melt ice and snow, making the afternoon sunlight even more radiant.

"So, which theater do we need to go to now?" Renly looked around and extended a gentlemanly invitation to Rooney.

In the Telluride Film Festival, the committee's biggest goal was to ensure that every audience member could watch the movies they liked. All eleven theaters' screens played movies uninterrupted twenty-four hours a day. Each film had at least thirty screenings to make sure there were enough seats for the audience to not miss their favorite works.

So, even if there were lines, even if the audience was constant, almost every viewer could ultimately fulfill their wishes. If you missed one screening, there was always another one scheduled, another theater.

Despite this, the bustling scene at the theater entrance remained a spectacle of the town. The Sheridan Theater, the oldest theater in town, was undoubtedly the hottest spot. In the morning, it hosted the global screening of "The Social Network", and at noon, it introduced "127 Hours" to the audience. In the afternoon, it was time for "The King's Speech". The queue at the entrance never seemed to shrink.

Telluride was the most unique among major film festivals. It was the only one that could directly select works from the competition units of other major film festivals. In other words, if Telluride chose a film, whether it was selected in Berlin or Venice, that film would definitely be given face by Telluride, and a special screening slot would be arranged here.

Thanks to Telluride's operation that completely avoided selecting any awards and didn't even distribute official program guides, giving all the decision-making and review rights to the audience, it had become a global gathering place for the most fervent movie enthusiasts. It was like Woodstock in its heyday. So, whether it was other film festivals, film production companies, or distribution companies, they all welcomed this and strongly hoped their films could be screened here.

Being included in the lineup of the Telluride Film Festival every year was an affirmation in itself, something worth celebrating.

Therefore, the fervent audience members continuously joined the end of the queues, crowding the Sheridan Theater until it was bursting at the seams. The twenty-four-hour celebration never stopped. There was no need to choose; they could buy tickets directly for the movie that still had available seats. Every screening was a brilliant work, a masterpiece worth watching.

However, even so, for Renly and Rooney to watch "Buried", they had to wait through two screenings. The number of audience members buying tickets for "Buried" at the theater was countless. At 2 PM, they only managed to buy tickets for the 6 PM screening on the same day, and it was in a theater at the outskirts of the town. This detail alone indicated that after the fermentation at the Toronto Film Festival, the popularity of "Buried" was on a pleasing upward trajectory.

Rumors had it that "Buried" had now matched "127 Hours", becoming one of the hot picks for the opening day of the Telluride Film Festival.

As for "The Social Network", it was even more astonishing. Just as Renly anticipated, they had only managed to buy tickets for the midnight screening. They walked into the theater at half-past midnight, sitting in the audience seats, appreciating the film. By the time the movie ended, it was already early morning. However, even so, the entire town was still lit up, staying awake through the night. Those movie enthusiasts were wholeheartedly enjoying their feast, celebrating until dawn.