The "Elephant" crew has arrived.
Just four people—it's probably the smallest team in the Cannes Main Competition this year. Only four attendees in total.
However, the veil of mystery surrounding the crew has finally been lifted, and all eyes are now on them—
It's a bit surprising.
The four members of the crew appeared together in coordinated outfits.
At the center, two unfamiliar faces: one in a white suit with a black shirt, and the other in a black suit with a white shirt. Then, there's Gus in a black suit and black shirt, with Anson's red suit completing the look.
The key detail: each of the other three has a red accessory—Gus's red sunglasses, the tall guy's red tie, and the baby-faced guy's red pocket square. A splash of color ties their outfits together.
Looking closely, you might even notice... Did Anson dye his hair black just for the look?
This seemingly casual crew and their understated style have, in fact, subtly connected them all. When the four of them stood on the red carpet, the visual impact was immediate.
Click, click, click.
The sound of camera shutters was like a symphony, playing in front of the Palais des Festivals in grand fashion.
The crowd roared.
Alex still couldn't believe this was really happening—
He couldn't feel his feet at all, as if he were walking on clouds. He had no idea whether to step with his left foot or right, and didn't even realize when his hands and feet moved together like a rusty robot that might fall apart at any moment. Flashbulbs popped everywhere, and he had no clue where to focus his gaze.
"Alex, Alex…"
A voice called to him, and Alex turned to see Anson's face.
Anson had originally intended to say something else, but seeing the blank look in Alex's eyes, he laughed softly and asked, "You okay?"
Alex shook his head. "No, I don't think so." His gaze finally focused on Anson. "This is nothing like the school trips I imagined."
Anson burst into laughter. After a moment's thought, he suggested, "How about you wave at the crowd?"
Alex hesitated, then actually waved at the crowd—
Nothing happened.
Well, not nothing. There were a few cheers and laughs from the crowd, but nothing overwhelming.
Alex looked at Anson, puzzled.
Anson said, "See? Nothing happened. It's not as scary as you think. They're here to watch movies, just like we are."
Eric: ??? Really? So, the Palais des Festivals is just a movie theater?
Thinking this over, Eric couldn't help but grin.
Then, Eric saw the confused look on Alex's face and couldn't hold back any longer, bursting into laughter.
Alex looked at Eric, confused.
Anson patted Alex on the shoulder. "Eric's really looking forward to seeing the movie. You should start getting excited too. Are you ready to share your thoughts with everyone?"
That was the real reason Anson had approached Alex—
A quick interview, which is a key part of any Cannes Film Festival premiere.
Alex shook his head, "No, I'm not ready."
Eric nudged him. "No one cares if you're ready. They're all here for Anson. We should make some room." As he spoke, Eric pulled Alex aside to clear space around Anson, giving him a look.
And in the next moment, the magic began.
Boom.
The sound of camera shutters reached a crescendo, exploding with five or ten times more energy, crashing like waves into their ears until only the roaring remained.
It was only then that they realized Cannes was just getting started, revealing its true power as one of the world's top film festivals.
Alex and Eric were stunned, and even Gus wasn't immune to the shock. They all finally understood that everything that had come before was just a warm-up.
This was the real deal.
Anson stood in a swirling sea of light, honestly feeling a little nervous.
After all, Cannes was different—just a bit. Unlike any previous public appearance, the scrutiny hidden behind the stares made the air in this little town, in this venue, subtly shift. No matter how experienced you were, you could feel your stomach doing somersaults.
Whether it was the opening ceremony or the premiere, Anson understood the risk—
This is a film festival, one of Europe's "Big Three." Here, the art of film takes precedence over everything, even more so than at the Oscars. The film's artistic merit is paramount.
If Anson chose Cannes as the stage for his "fashion icon" transformation, he would have to face accusations of being a "carpet star" and the harsh scrutiny of his film choices.
The reason doesn't need to be complex: People just want to see how much substance this "pretty face" really has.
A bit of bias, a touch of discrimination, a hint of arrogance—all these subtle emotions mix together, thickening the air.
Does Anson care?
Of course, he cares. Anson thought he was above it all, but in the end, he had to be honest with himself—he wasn't completely detached from it.
But he had calmed down now, thanks to Alex and Eric—
Just stay grounded.
As an actor, every work is inevitably subject to public scrutiny and criticism. Some people will like it, others will hate it—it's unavoidable. Besides, what actor hasn't been in a few flops? The experiences, the adventures, that's what makes being an actor fun.
So what if it's Cannes?
They're just here to watch movies.
And they, like the Cannes audience, are here to watch "Elephant"—as actors, but also as viewers.
It's that simple. This is the right way to approach a film festival.
A smile slowly spread across Anson's face as he looked out at the crowd, standing tall, confident, and at ease. Even the setting sun paled in comparison.
Click.
Immanuel pressed the shutter again, unknowingly capturing the image that had first struck him on the train, now perfectly mirrored before his eyes.
The red carpet was like a surging river beneath their feet, but Anson stood calmly and proudly in the flames, effortlessly commanding the scene. All the brilliance, boldness, and extravagance became mere background, with all the noise and frenzy bowing quietly at his canvas sneakers.
A ray of sunlight pierced through the sky, casting down like a spotlight on Anson's shoulders.
At that moment, the Palais des Festivals held only Anson—everything else faded away from view and sound, leaving all attention focused on him.
The world, suddenly, went quiet.
Not only Immanuel, but also Alex and Eric were swept up in the moment. Time and space seemed to lose their meaning, as Cannes was pulled into a black hole, seeking eternity in a single instant.
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