The scene was, well, a bit funny.
The red carpet was split into two halves: on the right side, the media was filled with laughter and cheers, as if the sun was shining brightly; on the left, reporters were shouting in frustration, as if caught in a storm of thunder and lightning.
Even though it was a single frame, it felt like two completely different worlds, perfectly illustrating the "I should be under the car" Cannes version—
"I should be on the right side."
But this standoff was only temporary. The internal conflict didn't matter anymore, as they noticed Anson turning to walk up the steps—a sign he was about to leave the red carpet.
Media: ???
What? No way!
Anson had been on the red carpet for less than three minutes and was already planning to leave?
No, no, no, this wasn't right. At the opening ceremony a few days ago, Anson had stayed on the red carpet for nearly seven minutes, stealing the spotlight. And now, at his own movie premiere, he was leaving so quickly?
Ridiculous!
Whether they were on the left or right, all the media reporters united, screaming Anson's name as if desperately pleading with a boyfriend not to leave.
Unfortunately, Anson didn't stop—a total heartbreaker.
Anson climbed the steps, like a king ascending his throne, and finally reached the platform at the top, where he joined the rest of the cast of The Elephant. He turned to face the cameras and media, ready for the photoshoot.
He wasn't leaving entirely; he was rejoining the cast for a group photo.
Without a sound, Emmanuel realized that he had to look up to see the "high and mighty" Anson.
It was a unique perspective, giving them a new angle to view Anson—like a king taking the throne, reigning over all.
The dazzling sight of him, with the massive red carpet stretching at his feet, made him seem as if he had just been crowned at the Cannes Film Festival.
This was a moment Emmanuel hadn't anticipated before coming to Cannes. No matter the circumstances, Anson's rise to the top of Cannes was unexpected and surreal; but even more astonishing was that Emmanuel didn't feel out of place, but rather had an urge to bow down in admiration.
He raised his camera, focused, and adjusted the shot—
In the frame, Anson looked ahead, calm, serene, confident, and composed. His powerful presence radiated, as if overlooking all humanity.
Click.
Emmanuel pressed the shutter for the 1001st time that evening.
And then—
"Anson! Anson!"
The entire place erupted into chaos, with cheers echoing from every corner, spreading like wildfire.
Alex was stunned, watching Anson in awe, his mind buzzing with noise, unable to think clearly or say a word.
Eric, though slightly more composed, was also feeling dry-mouthed and heart racing, but he managed to find his voice.
"Wow, now this is Anson Wood, right?" Eric marveled, a stark contrast to the playful boy they'd filmed with in Portland.
The wild energy on the red carpet didn't die down. Flashing lights and cheers flooded the scene, all of it directed solely at Anson.
Not only were Alex and Eric stunned, but so was Gus, surprised and amazed.
Was Anson starring in The Elephant a matter of destiny or pure coincidence?
On one hand, Gus couldn't help but worry.
He was afraid that Anson's fame and stardom would overshadow the film itself. The Elephant was not just any movie; it had depth and power. Yet now, Anson's overwhelming popularity might overshadow the message the film was trying to convey.
This was precisely why Gus had initially wanted to cast all non-professional actors. But even Gus couldn't have predicted that Anson's influence would reach such heights.
On the other hand, Gus felt a sense of excitement.
Without a doubt, Anson's presence had brought unprecedented attention to The Elephant. Gus had been working in Hollywood for more than a decade, and he knew well:
Attention breeds discussion, and discussion creates impact.
If Gus wanted the issues raised by The Elephant to be noticed, this was the opportunity. Not only was the main competition at Cannes a stage for the film, but Anson's fame brought even more focus. Everything was ready; now it was time for the movie to unveil its mysteries.
Conflicting feelings tugged at him from both sides.
But whether it was worry or excitement, there was no turning back now. They were already here, and any second thoughts were useless.
Gus exhaled slowly. "Since we're here, we may as well make the best of it." Maybe Anson was right—they should focus on the work. In the end, it's all about the film.
Anson didn't notice Gus's concerns; he simply looked at Eric and shrugged lightly. "At the end of the day, they're all just an audience. There's no difference. I'm ready to watch the movie. How about you? Ready to see yourself on the big screen?"
Eric glanced at Alex, then shrugged. "I'm afraid not."
"Haha." Both Anson and Gus laughed.
Meanwhile, the Cannes Film Palace, amidst all the chaos and excitement, suddenly wrapped up the red carpet event early, catching the media off guard.
From the start, the cast of The Elephant had been shrouded in mystery, with little information available. Only four people from the crew showed up at the premiere, making them look rather pitiful.
And now, the biggest star of the cast had spent less than three minutes on the red carpet before entering the Lumière Hall, leaving the photographers behind.
This...
Their grand entrance, full of impact and shock, had suddenly ended.
A brief climax, abruptly cut off, leaving everyone craving more. By the time the media realized they had been played like puppets by Anson, it was too late—
All eyes had already turned toward The Elephant.
And immediately, the online buzz exploded.
On various forums and media outlets, excited discussions spread like wildfire:
"Wow, Anson really is something else. Switching styles effortlessly!"
"Bowing down! Only Anson could pull off something like this."
"I've lost it, my mom is asking why I'm drooling at the computer screen."
"Even for Anson, this is crazy. I can't believe one person could make Cannes look dim in comparison."
"Forget the movie, everyone just watch Anson!"
"I wonder how the movie is. It'd be hilarious if it turned out to be terrible."
"I don't care about fashion. I just want to know if Anson's movie is good."
"Red carpet star is nice, but don't forget your real job. I wonder if Anson remembers why he's at Cannes."
"The Elephant, you better not disappoint me. My expectations are through the roof right now."
On and on, the chatter exploded, with opinions of every kind flooding in, setting the internet on fire.
In fact, in some places, the frenzy was even crazier than in Cannes.
Because of Anson, the Cannes Film Festival had reached new heights of attention. Whether people liked it or not, this was the power Anson held at this point.
Venice: Jealous.