Splash.
A stone stirs up a thousand ripples.
No one expected that a fashion issue, ridiculed and dismissed by everyone, would suddenly present a completely different answer, steering the conversation in another direction.
Some journalists began to realize their arrogance.
Instinctively, they had labeled Anson as just a pretty face, marveling at his red carpet look while scoffing at the idea of him being a fashion icon. They completely overlooked the fact that all four cast members had red elements in their outfits. It wasn't that they didn't notice; they chose to ignore it.
At least until now.
Suddenly, countless thoughts raced through their minds—
So, was Anson's opening ceremony look also carefully planned?
Later, Eve seized the moment and took it further. Not only were fashion magazines like *Vogue*, *GQ*, and *Elle* getting involved, but major publications like *The New York Times*, *The Times*, and *Le Figaro* also interviewed Anson, giving him the chance to discuss his views on fashion and styling.
It spread everywhere.
And not just in North America. France, the UK, Italy, and other major regions followed suit. Capitalizing on the momentum of the Cannes Film Festival, both the film and fashion worlds were rocked.
As a public relations expert, Eve did an excellent job.
But that's another story. For now, the focus returns to the press conference inside the cinema palace, where shockwaves rippled through the room.
Journalists were lost in thought, trying to regroup. Some scrambled to organize their ideas and get the next hot question in, revealing a clear difference in their skills. Some reporters were quick to seize the opportunity, jumping in during a gap and securing a valuable chance to ask a question.
"Anson, I'm from *The New York Times*. I'd like to ask what made you decide to take on this role in the film. Especially the character Anson—if I may assume, you probably had a chance to play other characters. So why Anson? I mean, *that* character?"
It was a bit of a tongue-twister.
The room, understanding the awkwardness, burst into friendly laughter.
Even Alex and Eric smiled.
Anson chuckled lightly. "Hey, Nick, I didn't see you on the red carpet earlier. I thought *The New York Times* had sent someone else this year…"
Scribble, scribble, scribble.
Nicholas Flynn suddenly felt the sharp gazes of jealousy surround him like arrows, suffocating him.
But Nicholas was equally confused. He wasn't even that close with Anson—so why was Anson throwing him under the bus?
However, Anson quickly shifted gears.
"…I was hoping you'd say something nice about our film, but it seems I don't need to worry about that now."
Ha ha ha.
The room erupted in laughter, the atmosphere lively and relaxed.
After a brief pause, Anson continued.
"Actually, you can just refer to the character by name. We know the difference between the characters and ourselves. Even if there's some confusion, it doesn't matter. After all, when making movies, we're aware of the risks."
Ha ha, ha ha ha!
The crowd burst into applause and laughter.
With self-deprecation and humor, his playful tone lifted the room's spirits even higher.
"I chose this movie because I believe we can use it to give voice to something important. I really, really want to speak out through the medium of film."
"And the first director willing to let me speak was Gus. So, it's not about the movie; it's about Gus Van Sant. I need to thank him for giving me the opportunity to be heard."
"As for the role, I didn't need to be picky. Any of them would've worked. Though I admit, I was a bit envious of Alex's character. But I wasn't jealous, really."
The first part of Anson's answer was loaded with meaning, poking fun at his "pretty face" label. People often only see his appearance and refuse to listen to his voice—not just the audience but also the industry itself.
In reality, Anson is a thoughtful and multifaceted actor. He's much more than just a handsome face.
Naturally, thoughts of Anson's recent work on the Charlie Kaufman project surfaced, along with the deeper thought behind his fashion choices. The outline of Anson as an actor became clearer with just a few strokes.
In the second part of his answer, the tone shifted. The playful and lighthearted vibe came through once more, filling the press room with soft laughter, creating an easy-going atmosphere.
Then, Anson smoothly turned his attention to the director.
"So, director, why did I end up with this role?"
Seamlessly, Anson shifted the spotlight to Gus.
Gus was slightly caught off guard.
He had been quietly listening, but now, thrust into the limelight, he began to earnestly explain since the question was about the movie.
"I like the youthful energy that Anson brings, a kind of complex yet unique aura."
"He's incredibly young—so young it's unbelievable, like a newborn. But at the same time, it feels like he has an old soul, one that's seen too much. He understands things in a way that others don't. Like this moment right now—I'm completely lost, but he's handling it perfectly."
Anson: ???
He had just managed to pass the attention to the director, yet the director was turning it back to him?
The whispers and gazes in the room turned to Anson again, leaving him pretending to play dead.
But Gus was oblivious, continuing.
"In a way, Anson's character is the soul of the movie."
"He's sensitive and delicate but also strong and brave. Like many teenagers, he may act foolish at times, but his gentleness can be felt by everyone around him."
"In the film, he's a peripheral figure, but we see that everyone likes him. That's why Alex and Eric try to warn him."
"He's young and doesn't know how to handle the complexities, but he feels the sadness and pain behind the events. It's not as simple as it seems."
"I didn't make this movie to find answers or provide solutions, because I don't have any. But Anson represents my response."
"And for such a character, I think Anson was the perfect choice."
"Except that he's way too handsome to be playing a school outcast. Otherwise, he's perfect."
Gus ended with a smile.
The reporters, a beat slow to react, burst into laughter once they realized Gus was making a joke.
Just as Anson thought the focus would shift to Gus or someone else, giving him a moment to rest and sip some water, the next question came back to him.
"Anson, I'd like to ask…"
Anson nearly choked on his water, fumbling to set down the bottle. Alex, sitting next to him, quickly handed him a couple of tissues.
Anson nodded in thanks, hurriedly wiping his mouth. "I hope none of you just took pictures of me creating new blackmail material."
The journalists weren't the only ones laughing—even Alex couldn't hold back.
Who wouldn't like Anson?
The reporter who had stood up was a straightforward person, gripping the microphone and standing frozen in place. Once the laughter subsided, he repeated his question, determined not to miss his chance.
"Anson, since you're the only professional actor in the cast, could you talk about your understanding of the character and the atmosphere during filming?"