"Oh, thank you."
Anson's response left the press conference room filled with question marks—
Thank you? For what?
Anson looked completely serious.
"This might be the first time I've been considered a professional actor. It's a brand new experience."
A bit of self-mockery as a "pretty face."
Ha-ha!
Light chuckles spread across the room.
"I mean, I wouldn't call myself a professional actor either."
"Not long ago, I was just like Alex and Eric—no different. I've just had a bit more filming experience, but that doesn't make me a professional."
"Trust me, I want to prove that I'm a professional actor, but it looks like I'll still need to keep proving myself."
Ha-ha-ha!
"That's why working on this movie was full of unknowns and fun."
"We tried to present a natural and authentic state. About 20% was scripted, and the rest was improvised to capture the daily lives of high school students."
"I think Alex and Eric did a fantastic job..."
As he spoke, Anson turned to look beside him.
In response, Alex was desperately winking at Anson, while Eric hid his hands under the table, waving them frantically like a duck paddling underwater, refusing to be drawn into the spotlight.
"..."
Anson paused for a moment. "But it seems they're not willing to take the credit, so let's just say the entire movie was all my doing."
Ha-ha-ha!
Not only did the reporters laugh, but Gus also chuckled. However, Alex and Eric both let out long sighs of relief, finally able to relax a bit.
"Anson, how do you view this character?"
"Anson, how do you interpret the message Gus is trying to convey through the movie?"
"Anson, what made you choose this project suddenly?"
"Anson, how was filming 'Elephant' different from your previous work?"
"Anson, what do you think is the significance of your character in the story?"
"Anson, how do you feel about coming to Cannes for the first time?"
One after another.
The questions revolved entirely around Anson, turning the movie press conference into an Anson press conference. Anson felt like he was being put on trial in front of three different judges—
Is this normal?
Even questions that weren't directly related to Anson were habitually thrown his way.
"Anson, what do you think happened to Alex in the movie? How did this incident occur?"
Anson paused. Without saying much, he turned to look at Alex. "Alex, what do you think happened to Alex in the movie?"
Alex: ???
He had been sitting quietly the whole time, attentively listening to Anson's Q&A with the media, when suddenly, without warning, he was dragged into the storm.
Eric, on the other hand, stiffened against the back of his chair, trying his best to go unnoticed, wishing he could disappear like an ostrich.
Alex furiously winked at Anson.
Not being a mind reader, Anson looked back at Alex, utterly confused.
Taking a deep breath, Alex leaned slightly toward Anson and whispered, "I don't know either."
Anson's lips curved upward slightly, while Alex gave him an embarrassed glance.
Anson turned to the reporter, "Alex doesn't know either."
Alex: ...
Staring at Anson, Alex was on the verge of tears.
Eric couldn't hold back, quickly lowering his head and chuckling quietly.
Anson continued, "I mean, isn't that the director's intention? At least, that's how I see it."
"No one knows what happened. No one knows why it happened—not even Alex and Eric. That pent-up anger inside them just erupted without warning or reason."
"One day, the elephant that had been quietly living in the room became enraged, and things unfolded as they did."
"Of course, we can condemn the perpetrators, and there's no need to justify Alex and Eric's actions; but at the same time, we can ask why."
"Why?"
"Because only by truly understanding the cause can we prevent similar tragedies from happening again. This isn't the first time or the second time, so how can we ensure it's the last?"
"Rather than us providing the answers, why not let the audience answer that question?"
"That's the power of cinema, and also society's responsibility."
"So, here's a question: Why did the elephant get angry?"
Buzzing—buzzing—
A wave of murmurs filled the press conference room, impossible to stop.
Generally, when a director makes a movie, they aim to guide the audience toward a conclusion, using their camera and imagery to express their viewpoint. Many films end up becoming didactic, a form of preaching a specific value system.
Because art is fundamentally a form of expression.
In other words, films are expected to both pose questions and provide answers.
However, "Elephant" does not.
Gus didn't ask a question or provide an answer. There was no beginning or end, just a snippet captured and presented—a mere fragment with no resolution, abruptly thrown in front of the audience.
Moreover, Anson further complicated things by throwing the question back at the audience when the journalists asked.
This...something feels off. Is this really okay?
As the journalists exchanged bewildered glances, their minds were sent into overdrive.
Alex was dumbfounded: What? There's actually this kind of approach?
By the time the press conference after the screening ended, the discussion was just beginning—
Something no one had anticipated.
There was hope to see Anson, the "pretty face," exposed without the comedic distractions of commercial films or the mutual flattery of feel-good projects. At a film festival, he would need to show his true artistic depth.
This depth can't be faked by just listing a few directors or classic films. It has to reflect a genuine understanding of cinema and art, something that can be exposed with just a few words.
No way to hide it.
Just as last year when Anson's involvement in "Elephant" was announced, and it was met with ridicule. "The intentions are obvious," they said, comparing it to someone unsuccessfully imitating others and becoming a laughingstock. The idea of a "pretty face" trying to change his image through an independent art film was seen as a farce.
But now?
Who's the real joke?
Those who were eager to laugh at Anson realized they were the clowns. Those who aimed to challenge him were left with homework instead. Their stirred thoughts made them look especially foolish.
They couldn't corner Anson. Instead, his responses continually amazed them. From addressing the questions about his fashion to leaving the movie's ambiguity open to the audience, this young man's thoughts on cinema left a profound impression.
Clearly, the "pretty face" wasn't just that. The clown wasn't the clown. Much like the shock and impact of "Elephant" being shortlisted for the Cannes Film Festival's main competition, Anson's evolving image as an actor was shattering stereotypes.
So, what's going on here?
And so—
The buzz grew louder.
Cannes Film Festival's night was just beginning.
Discussions about the movie, about Anson, about the so-called "pretty face"—it was going to be a long night.