906-910

*Chapter 906: The First Big Hit*

It was a perfectly ordinary morning in Cannes. Even while standing in line at the coffee shop to buy their lifesaving caffeine, everyone was talking about “The Elephant.”

Roger Ebert sat at a round table in the corner, quietly appreciating the scene before him, his mind already drafting his review.

Last night, he had tossed and turned, his mind repeatedly returning to “The Elephant.”

He had already finished writing his review because Roger knew that in Cannes, every day came with its tasks. Delaying one thing would trigger a domino effect, potentially ruining his entire schedule, especially since it was still early in the festival.

However, after waking up this morning and re-reading his review, what had seemed barely passable last night now looked like a heap of garbage, too painful to look at. Despite knowing the consequences, he deleted everything.

In the end, he just wasn’t satisfied.

It had been a while since a film had stirred so many thoughts and ideas in his mind. Even though the movie had ended some time ago, his thoughts were still whirling, like a black hole sucking everything in.

He believed “The Elephant” deserved a real review.

That morning, before heading to the Palais des Festivals to watch the day’s main competition film, Roger sat in the coffee shop, hoping to reorganize his thoughts.

He was even prepared to miss the entire morning’s schedule.

At that moment, watching the lively scene inside the coffee shop, Roger’s lips curled into a slight smile. It seemed he wasn’t the only one whose mind couldn’t stop.

He couldn’t help but wonder:

Why did Anson choose this film?

Some actors, early in their careers, often follow their agents’ advice, choosing roles based on their agent’s taste. Matthew McConaughey was a typical example. He always played the charming, handsome guy, which helped him quickly stand out in a fiercely competitive environment. But at the same time, that label became an inescapable mark, a shackle that trapped his potential.

Some actors, even when lacking choices early in their careers, still have their own ideas about the roles they play. Unless they’re in a dire situation where they have no choice, they often select films that showcase their talent and depth, proving their thoughtfulness as actors. Although it might be tough at first, once given the chance, they shine.

Everyone thought Anson was the former, but in fact, he was the latter.

So, why “The Elephant?”

Wait, focus on the film. He needed to concentrate on writing the review and stop wandering off. But the point was, this movie was like an explosion of inspiration, with thoughts about it extending in countless directions and possibilities, far more complex than it appeared on the surface.

“...Hey, why are you here? Didn’t you say you were going to queue at the Palais Riviera?”

“Hell, don’t even ask. The Palais Riviera only has 500 seats, but the line at the door stretches all the way to the beach. I followed the line all the way back, almost got lost—went around so many times I lost count. I’d say there were at least 2,000 people. There’s no way I’m getting in.”

“Uh, is it really that bad? What about the Bazin Theater?”

“Hah, the press screening is already packed. Can you believe it? Even a critic from Sight & Sound got turned away. I heard he’d been queuing for two hours.”

“Sight & Sound? The British one? No way!”

“It’s true. Everyone’s gone mad. And with today’s official festival magazine release, it’s only going to get worse. I doubt I’ll get to see it.”

“So, you’re giving up?”

“Why not? It’s Gus Van Sant, not Godard. If I miss it, I miss it.”

“Hah, I believe you. The question is, do you believe yourself?”

“...Fine, I’ll try the Studio 13. It’s far, but maybe the line won’t be so crazy. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get lucky. Damn it, Anson, it’s all his fault for causing such a stir on the red carpet. Now the whole of Cannes is in chaos because of him. So, are you coming?”

“Of course, let’s try our luck. I’m curious, too...”

They chattered on, breathless, like a whirlwind blowing into the coffee shop and then out again just as suddenly.

Whether they were angry and frustrated or excited and enthusiastic, every soul was so alive, so vibrant, radiating energy from the inside out.

A smile crept up Roger’s face. This was why he loved film festivals. Despite the annual grind, he always came back for more.

The Bazin Theater was also at the main venue of the Palais des Festivals, on the third floor; the Palais Riviera was diagonally across from the Palais; and Studio 13, a cinema partnering with the festival, was about 1,500 meters away from the Palais, a bit farther.

That’s how the Cannes Film Festival worked. A film would premiere in the Lumière Theater, especially for main competition films, seating up to 2,000 people, but that wasn’t nearly enough to meet demand. So, the next day, the first wave of re-screenings would be held, allowing audiences to watch the previous day’s competition films.

The Bazin Theater, the Palais Riviera, and Studio 13 were the main venues for these re-screenings.

However, Roger was a bit surprised.

He had anticipated that “The Elephant” would spark a wave of discussion and that the re-screenings would surely attract many viewers.

But this level of frenzy? It was shocking. He never expected “The Elephant” to become the first big hit of this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

But why?

Was it because of Anson? Maybe. After all, over the past few days, Anson’s buzz had even overshadowed the films, making him the undeniable center of attention at Cannes.

But was that all? Probably not. The audience at Cannes knew the difference between hype and substance. They wouldn’t flock to the cinema just because Anson caused a stir on the red carpet. Plus, the festival magazine’s scores hadn’t helped either.

At Cannes, people didn’t choose films based on the magazine’s ratings. They would still watch the films they were interested in, regardless of the scores. Everyone had their own opinions and standards. However, the magazine’s scores did serve as a useful reference. Some might skip a movie because of a low score, while others might still watch it but lower its priority.

The thing was, Cannes was packed, and everyone needed to carefully plan their time. No one could watch every film they wanted to see. Knowing how to prioritize was a skill.

Clearly, the magazine’s 2.1 rating sent a signal: “The Elephant” wasn’t worth watching.

So, what happened?

Today’s re-screening didn’t cool off at all; it exploded, with tickets becoming impossible to get.

This wasn’t normal. It was, in fact, unusual.

Roger looked up, following the young people leaving the shop, and saw the line at the Palais Riviera stretching all the way to the beach, twisting and turning in an awe-inspiring sight.

Even more incredibly, despite knowing they wouldn’t get in, the line kept growing.

Why was this happening?

A sudden thought flashed through Roger’s mind, and inspiration burst forth like a fountain, ideas pouring out endlessly.

*Chapter 907: Resonating Aftermath*

"A masterpiece."

The opening sets the tone.

“In this film, Gus Van Sant presents a simple snapshot of daily life at school—real, mundane, and almost boring in its ordinariness. It’s so plain that it borders on dull, which will obviously spark a lot of controversy.

Yet, this controversy is exactly the point of the film’s framing—

Normal? Boring? Dull?

Exactly. Because this is the ordinary life that audiences are accustomed to. No one feels out of place, and everyone has experienced this kind of uneventful school day. It seems there’s no point in seeing it again on the big screen.

But is that really true?

It’s precisely within this boring, dull daily life that the ‘elephant’ has always been there. Discrimination, exclusion, and violence seep into everyday life.

When audiences complain about how boring the movie is, or even curse it, they inadvertently prove the real voice behind Gus Van Sant’s visuals:

The elephant is in the room, and no one sees it. Even if they do, they pretend not to. Even years after leaving school and looking back at those memories, people still pretend the elephant never existed.

This casual indifference is, in a way, a form of enabling violence.

That’s where the movie truly shines, breaking the fourth wall from the inside out. The audience’s reaction becomes the final piece of the film.

It’s like a social experiment.

Even when the elephant gets angry, even when blood flows like a river, in the midst of fear and despair, people still don’t understand what’s happening.

And the film doesn’t stop there.

The movie refuses to give a reason, refuses to offer a solution, and even refuses to give a clear ending—

When the film ends, everyone is left waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the gunshot to ring out, but nothing happens.

Gus Van Sant leaves everyone hanging.

He refuses to give closure, refuses to let us easily find an answer and move on. He won’t put a period on this event.

The movie is over, but the story it presents continues in reality. The visuals truly break the fourth wall and invade our lives.

The film invites ongoing thought, expects heated debate, and hopes every viewer will express their own views and opinions, hoping we’ll finally confront that sleeping elephant.

From every angle, Gus Van Sant has proven himself successful.”

Click.

A finger presses the enter key.

The words flow smoothly, inspiration gushing forth, completing the thought in one breath.

Roger Ebert lets out a long exhale, a satisfied smile on his face as he sips his coffee and glances out the window again—

People bustling by.

The morning has just begun, but Cannes is already in full swing.

The reason? Controversy.

From last night to this morning, Roger is probably not the only one who tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The movie offers no reasons, no solutions, and it leaves everything abruptly in front of you, thoughts swirling in the mind.

From the very first scene, Gus Van Sant has been breaking the fourth wall, and he continues to do so until the end. When the screen fades to black, the story seamlessly merges with reality, completing the final part of the narrative.

That’s where the film truly excels.

Roger knows people will question Gus Van Sant’s filmmaking techniques, but the truth is, Gus has subtly woven his craft into the movie. He constantly reminds the audience of the elephant’s presence while refusing to point it out directly—

It aligns with reality.

The impact and reflection this movie brings are far beyond expectations. It’s not just a simple punch to the face, using violence to disrupt calm. The more you think about it, the more it lingers.

It’s brilliant, both in terms of cinema and real life.

That’s why Roger, and everyone else at Cannes, can’t stop thinking about it. If someone asked him to explain his feelings, he might struggle to find the right words, just like last night. Different thoughts and opinions might clash in his mind because the film’s themes are far from simple.

One thing’s for sure: the wave of discussion sparked by “Elephant” is only just beginning.

It’s been a long time since Roger watched a film that triggered such a mental storm. He now believes that Anson’s choice of this film was no coincidence.

Maybe everyone underestimated Anson.

Roger had never given Anson special attention, treating him fairly but acknowledging that he considered Anson a pretty face. Even in “Spider-Man” and “Catch Me If You Can,” where Anson displayed his charisma, Roger attributed it to his appearance and the roles themselves, so he didn’t think Anson deserved a second look.

But now, that’s changing.

On the big screen, there are two types: actors and stars. As of now, Anson is still the former—perhaps not even an actor, just a subcategory of one, an idol. “Elephant” is no exception. The film left little room for him to perform because Gus aimed for a documentary style, leaving no space for acting.

However, Roger is now eagerly awaiting Anson’s next move. Every step this actor takes is becoming more and more interesting.

With that thought, Roger tapped a few more keys and sent it.

“Four stars.”

If the maximum score were 100, it would be 100.

If it were 10, it would be 10.

Of course, at Cannes, the maximum score is four stars, so Roger gave it four.

It’s that simple.

In Roger’s view, the film may not be perfect, but the effect it produced was undoubtedly flawless, with nothing to critique.

Though Roger wasn’t part of the official Cannes ratings this time, he still wrote for a few media outlets. It didn’t stop him from voicing his opinion on “Elephant.” He genuinely hoped more people would see this film and engage in discussion in the film-loving environment of Cannes—

These intellectual storms are what make a film festival truly special.

Quickly finishing his coffee, Roger packed up and rushed across the street to the Palais des Festivals. Now that his review was done, he still had work to complete for the day.

In a way, Roger was right:

The discussions won’t stop.

The film leaves one question after another, connecting them to reality. Whether you love it or hate it, the only certainty is that the mental storm won’t stop.

And this is just the first day.

However, Roger’s prediction was slightly off:

Even though the movie didn’t provide much space for acting, with the director and the film being the focus, Anson’s powerful influence still shone through at Cannes.

In the film, Anson silently wipes his tears, Alicia kisses his cheek, and this tender, sensitive moment unexpectedly captured countless eyes.

As Gus said, with Alicia’s comfort in front and Alex’s reminder behind, Anson’s character, though on the sidelines, became a warm spot in the entire campus. This moment became the film’s most beautiful, touching scene.

And who could resist that?

Chapter 908: Sword and Blade

“Damn.”

Emanuel finally couldn’t hold back and cursed angrily.

The appointment had been canceled at the last minute.

In Cannes, photography and interviews are separate matters. Although some large media outlets combine them for exclusive interviews, that’s rare. If you don’t book an exclusive interview, there’s likely no time for photos.

Of course, press releases at Cannes primarily focus on text about films, so photos aren’t always essential.

Thus, photographers mainly work on the red carpet or at official press conferences, providing photos for interviews from these events.

The core issue is time.

With so many film crews and official Cannes events—not just premieres but also promotional activities—everything becomes overwhelming. Typically, a film crew arrives in Cannes and has just 48 to 72 hours, fully packed with engagements.

The crews are swamped, and so are the media. There’s no time to spare. Photography requires makeup, styling, and location selection, so this streamlined approach has developed, offering relief to both parties.

However, there are exceptions.

Some actors or crews may only come to Cannes once in their careers, and naturally, they want to take memorable photos, like a beach shoot. Similarly, some media outlets are particularly interested in certain actors or crews and want to shoot special photos.

In these cases, special appointments need to be made, and photographers often barely have time to eat.

That’s what happened here.

Scottish director David Mackenzie had already made three or four films but hadn’t gained much attention. This time, his film Young Adam entered the “Un Certain Regard” category at Cannes, and his whole team was ecstatic and eager to capture the memory.

Coincidentally, Emanuel also wanted to shoot a series of photos for them because the cast was impressive—Peter Mullan, Emily Mortimer, Tilda Swinton, and Ewan McGregor.

A group of promising British actors, and Ewan McGregor had already made a name for himself with Trainspotting, Star Wars: Episode I, and Moulin Rouge, gaining popularity in both Europe and America.

Emanuel didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

And what happened?

She arrived at the appointment location early in the morning, waited for 30 minutes, only to be told that Ewan wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t do the shoot. The crew was regretful but had to cancel.

Emanuel: ???

As she left, she swore she saw a very healthy-looking Ewan through the hotel lobby, shouting angrily at two staff members in the garden. Though she didn’t know what had happened, Ewan looked fine.

If that’s the case, it meant… Ewan was refusing to cooperate.

Emanuel felt a wave of frustration rise in her chest.

She was busy too, wasn’t she?

For Young Adam, she had turned down a job with the Shara crew, even though that film had been selected for the main competition. Considering popularity and interest, she chose Young Adam.

And this was her reward?

Unwilling to swallow her frustration, Emanuel asked around and learned from hotel staff that Ewan had started the morning in good spirits, but when he found out the media was flocking to the Elephant crew, his mood soured and soon turned into a full-blown storm.

The Elephant crew?

Emanuel didn’t understand. Did Ewan have some grudge with the Elephant crew? Or was there a personal issue with Anson?

She couldn’t make sense of it.

Even if Ewan had a personal issue with Anson or was jealous of the attention Elephant was getting, that didn’t justify canceling a scheduled shoot, right?

What about professionalism?

Frustrated beyond measure, Emanuel cursed again. Even with some of the truth in hand, she was still bewildered.

She hated being abandoned, ignored, and forgotten: Damn it!

To make matters worse, she had cleared two hours for the Young Adam crew, and now those two hours were empty.

Emanuel wasn’t relieved at the free time. She needed to seize the opportunity at Cannes to make her career breakthrough. Wasting time was a crime.

Should she head to the main competition premiere at the Palais des Festivals this morning?

Wait, what was screening this morning? The Italian film His Secret Heart. If she hurried, maybe she could still get a good spot.

No time for frustration. Emanuel rushed toward the Palais des Festivals, only to see from a distance that the red carpet was already swarmed with people. This dampened her mood.

His Secret Heart was directed by Italian maestro Pupi Avati, who had been nominated at the major European festivals seven times but never won. This was his third time at Cannes, and many wondered if this would finally be his lucky year.

The scene before her told Emanuel that the media had surrounded the red carpet early.

She could still get in, but probably not in a good spot.

She hesitated, her mind racing.

The Elephant crew.

Maybe she could ask if they had time for a photoshoot. If so, she wanted to schedule something with them.

The official review of Elephant had just come out, and its scores weren’t good. That could mean the film’s journey at Cannes might face some bumps. But Emanuel’s intuition told her differently; she felt she should give the Elephant crew a chance.

Plus, Ewan had just thrown a tantrum over the Elephant crew, right?

So, what was really going on here?

No more time to think. Emanuel turned a corner and entered the grand Barrière Hotel, navigating her way to the elevator.

Ding.

The elevator arrived. As Emanuel stepped out, she paused, stunned by the chaotic scene in front of her.

What was going on?

Emanuel couldn’t believe her eyes. Now, she understood why Ewan had been so furious. She had never seen anything like this.

The entire hallway was packed with people, wall-to-wall.

Ding.

The elevator doors were closing again, but Emanuel quickly hit the open button and stepped out, standing in awe at the bustling scene. The heat felt like the sweltering asphalt of a summer afternoon, and she instinctively held her breath.

She stopped, asking someone by the elevator, “Excuse me, are you here for the Elephant crew?”

Without turning, the person ahead answered kindly, “Follow the hallway. Someone’s handing out numbers up front. You’ll need to take a number.”

Take a number???

Chapter 909: Taking a Number and Waiting in Line

People, everywhere, a sea of people.

Some were sitting cross-legged on the ground with laptops on their knees, typing furiously. Others were speaking into recording devices, muttering rapidly. Some were making phone calls, their expressions a mix of excitement and frustration. Others were engaged in animated conversations, showing a full range of emotions.

A figure approached, laden with bags but moving briskly through the crowd, heading for the elevator. When it finally arrived, they left the area, sweating but relieved, their brow relaxing as they let out a sigh.

In the long, narrow corridor, a wave of heat surged. Though there was no direct light in the hallway, the outside temperature was palpable. Excitement and fervor were transmitted through looks and words, making the whole world seem to spin at high speed.

Looking around, it was just people everywhere.

After taking just ten steps forward, Emmanuel felt a thin layer of sweat on her back. The scene before her was completely unexpected—

What’s going on here? Wasn’t this supposed to be a flop?

An official journal rating of 2.1 out of 10. So what if the film got a twelve-minute standing ovation after its premiere in the Lumière Hall? The critics’ reviews were a disaster. Even for an art film, a failing grade is still a failing grade.

Given Anson's situation—a pretty face relying on a washed-up independent director trying to make a comeback at Cannes, while also stirring up controversy with his red carpet appearance—this should’ve been a media feeding frenzy, with everyone lining up to ridicule him and mock his arrogance.

So what’s the deal here?

Were all these media people just haters? Since when did Cannes get taken over by such a bunch of unprincipled journalists?

Emmanuel was confused.

She thought of Ivan’s outburst and the bustling scene before her. Then she thought about the journal ratings and the “pretty boy idol” controversy around Anson. Her mind was being pulled in different directions, and it felt like her head was about to explode.

Dizzy and disoriented.

She felt like she was walking on clouds, each step shaky and unsure.

Even being here, it was hard to believe what she was seeing.

Knock, knock.

Reaching her destination, Emmanuel instinctively knocked on the door. As the sound registered, her heart began to race.

Like a newbie fresh out of school.

But on second thought, this was indeed a rare occurrence. The other journalists probably felt the same way, which explained why the corridor was so crowded and why everyone looked so restless—

No one could stay calm.

Then the door opened, and a young, handsome face appeared.

Emmanuel was completely stunned. One surprise after another; she couldn’t keep up. It felt like the aftermath of a 100-meter sprint—her heart was about to burst, and her ears were ringing.

Anson?

Why was Anson here? Why was he the one opening the door?

The person in question didn’t seem to notice her surprise, simply offering a smile.

"Sorry, we’re short-staffed, so please forgive the delay in our work. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Emmanuel: ...

Blinking, she replied, "I need to make an appointment."

Anson said, "Oh, you need a number, right? One moment. Noah! Noah!"

"Apologies, please be patient."

It was unexpected, a complete surprise not just for the media but also for the "Elephant" crew.

Typically, after a film's premiere in the main competition at Cannes, everything is arranged in advance to avoid wasting time for both the crew and the media. Everyone cooperates.

However, not all films are equally in demand.

This year, for example, the star-studded "Mystic River" was a media darling. Even before the Cannes Film Festival started, the media had already coordinated with the film’s PR department. Their interview schedule for the two days was packed to the brim.

On the other hand, "Five O'Clock in the Afternoon," also in the main competition, was another story. Apart from the official Cannes interviews, only a few media outlets had booked interviews. They were waiting to see the market screening’s feedback to gauge further interest.

"Elephant" fell into the latter category.

Apart from Anson, the entire cast were non-professional actors. There was no promotional material, no plot synopsis, and only one lonely poster. It completely failed to grab the media’s attention.

Moreover, the film was funded by HBO, which hadn’t planned on a theatrical release. It was going to be aired as a TV movie, so there wasn’t a professional film promotion team in place.

Of course, the film had Anson. Leveraging his fame, HBO and Eve arranged a series of interviews for the crew. Not too many, but not too few either—just about average for Cannes.

The schedule was set up yesterday.

But this morning, everything went haywire.

Even the "Elephant" crew was caught off guard, swept into a whirlwind.

The media swarmed in, taking the crew by surprise. They didn’t have time to screen them and had to arrange everything on a first-come, first-served basis. HBO only sent a three-person team to Cannes for promotion, and now even Anson’s assistant was helping out to maintain order.

This led to the current scene—

People taking numbers, like queuing up for limited-edition sneakers, with the crowd continuing to grow.

For the crew, this situation was entirely unexpected. For Anson, though, it was just a drop in the bucket. He had experienced the chaos of Spring Festival travel in China, standing overnight in line for train tickets, or waking up in the early hours to grab a flight. This was nothing in comparison.

So, Anson came out to help organize things, hoping to get everything on track quickly—

This way, they could proceed with the follow-up work efficiently.

"Sorry, things are a bit chaotic right now."

"You can choose to interview today. There will be a round table interview with ten people per group, twenty minutes each. If that doesn't work for you, you can make an appointment for tomorrow. We’re not sure about tomorrow's schedule yet, but it should be less hectic than today."

Emmanuel felt dizzy—

Mainly because of the handsome guy.

Anson, standing this close, smiling warmly and naturally, made it hard to look away. He was approachable, sunny, and charming, even more so than yesterday.

Emmanuel took a deep breath, quickly regaining her composure. After all, she wasn’t a sixteen-year-old girl. "Okay, no problem."

What kind of nonsense was that, so vague and rambling?

"I mean, either is fine. Today or tomorrow, I don’t mind."

"Sorry, my brain’s a bit fried."

Emmanuel managed to regain her senses.

Anson shook his head lightly, "It's normal. I’ve never seen anything like this before either. So many people, right?"

Emmanuel thought of Anson's reaction on the red carpet, a smile forming on her lips.

Anson politely asked, "So, how was the film?"

Emmanuel was at a loss for words: ...

What should she do? Should she tell Anson she was a photographer and was too busy on the red carpet yesterday to watch the movie?

Anson, do you remember the girl who almost got squished on the red carpet yesterday?

Chapter 910: Nonsense

"So, how was the movie?"

Anson asked casually, a polite inquiry. Emmanuel stared blankly at the lazy yet charming smile on Anson's lips, and couldn't help but let her own lips curve upward.

"It was good. I liked it."

The words had barely left her mouth when Emmanuel bit the tip of her tongue hard.

Idiot, why are you swooning? It's not like you've never seen a handsome guy before, and you're not a sixteen-year-old girl. Pull yourself together—

This is work. Stay focused!

Normally, Emmanuel wasn't like this. It was just that so much had happened all at once this morning that her brain hadn't caught up yet.

And so, she made a fool of herself.

A slight taste of blood emerged on her tongue, bringing Emmanuel back to reality.

But the words had already been said, and there was no taking them back.

Anson looked at Emmanuel. "Oh? Which part?"

Emmanuel: ...

Her mind seemed to freeze. How was she supposed to answer that?

She pointed at the bustling crowd in the corridor. "Because the ending makes people think. Uh, I liked that part. Yes, that's it."

She squeezed out an answer like squeezing toothpaste, but surprisingly, it made sense. Emmanuel felt a bit more confident.

"Nowadays, movies are too obsessed with pushing their values, almost preachy; but your movie isn't like that. It's a positive trend."

Anson lightly raised his chin and pondered for a moment. "Hmm, that's an interesting point. So there's nothing you're particularly curious about?"

Emmanuel blinked: For God's sake, she's a photojournalist, right?

But what now?

Emmanuel could feel the eyes of the other reporters behind her, the surrounding chatter gradually quieting down, the invisible weight of their gazes pressing on her shoulders.

Uh.

"Elephants! Why weren't there any elephants in the movie?"

Emmanuel seized the moment and threw out the question, grasping at straws—

She was guessing; there probably weren't elephants in the movie since the crew likely didn't have the budget.

Anson raised an eyebrow, his face serious. "I think it's to leave a question, for the audience to guess."

Emmanuel: ? What kind of nonsense is that?

Taking a deep breath, Emmanuel said, "Then what about other animals? I mean, hunting dogs? Horses?"

Anson lifted his chin, showing a thoughtful expression. "So, your magazine is... 'Horses and Hunting Dogs,' right?"

Emmanuel: ...

If she still didn't realize Anson was teasing her, she'd really be a brainless fangirl. "When did you figure out I'm not an interview reporter?"

Anson smiled. "You weren't hurt on the red carpet yesterday, were you?"

Emmanuel was stunned: He actually remembered.

Anson seemed to read Emmanuel's mind, his smile lifting slightly. "Mainly because of the professional camera gear on your shoulder. Then I recalled. Honestly, my memory isn't that great."

Frank and sincere.

Emmanuel's smile blossomed naturally. This was probably the most relaxed moment since she arrived in Cannes. "I didn't know you liked to play pranks."

Anson shrugged lightly. "That just means my reputation isn't famous enough. Otherwise, the industry should be talking about which actors hate me. Looks like I need to work harder."

Emmanuel laughed, "Haha."

Then Noah finally appeared.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Noah had been on a call, busy with media appointments through phone and email. The whole world had been spinning at high speed this morning. "Which media outlet are you with?"

Emmanuel answered on impulse, "Horses and Hunting Dogs."

Haha.

Anson laughed out loud.

Noah looked at Emmanuel seriously. "I didn't know 'Horses and Hunting Dogs' was invited to Cannes."

It was just a small prank, but seeing Noah's serious face, Emmanuel quickly waved her hands. "No, I work for the Italian edition of 'Vogue.' I want to schedule a photoshoot. If not today, tomorrow is fine too."

Noah, "Photoshoot schedule." He paused.

Obviously, he was just Anson's assistant, not a professional PR team, and it was his first time in Cannes, so he wasn't familiar with these matters. He clearly stumbled while dealing with it.

But Noah didn't seek help from Anson. "Sorry, we need to check the schedule." Then he glanced at the crowded corridor. "How about this: leave your business card, and after we confirm with the team, we'll get back to you as soon as possible."

Emmanuel, "I can wait here for a response."

Noah's handling was steady, calm, and orderly, which was indeed impressive.

However, Anson had another idea. Italian edition of "Vogue"? This was a good opportunity. "If you don't mind, you can come in now and take some behind-the-scenes shots, record our working moments. Additionally, during the interview later, you can coordinate with 'The New York Times' and take some pictures during the breaks."

Emmanuel was tempted, even excited—

After hitting a wall with Ivan, she didn't expect to get a shooting opportunity here. This not only perfectly filled her work gap but also allowed her to switch from the "Young Adam" section to the main competition "Elephant" crew, which couldn't be more perfect.

But Emmanuel hesitated a bit: behind-the-scenes shots, casual moments—this wasn't the shooting theme she had in mind.

For a photographer, shooting also has themes, styles, and designs. Emmanuel believed that since Anson's two appearances in Cannes had sparked discussions, she should dig into the fashion aspect to fully leverage Cannes' buzz. But capturing casual moments during the interview seemed too weak.

Anson noticed Emmanuel's hesitation.

In this situation, if she didn't agree right away, it meant his proposal wasn't attractive enough.

Anson thought for a moment. He had a guess. "This movie is filmed entirely in a documentary style, recording an ordinary day, capturing the daily life of middle school students. So, I think, if we break the fourth wall and document an ordinary day of the crew in Cannes, capturing the daily lives of actors and directors, it would be very interesting."

Emmanuel's eyes lit up. She hadn't seen the movie, so she didn't know how to match the movie's theme.

If the movie is documentary-style, then this shooting proposal couldn't be better.

Emmanuel had one last bit of hesitation. "The movie's visual style..."

Anson, "Simple." Then he added, "Like the poster."

Ha.

Emmanuel chuckled. Her mind immediately pictured the black-and-white images showing the texture of Cannes' daily life. Going against the norm, instead of showing Cannes' glamorous side, it would present the ordinary yet bustling side away from the spotlight, creating a contrast with Anson's dazzling red-carpet presence.

A theme emerged.

When she looked at Anson again, Emmanuel didn't hide her scrutiny—

No pretenses, even surrounded by the media, there was no arrogance, haughtiness, or conceit. He consistently showed an approachable attitude.

Smart and insightful. He clearly knew his job and place, had his understanding of movies and reality, and was definitely more than just a pretty face.

So, the question is, is everything Anson shows now real, or is it all an act?