841-845

**Chapter 841: Fearless**

"Cut!"

Filming was over—finally. The shoot in the ice and snow had come to an end, at least for now, but Anson remained motionless.

He still held his upper body straight, relying on his core strength, looking around with a sense of confusion and uncertainty.

A little lost, a little confused, a little sad, and a little heartbroken.

For a brief moment, he genuinely believed Clementine had vanished. He couldn’t help but wonder—what if certain cherished memories of people or events in his life were completely erased? How heartbreaking would that be?

It reminded him of the animated film *Inside Out* and the imaginary friend, Bing Bong.

Bing Bong was just a figment of a child's imagination, forgotten and tucked away as they grew up. Even though it was never consciously remembered, it was always there, buried deep in memory.

Until one day, it disappeared, lost in the wastelands of forgotten memories.

That day marked the end of childhood innocence and the beginning of adulthood.

That's life.

When we start burying our memories, we also bury parts of ourselves.

Of course, Clementine wasn’t Bing Bong. Erasing Clementine didn’t mark a new phase of growing up, but it still symbolized a transformation—a painful, struggling metamorphosis. No longer would he easily believe in love, nor rush into it fearlessly, nor naively trust in promises that love would last forever.

Some say this is a sign of maturity; others say it's the death of romance and sincerity.

Anson believed in the latter.

The sadness and loss slowly spread through him like a lingering taste on his tongue.

So, Anson forgot about the cold and even himself for a moment, standing still as if the world had been paused.

Suddenly, the door to the villa flew open with a bang, and a figure sprinted out like a gust of wind, running as fast as possible.

But because they were running too fast, leaning forward heavily, their feet couldn't keep up on the snowy ground, and they fell—face-first into the snow.

Gasp!

Everyone around took a sharp breath, and many people inside the villa stood up to get a better look.

Before anyone could react, the person scrambled up, not caring about their clumsiness, grabbed a blanket from the ground, and, stumbling, rushed straight toward Anson.

Just as they were about to reach him, they tripped again, falling flat for a second time.

Everyone was stunned, unsure whether to laugh or stay silent, not knowing how to react.

"Anson..."

Noah, lying flat on the ground in the shape of a starfish, lifted his head and called out to Anson, his face full of concern, completely ignoring his own embarrassment.

Anson: Uh...

Any sadness or confusion he’d felt vanished as he stared blankly at Noah, now lying at his feet, unsure how to respond.

"Anson, here's a blanket. Keep warm."

Noah awkwardly held up the blanket, trying not to let it touch the snowy ground—though it was already covered in snow.

Anson didn't respond, but Noah didn't mind. He got up, dusted off the snow, and opened the blanket, gesturing for Anson to stand so he could help wrap him up.

Finally, Anson came back to reality. He looked at Noah, who was as earnest as a golden retriever, and smiled. "Give the blanket to Kate instead. Don't worry about me."

Noah, however, was unfazed. He pulled out another blanket from behind the first one. "I came prepared."

There was more!

Then, Noah tossed the first blanket toward Anson and hurried off to wrap the second around Kate—

Splat.

The blanket landed right on Anson's face, plunging his world into darkness.

Anson: ...

The next second, the sound of uncontrollable laughter erupted nearby. Even though he couldn't see, Anson knew it was probably the cameraman, laughing so hard he was nearly falling over.

Kate chimed in, "Haha, Noah, you—haha—you might want to check on Anson, hahahaha."

Noah, panicked, "Oh, God, Anson!"

Anson pulled the blanket off his face, glancing at the frantic Noah. He couldn’t help but laugh. "It's fine, don't worry about me. But, Noah, I could use a hot cocoa."

Noah, with his hands behind his back, scratched his head sheepishly, then quickly turned and dashed back toward the villa.

A moment later, Anson realized something. "Wait, what did the director say—"

But Noah was already gone, leaving Anson’s words hanging in the air.

Kate, looking at Anson with the blanket draped over him like a makeshift cloak, burst into laughter again. "Hahaha, you look like a mermaid with that blanket!"

Anson didn't mind. He stood up, dusted the snow off, and turned to the cameraman. "So, what did the director say?"

"Perfect."

It wasn’t the cameraman who answered, but Michelle, stepping out from behind the door.

"Everything was perfect."

"Come on, you two, get inside before you catch a cold."

Anson didn’t rush. He turned and offered a hand to Kate, and together, they walked toward the villa.

Pushing the door open, a blast of warm air hit them, thawing their frozen skin. The heat seeped into their pores, and the cold prickled like pins and needles, sending shivers up their spines.

It was only then that Anson realized he was sweating.

Even in the snow, the exertion had made him sweat. But his fingertips and toes were still stiff, numb from the cold, and as the muscles in his back relaxed, the chill spread further.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Applause echoed around them.

People crowded forward, wrapping Anson and Kate in blankets, clapping and whistling as they did. The atmosphere was lively and full of cheer.

Michelle noticed the surprise on Anson and Kate’s faces and shrugged, giving them a "told you so" look.

Never underestimate the difficulty of shooting a scene like that. The weather was bad, and the wind and rain made everything ten times harder. But after some adjustments, they had nailed it.

Everything was perfect, and Michelle was filled with pride and happiness.

Anson looked around, then at Kate.

"It seems the hardship isn't over. They're just buttering us up for more," he joked.

He hopped lightly in place—

Squelch. Squelch.

The sound of water squishing underfoot was unmistakable.

Anson suddenly remembered he'd jumped into the sea earlier. His legs were soaked up to the knees, and they were probably numb by now. Neither the blanket nor the hot cocoa could help much at the moment.

But instead of complaining, he made light of the situation, joking about the life of an actor.

His humor was spot-on.

Everyone roared with laughter, filling the room with warmth and joy.

**Chapter 842: All is Well**

“Haha, hahaha.”

Laughter echoed throughout the room, the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

Perhaps, Noah was the only exception.

Noah was still diligently making hot cocoa, adding a bit of vodka to it. Carefully, he carried the steaming cup through the crowd and found Anson, his full attention solely focused on him.

Finally, Noah stopped in front of Anson, offering him the hot cocoa.

Anson took the cup, raised it slightly, and said, “To the most unfortunate person here.”

Squeak, squeak.

With that, Anson swayed left and right, making strange noises with his socks and insoles.

The entire villa erupted with laughter. It couldn’t be stopped.

At first, the situation was a bit awkward. Noah had only made one cup of hot cocoa, and he gave it directly to Anson in front of everyone. This meant Anson had to enjoy it alone while everyone watched.

That was uncomfortable, right?

However, Anson’s casual response completely flipped the atmosphere. Even Noah scratched his head and laughed sheepishly.

The whole room burst into laughter, the mood light and joyful.

Grant laughed especially loud.

This wasn’t the first or second time, and it probably wouldn’t be the last, that they saw the various charms of Anson—

Not just as an actor but also in his professionalism and unique personality.

Looking back at those long, sleepless nights at the start of filming, it felt like a distant memory. There was no doubt that this was one of the happiest, most harmonious, and positive crews they had ever worked with.

And there was anticipation.

They looked forward to seeing the actors’ performances and how Charlie Kaufman’s script would continue to spark creativity. That level of excitement made the daily grind seem insignificant, and each day was full of surprises.

Anson, as expected, was Anson.

Watching Anson bow like a knight to show his gratitude, Grant’s smile grew even brighter. He never imagined he would say this one day:

He wanted to work with Anson a few more times.

...

Despite the many challenges, the "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" crew eventually found their rhythm and steadily progressed through filming.

In truth, the crew’s biggest problem wasn’t Kate’s unexpected pregnancy or the unpredictable weather that frequently disrupted filming. The main issue was that Charlie Kaufman hadn’t finished the script.

Without the completed script, no matter how well the director, actors, and crew worked together, they couldn’t finish the film on schedule.

Fortunately, Charlie finally caught up—

According to Charlie, he found inspiration after watching the completed footage of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” His previously blocked creativity suddenly flowed, and ideas poured out non-stop.

In less than three days, Charlie finished the script and handed it over to Michel.

Finally!

The biggest hurdle was overcome, and the heavy weight on everyone’s shoulders lifted. The shooting schedule moved forward swiftly.

Meanwhile, over on the other side of the North American continent, Los Angeles became the center of attention. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to proceed with the Oscars ceremony, putting the event in the spotlight like never before.

Supporters and critics alike raised their voices.

Rumors about the ceremony were everywhere. Some said various groups were planning protests on the night of the awards, while others suggested violent organizations were preparing to take action.

Amidst all the speculation, it was hard to tell what was true.

In the end, the Academy announced the cancellation of the red carpet and scaled down the guest list for the ceremony.

But even that couldn’t calm the controversies.

In a private conversation with Anson, Hedi Slimane remarked:

“Skipping it might be a good thing, keeping us away from the storm.”

It wasn’t just the actors; every brand needed to take a stance. The focus of this year’s Oscars had shifted, and the media’s attention followed suit.

It wasn’t that Dior was avoiding making a statement, but rather that Hedi had bigger plans for Dior’s image through Anson. The Oscars just weren’t the right stage anymore, as the focus had completely shifted. Even if Anson attended, it wouldn’t change the tide.

Meanwhile, the "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" crew stayed secluded on the cold, remote Long Island, far from the storm, entirely focused on filming.

Though the filming was smooth, weather issues, script delays, and Michel’s inexperience with scheduling meant the crew stayed on Long Island for forty days—

Finally, they wrapped filming.

Michel let out a long breath; they had made it.

On one hand, winter in New York still hadn’t ended.

Spring was just around the corner, with some cities already seeing green buds. But it wasn’t coming to New York just yet. The freezing weather allowed the crew to complete all the location shots for the film.

From a budget perspective, this was good news.

On the other hand, Kate’s pregnancy hadn’t become visible.

Her unexpected pregnancy threw the crew off balance, but luckily, it didn’t become a burden. Filming was completed just in time, without her pregnancy disrupting the story or affecting her performance.

Moreover, the worst-case scenario didn’t happen. Kate remained in good health, with no issues caused by the harsh filming conditions—

That was a blessing.

On the day the crew wrapped filming, Sam Mendes arrived at Long Island to personally pick up Kate.

Amid Anson’s playful complaints of her “skipping the wrap party” and the crew’s jokes about the couple’s public display of affection, Kate was the first to leave.

But before she left, Kate had a conversation with Anson. Despite the challenges, this strong woman made her decision:

After "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," she would likely take an eighteen-month to two-year break. This meant that even after giving birth, she wouldn’t return to work right away but would stay with her child until she fully adapted to life as a mother before resuming her career.

“I know it will be hard, but I’m not giving up. I still love acting.”

Though her words were simple, they showed her determination and courage.

Anson fully supported her and looked forward to seeing how her new life experiences would influence her acting.

No matter what, after all the trials and difficulties, the crew had successfully finished filming.

Due to the Oscar frenzy, the film didn’t attract much attention and completed production quietly.

By the time the media realized it and turned their focus to "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," they were surprised to find:

Kate had disappeared from the public eye, with no trace to be found. And even Anson had vanished, nowhere to be seen.

What happened? Did the entire "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" crew just vanish?

**Chapter 843: Across the Ocean**

Early in the morning, as the sun rose, the gray sky slowly brightened. At the edge of the city's skyline, a faint yellow glow appeared, like the gentle heartbeat of a waking city, bringing life back to the world.

Pushing open the window, the lush greenery of Luxembourg Gardens extended as far as the eye could see. In the soft light, the leaves glistened with moisture, hinting that a rain cloud had just passed before dawn.

The scent of damp earth mingled with the fresh morning air, as the city’s sounds began to stir, blending the vibrancy of late spring with the bustle of early summer.

So quiet, yet so alive.

*Ding ding, ding ding—*

A bicycle passed by the window, not a car, and the woman with long flaxen hair riding it had a woven basket. Her coat fluttered in the wind as she cheerfully passed by, disappearing from sight in an instant.

A rich aroma lingered, like a gentle autumn breeze sweeping over golden wheat fields.

Following the scent, a long line could be seen outside a small bakery on the corner. Freshly baked golden bread emitted a mouth-watering fragrance, making it impossible not to salivate, even without seeing the loaves.

Paris in the morning, the same, yet somehow different.

While the media in North America dug deep, trying to track down Anson, he had quietly arrived across the ocean, entirely escaping their radar.

“Oh, Anson, you’re up.”

A girl’s voice sounded from behind. Turning around, Anson saw Lily, a member of the August 31st band.

She was wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans, her long hair tied into a neat ponytail, exuding youthful energy with not a single unnecessary accessory.

Lily glanced at the next room. "Where are the other two?"

Anson shrugged lightly.

Without asking further, Lily walked up to the door and knocked with force, making it rattle like the Big Bad Wolf trying to blow down the Three Little Pigs' house.

“Miles, Connor, get up, or we’re going to be late!”

No sooner had she spoken than the door opened. Miles appeared, fully dressed in a white shirt and jeans. Though he wasn’t wearing a tie, the crisp lines of his shirt hinted at a certain seriousness.

Miles nodded to Lily.

Lily asked, "Where's Connor?"

Miles replied, "Out for a run."

Lily’s eyes widened, surprised that Connor had gotten up before them.

Miles, however, wasn’t surprised. “He wanted to see more of Paris, so he’s running along the Seine.”

Lily immediately understood. "We’ve been in Europe for three weeks now; shouldn’t the novelty have worn off by now?"

Anson chimed in, “But it’s his first time in Paris. I’ve heard that the best bakery in Paris is right downstairs, on the corner. Fresh bread is coming out now. Shall we give it a try?”

Without waiting for an answer, Anson grabbed his denim jacket and headed for the door.

Miles called after him, “Anson…”

Lily noticed the concern in Miles’ expression and waved it off. “Don’t worry. Anson’s been moving around freely for a while now. This isn’t America. Few people here would recognize him.”

Miles frowned. "But it’s still Paris. Other cities aside, this is a place that loves cinema. What if someone here does recognize him?”

Lily paused, a bit worried herself. "So should we go after him?"

Miles looked at Lily, and Lily looked back at Miles. Neither said anything.

They had been in Europe for three weeks already. How did all of this happen?

To understand, time would have to rewind five weeks.

After finishing the filming of *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind*, Anson had some downtime, which allowed him to sit down with Warner Records to discuss—

How should the band promote their new album?

To be honest, it had been a whole year since their electrifying performance on *The Tonight Show*, and all the buzz and excitement had long since died down. Any hype they once had had cooled completely. Now, with the release of August 31st’s album, they were basically starting from scratch.

Promotion was going to be tough.

Of course, they had a trump card: Anson.

However!

In North America, the worlds of film and music were completely different. While there were plenty of crossover stars, only a few managed to shine in both fields. Becoming a superstar in both was no easy feat.

Just because Anson had delivered two box office hits in the film world didn’t mean that people would buy the album just because of his name.

Moreover, even in the movie business, Anson was still seen as a newcomer, with many doubting his ability to consistently draw in audiences.

So while using Anson’s name could help, it had to be done carefully. One wrong move, and it could backfire, turning people off. The last thing they wanted was for people to see him as—

“A pretty face actor turned wannabe musician.”

At that point, the whole endeavor could end in failure.

Warner Records was well aware of this.

In their view, the best approach was to reignite memories of the *Tonight Show* performance, reminding people of the raw, authentic street performances that had made the band stand out. Only then could they spark interest in the album.

But therein lay the challenge.

A blunt, in-your-face approach would come across as just another hard-sell advertisement, which listeners tend to ignore. You could shout a hundred times and barely get anyone to pay attention.

Marketing, like everything else, required strategy.

Warner Records discussed with Anson how they could sync promotion with his schedule to avoid conflicting with his filming of *Spider-Man 2*. It was during this time that news of *The Princess Diaries 2* came in.

Unfortunately, their schedules didn’t align.

On one hand, the script was delayed, with the story not yet complete.

On the other hand, scheduling conflicts arose. Both Anson and Julie Andrews had other commitments, making it hard to move forward.

From the looks of it, *The Princess Diaries 2* wouldn’t start filming until at least June—

The same month as *Spider-Man 2*.

Since *The Princess Diaries 2* was dragging its feet, Anson had already committed to *Spider-Man 2*, clearing his schedule from June onward. The answer was clear.

Unless *The Princess Diaries 2* moved its production to September or October, Anson wouldn’t be able to join the sequel.

In the end, after much discussion, Anson had to drop out of *The Princess Diaries 2*.

This decision left him feeling regretful.

After all, *The Princess Diaries* was his big-screen debut, and his memories of working on the project were positive. The movie had significant personal meaning for him.

It pained him to miss the sequel, and he personally apologized to director Garry Marshall, as well as co-stars Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews.

But… that’s how Hollywood works.

Schedule conflicts are inevitable. No matter how much it hurts, choices have to be made.

Still, what did *The Princess Diaries 2* have to do with the band?

Directly, nothing. But indirectly? Everything.

Between *The Princess Diaries 2* and the album promotion, something else happened. It was a small event, but one that tied everything together and sparked an idea in Anson’s mind.

**Chapter 844: A Small Incident**

Between the promotion for *The Princess Diaries 2* and his record, a small incident occurred—

The Cannes Film Festival.

In the film world, North America has the Oscars, the Golden Globes, and the Sundance Film Festival. In Europe, three major film festivals hold longstanding cultural significance—Berlin, Cannes, and Venice—all of which are prestigious film events.

As of 2003, other festivals that later gained global recognition, like the Toronto International Film Festival, Locarno Film Festival, San Sebastián International Film Festival, and Telluride Film Festival, hadn’t yet risen to global prominence. The information explosion brought on by the widespread use of the internet was still a little ways off. These historic and culturally rich festivals still dominated the upper echelon of the film world.

Among them, the weight of Europe’s “Big Three” festivals is on par with the Oscars.

To be precise, the Oscars represent peer recognition, with over 6,000 Academy members voting; meanwhile, the Big Three European festivals are more focused on artistic recognition, with smaller juries of 8 to 10 members who deliberate and award prizes.

With different focuses come different honors. The Oscars lean more towards popularity, mainstream appeal, and social impact; the Big Three European festivals emphasize artistic quality, cinematic craft, and social significance.

Still, all of these awards represent the pinnacle of achievement and appreciation in the film industry.

One could imagine that, much like an Oscar nomination, getting into the main competition at one of Europe’s Big Three festivals is a tremendous honor. With only a limited number of slots, to be selected from thousands of films and showcased before audiences at such a prestigious event is the highest validation of one’s work.

That said, while a small jury picks the winners, their tastes don’t always reflect the preferences of moviegoers.

So if a film in the main competition receives more audience love than the eventual winner and does better in the box office, it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

But of course, standing on stage to accept an award at one of these festivals remains a great honor. And winning the top prize at any of the three—the Golden Bear at Berlin, the Palme d’Or at Cannes, or the Golden Lion at Venice—is a crowning achievement worthy of any filmmaker’s résumé.

These awards, like the Oscar for Best Picture, are undoubtedly the highest honors in cinema.

Now, the annual Cannes Film Festival is set to take place in May.

But Cannes? What does this have to do with Anson?

Imagine—just a short while ago, Anson was completely overlooked by the Oscars. It’s clear that this pretty-boy heartthrob still has to prove himself as an actor. If he was ignored by the Oscars, then surely the more artistically inclined European festivals would be even more dismissive of him, right?

Was Anson aiming to become a “carpet star”?

In other words, even though he doesn’t have a film in the competition or any other festival sections, he could still be invited by a brand to attend premieres, walking the red carpet for attention, and earning style points through the fashion photoshoots.

A “carpet star” and a “pretty face” seem to be a perfect fit.

Recently, Anson had already boosted his presence through a surprise pop-up event, creating a media buzz with his bold, ever-changing looks and keen sense of style, successfully establishing himself as a male actor with a unique fashion image.

If he were to attend Cannes next, in the heart of Dior’s empire, he could generate even more attention, transitioning from the random theater tours in North America to the global stage, from low-key cinema outings to the height of the industry. It would be a perfect finale.

That’s one possibility.

Most importantly—

Anson doesn’t mind.

So what if people call him a “carpet star”? There’s no need to resist labels like pretty face, idol, or media darling. In a cutthroat industry like show business, any publicity is good publicity.

Winning attention first is key. Once you stand out, then you can find the right projects.

Unless… he stays a “carpet star” forever, never progressing or breaking through, leaving people with nothing to talk about but his looks and fashion choices, without any substantial work to his name. That would be truly unfortunate—

He could be forgotten in the endless churn of publicity.

Attention is just a starting point; the real goal should always be the work itself.

But no, very fortunately, Anson isn’t going to Cannes as a carpet star this time.

He’s not going to Cannes at Dior’s invitation; he’s going for a film.

*Elephant.*

Not long after *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind* wrapped up filming, Edgar received word that *Elephant*, directed by Gus Van Sant, might be selected for the Cannes Film Festival.

Without a doubt, this was a huge surprise—a completely unexpected one.

When Anson shot *Elephant*, it was purely to change up the pace, and Darren Star’s involvement was a key reason he agreed to the project.

Originally, Edgar thought that since *Elephant* was produced by HBO, its distribution might be limited. It wouldn’t get a wide release in theaters, but would instead be shown in select arthouse cinemas before airing on HBO, possibly competing for the Emmys—

As a TV movie.

Rather than hoping the film would make waves, the project was more about gradually expanding Anson’s range as an actor, allowing him to venture outside his comfort zone in commercial films. The goal was exploration, not immediate success.

So, both Edgar and Darren had pretty much forgotten about the film.

But! Unexpectedly!

*Elephant* brought a shocking surprise.

It was like a tidal wave.

The news was quickly confirmed—

*Elephant* had officially been selected for the main competition at Cannes.

Every year, Cannes features various sections: Un Certain Regard, Directors’ Fortnight, International Critics' Week, Cinéfondation, and more. But the main competition is the crown jewel, drawing the most attention, where the Palme d’Or is awarded.

To put it simply, when people talk about being “in competition at Cannes,” they’re referring to the main competition unless stated otherwise.

*Elephant* was in the main competition this year.

This was an opportunity!

A golden opportunity!

Anson, of course, couldn’t pass it up. In fact, Edgar became even more excited about this than the Oscars or Golden Globes—

Whether they won an award, how the film was received, or even the red carpet buzz—none of that mattered. The only thing that truly mattered was that a film starring Anson had made it into the main competition.

This meant that Anson, through this film, was breaking into the world of art cinema. Beyond just being an idol or media darling, beyond the confines of genre films, he now had a place in the artistic realm. This was even more significant than his Golden Globe nomination for *Catch Me If You Can*.

With *Elephant* as a starting point, Anson’s acting career could take on a whole new dimension.

And not in the U.S.—but in Europe, where the art film market thrives. Anson had finally opened that door.

Just imagining it made Edgar tremble with excitement.

And so, Anson had a new idea—

Since he was heading to Europe anyway, why not bring the band’s album promotion along?

Two birds, one stone!

**Chapter 845: A Surprise**

Anson Wood is about to head to the Cannes Film Festival, and not just to attend, but as the lead actor in a film that has officially entered the main competition.

Surprise!

A 100% surprise!

It wasn’t just Edgar who was shocked; one look at the media's response said it all:

- "‘Elephant’ in Cannes Film Festival's Main Competition!"
- "Anson Wood heading to Cannes as the lead actor in a main competition entry."
- "A major breakthrough in Anson’s career: entering the Cannes main competition!"
- "Anson Wood: more than just a heartthrob."
- "Next stop: Cannes — Anson Wood embarks on a new chapter."
- "Breaking news! Anson Wood enters Cannes main competition!"

Shock, excitement, and celebration.

When the Cannes Film Festival selection committee announced the films for the main competition, the media went wild, completely losing their minds.

To be precise, North American media had a clear understanding:

Hollywood is the home of genre films, while Europe is the center for artistic cinema.

Because of this, European genre films often pride themselves on North American box office success, and Hollywood’s artistic films often take pride in being showcased at one of Europe’s "Big Three" film festivals.

It’s a shared respect.

So, every time the main competition lineup for one of Europe’s major film festivals is announced, the North American films that make the cut are highly anticipated and praised. It’s akin to the Olympics — representing your country at a global event, competing on the world stage.

This year was no different.

Seeing the name "Elephant" was a surprise.

Seeing Anson Wood’s name? Boom! Pure joy.

From a Golden Globe nomination to an Oscar snub, and now to the Cannes Film Festival main competition — and it’s only the first quarter of 2003. Anson has sparked conversation after conversation, not with box office numbers, but as an actor. Not for his looks, style, or media buzz, but for returning to his craft.

Finally!

In a completely unexpected, almost unbelievable way, Anson shattered all stereotypes, broke down prejudices, and shifted all attention back onto himself.

The massive wave of excitement is just the tip of the iceberg. You can feel it — Anson's position in Hollywood is changing again.

In May, there’s no reason for Anson to miss Cannes.

So, heading to Cannes was a given. After all, "Spider-Man 2" starts filming in June, leaving plenty of time for rest before then.

But there was a small concern —

Not a crisis, but an issue.

Expectations.

The expectations surrounding Anson have been rising steadily, with more and more eyes on him, including many critical ones:

"I want to see what ‘Elephant’ is all about. Why did it make it into the Cannes main competition?"

It’s easy to imagine that if the film doesn’t meet expectations, or worse, gets poor reviews, the haters will have a field day.

In other words, the high expectations placed on "Elephant" and Gus Van Sant are unfair. And for Anson, it's filled with traps.

Of course, with the crown comes the burden. This is part of the path to stardom, so it’s more of a concern than a crisis.

But Anson had a brilliant idea — not only to address the concern but also to connect his album promotion with the Cannes Film Festival:

A European tour.

Not a concert tour. Given the current status of the August 31st band, they probably couldn’t even fill a 300-person venue. Instead, they would do street performances, going back to their roots when the band first gained attention performing on the streets of New York — only this time in Europe.

Everything would go back to basics, back to simplicity.

Choosing Europe over North America came down to one simple reason —

No one in Europe knows Anson.

"Nobody" might be an exaggeration, given that "Spider-Man" performed well at the European box office, too. But the fact is, Europe’s attitude towards commercial genre films and heartthrob idols has always been lukewarm.

Maybe Anson is a household name in North America, but in Europe, at best, he’s just barely recognizable.

And that’s a good thing.

Anson can shed the spotlight, the scrutiny, and the fame, and go back to the basics, performing on the streets as an unknown artist.

And then, head to Cannes.

First, he can free himself from the pressure of fame, allowing people to see Anson Wood as a person, as a musician, and as an actor — starting from scratch. This removes all preconceived notions and prejudices, allowing Anson to present his true self.

Second, by heading to Cannes, he can promote his album while preparing for the festival. After walking the red carpet at Cannes, he would return to his band, continue performing on the streets, and silence those who accuse him of chasing fame.

A win-win.

And for Warner Records, this was the perfect promotional strategy —

It saves money!

Starting the album promotion with street performances, the same way the August 31st band originally rose to fame, by bringing the music back to the people, was clearly the best choice.

And did I mention it saves money?

Warner Records couldn’t believe their luck.

After seeing Anson single-handedly carry the flash promo for "Catch Me If You Can," creating wave after wave of buzz without spending much money, they never imagined that a similar stroke of good fortune would fall into their lap.

Anson, currently the hottest star in North America, was willing to step out of the spotlight and return to the streets, building momentum with street performances. Warner Records couldn’t wrap their heads around why Anson would accept such a proposal —

It seemed almost like an insult.

But Warner wasn’t about to question it. They gladly accepted Anson’s plan.

And so, it happened.

Led by Anson, the August 31st band quietly set foot on European soil, starting their tour in Stockholm and making their way south.

And that wasn’t even all of it.

The band rejected all of Warner Records' assistance.

What does that mean?

Normally, a tour requires booking venues, promotion, ticketing, and so on. Street performances eliminate many of those needs, but they still faced other challenges —

Transporting instruments, arranging accommodations, travel logistics, and most importantly, securing permits for street performances.

Like in New York, other cities also require permits for street performances — you can’t just grab a guitar and start playing. In some cities, you might need to apply months in advance.

Without a permit, they couldn’t perform. The process could be cumbersome, with endless details to consider.

Yet the band rejected Warner’s help, and without even an assistant, the four members simply grabbed their instruments and hit the road.