The film festival's red carpet has always been a place that showcases diverse personalities and colors.
Unlike award ceremonies or premieres, the film festival's red carpet allows guests to take risks, be bold, adventurous, and even unconventional.
After all, in the world of art, it's foolish to bind oneself with rigid constraints.
Over the years, countless guests have walked the Cannes Film Festival's red carpet, leaving behind many breathtaking, awe-inspiring, and memorable moments. Yet, all of them seem to fade in comparison to one image—
Anson Wood.
A fatal attraction that sweeps through and destroys all reason and perception.
Unbelievable!
And it lingers.
It's well-known that at the Cannes Film Festival, films are the only thing that truly matter.
Of course, Cannes, being the most commercially welcoming of the three major film festivals, embraces mainstream market trends. On one hand, this is due to the film selection committee's openness to allowing commercial films to use Cannes as a global platform. On the other hand, it's because of brand sponsorship, attracting idols, celebrities, and social media influencers to seek the spotlight. This has become part of Cannes' scenery.
But no matter what, people's attention remains on the films—refusing to be distracted or have the focus stolen by other things.
Those social media influencers might win the cheers and screams of their fans online, with some tearfully proclaiming their idols' presence at Cannes; but in the real Cannes, no one cares about them.
No one.
There's not even time to sneer, criticize, or attack, because time is precious, and no one wants to waste it on them.
They're simply not worth it.
The gap between the online world and reality forms a stark contrast. Cannes gets its attention, influencers get their moment, and everyone's happy as long as they don't interfere with each other.
However, this year brought a surprise—
As usual, the annual Cannes Film Festival kicked off, and the films in the main competition category started screening according to schedule. In the past thirty-six hours, four films from the main competition and several from other categories have premiered, becoming the center of discussion.
Films should be the main focus, and they are supposed to be.
But amidst the bustling conversations, Anson's name keeps cropping up.
Unforgettable. Unshakable.
Even in Cannes, where the journalists and critics have seen it all, they can't help but occasionally relax and find that his image surfaces in their minds, like an addiction that can't be shaken off.
As Emmanuel said:
It's disruptive.
It wasn't until now that people began to realize Anson was becoming a fashion icon, leading trends in men's fashion with his unconventional style.
This transformation didn't happen overnight. After two years of groundwork, particularly during the promotion of "Catch Me If You Can," a sustained build-up was felt. And now, it seemed the turning point had arrived at Cannes.
It's not just about films or fashion anymore; this could easily be considered a cultural phenomenon, playing a key role in shaping the post-millennium cultural wave.
Thirty-six hours in, and Anson is still the hottest—perhaps the only—hot topic in Cannes.
This is unprecedented. A first for everyone involved.
Yet, extremes often breed their opposites, and every phenomenon has two sides.
Along with the praise, amazement, and hype, comes inevitable controversy and criticism—
Just a pretty face?
Hmph.
This is Cannes, where the festival welcomes movie lovers and filmmakers from all over the world. They even extend a warm welcome to talentless idols who rely solely on their looks to chase fame.
After all, these celebrities use Cannes to boost their profiles, and Cannes in turn uses them to generate buzz. It's a mutually beneficial relationship.
But beyond that, can't these pretty faces fade from sight and let people enjoy their films?
The festival has started, yet everyone's talking about Anson's red carpet look?
A red carpet? An outfit?
Outrageous! It's utterly absurd, a sign of Cannes' decline.
Fashion icon? Cultural phenomenon? What a joke. These trivial things don't deserve the spotlight.
True fashion is cyclical; in five or ten years, no one will remember Anson's Cannes look. What defines culture and a generation shouldn't be a red carpet outfit, but works of art—true artistic works. So this spectacle should end already.
Disdain. Contempt. Anger.
As the discussion heats up, so does the accumulation of these negative emotions.
Could Anson just leave Cannes already, and return some peace to the film lovers? If he wants attention, he should head back to Hollywood.
These emotions and energies are brewing amidst all the buzz.
Then, amid this backdrop, "Elephant" is about to premiere.
On the third day of Cannes, at 6 p.m., the main competition entry, Elephant, will have its world premiere.
—Perfect timing.
All the frustration, discontent, and anger have reached a peak. People have been eagerly waiting for this moment—for answers.
They want to see what kind of film Anson, the "pretty face," has brought. If it's not as stunning as his red carpet look, it would be laughable. Ideally, Anson will screen his film, then leave Cannes and restore peace.
And how will Anson appear on the red carpet for the premiere?
If it's less impressive than his opening night look, the criticism will surely rise. If it's even more spectacular, the backlash might hit an all-time high.
"Stuck between a rock and a hard place."
This is Anson's predicament—trapped, with no easy way out.
On one hand, every eye is on his red carpet look, waiting to pick it apart; on the other, a sense of superiority and scrutiny surrounds his film.
In short, Anson is under siege, surrounded on all sides, walking a tightrope where every step is perilous.
So, what did Anson do wrong?
The answer is: Anson ignited the media frenzy at the Cannes Film Festival with his red carpet look, causing the entire entertainment industry to explode.
Pioneers often bear the burden of pressure, criticism, and prejudice, walking a difficult path alone.
To wear the crown, one must bear its weight.
If Anson wants to truly become a superstar, this is the road he must take, though no one expected this moment to happen at Cannes.
But upon reflection, it makes sense—a pretty face idol bringing their film to the Cannes main competition, storming south through street performances with an indie band, and finally standing in the spotlight, under the world's gaze.
Perhaps Cannes is the perfect stage. No place could be better suited.
And so, it happened.