The Best Actor in the Vase of Meiyu

Chapter 2089: Too blunt
The Cannes Film Festival is always lively, but it has never been this lively before.

Dior and Adidas. "Match Point" and "Hidden Camera." A New York Times film critic. The press conference for "The Last Days."

The topics kept coming one after another, and it was impossible to stop.

Although Cannes has always been the most adept at promotion and publicity among the three major European film festivals, and with the added bonus of the May sunshine on the French Riviera, creating a vacation party atmosphere that is highly desirable, such a surge in traffic is truly rare, undoubtedly placing it at the center of the storm.

Some believe that it all stems from Thierry Frémaux's new approach after taking office. For the three major European film festivals, this year's Cannes Film Festival may offer some insights into how to position themselves and maintain their stance in front of Hollywood.

Some scoffed, saying that Thierry's actions were nothing more than groveling to Anson, a servile act that disgraced Cannes and showed no integrity whatsoever.

Others declined to comment, saying that the so-called hot topics were just an illusion. Apart from "Hidden Camera," there has been no other popular film to date. This is a real disaster for the film festival, since the quality of the festival ultimately depends on the works themselves, and there is no need to pay attention to the hype.

Among these voices, all sorts of speculations abound, and "walking with the song" is also a hot topic.

Some believe the film is mediocre and only made it into the main competition because Thierry fawned over Anson. What is unfolding now proves their point of view: Anson is constantly throwing out smokescreens to divert attention and try to cover up the fact that the final product is of poor quality.

Some believe that Anson is promoting "With Songs" and continuing his previous image as a "marketing genius," but this time Anson has shot himself in the foot—too much of a good thing. Such marketing tactics may work for the general public, but they may backfire and cause resentment at the film festival.

Some people are just watching the show, they have no preference for "Walking with the Song" itself, and they will judge everything after watching the movie. However, Anson's behavior at the "The Last Days" press conference was undoubtedly foolish. Michael Pitt's entry into the public eye is equivalent to Anson creating a competitor for himself.

Of course, there are also other complaints and criticisms.

Film festivals should belong to film. Look at Anson's actions: model, film critic, journalist, promotional ambassador—his exposure is consistently high, but it's all unproductive. Anson keeps saying he enjoys the atmosphere of film festivals, but he can't hide the fact that he treats them as a circus stage.

This has always been the view of the European film industry towards Hollywood, and Anson is simply reaffirming it.

Dazzling, flashy but impractical, neither pure nor simple nor sincere, Hollywood has lost its original intention in the face of commercial interests, and it continues to disappoint.

Blah blah blah, it's all very much talked about.

It was lively, truly lively; Cannes has never been so lively before.

However, behind the excitement lies noise and controversy. Films, which should have been the main focus, have now taken a backseat. Is this a wise move? Is this something to celebrate? Has the Cannes Film Festival degenerated into a sensationalist circus performance like the Teen Choice Awards?
This is both a good thing and a bad thing. This is the attention that comes with Anson's crazy traffic. Cannes is standing at the forefront, facing new challenges.

Amidst this cacophony, the Cannes Film Festival has already passed its halfway point, and on its sixth day, it officially ushered in the biggest highlight of this year's cinematic feast—

"Walking with Song".

Whether you like it or hate it, whether you're looking forward to it or are tired of it, everyone—those sharpening their knives and preparing to unleash their full power, and those eagerly anticipating the debut of a masterpiece—are all affected. A massive wave of excitement is once again gathering at the cinema.

An unprecedented frenzy.

Putting those opinions aside for the moment, in terms of sheer numbers, no one in the world can compare to Anson right now. Three hours before the premiere's red carpet event, the Palais des Festivals and the waterfront promenade were already packed with people, with surging crowds everywhere you looked.

According to incomplete statistics from the Cannes train station, over 80,000 people flocked to Cannes on that single day, more than double the peak attendance of other days during the film festival. The answer is simple: people came for Anson, even if they couldn't get into the theater to watch the film; they just wanted to catch a glimpse of him on the red carpet.

After disappearing from the public eye twice this year, and then experiencing a frenzy of discussion before the Cannes Film Festival opening, the crowds flocking to Cannes from all directions reached a peak—

Where is the pride of European art lovers? Where is the strong condemnation of the stench of Hollywood products? Where is the confidence and integrity of European culture?
Faced with reality, everything crumbled, and the entire seaside boulevard was transformed into a scene from the Rio Carnival.

Even the media reporters were in a flurry of activity, having to split into two groups: one to prepare to enter the theater to watch the movie, and the other to head to the red carpet to film the premiere.

Niles believed he was early enough; he arrived at the Palace of Fine Arts three hours early, even before the premiere of "Hidden Camera." He cleared his entire morning schedule just to "go with the music."
On the way there, Niles couldn't help but imagine the scene of "Anson also queuing up to enter as a film critic," and a smile crept onto his lips.

But when they arrived at the cinema, their smiles vanished instantly.

Surprisingly, there were people who were there even earlier than him, and not just one or two.

Niles was dumbfounded and ran over. The lines for the other lower-level passes were already incredibly long and winding, but the lines for the highest-level passes were already quite long. His heart almost stopped beating.

He rushed forward quickly, panting, and took his place. Before he could even wipe his sweat, Roger Albert walked over, looking completely bewildered.

"Niles, what happened?"

Niles looked over and said, "Roger, you're up so early too?"

Roger shook his head. "No, I was on my way to breakfast when I saw this... Wow."

All I could think about was admiration.

Niles glanced around and lowered his voice, "I think they're all sharpening their knives, ready to unleash their fury."

Roger could also sense the tense atmosphere in the air, but he was unfazed. "I think Mr. Peter Parker is ready."

As Spider-Man said, with great power comes great responsibility.

When Anson stands at the very top of the global entertainment industry, this is the pressure he now faces.

Roger didn't linger in the group. He still went to have breakfast at a leisurely pace. After all, he was getting old and couldn't rush around like those young people without eating or sleeping.

The long line of media waiting to enter the theater was astonishing, but Niles would have been glad he was on duty if he had taken a closer look at the scene at the main entrance of the Palais des Festivals.

At least, the Lumière Hall has limited seating, so even if the queues are outrageous, they won't get out of control. However, the red carpet is a different story.

(End of this chapter)