Miles' concerns were not without reason.
Returning from a singer to an actor, the weight of the name "Anson Wood" carried a completely different significance.
Of course, it's important not to overstate things. This is Cannes, the paradise of art films, and idols like Anson have little credibility or value here. He might even face disdain, dismissal, or exclusion.
However, no matter what, Cannes is ultimately a world of film. Whether they like him, hate him, or are indifferent, Anson is always the center of attention wherever he goes. They've already experienced this firsthand.
Controversy brings attention.
With attention comes the need for constant vigilance.
From the moment his foot stepped on Cannes soil, Anson entered the spotlight, where every move could be exposed to the media.
Moreover, the band's tour was no secret, and all eyes were on Anson. Many probably already anticipated his arrival in Cannes, waiting to snap a photo as soon as possible.
Instinctively, Miles grew nervous and signaled Anson to lower his cap.
However, Anson wasn't worried.
The reason wasn't about him, but about the Cannes Film Festival.
To reach Cannes, unless traveling by train from Paris, you had to land at Nice International Airport before taking transportation to the festival.
Because of this, Nice Airport is considered the gateway to Cannes.
When the festival opens, journalists closely monitor the airport to catch the stars as they arrive.
During the closing, they continue watching the airport for the stars attending the closing ceremony and awards gala.
Before departing for Europe, Edgar and Eve had asked Anson for his thoughts:
After the tour ends, should he return to Paris and then fly into Nice?
The reason was simple:
The final piece of his "fashion image."
From the promotion of "Catch Me If You Can," everything was planned to firmly establish Anson's fashion icon status. Even the Golden Globe Awards were part of this strategy.
Initially, the final stop was supposed to be the Oscars.
The Oscars were meant to mark the completion of phase one, and then phase two would begin: maintaining his image through everyday appearances.
However, an unexpected turn came when Anson missed the Oscars. Edgar and Eve were ready to move to phase two, but the Cannes Film Festival presented a new opportunity.
It was an opportunity that couldn't be missed.
But Cannes is a bit different from the Oscars, and the plan had to be adjusted.
For the Oscars, the focus was on the awards ceremony and the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, which required just two outfits.
Cannes, however, is different.
Appearances at Cannes, press conferences, film premieres, media interviews, and Anson's daily life at the festival—each moment was an opportunity.
Additionally, arriving at Nice International Airport, attending brand-sponsored parties, and so on, were all occasions that required careful wardrobe choices. Every outfit needed to be well thought out, with a cohesive image in mind.
It all required long-term planning.
In other words, if Anson chose to land at Nice Airport, as Miles feared, his Cannes experience would begin the moment he touched down.
But Anson declined—
It was too deliberate, too much, and would have the opposite effect.
The more he emphasized the fashion image, the more likely he'd fall into the trap of being seen as a "Barbie doll"—lacking uniqueness, lacking authenticity, and lacking impact.
The general public isn't foolish:
Seeing Anson appear meticulously dressed every time, changing outfits not just daily but possibly three times a day, it would become clear that he was merely a mannequin for others' designs.
This wouldn't be a disaster, but it would put a question mark on Anson's personal fashion sense.
At the core, Anson would still be seen as just a pretty face.
The plan had been for Anson to shed his "pretty boy" image, to gradually gain his own style and personality. But now, that progress might be undone.
The key to the success of the "flash surprise events" lay in their spontaneity, their natural feel, and how well they integrated Anson's input, finding a balance between formal and casual.
Cannes needed the same approach.
So, Anson rejected the grand debut plan. Instead, he wanted to blend into the festival more naturally, in his own way.
Of course, things rarely go as planned. The band's street performances were drawing attention, and Anson's movements had likely already been figured out. But Anson wasn't too worried. There are over thirty trains running between Nice and Cannes daily, practically one every hour—
Compared to Nice Airport, journalists would find it much harder to spot Anson in the crowded train station.
This was one of the reasons Anson chose to travel by train.
For his first trip to Cannes, he saw himself less as an actor promoting his film and more as a fan attending the festival.
Rather than being concerned about the media frenzy, Anson was more interested in the festival lineup—
Nevertheless, he did pull his baseball cap down slightly, casting a shadow over most of his face. But his slight smile, brimming with excitement, was still visible.
"The screenings should be out by now, right? Are there any films you guys are excited about?"
"To be honest, I'm really looking forward to Téchiné."
Lily responded, "Who?"
"André Téchiné," Anson said, "My Favorite Season, Wild Reeds, The Brontë Sisters. Though he has many great films and has been to Cannes multiple times, my favorite is Wild Reeds, which wasn't nominated for anything."
Seeing the confused looks on Lily and Miles' faces, Anson shrugged. "Lars von Trier, you've heard of him, right?"
Lily smiled, "Ah, Dancer in the Dark, right?"
Anson nodded eagerly, "This time, he's worked with Nicole Kidman on a film called Dogville. It's definitely worth the anticipation."
As he spoke, the train slowly came to a stop.
Anson patted Connor on the shoulder.
Connor sat up straight, "I'm good, I'm ready."
He stood up quickly, rubbing his eyes, only to see his friends grinning. He blinked, trying to shake off the sleepiness. "So, what now?"
Anson chuckled, "Grab your bags, we've arrived."
Connor took a deep breath, "Alright, no problem."
As they stepped off, Anson quickly grabbed Connor by the shoulder, turning to flash an apologetic smile behind him. "Sorry about that."
It took a second for Connor to realize he had nearly bumped into a short woman in her thirties. He quickly turned to apologize as well.
The woman stepped aside, waving her hand, "It's fine, no worries."
However, as she looked up, she froze for a moment, her gaze briefly lost in thought.