Carl Rivet, a rising film blogger of the new generation.
With new media comes new ways of engaging with the audience, and naturally, the way news and reports are written differs greatly from traditional journalism.
Nicholas Flynn once wrote a similar feature in The New York Times, showing Anson's life away from the spotlight. However, as a writer for an established professional media outlet, Nicholas maintained a relatively objective and calm tone, avoiding any overly emotional depictions.
But Carl is different. His first-person narrative offers an immersive experience, where his personal reactions become the most vivid and lively colors in his writing. This type of storytelling allows readers to feel what he felt, infusing the article with a unique soul.
"...I didn't understand what was happening, but the reality was, I should have been eager for Anson to speak, so I could sneak in an interview. Instead, I kept wanting him to stop talking, as if I was afraid that if he kept going, I might explode.
What's even funnier is that my brain completely shut down at that moment. I just went along with Anson's flow, totally absorbed in the conversation.
Those internal thoughts? Nope, they didn't exist.
Trust me, when you're with Anson Wood, you're not thinking about yourself, because your mind is entirely consumed by him.
Later, during a casual chat, I found out that after Anson finished his performance in Prague, he didn't leave the Czech Republic but headed straight to the Karlovy Vary Film Festival.
And me, the fool, spent another week at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival after Cannes, attending screenings alongside Anson without ever noticing him.
'Why?' Clearly, Anson isn't the type to blend into a crowd unnoticed.
'The main focus of a film festival should be the films. I'm glad people were talking about the movies and not some Hollywood outsider who thinks he knows everything and has the right to boss people around,' Anson said, playfully mocking himself.
When you hear Anson joke like that in person, you can't help but be captivated by his charm. Believe me, his eyes seem to see straight into your soul.
It wasn't until thirty minutes later that I realized Anson had started talking to me, not because he was bored or because I was irresistibly charming, but to help calm my nerves.
This was the most peaceful, stable, and smooth takeoff I'd ever experienced since boarding a plane. I didn't even realize the hundred-ton metal bird was flying above the clouds because I was completely engrossed in Anson's humor.
If all you see in Anson is his physical appearance, then you've missed 90% of his real charm.
I wanted to conduct a full interview, but I never got the chance. Still, in a way, I did—because Anson and I had a long conversation about films.
We discussed the controversies at Cannes, the challenges facing film festivals, and the relationship between art films and genre films.
I can't say I agreed with everything he said. In fact, we had several heated arguments due to our differing opinions. But there's no doubt his profound film knowledge and independent thinking opened my eyes again. Conversations like these always remind me of the good times at film festivals.
If you, dear readers, have made it this far and still don't believe this man is Anson Wood, I won't argue with you. You're skeptics with your own beliefs, and I have mine. Let's just agree to disagree.
I believe I met the real Anson. I believe I had an unforgettable experience."
With a light touch of humor, Carl effortlessly showcased his skill as a blogger. He knew he couldn't convince everyone, but he didn't mind. He was content with accepting that.
Because he knew he had met Anson.
The key point here is that Carl's narrative style resonated deeply with readers, which is why this blog post gained so much attention.
"It was at that moment I truly realized that Anson Wood is an actor—a real actor.
It's not just about his on-screen performances but also his thoughts on film, acting, art, and life. He has a unique perspective, something the vast majority of actors lack.
It's hard to believe Anson is only twenty-one years old.
When the conversation ended, Anson politely said he needed to recharge after the film festival. In hindsight, that was his polite way of asking for some personal space, but at the time, I didn't realize it. I was still caught up in the whirlwind of ideas that came from our deep conversation.
I sat there, dumbfounded, like an idiot, while my brain couldn't stop racing with countless thoughts exploding like a fountain.
And in one sudden moment, I realized I was excited to see Anson perform as an actor.
I wondered what the Pirates of the Caribbean would look like with Anson in the lead, how his performance in Chicago would color the film, and what roles he would bring to life in his next projects, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Butterfly Effect.
Whenever I watch a great film, I'll wonder how Anson would interpret and portray the characters.
Clearly, his personal charm had completely won me over.
But what about Anson?
'Go home, live like a regular person.' That's Anson's wish."
Full stop.
Carl ended his article in a slightly unusual way, but it was clear from his writing that he held nothing back in his admiration and respect for Anson.
In fact, Carl had already been deeply impressed by Anson back in Cannes. Although Elephant wasn't his favorite film, there was no question that it deserved the Palme d'Or. Anson's keen eye for selecting projects left a lasting impression, and now Carl's opinion of him had skyrocketed.
There's no denying it—the aura of a superstar is invisible yet undeniably real.
His heart raced with excitement.
Even though Carl had attended numerous film festivals and premieres, meeting countless top actors and directors, his heart still sped up whenever he encountered a superstar.
Is this what they call the allure of an idol?
By now, attentive readers may have noticed that Carl's story…isn't finished.
What happened next?
If Carl respected Anson's personal space for the remainder of the flight, what happened when they landed? Did Anson slip out of the airport through the VIP entrance without alerting anyone? Is that why no media outlets reported on his arrival?
On that note, Anson's arrival in New York went entirely unnoticed by the press. From his departure in Amsterdam to his landing in New York, everything was kept under wraps.
This is exactly why Carl's blog post garnered such widespread attention and also sparked endless skepticism. Many questioned the authenticity of his story.
From all perspectives, Carl seems to be the only person to have witnessed Anson's return to New York—at least, the only one who went public with it.
Is this real? Or is it just another case of internet hoaxes or fan fiction?