Actor in Hollywood

As a child, I loved summer because it was summer vacation, no school, no homework, just playing freely and enjoying every moment.

As I grew up, I loved summer because of the celebrations, carnivals, and holidays. Watermelons, fireworks, the ocean, and afternoons where even the air conditioning couldn't stop the sweat.

Even if I spent the entire summer doing nothing and wasting time, I still missed it.

However.

The Columbine High School massacre happened on April 22nd. The lives of those children abruptly ended and disappeared forever before summer even arrived.

The story of "Elephant" takes place at the end of August, when summer is about to end. The lives in the story also forever remain in that last summer.

They, those vibrant and youthful souls, those young and innocent lives, were buried forever under the summer sun and its splendor.

Honestly, Anson couldn't imagine, even with all his imagination, how those parents felt when they learned that their children's ordinary day at school ended in such a way.

Without experiencing it firsthand, relying solely on imagination was still too shallow.

People always said that death was painful, and of course, that was true. But what was more painful than death was continuing to live because they had to carry those wounds and quietly wait for spring to arrive.

Some could wait, say goodbye to the past, open their arms, and embrace a new life. But some would forever remain in that summer, unable to leave.

It was just a thought, but it grew and spread in their blood, long and real, making them feel the torment in every breath, day and night.

Summertime, so short yet so long, carrying the warmth and power of life. When summer ended, youth seemed to come to a full stop.

Graduated, they scattered across the world, embarking on new journeys in life.

Saying goodbye to summer seemed to mean they could no longer play and had to slowly learn to grow up.

For a long time, seasons were just seasons, the changing of the four seasons merely marking the passage of time. But from a certain moment, it became different. Seasons were no longer just seasons. They represented memories, life, and also the way we lived.

A melody flowed through his mind.

"Summer has come and passed. The innocent can never last. Wake me up when September ends." (Note 1)

The lyrics naturally surfaced in his heart.

The bright yet melancholic guitar chords danced amidst the somber and melodious cello strings, like the heartbeat and pulse they felt as they chased the sunset, holding onto the tail of summer.

So powerful, so real.

Anson thought, maybe they could make an album about summer and youth. The concept of the entire album would be like "Elephant," capturing a summer in their youth, blooming brilliantly and unrestrainedly for a short time, and when summer ended, they would go their separate ways, scattered across the world.

In fact, it wasn't just about graduation season.

Life was the same.

The summer when his family suddenly faced a crisis was also when he was 25 years old.

For a long, long time, he refused to accept the cruel reality, refused to accept the fact that his father had run away alone without a trace, refused to accept the fact that they had nothing and were plunged into困境, refused to accept the fact that they went from heaven to hell overnight. The memories of that time had become blurry, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recall the details.

All that remained in his mind was the pain, the struggle and tearing that burned his internal organs, using all his strength to deny reality.

That summer was so long and so sweltering, it seemed endless.

On the one hand, he tried his best to run, trying to escape that summer that wouldn't end. On the other hand, he hesitated and lingered, because the end of summer meant growing up and also meant facing reality.

He couldn't help but close his eyes, temporarily escaping reality, hiding in his own world, listening to the sound of summer burning, waiting for that moment.

Waiting for the moment of growing up, waiting for the moment of facing the pain calmly, waiting for the moment when time healed the wounds, waiting for the moment when summer came again, waiting for the moment when the wounds healed and life revived.

Then.

Unconsciously, they grew up just like that.

Quietly, looking at Eric's disappointed face, at the students tidying up, at the crew members hugging and celebrating the wrap, an inspiration took root, sprouted, and then grew and spread uncontrollably.

"As the memories fade, and I'm no longer afraid. The seasons change and fall away. Yeah, wake me up when September ends."

Just like the inspiration he got when he helped Jack during the filming of "Catch Me If You Can," those scars, that pain, that torment, were agonizing when experienced firsthand. But looking back on those years as an adult, what came to mind weren't the happy and beautiful memories, but the hardships and setbacks that tempered and shaped him.

Those were the moments that made him who he was.

That's why people always said that pain was the source of artistic creation.

Of course, artists also created when they were happy, but those creations were often wrapped in a colorful candy coating, unable to truly touch the soul.

But it was different when in pain. The anger, sadness, anxiety, struggle, torment, and scars could always give birth to countless tensions and sparks.

Indeed.

His decision to leave Los Angeles for a temporary break and adjustment was the right one.

Leaving the monotonous recording studio, changing his routine, and going out to feel, experience, and live again, allowed his thoughts to become active, and inspiration would rekindle at the right time.

"... Anson?"

A voice called out, and Anson finally snapped out of his thoughts. He saw the worried faces of Alex and Eric.

A smile spread across his face.

"Sorry, my thoughts just took a short trip to the Land of Oz."

Anson made a little joke.

Alex was confused, his eyes filled with bewilderment.

But Eric raised his chin thoughtfully, his eyes looking at Anson once again filled with excitement.

Anson didn't explain. "Did I miss something?"

Alex shook his head innocently. "No, we just..." He paused, a bit shy, and glanced at Eric, trying to muster up his courage. "We just wanted to ask if we could take a photo with you. You know, opportunities like this don't come often."

"Maybe this is the only evidence that we made a movie."

Anson was taken aback.

"Haha." A bright smile bloomed on his face. "Of course, no problem."

At least they didn't interrupt the filming and waited patiently until the wrap to ask. Just this awareness alone surpassed many professional actors.

But what Anson didn't expect was that when other crew members saw him taking photos with Alex and Eric, they also came over one by one. When Anson came to his senses, he turned around and saw a long, winding line behind him.

Anson: "Excuse me, is this some kind of tourist attraction in Portland?"

Haha, a burst of laughter erupted.

Note 1: "Wake Me Up When September Ends" - Green Day 

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