Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm

Martin had no worries about the quality of Inception.

A lavish candy wrapper only shines if it encloses a delicious treat, enhancing its allure. But if that same wrapper hides a pile of dog crap, no matter how enticing it looks, once unwrapped, both the wrapper and its contents will be despised by the consumer.

With confidence in his film, Martin dared to roll out such a bold, drum-beating campaign.

On June 20th, the U.S. magazine Wired suddenly announced that its editors had received a 24-page "classified" dossier titled Dream Sharing: Tactical Recruitment Program Manual, an extended version of the Dream Sharing documentation.

This magazine was a hit among North America's tech elite. Their announcement instantly sparked interest among internet-savvy intellectuals, who demanded Wired release the "classified" dossier.

Wired published its contents online.

The dossier detailed seven chapters, including "Dream Operatives," "Interrogation Techniques," and "Equipment Overview." Regrettably, some sections were "redacted," and those hidden details could only be unlocked by buying a movie ticket.

The dossier's final page featured a QR code linking to an earlier Inception viral marketing website.

Entering the site, visitors were greeted by the familiar spinning top. Clearing the game unlocked more about the "Dream Machine" manual.

Two weeks before Inception premiere, the promotional blitz hit fever pitch.

Martin himself took the stage, joined by Leonardo, Yang Mi, Joseph Levitt, and Tom Hardy on a Fox TV entertainment talk show, dishing on behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the film's production.

For instance, the weightless hallway fight scene saw Joseph Levitt perform all his own stunts without a double. When Leonardo tried to do the same, the insurance company's rep firmly shut him down.

Joseph Levitt laughed, saying, "Clearly, in the eyes of the insurance folks, I'm not worth as much as Leo. They can afford to lose me."

Another tidbit: the protagonist's name, "Cobb," echoed the word for "dream" in Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi.

The film's shooting spanned the globe, with major scenes filmed across four continents and six countries.

The cast and crew endured grueling conditions, from the scorching heat of Tangier, Morocco, to the snow-swept blizzards of Calgary, Canada. Filming also took them to Tokyo, Paris, and Los Angeles.

On camera, they shared lighthearted stories from the shoot, stoking fans' anticipation for the film.

By July 16, 2010, the spinning top on the Inception website finally stopped.

A line of text appeared above it: Are you smart enough? Watch Inception to find out.

The implication was clear—this film was for sharp minds only.

That simple sentence ignited curiosity and a competitive streak in many.

On July 16th, at 8 p.m., the red carpet outside Hollywood's Grand Theater dazzled with star power, beauties and heartthrobs vying for attention.

In the press area, reporters bantered:

"Are those two a couple?"

"They're always together—probably."

"Let's root for Martin and Leonardo instead. They're the perfect pair."

"Oh, come on, that's never happening. Both are Hollywood's notorious playboys. Martin even has a kid with that Aussie bombshell."

"Speaking of Martin's kid, that little guy's photos are probably the cheapest celebrity baby pics out there. I heard one goes for just five bucks. I don't even bother snapping them."

"No kidding. Martin loves showing off his son. His Facebook's flooded with pics, and us reporters have shot tons too. They're worthless on the market."

"I bet Martin's doing it on purpose. By oversharing, he keeps people from obsessing over his kid's private life."

"Makes sense. So, those stars who hide their kids—maybe they're just playing the scarcity game?"

...

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck stepped into the interview zone, fielding a few quick questions.

Before hitting the red carpet, Amber Heard, buzzing with excitement, turned to her friend in the car: "Can you believe Martin invited us? What poses should I strike on the carpet? If fans call out to me, should I respond?"

The cheers that erupted when Matt Damon and Ben Affleck passed died down by more than half as Amber and her friend stepped onto the carpet.

The crowd buzzed with whispers:

"Who are they?"

"You know them?"

"No clue. Some nobody starlets?"

"That blonde with the big waves is pretty hot, though."

"Totally. If she's got any work out there, I might check it out."

"Ha, hopefully some artsy film, right?"

"Exactly what I'm thinking."

Amber Heard's expression visibly shifted from excitement to dejection.

Still, she lingered on the red carpet, striking poses and inching forward slowly.

Her girlfriend Tasya van Ree comforted her: "Don't worry, Amber. They'll know you one day."

"When's that gonna be?" Amber muttered to herself, forcing a smile.

Though her smile was stiff, her exquisite features still radiated charm.

But the photographers and reporters weren't interested in wasting effort. They snapped a few obligatory shots and moved on—unknown names like hers didn't sell.