The Lime bike, the livestream and all the most insane moments from the ‘A Complete Unknown’ press tour

In recent years, the press circuit that precedes a film’s release has become about as important as the film itself. With Barbie it was all about the outfits, with Margot Robbie stepping out to each premiere in pink-hued outfits that referenced ones the actual doll had worn. With Wicked it was all about, er, a kind of dual psychosis? We’re not quite sure what was happening there to be honest, but back in November it was quite hard to go on Instagram or elsewhere without seeing the film’s stars crying and/or rattling on about the emotional impact of playing a green witch. But while people were transfixed with these viral-ready PR moves, it could be said that, in retrospect, they feel somewhat contrived. And thanks to actor Timothée Chalamet, that feels even more true. Chalamet has ripped up the rule book in order to promote his Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, whipping out not kitschy outfits or formulaic interviews but… whatever the hell he wants? We’ve compiled what we reckon are the best of them. When we say “the” in each of these headers, let it be known that we’re placing a lot of emphasis on the word. Like, yeah, that one. The livestream. Because you should know about them, at least in a vague sense, already. Anyway, you’ll know about them after reading this article, so everyone wins. 

The Lime bike

The most recent of Timmy’s silly escapades involved rocking up to the film’s UK premiere on every (coordinated) Londoners’ favourite form of transport — the Lime bike. You can piece together a little more on Timmy’s exact journey to the red carpet by turning to director and photographer Aidan Zamiri, who posted a video of him tailing Chalamet over what must be Waterloo bridge. Anyway, onlookers at the event watched the Call Me By Your Name actor struggle with the stand (relatable) then take a few moments to pay his fare — he’s since revealed he was even fined £65 for parking up in the wrong place. It’s safe to say that the whole zany affair wasn’t entirely spontaneous, with Zamiri posting pictures of Lime bikes in the run-up, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t work at creating a bit of a frenzy. It did that, and some. 

The referential red carpet look

It wouldn’t really be a premiere or awards show without some young starlet turning up in an outfit that’s “paying homage” to something someone has worn before. Tate McCrae has referenced Britney, Kylie’s been all over ‘90s Elizabeth Hurley, and Sabrina Carpenter’s done a nod to Marilyn. But what unifies all of those, broadly speaking, is the aim to look hot. When Timothée turned up to the New York premiere, however, it can’t be said he was going for the same thing. Sporting a blonde wig, beanie, scarf and leather jacket, Timothée’s outfit was an ode to the infamous fit worn by Bob Dylan at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. This might just be our favourite on this list, that being owed to the actor’s commitment to the bit. Find some fan selfies from the night and you’ll find not a beaming actor looking down the lens, but shit like this. Timothée also rocked up to a later premiere in a fit that was likened to something Ashley Tisdale might have thrown on back in ‘03, which was also cool, though perhaps not entirely intentional. 

The Brittany Browski interview

In which Timothée won over the internet by likening his skinny legs to those of Jack Skellington and doing the Soulja Boy “Crank That” alongside YouTuber Brittany Browski. It was this interview that had the internet in agreement as to why Kylie Jenner fancies him — the man is funny. 

The livestream

This one’s a little harder to explain and/or rationalise, but according to the Aidan Zamiri school of thought, that’s kind of the point. Three weeks ago, the actor took to the platform with a lengthy, thirteen minute livestream that involved the actor larking about in a huge warehouse (purportedly in London) to The Black Eyed Peas’ 2009 school disco bop “I Gotta Feeling”. He lets off confetti canons, takes his top off and writhes around on the floor while a huge fuck-off screen flashes with messages of support. I don’t know, just watch it. We, perhaps, love it? We particularly like how the whole thing has come full circle, with the actor’s song of choice for his jaunt on a Lime bike being the very same bop. 

The (highly meme-able) Nardwuar interview 

In what can only be described as another full-circle moment, Chalamet’s time with Canadian journalist and musician Nardwuar has birthed a meme that’s being positioned as the kind of spiritual successor to the one that put Brittany Browski on the map. Is that too much internet lore? Do we need to go outside and touch some grass? Maybe. The Nardwuar interview (which is nearly an hour) does also feature the actor showing off his encyclopaedic knowledge of Bob Dylan… Let’s be honest, though, the meme is of most vital importance. 

The video on NYC pier 

For those not possessing enough strength of character to “get” the livestream, Timothée delivered a more scaled-back video of him miming along to Bob Dylan’s “Visions Of Johanna” on NYC pier. Obviously, it’s filmed by Zamiri. Just give it a watch. We might pop down to Brighton and do something similar.