Gillian's Opening Night Party Report

This year’s opening night was much like others I’ve attended, w/some definite improvements in some areas. My own improvement is to not use the word “Madness!” in any party headlines this year.

I actually got a ticket to the film as well, unexpectedly. So I dressed up nicely, in black and my silver leather jacket. Was very disappointed at the lack of dress sense among the crowd; people wearing t-shirts! Jeans! With backpacks! Jeans should be banned from opening night.

Yes, too much pre-film chat; I really don’t think there’s a need to speak every sponsor’s name since they’re listed in the program, but at least Gary Tucker made it more interesting, even inserting cute pix of kitties during the “slide show.”

As I’d seen the film, I nipped out before it ended so I could get to the party in advance of the hordes. It was at the space the library was temporarily in downtown, and proved to be a good choice, because there was room to move around in, unlike the crush you got at SAM last year. Ran into publicity head Karen Hansen who said all the food and drink was on the top floor. Snagged a G&T (Bombay Gin’s a sponsor), very strong. Lots of food tables, I picked and chose a bit, but soon the hordes made it a very very long wait, so I had little food. It was good though, and diverse, one of the best food selections ever. They carded you to get drinks though, I heard because Fire Marshalls had shown up. Next time, stamp everybody, or use wristbands, that way people won’t need to be checked every time.

Ran into Tim Silbaugh (he does art and graphic stuff), accompanied by the lovely Wendy G, who I knew from my Rocket days (she’s now w/the Meekly, I mean the Weakly, I mean the Weekly!). They were in a drinks line, so I waited w/them and got another G&T (not as strong). Then I roamed and rambled all over the place. Saw tons o’ folks, the usual suspects…crits including Moira from the Times, Robert Horton, Shannon Gee, Andy Spletzer, Sean Axmaker looking dapper in his cool hat. And Tableteers, Kris M briefly, Kathy Fennsessy, Karla w/her husband, and a teacher friend who wasn’t that keen on the opening film. The budding sexuality of the kids/having the kids in sexual situations seemed to make her uncomfortable. I thought it was handled well, myself.

Talked to various passholders; not all liked the film, one person remarked because she didn’t like the characters at all. A fatal flaw for a film. Film excerpts were being shown on various walls throughout, that was fun. One film was of a burning log fire! Cute. Talked to SIFF staffers, past and present. Got two more G&Ts, very strong, they just about did me in folks! Was looking for the Divine Ms. L (that’s Helen Loveridge to you), was told she was outside poisoning her system by inhaling the residue of dried leaves (that is, smoking). Trotted out to see her. “Finally!” she said on seeing me. By then I was rambling in fine drunken form, so I doubt I said anything sensible. We went in, she was headed for the VIP room and actually stopped at the entrance; “Do you have a pass to come in?” she was asked. I started to answer for her, “Yeah, she’s…,” then wisely decided to keep my mouth shut — see, I can do it on occasion! We got in, though the room was only occupied by other SIFF staffers, mostly. I wisely refrained from having another drink, just got a soda water.

Didn’t pay much attention to the bands, glad to see the Posies still working though. Ran into Amanda from THA, accompanied by her beau, she was disappointed I hadn’t liked a film she’s handling, “November,” that much. Sorry Amanda! I did review it here though. Hey, don’t take my word for what it’s like, go see it yourself and make up your own mind! There, that’s a plug for ya!

It’s rare that four G&Ts knock me out, but then I didn’t have much to eat. So I decided to leave, but was not going to be seen waiting at the bus stop across the street — how humiliating! Instead, I’ll just humiliate myself here by writing that I took a bus home. Thankfully, I escaped with a fairly mild hangover. I heard today that a certain Tableteer made off with a bottle of Bombay Gin at the party, and I wish to make it clear that it was not me! Maybe next time….

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