Press Launch!

Yes, every SIFF starts w/a press launch, and this year was no exception. We were to gather at the Harvard Exit at 10 am May 6, where we'd be treated to breakfast, trailers, and the opening night movie.

There was quite a line to get in, and certainly a lot of unfamiliar faces...who are all these people? Since I'd sent my photo in pronto, my press pass was ready to go, along w/a folder of relevant info. Things were a bit scaled back this year, instead of a notebook we just got a folder.

I'd brought some Tablets along, not knowing there was a stack of 'em already in the theater. I presented them to publicists Kathleen, Amy, and Mike, as there's plenty of SIFF coverage...plus I gave a copy to Helen Loveridge, whom I wrote about in the issue (she's Festival Director). She promptly began reading my article while I was standing right next to her — a little unnerving (what if she hates it?). Fortunately, she didn't, and agreed w/my quibbles about some of the editing — I'd never refer to actors as "talent." Helen shuddered when she heard me speak the word! Kathleen and Amy loved the cover headline, referring to Helen as SIFF's "new queen."

Breakfast was a bit scaled back too, nothing fancy. But, lots of it, so who's complaining? Big vats of scrambled eggs, followed by vats of bacon, hash browns (potato cubes really) and croissants. OJ and coffee was on hand as I looked in vain for the wait staff pouring champagne (present in previous years). There was no staff, but I did spy the bucket of champagne (pink) and proceeded to imbibe.

Much chattering for the first hour or so. Showed Karla the pix I took of her and Martin "Super Size Me" Spurlock, which she loved and which you'll see in the next Tablet. Then they shooed us into the theater for the trailers. There seemed to be more of them this year. After a while you recognize a pattern: "A man, searching for his dream. A woman, searching for herself. Together, they would blah blah." As I hadn't picked up a schedule, I'd no idea what would be shown. I think I'll miss Infernal Affairs (and IA2 AND IA3!), but there are three, count them, three films with Emmanuelle Beart (the maid in 8 Women) that I won't miss. The White Stripes film has its world premiere here, that's exciting (Nobody Knows How to Talk to Children). And there's a bunch 'o relationship films.

Finally we got to the main feature, The Notebook. I won't say too much now as Karla and I will be interviewing someone from the film this week, and we'll both have more to say about it then. But here's a blurb...set in the south, depression-era, a poor boy loves a rich girl. Can they work it all out? I won't spoil that one for you. I will say the story's told in flashback, as James Garner reads the tale to Gina Rowlands in the nursing home they live in. It's a bit of a weeper...there were weeping women in the bathroom afterwards! Don't know how well that bodes for opening night. We Tableteers all sat in comfort, especially after I brought in a champagne refill.

Hope this gives you some insight into the realm of being a "press person."