Film Festival Digest - Jan. 30, 2005

The sun came up Sunday, promising another beautiful day for the Film Festival. We missed the Women in Business panel, although we later spoke with someone who had been, and referred to Virginia Madsen as brilliant. Undaunted, we hurried downtown to see what was happening on the street.

When we got to the Hotel Santa Barbara, someone asked if we had witnessed the “riot” at the Metro 4. What?!?  Evidently, there were too many people and not enough seats for the showing of “A Walk of Wisdom”. “A Walk of Wisdom” is the life story of Mae Chee Sansanee, the revered female spiritual leader of Thailand. When the doors opened, many forgot their manners. There was a bit of shoving and quite a bit of yelling. “It was like the sinking scene in Titanic!” one who had witnessed the rudeness observed.  “Those Buddhists are pretty violent!” another witness commented.  We spoke to a woman who had come from LA to see the film, but was turned away. When asked why she came for this film, she told us that the subject of the film set a good example of how we should lead our lives. We’re sure she was not part of the melee.

A little ways down the block, we chatted with Kevin Hobgood from North Carolina. We noticed his Filmmaker pass and asked about his film.  It is an animated short called “Flyaway”, about a toy airplane and a battle of good against evil.  Kevin told the dedicated staff that he and his company, Out of Our Minds Animation Studios, had just received funding for a feature length film. We chatted for a bit about the business of animated films, then headed on our way.  We had a five o’clock date to hear Paul Giamatti speak.

As we passed the Hotel Santa Barbara, and wandered back toward our green car, we spied Lindsay Wagner walking toward us, amid a group of women.  She gave our press passes a sideways, somewhat wary glance.  Don’t worry, Lindsay, we’re not that kind of press. Although the dedicated staff would like to ask her if those mattresses really are that comfortable.

At Victoria Theater, we got to hear Paul Giamatti, who did a great job playing the middle-age balding loser character in Sideways.  Paul was in theater before switching over to movies. He seems to miss the good old days.

Referring to making films, he said, “Unfortunately, it is more lucrative and easier.”

During the conversation, he was very relaxed and reflective, using words like schmegegge to get his points across.

Pictures of the day are on the Edhat Photo Gallery.