This story is a week late, but that's me. Moving to NYC has only contributed to my procrastination and scatterbraindedness. Is "scatterbraindedness" a word? If it's not, it certainly should be.
So, last Friday I had my first "real New York" experience. I've been waiting for that Big Apple feeling to hit me and it finally did, thanks to the Tribeca Film Festival. My friend, Cass had a film in the Tropfest@Tribeca program. Basically, Tropfest began in Australia as an outdoor festival to celebrate short films. (I was hoping to see more Aussies, but alas, I did not find myself a mate to have a g'day with.) This was the first year Tropfest took place in North America, and was held at the World Financial Center.
First of all, it was absolutely beautiful there. It was pretty damn cold, but it was just a great atmosphere...right down on the water with all the twinkling lights of Jersey off in the distance. NJ looked so lovely from across the river, but as a resident, I know it was just an illusion. Secondly, it was just a cool vibe. As I said, it was the first time I ever got that "New York" feeling.
Cass's film didn't win, but I think he was at a disadvantage for two reasons. #1 - His film kicked the contest off. Going first is always risky, because people with no attention spans may not remember it. #2 - It was the only documentary in the contest. It's hard to judge a documentary against a fictional piece because it's like comparing apples to oranges. Still, it was very well done and I was hoping he would emerge victorious. Honestly, I thought the film that won was a piece of crap. It was about as complex and meaningful as an Afterschool Special. And I'm not just saying that because my friend's film didn't win. It was just so formulaic and emotionally manipulative. I didn't like it. There were a couple of others that were MUCH better, and I would've felt better about the loss had one of them taken the prize. But, oh well. Shit is often rewarded. What can you do?
Three of the celeb judges were Matt Dillon, Naomi Watts and Anthony LaPaglia. It was rather interesting to see them up close. Naomi Watts is just as beautiful as she looks onscreen and Matt Dillon is pretty hunky. I didn't go to the after-party but I heard him later described by another friend who did go as "a bit lecherous." I could certainly deal with a lecherous Matt Dillon. I never found him attractive when he was at his peak, back in the days of The Outsiders and Rumblefish, but the boy has aged well. Those damn men. Always getting better with age.
We also spotted Liev Schrieber and Famke Janssen (not together) outside, just kind of hanging around. I thought I saw Ione Skye walk by me too, but I'm not completely sure. If it wasn't her, it was someone who looked a hell of a lot like her. I know, I know...celebrity lookalikes may cut it in Pittsburgh, but not NYC. Ok, so it was her. I'll just assume it was. I should've called her name to test her. Not much of a chance anyone else would answer to the name "Ione."
God, The Pop Eye has suddenly turned into Gawker.com. I better stop now before George Clooney sniffs out my blog and goes ape-shit on me.
Oh, and no, I wasn't able to get tickets for the "secret" Pearl Jam show at Irving Plaza tonight. And I don't want to talk about it.
So, last Friday I had my first "real New York" experience. I've been waiting for that Big Apple feeling to hit me and it finally did, thanks to the Tribeca Film Festival. My friend, Cass had a film in the Tropfest@Tribeca program. Basically, Tropfest began in Australia as an outdoor festival to celebrate short films. (I was hoping to see more Aussies, but alas, I did not find myself a mate to have a g'day with.) This was the first year Tropfest took place in North America, and was held at the World Financial Center.
First of all, it was absolutely beautiful there. It was pretty damn cold, but it was just a great atmosphere...right down on the water with all the twinkling lights of Jersey off in the distance. NJ looked so lovely from across the river, but as a resident, I know it was just an illusion. Secondly, it was just a cool vibe. As I said, it was the first time I ever got that "New York" feeling.
Cass's film didn't win, but I think he was at a disadvantage for two reasons. #1 - His film kicked the contest off. Going first is always risky, because people with no attention spans may not remember it. #2 - It was the only documentary in the contest. It's hard to judge a documentary against a fictional piece because it's like comparing apples to oranges. Still, it was very well done and I was hoping he would emerge victorious. Honestly, I thought the film that won was a piece of crap. It was about as complex and meaningful as an Afterschool Special. And I'm not just saying that because my friend's film didn't win. It was just so formulaic and emotionally manipulative. I didn't like it. There were a couple of others that were MUCH better, and I would've felt better about the loss had one of them taken the prize. But, oh well. Shit is often rewarded. What can you do?
Three of the celeb judges were Matt Dillon, Naomi Watts and Anthony LaPaglia. It was rather interesting to see them up close. Naomi Watts is just as beautiful as she looks onscreen and Matt Dillon is pretty hunky. I didn't go to the after-party but I heard him later described by another friend who did go as "a bit lecherous." I could certainly deal with a lecherous Matt Dillon. I never found him attractive when he was at his peak, back in the days of The Outsiders and Rumblefish, but the boy has aged well. Those damn men. Always getting better with age.
We also spotted Liev Schrieber and Famke Janssen (not together) outside, just kind of hanging around. I thought I saw Ione Skye walk by me too, but I'm not completely sure. If it wasn't her, it was someone who looked a hell of a lot like her. I know, I know...celebrity lookalikes may cut it in Pittsburgh, but not NYC. Ok, so it was her. I'll just assume it was. I should've called her name to test her. Not much of a chance anyone else would answer to the name "Ione."
God, The Pop Eye has suddenly turned into Gawker.com. I better stop now before George Clooney sniffs out my blog and goes ape-shit on me.
Oh, and no, I wasn't able to get tickets for the "secret" Pearl Jam show at Irving Plaza tonight. And I don't want to talk about it.
Comments
What a great time you had!!!! I want to got to Tribeca and Sundance. I like the Newport Film Fest but that's really the only one I go to besides Damah which I am not going to this year because I am...messed up.
As far as your friend not making it, that's a shame. That's why festivals are supposed to have different categories and that's why I prefer the film festivals that have a jury prize and an audience prize.
Because sometimes film festival jurors won't recuse themselves if they have a friendship or relationship with a contestant, but the audience will vote for the film that they actually think is best.