Opening Night Success
SIFF's opening night was a great success. The Paramount in Seattle was packed with almost three thousand people, and was full of great energy and anticipation for the opening film, "Me and You and Everyone We Know."Miranda July was on hand to introduce her first feature film, and appropriately enough, it was the first opening night film at SIFF directed by a woman.
"I want that," said July, looking up at the huge ornate chandelier hanging high above from the ornate gilded ceiling. She said this, interrupting herself for a moment, maybe a little nervous combined with an attitude I've seen in a lot of artists - living in the moment and voicing exactly what she is thinking. This carries over into her film as the characters themselves seem a little nervous, lost, amazed, the way a kid is seeing something for the first time.
The film doesn't try to be funny, but is. And 3,000 people losing it all at once makes it even funnier. The film doesn't try to be introspective and even sad, but is. I think this is what I loved so much about the film, is that it doesn't try to be anything. July has managed to create something absolutely fresh, a new voice in cinema which has succesfully blurred the line between art and film. And she is also one of those rare filmmakers who can act in her own film and pull it off. "Me and You and Everyone We Know" was the perfect opening film for the festival, and I hope we can play it in the near future at the Grand.
The gala party after the film was at the new home for the Museum of History and Industry, on 8th street just across from the Convention Center. It will be great to have MOHAI in a decent location finally. If you missed the film, keep it on your radar to see another time. If you missed the party, don't worry, the lines were so long to get the free appetizers that I ended up eating the sandwich I brough along in my bag. The bands were great, however. So, overall, bravo SIFF.
"I want that," said July, looking up at the huge ornate chandelier hanging high above from the ornate gilded ceiling. She said this, interrupting herself for a moment, maybe a little nervous combined with an attitude I've seen in a lot of artists - living in the moment and voicing exactly what she is thinking. This carries over into her film as the characters themselves seem a little nervous, lost, amazed, the way a kid is seeing something for the first time.
The film doesn't try to be funny, but is. And 3,000 people losing it all at once makes it even funnier. The film doesn't try to be introspective and even sad, but is. I think this is what I loved so much about the film, is that it doesn't try to be anything. July has managed to create something absolutely fresh, a new voice in cinema which has succesfully blurred the line between art and film. And she is also one of those rare filmmakers who can act in her own film and pull it off. "Me and You and Everyone We Know" was the perfect opening film for the festival, and I hope we can play it in the near future at the Grand.
The gala party after the film was at the new home for the Museum of History and Industry, on 8th street just across from the Convention Center. It will be great to have MOHAI in a decent location finally. If you missed the film, keep it on your radar to see another time. If you missed the party, don't worry, the lines were so long to get the free appetizers that I ended up eating the sandwich I brough along in my bag. The bands were great, however. So, overall, bravo SIFF.
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