THE 9TH ANNUAL CineVegas Film Festival was held June 6–16, 2007 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. This film festival highlights offerings from up and coming filmmakers and creative-thinking veterans. Sponsored by the Palms Casino Resort, the Greenspun Media Group, Vegas.com and Condé Nast Traveler, the 2007 festival combined the glamour and energy of World Premiere films and the intensity of in-depth celebrity tributes set against the backdrop of Sin City. As in previous CineVegas festivals, the very capable Robin Greenspun served as the festival's President, Trevor Groth served as Artistic Director and Dennis Hopper served as Chairman of the Creative Advisory Board.
This year's festival screened more than a dozen highly anticipated world and U.S. premieres, and launched a Mexican sidebar (La Próxima Ola). Several high-powered entertainment icons were honored. Anthony Hopkins, Ben Kingsley, Charlize Theron, Mike Newell and Jerry Weintraub.
The CineVegas Film Festival opened with Steven Soderbergh's 'Ocean's Thirteen.' This was the first time in my nine years of press, covering CineVegas, that I wasn't invited to attend the opening night event as it was a fund-raising charity event for Dafur and there was limited press invitations, even for the red carpet arrivals. However, I heard great things about that event.
Ten days of viewing, interviewing and partying was exhausting, but also invigorating. There were so many films offered that it was impossible to see them all. Unfortunately I was unable to see any of the Shorts, although I did have conversations with some of those involved. It was good to see and converse with Francisco Menendez, who is the head of the UNLV film department and has been involved, and who I have known, since the inception of the original CineVegas. Getting press tickets for each film and event was a difficult chore this year as press was expected to immediately place an order for all 10 days of filming. The most popular films and events were then immediately scooped up, and each day, one had to hopefully try to get any more that were issued. Fortunately, I finally had the good fortune to get to the 'Conversations' with Cherlize Theron, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Ben Kingsley, all presided over by Dennis Hopper. I was unable to see Jerry Weintraub (who I have met in the past) receive the VANGUARD PRODUCER AWARD as he was presented with the award at the opening night event. I was not able to attend the 'Conversations' with Mike Newell who received the VANGUARD DIRECTOR AWARD, but I did see him receiving his award at the Palms Pool evening event. I loved hearing David Lynch with Dennis Hopper prior to the screening of his film 'BLUE VELVET' in which Dennis Hopper plays the evil lunatic Frank—a role that rejuvenated his career.
Some of the highlights of the 'Conversations' were: Charlize Theron who received the HALF-LIFE AWARD. Charlize originally wanted to be a ballerina. She is from South Africa and in coming to America found her English for Americans was not easily understood, and television became her teacher. She has now gone into producing films as well as acting in them. Some clips from her movies were shown. Charlize is a long-legged beauty and loves to diversify her roles away from that image.
Sir Anthony Hopkins received the MARQUEE AWARD. All the other awardees referred to him as the greatest actor alive today. Hopkins mentor was Laurence Olivier and he did an impression of him as well as other impressions, such as the ventriloquist dummy in the movie, 'MAGIC.' He preferred 'SILENCE of the LAMB' to the sequels as he feels Hannibal Lector is more terrifying locked in a cell, than being free to roam the streets. During 'Lion in Winter' he actually broke his arm. Sir Anthony has now gone into filmmaking, writing, producing and directing as well as acting. His film SLIPSTREAM, where he does all this was shown.
Sir Ben Kingsley received the VANGUARD ACTOR AWARD. At one time when he wrote songs, played guitar and sang in a play, he was signed by Beatle's manager, Brian Epstein. Big James, who launched the Beatles and Elton John, wanted to mold him into a Rock Star. However, he wanted to pursue being an actor. Sir Kingsley said that being in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre kept him stabilized and feels, had he become a Rock Star, he would have tumbled and gone over the edge. He says doing Shakespeare is almost like religiosity and music. It has rhythm like a duet. He talked about the camera in filmmaking being used as an audience by a director. If the camera is in the wrong place, it does not work well. He would like to do his own voice-overs for movie trailers as it is usually done with the same boring voice, and he impersonated that boring voice perfectly. He also did some other impersonations that came across very well. He said the director Attenborough had wanted to do 'Ghandi' for many years before it was done, and is a very emotional director, often found crying at the work being done.
My favorite film at the CineVegas Film Festival was 'La Vie en Rose,' the life story of singer, Edith Piaf. What a blazing performance by French actress, Marion Cotillard who played Edith Piaf to perfection in an Academy Award performance at its best. The story-line is perfection too. This film opened the Berlin Film Festival and was a huge hit in France. Because of subtitles, I hope this film plays in all movie theaters rather than just in, so-called 'Art Houses.' It is a film that stays with you and will not soon be forgotten. Surprisingly, it did not receive any awards at CineVegas.
The AUDIENCE AWARDS for DOCUMENTARY AND NARRATIVE FEATURES was presented to, 'I Have Never Forgotten You, the Life and Legacy of Simon Wiesenthal' and 'Throwing Stars.' I didn't see 'Throwing Stars' (the bond between four childhood friends is tested when they have to cover up a murder), however, the documentary, 'I Have Never Forgotten You, the Life and Legacy Of Simon Wiesenthal' should receive an A+++. Although heart-wrenching, the film was also inspiring. Oscar-winning director Richard Trank illuminates the core of Weisenthal's being, what drove his search that helped bring to justice more than 1,100 Nazi war criminals, and kept him going, even though he made many enemies along the way. This is a film that should be seen by everyone everywhere.
I don't usually do so, and I don't like giving bad reviews, but I felt I had to walk out of three films, 'Once upon a time Maria,' 'Phantom Love' and 'Viva.' Because I am an actress, schooled at the original Actors Studio in New York, I had knots in my stomach because of the extremely bad acting in 'Viva.' Even though it was supposed to be a tribute to vintage sexploitation films of the '70s, the acting was so overdone, it was ludicrous. I wonder if it was supposed to be overdone, or if they looked far and wide for the most awful actors. A male actor's laugh was almost like a hyena's laugh. Besides the acting, these films were terrible. But others made up for it.
One especially good film was 'Bad Habits.' I almost missed that one as the synopsis made it seem as if it would be boring and just about eating habits. Yes, that it is, however, a very good storyline and fine acting made it outstanding. Although there were subtitles, as this was part of La Próxima Ola that showcased Mexican films, it did not hamper the viewing. In fact, 'Bad Habits' won the LA PROXIMA OLA JURY PRIZE. The inter-connected storylines focusing on food involved a mother, student and nun and united the excellent cast in a web of abuse, adultery, anorexia and bulimia. The director, Simon Bross, said this film was from an honest point-of-view and second chances. He had been very successful shooting commercials, and models he had known had died due to anorexia and bulimia in order to be thin. The film is also about faith in miracles, as a nun would almost die by giving up eating, as she believed the overly excessive rain was her fault, and by her not eating, that would make rain stop.
Another good one was 'The Grand.' Perhaps it is because I am a poker player, and knew some of the players in the film, that I found it so interesting. However, the acting was good, except I wasn't too happy with Ray Ramano's performance. The story-line was o.k., and, of course, you couldn't miss the association to Steve Wynn. Not Academy Award, but worth watching.
I enjoyed seeing 'You Kill Me' with Ben Kingsley playing an alcoholic Polish hit-man in Buffalo. The film was directed by John Dahl. After messing up a critical assignment as a hit-man, Frank (Kingsley) is sent to San Francisco to clean up his act. He has to attend AA meetings and gets a job in a mortuary where he meets and falls in love with Laurel (Tea Leoni). An interesting film where Kingsley unleashes the full range of weapons in his acting arsenal. (I can still remember the Hayes Office and know they would never have allowed the film's ending.) This film should be coming out soon in movie theaters.
'Choosing Connor' was worthwhile with good acting, especially the young boy, Alex Linz. A timely indictment of politicians and "the system," it is as much about cynicism gained as about innocence lost.
'Have Love, Will Travel.' Interesting, however, screening was way too dark and too many slow spots. The film was inspired by director Dan Peterson's personal experience as a driver for "Private Dancers." in L.A.'s underground world of sex and easy money.
'Careless' A story about a cut-off finger. Yes, it was found on the floor of this guy's kitchen. As the story evolves he searches to find the reasons for his findings, and also finds love with a nine-fingered woman. Tom Hanks son, Colin Hanks and Tony Shalhoub stand out in a tale that involves psychics, ineffectual police, crooked taxidermists, and mysterious neighbors who might be drug dealers. Funny, but certainly not realistic. Didn't like the ending.
This year's FEATURE JURY COMPETITION was presided over by acclaimed producer Effie T. Brown, Screen International's U.S. Editor Mike Goodridge, Editor and Chief Critic for Los Angeles City Beat Andy Klein, and Scott Macaulay, New York-based producer and Co-President of Forensic Films and Editor and Co-Founder of Filmmaker Magazine.
The full list of CineVegas winners are listed below:
'LOOK' directed by Adam Rifkin won the GRAND JURY PRIZE AWARD. I did see it and it was interesting. Shot entirely from the point of view of the hundreds of surveillance cameras we live under everyday and night that invade our privacy. LOOK is a film about the things people do when they don't know they're being watched. I had an opportunity to visit with Adam Rifkin and Ron Jeremy (Ron is a porn star I have known for years) at the STRATOSPHERE EVENING PARTY that was quite a good event. Adam Rifkin and I had an interesting conversation about something he and I may want to have filmed in the future. Adam said LOOK will be out in movie theaters in October.
'Tie a Yellow Ribbon and All God's Children Can Dance' received SPECIAL JURY AWARDS for DIRECTING AND VISUAL EXPRESSION RESPECTIVELY. And, 'The Living Wake' garnered the Heineken Red Star Award recognizes films that push the boundaries of creativity. This award was created in an effort to promote up-and-coming filmmakers by providing additional exposure and visibility for their films. To this end, Heineken has partnered with two venerable media partners—Variety and the Independent Film Channel (IFC)—to bring well-deserved publicity and visibility to the Heineken Red Star Award recipients and their films. Unfortunately, I was unable to view these films due to other conflicting films I wanted to see that were shown at the same time.
'All God's Children Can Dance,' directed by Robert Logevall, received a Special Jury Award for Distinctive Visual Expression. Based on Haruki Murakami's short story, the film tells the story of Kengo, a teenager living in Los Angeles' Koreatown, whose fervently religious mother insists that he is the son of God
A SPECIAL JURY AWARD for BEST DIRECTING was awarded to Joy Dietrich for 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon,' a rare view into the emotionally complex interior of Asian-American women, featuring a Korean adoptee who needs to come to terms with her damaged past.
Sol Tryon's 'The Living Wake' garnered the Heineken Red Star Award. A dark comedy set in a storybook universe, 'The Living Wake' chronicles the final day of K. Roth Binew, an idealistic character who attempts to probe life's great mysteries before his final hour.
Shorts Jury
This year's shorts jury included film and television production pro Emily Jillette, film and television director Gary Nelson, and local NBC anchor Mitch Truswell.
Jennifer Aniston and Andrea Buchanan's Room 10 received the CineVegas SHORTS FILM JURY PRIZE, while David Schmoeller's 'Spanking Lessons' received the CineVegas Nevada Short Film Jury Prize. The jury also acknowledged 'BITCH,' 'Equal Opportunity,' 'Year of the Dog' and the local film 'Danuta' with Honorable Mentions.
The Parties are not as they were years ago at the original CineVegas where we had sit-down dinners, along with the stars. Now some of the parties are just mingling and cocktails at different nite-spots and the stars are not that accessible. Oh Well! Progress! However, there were some very good parties and the best one in conjunction with VEGAS MAGAZINE's anniversary was the last one at the Mandalay Beach Pool. Entertainment by American Idol, Katherine McPhee, Freak shows and other entertainment was fun, until I took a flop and ended up with sand in all my orifices.
Artistic Director Trevor Groth commenting on this year's success said "2007 marked a major milestone for the CineVegas Film Festival, The quality of the films as well as filmmaker, talent, industry and audience turn-out has reached an all-time high."
