Tonight it was all Vermont Film stuff. At 5:00 I headed on over to the very cool Hotel San Jose (note to self: stay at this hotel next trip to Austin) in the cool, bohemian vibe of South Congress Ave. That's where Vermont Film Commissioner Danis Regal was hosting a small, unofficial cocktail party. It was a grand success in that just the right number of people showed up to fill the small patio without it getting cramped, and most of the luminaries in town to celebrate the premiere of the Vermont-made Disappearances showed up, including Kris Kristofferson...
I took this shot at the request of Vermont Film Commission board member Bill Stetson (the tall guy). From left: director Jay Craven, actor Charlie McDermott, Kris Kristofferson, VT Film Commission board member Sandy Gartner and Bill Stetson.
The party was fun and the drinks were on the VT Film Commission so a good time was had by all. I was told it was the only party that KK attended at the entire festival and that that lent the shindig some cred.
Soon things wound down and I managed to horn my way in on the Commission's dinner plans. First, however, we made a quick stop at the A Prairie Home Companion after-party that was thrown by Technicolor downtown...
No idea who these freaking people were but the drinks were free once again. Garrison Keillor was nowhere to be seen.
Then it was off to dinner and (no kidding) the best freaking enchiladas de mole I have ever had. Holy god. It activated the same pleasure centers in my brain that chocolate does but it was savory and amazing. Emily is so pissed she couldn't come on this trip.
After dinner the VT gang headed down to the venue where Disappearances was premiering. It was a smallish crowd, but again, mr. Kristofferson was there as were many members of the cast and crew including Gary Farmer, who I love in everything I see him in (didn't get any snaps of him). KK sat directly behind me and I heard his gravely voice on a number of occasions, but what do I do, turn around an shush the star of the movie I'm watching?
The movie was... good. It was uneven narratively, I felt, but it was freaking beautiful to look at. the cinematography was outstanding, as were the costumes (it's a 1932 period piece). There were some very good performances and some memorable moments. It's Craven's best feature yet, but I'll still take his short High Water over any of them.
Following the screening there was a brief Q&A, and then I scammed a ride back to the hotel...
Tomorrow is more films and the Comedians of Comedy! Sleep, Data...
UPDATE: Crapsteak! I just checked tomorrow's interactive panel list and lots of stuff about video and blogs is happening (ostensibly why I'm here on VCAM's dime). I really need to go to those panels. Guess I just wasn't meant to see a bunch of movies this trip.
