Stunning. Final impression.
I'll get to the movie that closed the 14th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival on Thursday night but first let me tell you what really impressed me: it was that my guests were knocked out by the ending festivities at the Regency Lido Theater.
Scott McMenamin (VicePresident of Sales) and Alejandro Seri (IMDB) (Educational Marketing Director) from Final Draft (yes, that Final Draft) came down from L.A. to enjoy the festivities that started with a D.J. saying "Hit It!" as the sun went down and was still going strong when I left around 1:00am.
Festival CEO Gregg Schwenk (who also teaches locally) and his staff and volunteers are to be congratulated on this year's festival in general which, as I've mentioned in a previous article, was smooth and impressive. But Gregg and his people also know how to throw a party as was evidenced by the mouth-dropping, stunned look by my guests as they arrived at Lido Village.
Scott, in his role as VP of Sales for Final Draft, has been to the film festival at Cannes and Sundance several times and Alejandro has traveled the world for the company that produces the seminal writing tool of all professional screenwriters. Both said they were "blown away" by the closing night ceremonies which featured a dozen or so food vendors, adult drink vendors, and a sound/light system that had to have awakened the dolphins in the bay. I felt like I was at a really expensive rave and from the reactions of not only the people around us but Scott and Alejandro, that feeling was shared.
I had known Alejandro before but met Scott that night. Based on the quality of men (and women) working for this company, you know the company itself has to be great - and it most certainly is. It was fantastic spending time with both these guys in a social situation although we also did talk quite a bit of business. That is, when Alejandro wasn't calling his wife to gloat about how much fun the party was. I know they made a connection with CEO Schwenk so hopefully we will see a more robust presence from FD at future festivals in The O.C.
OC Screenwriters member LyLy Nugyen dropped in to laugh and network and OC Screenwriters Board Member Lorenzo Porricelli held court with dozens of people there as the crowd swelled to hundreds of tired but happy volunteers, festival goers and guests. Going to any film event anywhere in the Southland with Larry is like being with POTUS. He was stopped by dozens of well-wishers who always had a warm smile, handshake and/or hug for him. It's remarkable accompanying Larry anywhere for any length of time actually since he knows and is loved by people seemingly everywhere. If a man is measured by his positive impact on those he's been with, Larry certainly has had a massive impact on the lives of those he meets, even briefly. I won't go into more detail than this - he made the evening for me and my guests almost impossibly great.
The NBFF transformed the area around the Lido Theater into a walking, throbbing food and drink paradise. I overheard people swearing because they had already eaten dinner before the closing film and were upset that they hadn't waited. Tacos, pake, burritos, chili rellenos, raviolis and lasagne from Maggianos, donuts, lamb...it went on and on as you walked from the front of the Lido Theater, down the Starbucks hallway, around the pharmacy, behind the former Vons, and finally around the corner down another long walkway filled with music, drinks and happy, happy people.
What I loved most was the look of exhilaration on the faces of the young volunteers who no doubt have been spoiled for life by what was for some a first event of this type. I know they don't realize how special it was and I'm sure every other event they will attend will be measured against this one. Unfortunately for them, the rest will probably not live up to this incredible presentation - until next year!
Huge props to The Newport Beach Film Festival 2013 - I'm sure it will be maddeningly hard to top this year's event in all capacities.
The Way, Way Back
The movie that closed the festival was the premier of an indie film starring a slew of Hollywood stars. Some were present for the screening on this the last night of this great event.
I was tempted to bug some of them (Steve Carell included) but refrained. Instead I sat quietly and watched the movie that would eventually garner several festival awards for its thoughtful and at times, insightful look into teen loneliness and isolation. This is particularly timely given the recent spate of violence that has involved disenfranchised youth. Is the key to helping these teens understanding them? Perhaps. But at the very least we need to be more sensitive to the issues that are driving our current gen and movies make that understanding accessible.
The plot (from Wikipedia) - 14-year-old Duncan's (Liam James) summer vacation with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her overbearing boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and Trent's daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin) is not going well. Having a rough time fitting in, the introverted Duncan finds an unexpected friend in gregarious Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park. Through his funny, clandestine friendship with Owen, Duncan slowly opens up and begins to finally find his place in the world - all during a summer he will never forget.
That summary does little to speak to the warmth of this satisfying story co-written and co-directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. Released by Fox Searchlight Films (one of the studio (20th Century Fox) boutique shops still operating) this indie pleaser had everyone engaged and emotionally involved. All I heard after the screening (and before the closing party started) was people telling others how great the film was. Agreed.
This film is also closing the L.A. Film Festival - it has to be this year's indie darling - for good reason.
The film opens July 5th wide.
In Closing...
I've gushed unabashedly about this year's festival. In my opinion, 2013 will go down as one of the best. The festival has already put Orange County on the map but this year has proven that we can hang with the best of the best. Cannes and Sundance may get bigger names walking around, but no one can top this amazing gathering of talent and industry savvy.
Get your tickets early for next year!
Special thanks to Stephanie Ferrer for her help and patience.
