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because
the
ReStore donated some toilets and other necessities to the
Seattle
International Film Festival (SIFF), we received a couple of VIP passes
plus ten tickets to the gala premiere at the aptly named Paramount
Theater. it was just like in the
movies--milling crowds outside
the theater,
glammed
out people mingling in the lobby, and a gauntlet of popping flashbulbs
at the entrance to the after-party (except in this case the flashes came
from a kind of virtual paparazzi--an automated pole with blinking
strobes situated by the door).
it was my first visit to the Paramount. whoa. what a building. not much from
the outside but inside it was
like a carpeted wedding
cake made of gold. pat and i both hoped we would never have to salvage
it.
i learned that one feature of film festival premieres is there's a lot of
talk before the movie starts. i usually cringe when i hear the term "marketing
director," but SIFF marketing director Gary Tucker defied expectations
by delivering a lively recitation of thanks to each and every one of SIFF's
scores of sponsors, including special mention of the ReStore--which is what
you get when you touch people where they live.
the feature film was a romantic comedy. now, usually when i hear "romantic
comedy" i run for the exit, but
miranda july's
me, you,
and everyone we know also defied expectations. i laughed, i
cried. just you go see it and you'll understand the meaning of
this:
))<>(( |
