While the movie hasn’t been getting all that great of reviews, our Great Gatsby night was a huge success! After getting all dolled up, everyone went to a screening in 3D then heading to PUBLIC Hotel for an after party in the library room. Napkins, shot glasses and movie posters awaited our partygoers while servers walked around with Stella and baby Moët bottles. And of course, the soundtrack played throughout the whole party.
Many thanks to our photographer Tim Sullivan for helping commemorate the night.
Creatives Gone Gatsby
Simply too fabulous to bother with modern photography
Tina Fey. Amy Poehler. No matter what they’re doing, I’m a fan. And next year’s Golden Globes will be no exception. Those ladies rock it, with their wit, charisma and wardrobe. Cannot wait to see them take the stage and host this ruckus evening.
Junior Board event tomorrow with Helen Hunt. All too excited and picked up my Presidential red dress and shoes today from Nordstrom (thanks Mom!). Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
Film Fest season has quickly arrived and taken control of my life. Though I must say, the 48th Chicago International Film Festival has provided lots of surprises, lots of guests and lots of fantastic films. Every day I’m there, at least three shows are sold out. And the films I’ve had the chance to see are simply magnificent, two in particular:
1.) Numbered— A documentary about Holocaust survivors today and what the number they received in camp means to them. Not nearly as depressing as I thought it would be, I often find myself drawn to any book or movie dealing with this topic. It was jarring, heart warming and saddening all at the same time. One of the directors is a still photographer and his images are so very poignant, they move the doc along without actually moving. Film clip here.
2.) The Sapphires–Mark my words, this film is going to do wonders when it’s released. Picked up by the Weinstein Company, it tells the tale of an Aboriginal girl group that plays for the US troops in Vietnam. Based off of a true story, I sat in my seat dancing and singing along to these tunes. You’ll surely tap your foot along. Chris O’Dowd (of Bridesmaids fame) is stellar delivering one-liners every where you look. No one left that theatre unhappy.
I also would recommend checking out Opening Night’s Stand Up Guys, Any Day Now, King Curling and Off White Lies. We’ve completed our first week and have one more to go with this weekend’s Junior Board event featuring Helen Hunt and her film The Sessions. It’s been exhausting, trying to keep up with Cardinals baseball has proved at times difficult, but so very worth it. Meeting various directors and other filmmakers is inspiring. They walk around the theatre wearing their passion for their film and industry right on their faces–everyone’s smiling and eager to talk. It’s very catching.
Come see the world…
Fellow Junior Board Member (and Volunteer) Marcella and I spreading the good word
Every year, the Junior Board for Cinema|Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival puts on a spring fundraiser. The night raises funds for the outreach education program, which gives Chicago Public School students the chance to see an independent/international film and meet with cast from the film. Last year we did the Film Noir event and this year, we’re raising the stakes.
We’re holding “The Reely Teeny Weeny Film Festival Spectacular” and asking anyone in the Chicago area to submit a 60-second film that either recreates a favorite scene or sums up the whole movie in the 60 seconds. Our Junior Board will select 15 films to screen and show at the event, allowing partygoers to vote on the winning entry. The event will take place atop the Dana Hotel at Vertigo Sky Lounge (so fingers crossed for unseasonably warm April weather).
The winning entry will be shown during the Junior Board Night at the 48th Chicago International Film Festival this October. Pique your interest? Know of someone who would be perfect for the event? Head here for more information.
I can’t remember the last time I was this excited for April.
The 47th Chicago International Film Festival started last week and boy has it already been a whirlwind. After screening a plethora of films, I’m heading in to see others I missed.
Our Junior Board screened Take Me Home this past weekend and Director, Writer, Producer and actor Sam Jaeger made time to hang out in the Lincoln Lounge with all of us. His film was the first one I saw for the Fest and absolutely fell in love with it. Below is the synopsis I wrote for the film:
“Thom (Sam Jaeger, NBC’S Parenthood) just can’t win. After losing a job offer and getting evicted, he decides to buckle up as an illegal New York City cab driver. When he picks up Claire (Amber Jaeger), they embark on a trip neither one anticipated. This comedy finds solace in the back seat of a cab, the landscape of the USA, and even in a complete stranger. This classic road movie shows how a little cross-country drive can lead you to a different exit.”
Even got to present the film to the audience and conduct the Q&A afterwards. Not bad, clearly this Junior Board thing has its perks…
Aside from a great film, the music score is crazy good from a band called Bootstraps. They take all of your favorite Indie bands and roll them into one. Seriously hoping they tour and soon!
Hanna (Non)Tana 