Mahil SenathirajahBy Mahil Senathirajah
So, moderator Scott Feinberg, stoically did pre-recorded interviews with the three directors which were played on the big screen. That worked in eliciting the awards season stories that support their films but didn’t allow for the spontaneous interaction between the directors that has been so entertaining in previous years.
As an aside, Scott Feinberg’s Zoom set up was kind of brutal. Bad lighting, slow internet speed, unflattering double-chin camera position, cluttered background. The contrast with Spielberg, who was beautifully lit and framed, was particularly striking. But, Feinberg was good nature and self-effacing noting that he now understands why so many actors don’t want to see themselves in the clips they show. For those of us who have looked like crap on Zoom when it mattered, it made the whole thing a little more real and relatable and less slick.
But, Anderson and Branagh made up for it, interacting in the final segment, with Branagh saying he loved the way Anderson shot the simple scene of his lead actor just running to his girl. He joked that a director with whom he previously worked told him that he ran like an actor, with a bunch of unnecessary moves, and to “stop doing that, it’s horrible”.
Best, somewhat profane anecdote may have been Anderson talking about approaching notoriously aggressive and slimy producer Jon Peters about using his real name in the film. Bradley Cooper gives a trenchantly over-the-top-funny portrayal in an extended scene where he relentlessly berates the young lead couple when they deliver a waterbed to Peters house – so a very unflattering portrayal of Peters. Peters’ response to Anderson’s request was to ask what the girl looked like. Anderson said attractive. Peters said then he would try to boink (not the word he used) her, not berate her. Anderson took the note and changed the scene accordingly. The rest of the portrayal Peters was apparently good with…
So, it all worked out. And, really, whining about Spielberg not showing up in person is a level of problem that’s somewhat tone-deaf given what’s going on in the world.
Ouch. Can the SBIFF just go away? This is LA garbage central Mahil. I’m sorry but wow, re read your write up and ask yourself, does this matter?
…and Noname has just proven my point! Thank you Noname for emphasizing the absolute fluff that’s the SBIFF!
@Basic. The Film Festival has been here for 37 years, might be even longer than you’ve lived here. If you’re not interested in films, production, or acting, just don’t click to read it. Have a lovely evening.
Been here since I was born, 52 years and counting. the la influence isn’t good.