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SXSW
- Day Three, Sunday, 3/12/2000
Wanted to see "George Wallace" and "The
Independant" at the Paramount and, apparently, so did
everyone else in town. Thank God the Paramount is 1400 seats.
Even though the lines for both features wrapped around the
block, I sat in the front row of the balcony, my favorite
spot, both times.
I was only a little bit early for "George
Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire," so I got to go right
in, since I had a pass. I tell you the badge/pass/ticket social
class mentality of SXSW is so "Titanic." There are so many
people with Badges it isn't even funny. Still, in the large
venues, like the Paramount, it is almost meaningless. I imagine
at the Alamo and Dobie, at times, it can be a nightmare. I'll
find out soon enough, I guess.
Met up with Stubby and Tim right before show time. Thank
goodness the film started almost immediately so I didn't have
to chit chat with them.
The film, by the way, a 2 hour and 40 minute essay on racism
made right here in Austin, is a masterpiece. It won a prize
at Sundance in January and it sure was well attended. The
word of mouth on this one is great. and true. (Read
my review)
Between features, I had to get back in line for "The Independant."
Janeanne Garofalo was in this one, as was Jerry Stiller, and
the lines were huge. Everyone knew Janeanne would be in attendance
because she is in town for a panel discussion at SXSW. I don't
know how many expected Stiller and other cast members Max
Perlich ("Rush," "Gummo")
and former porn star Ginger Lynn Allen however. I sure didn't.
Waiting for this opportunity, Tim and Stubby waited in line
behind me for a while then decided to leave without saying
goodbye or anything. Some people are so rude. While they were
still there, a guy walked by who looked exactly like Mike
Tarnower (Dallas director of "15
Minute Tape"). I said, "Mike Tarnower" as he passed
and the guy turned around. I almost had the glad hand out
when he looked at me and said, "No." It was surreal. If this
guy wasn't Tarnower's doppleganger, then there is no such
thing.
Tim also spoke with this guy Eric Vespe that he knows who
either writes for Harry Knowles site or knows him or something.
Everytime you talk to someone from Aint-It-Cool during a film
festival, they will relegate you with stories of hanging around
"The dude," the guy who, supposedly, the Coen brothers based
the Jeff Bridges character around in "The
Big Lebowski." This is like a broken record with them.
I also saw the guy who gave me a ride over to Anna-Mari's
last night. We joked about not remembering each other's names.
His is Eric, by the way.
Finally I got inside for "The Independant." Two girls I
kinda know named Sally and Emma, who are in the
"Rocky Horror" cast at Discount House, sat down by me
and we talked for a bit. They had been waiting to get in outside
(they were ticket buyers) with Garofalo came up and did some
sort of interview with the media right out front. This was
after the majority of the badge and passholders had gone in.
Emma is apparently a big fan of Garofalo's and was "like,
2 feet away from her." See, sometimes it pays to go for the
cheapie tickets.
What ticked me off was when the director came out and I
realized it was him that I saw putting flyers for the film
on a table at the convention center on Friday
night. I didn't even know what the film was about then. If
only I would have introduced myself. I'm such a shy person,
believe it or not.
The director of the film introduced the aforementioned cast
members in attendance and told us how his agent didn't think
he should bring the film to Austin. "Who watches films in
Austin," he was apparently told. This was a funny moment when
speaking in front of 1,000 people there to see his film. He
was ecstatic. It was really cool. He joked that he was going
to call his agent and fire him.
We watched the film and it was really good. (Read
my review).
I didn't think there would be a Q&A, so I got up to leave
but the applause were so long and thunderous that eventually
the director and cast reemerged from the wings and did a 20
minute Q&A. It was great. At the end, someone asked if he
had called his agent and he said that he hadn't. He got out
his cell phone and called and left a message. The entire audience
yelled, on cue, into the phone, "You're fired."
Austin rocks!
The line around the Paramount to see "George
Wallace: Settin' the woods on Fire."
DAY ONE
DAY TWO
PREVIEW PAGE
DAY THREE
DAY FOUR
DAY FIVE
DAY SIX
FILMS
DAY 7
DAY EIGHT
DAY 9
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