Day Two...the party's on!

Sundance in Full Swing

by Ilene Marder, January 17, 2009

Friday night was the first, action-packed night in Park City, marking the end of the first full day of screenings. From Thursday to Friday, the number of people roaming Main Street multiplied ENORMOUSLY, as is someone had air-dropped another thousand people onto the streets. The filmmakers, press, industry people have all arrived now, joined by the ever-present skiers, film mavens from nearby Salt Lake City, curious vacationers, gawkers and celebrity hunters hoping to spot those bold-faced names. The parties, receptions and networking took center stage, and last night, indeed, we went to the Gen-Art party, the most crowded, jam-packed, sardine-like party I have ever attended, and we've been to a LOT of festival parties over the years! Seeking refuge up on the roof terrace, the spectacle of Main Street was awesome - twinkling lights everywhere, music resounding from the numerous soirees along Main Street, the incredibly crowded sidewalks - all framed by the starry sky and surrounding snow-capped hills with ski trails brightly lit. Yes, no doubt about it... an exciting night and we feel as if we have finally arrived. NOT JUST ANOTHER FILM ABOUT IRAQ: I started the day today with a great film. TAKING CHANCE, an incredibly moving and powerful story based on the true account of a high ranking Marine who volunteers to escort the remains of a 19 year old killed in Iraq to his family in a small Wyoming town. Starring an outstanding Kevin Bacon as Lt. Col. Michael Stroble (who wrote the screenplay and the book upon which the film is based), the film chronicles the unseen journey of those who have died in the war, and of those whose job it is to honorably and nobly prepare the fallen soldiers for their final journey home. I found it particularly moving, especially in light of the Bush administration's ban on coverage of those who came back to us in flag-draped boxes. Director Ross Katz beautifully and sensitively brings to light a personal narrative that bears witness to the best in us, even as tragedy strikes. TAKING CHANCE is an HBO film and will be seen on cable at some point... so don't miss it.

Later today, I go to see a documentary about MIKE TYSON....the brooding, infamous champion boxer with roots in Catskill, exploring "Iron Mike's rise to superstardom and subsequent fall from grace through the eyes of the man himself." As a reporter, I covered Tyson's training in Catskill with Cus D'Amato so I am looking forward to this account. In between films and parties, part of my job here is to help promote the Woodstock Film Festival, so I am distributing flyers for the WOODSTOCK BREAKFAST PARTY on Monday morning at the New York Lounge on Main Street. We didn't have a flyer for this until we ran into animator-maestro & friend of WFF BILL PLYMPTON, while on line for a screening two nights ago. He whipped out a sharpie, I found some paper and voila...he quickly drew up a poster for us right there on line. (Hey, I will keep the original...a Plympton original!!). and tomorrow, I promise...some photos...!