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Something there is that doesn’t love a blog. Last night, I left the festival early, hoping to get my blogging done early, so I could get a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, though, I spent most of the night battling my computer, which had stubbornly decided not to work. After watching it crash four times or so, I decided that trying once more would only result in my throwing the computer out the window—and I kinda need this thing. So I gave up and called it a night. Now, however, it seems to be working (at least for the time being—I’ll be saving often), so I’ll give a quick run-down of yesterday’s festivities.
Once again, the film festival gods were smiling down upon me as I made my way to Tower City Center for another day of movies. Despite it being the weekend—an understandably busier time for the festival—I once again managed to get a parking space in the main lot. In fact, I was even closer than I was on Friday.
Once inside, I rushed through the usual procedures: validate parking, pick up the dailies, elbow through the lobby to get to the theater. Fortunately, I got there in time to get a good seat—one of the few singles on the side of the theater, so I didn’t have to worry about bothering someone with my note taking. Then I pulled out the dailies and was shocked to see how many movies were already on standby. Not counting the early session and the midnight session, there were only seven that weren’t. I knew it was going to be another crazy day—I’d have to show up early for all of mine.
Movie #1 was Love Hurts—my first American film of the festival. It was actually strange not to have to read subtitles. Unfortunately, though, it was also my least favorite film so far—an odd rom-com with spastic characters.
After that ended (finally!), I turned on my phone and found that Michael had called. I wasn’t sure when, but I knew he was getting close. I wandered around for a while, wondering what to do—and, fortunately, he called back.
“Where I are you?” I asked.
“I’m in a hallway with a whole bunch of people,” he said.
“That could be anywhere around here.”
Fortunately, though, we managed to find each other in that hallway. After poor Michael got over the shock of being here—with all those people—we got him checked in and made our way to the next movie. I was pleasantly surprised to find Tom there—one of my favorite people from last year. It was great to see him again. Before we went inside to take our seat, he filled us in on his latest news—and told us all about his upcoming Asian cruise, which sounds absolutely fabulous.
Movie #2 was The Ape, by one of this year’s One to Watch Award recipients—who was there to accept his award before the showing. The movie was…um…odd. And exhausting. I’m afraid it wasn’t the best first movie for poor, tired Michael.
Afterwards, we went out and ate Chinese food while we complained about the movie. The food was good, and it made us feel at least a little bit better. Having eating something, we felt strong enough to tackle another film.
As we once again faced the crowds to see Movie #3—Dear Lemon Lima—we found that even the passholders’ line was ridiculously long. In fact, it was lined up well into the lobby. It was actually quite shocking—but at least the lines give you a chance to meet people and compare notes on movies.
Dear Lemon Lima was absolutely, quirkily delightful—a cute comedy about high school outsiders in Alaska. After that, Michael and I felt much better—and we had plenty of time before our next movie, so we decided to go for a walk outside and get some fresh air. It was cold, but it was wonderful. We wandered around the block, taking in the sites of Cleveland, before coming back inside. We still had even more time to spare, so we decided to check out the hospitality suite.
In my previous three years at the festival, I’d visited the suite just once—because it was so out of the way. If I recall correctly, it required two escalators and two elevators just to get there. The location was like a secret handshake, I guess. If you figured out how to get there, you were allowed to stay. For me, though, it was just too out of the way. By the time I got there, I’d have to turn around and leave. This year, however, the suite is actually convenient—and larger—and it’s really nice. There are places to sit and relax (and have something to drink) before moving on. And, best of all, it makes you feel special just to be there. There’s something very exclusive about it. Sure, there are 100s of passholders, but it’s nice to be a part of the club.
We didn’t stick around too long, though, because we had a movie to catch. So we had to leave the calm of the suite and head back to the hustle and bustle and crowds—which, while hectic, is where the movies are, so it’s where I want to be.
Movie #4 was A Matter of Size—another quirky comedy about a fat Israeli man who decides to embrace his size and start a sumo club with his friends. Again, such an odd little movie—but so much fun, too. Filled with surprises—and some wonderful imagery.
Strangely, though, just as the movie was coming to an end, the print melted again. We didn’t know what to do—because it was at a place that could have been the end, or it could have had one more scene to wrap it up. So we waited for a few more minutes. But when the lights went down again, all we got was credits.
Really, I’m starting to think that I’m bad luck. That’s three times now in less than two weeks.
After that, we decided to call it a night. I was still feeling sick, and Michael had driven five hours before seeing three movies. So we decided to skip the last session of the night and head back to the hotel. Really, I didn’t have anything that I was dying to see, so the extra time to rest would be good.
But, of course, that’s when the computer problems began. So instead of chatting with my husband, blogging, and getting to sleep on time, I ended up chatting with my husband, yelling at my computer, and giving up and going to bed.
This morning wasn’t much better. After being woken up throughout the night by what appeared to be a team of Israeli sumo wrestlers who had checked into the room above me, I finally gave up and got out of bed. My goal for tomorrow: to actually hear what my alarm sounds like.
Michael and I just met up for a quick breakfast—and now it’s time to pack up and head out for another day. We’re not even sure what we’re seeing yet—or where we’ll end up. It’s sure to be another CIFF adventure.
Saturday’s Hit of the Day: Dear Lemon Lima
Miss of the Day: The Ape
