At the end of last week, the AFI's circuit offering, limped to a sorry close in Los Angeles!
What was the general consensus of film-goers - who attended the much-anticipated red carpet previews - in the end scenario?
The annual oft-ballyhooed event lacked - oomphf! - in the final analysis.
And, it was in large part due to the hit-and-miss attitude of the organizers, who failed to recognize that the medium of film is capable of - not only entertaining - but, uplifting the human spirit, as well.
In a nutshell, the AFI Fest staff didn't know "snuff" about the Hollywood film industry, its in's-and-out's, who the players were, or how to put on a quality show under the big top!
In fact, their idea of the Hollywood "Dream" factory was a nightmare, from the get-go!
For example - one piece of celluloid trash the AFI staff screened (which was conjured up by a demented first-time-out Danish filmmaker) - couldn't help but stir up a nasty controversy.
Post: 11/11/10http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/11/afi-festscreens-sick-debauched-danish.html"Smut masquerading as Art," was the way I put it - and, believe me - most who attended the preview of the sick flick wholeheartedly agreed!
Bob Gazzale - "doesn't know his a** from a hole in the ground" - some loudly lamented about the current disreputable President & CEO (as I rubbed my hands with glee on the sidelines).
The assessment was bang on, if 'ya ask me!
And, the Fest suffered miserably as a result, in the final analysis.
Of course, the program was plagued with bad omens, from the very start.
At one panel discussion (focusing on young up-and-coming rising superstars in the film industry today) - mics persistently sputtered beneath washed out film clips - in the midst of incompetent staffers who attempted to steer the derailed program back-on-track with little success.
Post: 11/06/10http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/11/la-times-actors-panelcarrie-mulligan.htmlActually, the fest's problems first festered up, when film buffs attempted to book tickets on the AFI web site which was ill-equipped to handle ticket reservations for the ten-day event to be held at a handful of prestigious venues such as Manns Chinese, the Egyptian, and-so-forth-and-so-on.
I was personally taken aback when tickets I reserved for - "The Black Swan", "Love & Other Drugs", and "The King's Speech" - were not forthcoming.
In fact, the ticket reservations vanished into thin air.
What a fiasco!
In the end scenario, I ended up with four tickets to Circus Kids, in spite of the fact I just ordered one lone ticket for the early morning screening at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
And, there were other snafus to contend with, as well.
For instance, I was issued double the tickets I requested for Mon Oncle, Hour of the Wolf, Amigo, an Industry Panel Discussion featuring up-and-coming stars (aforementioned), a Sony Seminar on 3D filmmaking, etc. etc.
Whew!
Talk about a rinky-dink outfit, eh?
Film buffs who turned up later at the box office in person to sort out the snafus - like moi! - wondered aloud where the celebrated guest Artistic Director - David Lynch - was in their hour of need.
Certainly not at the helm, that's for sure!
Judging by the AFI promos that sputtered to life at a handful of screenings - then, off again - he was obviously off on a drunk somewhere!
Post: 11/06/10http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/11/david-lynchaudiences-laugh-washed-up.htmlNext year I'll pass, thank you very much, Mr. Gazale!
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Mann's Chinese Theatre an AFI venue in 2010
