Late-night musings by a still-hungry critic

I have to say that the opening-night movie of the 2009 Seattle International Film Festival was better received than the night’s activities were organized.

First of all, the opening-night gala always takes a while to get started. And it’s always filled with festival organizers waxing on about what a great event the particular year is going to be, special guests such as selected sponsors or politicos (often the mayor of Seattle) and even a filmmaker or star or two.

This year featured, in addition, a special short film (I clocked it at 18 minutes, but that may be a bit long because the projectionist had trouble starting it) by Seattle filmmaker Rick Stevenson, who used the “It’s a Wonderful Life” plot line to explain just how much SIFF means to the city that hosts it.

Trouble was, things started 15 minutes late, which ensured that the night’s feature film didn’t begin screening until 8:04 p.m.

Then the post-screening party turned out to be a bust for most of those whose tickets didn’t get them in the VIP lounge. Crowds shambled throughout the lobby of the Paramount, and then in the adjacent alley, not clear about where to go.

And when some of us returned to the theater and discovered people setting up drinks and snacks behind the screen itself, we were forced to wait for 15 or so minutes to get our free cupcakes, bits of chocolate and two drinks. Compared to festivals past, this was pretty much a bare spread.

Good thing the movie was so enjoyable. Otherwise the evening might have been a bust.