Festival Diary # 3

My film has been screened two times so far and it has gone down well. At the first one I had to say a few words and I emphasised that this film stands out since it has been produced without any funding and that it was always a collaboration with some good and talented friends. That got a nice round of applause. There was another screening last night and it was sold out. My family and some friends have been able to go see it, something I really appreciate.
It really is something else, to see your work in a theatre filled with a bunch of people you've never met. After working on the film for months and seeing it endless times, also after it was completed it sort of takes on a whole new life when you see it on a big screen in front of an audience. I watch the film and notice new things (mostly because everything is bigger!), but mainly I watch the audience. Hoping to get a giggle here or there and maybe a slight cheer. There is also the moment after the film when the crowd breaks into applause. There's always one person who starts it off and once in a while it starts with a shout; "yeah!". I love it. It is something deeply profound with sitting in the back of the theatre and just observing. Nobody knows who you are, but everyone is watching you. Up on the screen. You're completely exposed and you realize you have absolutely no control. This is it. The film is done and I can't change it. If they don't like it then it's all over. They'll walk out, shake their heads and go find a better movie. Or they'll clap their hands, put their coats on with a smile on their face and check their programme once more to remember your name. It is exhilarating and insanely scary at the same time. A great feeling.

I've seen some more good films. "Elegy" by Isabel Coixet took me by surprise and "Milk" just makes you think how different people are and how frightening it is to think how some can't accept that. Sean Penn is amazing and it is nice to see Gus van Sant trying to act human again. I saw a freaky documentary called "Man On Wire", about a frenchman and his dream of walking on a tightrope between the Twin Towers in 1974. It was very entertaining and has some really extraordinary footage. Didn't help with my fear of heights though.

My film is screened again today and for the last time tomorrow, but I don't think I will attend any more. It is just too much.
It is so nice to walk around the city this week. This festival really does turn the whole place upside down and there is people everywhere. Rushing to catch the next movie, drinking beer and talking about the last one and just people stopping each other in the street to give you their opinion. It's a shame it only lasts for a week, even though I'm sure that's all I have in me.

The town square late last night.