 Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle, Washington Just some quick comments on various things from recent months. While I was up in Seattle over the summer, I very much enjoyed the spectacular Museum of Pop Culture, pictured above. So many delicious things to enjoy, including an entire store filled with all kinds of T shirts and memorabilia from your favorite rock and pop bands. Take a few hours or a day to enjoy this wonderful museum if you're ever in the beautiful downtown Seattle area. Website mopop.org.
Next, while I was in Seattle near the Space Needle there was a wonderful artist Susan Roberts who did my portrait. She's very talented, super friendly, and her unique creations make wonderful gifts. She can draw a portrait from a photograph even if you're not there in person. These would make a wonderful, unique Christmas or Birthday gift for someone special, or even treat yourself! Her website is www.susanrobertsartist.com. Also, recently I happened to screen a wonderful French film which is light, diverting and most amusing called A Faithful Man. It was playing in theaters and is now available for rent on Amazon, iTunes, etc. Also stars Lily-Rose Depp, a beautiful, natural actress who is most fetching. Lastly, be sure to keep an eye on my personal Twitter page twitter.com/joy_bennett for quick reviews, recommendations, and comments about life in general. I often put something on there when I see or experience something great but don't have time to do a full blog review. Enjoy November!  Event from last year's AFM, 11/4/18, Santa Monica, CA, photo courtesy AFM I am thrilled to announce that I will be covering the huge American Film Market conference from November 6th to 13th in Santa Monica, CA. This event is best described by their website, below:
"The American Film Market is the most efficient film acquisition, development and networking event in the world. Unlike a festival, AFM is a marketplace where production and distribution deals are closed. More than US$1 billion in deals are sealed every year — on both completed films and those in every stage of development and production. Over 7,000 industry professionals from more than 70 countries converge in Santa Monica every November. They include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world’s press and all those who provide services to the motion picture industry." Today they just released their list of speakers for the conference, including executives from Disney, Neon, Wattpad, Picturestart, Intel, United Talent Agency, Cornerstone Films, Cold Iron PIctures, Paramount -- the list goes on and on. I'm going to have to clone myself so I can be three places at once! I will be reporting here often about the conference and trying hard not to get lost in the shuffle. It's huge, it's important, and it's sure to be a very exciting week. For more information about AFM, visit americanfilmmarket.com. Can't wait!  I invite you to experience the superlative tastes and atmosphere at one of the most delightful restaurants I’ve been to in some time. Heroic Deli and Wine Bar is a relatively new spot in Santa Monica, California. Owners Carlo and Jeffrey warmly welcome you into their world, with impeccably constructed dishes, scrumptious homemade potato chips, and a large, impressive selection of wines and side dishes. Don’t let the deli name fool you. While it may be an elegantly casual spot, don’t let its unique and straightforward menu confuse you. This is chef driven cuisine of the highest order. Their website: heroicdeli.com; more photos here: flicker.com/joybennett.
 Writer/Director Alexis Michalik of Cyrano my Love at COLCOA, September 29, 2019 Great news! COLCOA, the exceptional French Film Festival, is continuing on for an extra day today. You can see the updated schedule here: https://colcoa.org.
Last night I was happy to enjoy Cyrano my Love, by Writer/Director Alexis Michalik, pictured above. This outstanding, fast-paced romp of a film is based on the origins of Cryano de Bergerac, and is just a delightful, heart-felt cinematic treat. Mr. Michalik, a multi-talented actor/director and writer, based his film on the play he also wrote. His play is currently enjoying a long, successful theatrical run in France. Cyrano my Love will be released this Fall in the United States, and has my highest recommendation.  Red Carpet Area at COLCOA French Film Festival Opening Night, 9/2319 I had a wonderful time at the COLCOA French Film Festival last Monday night. This is an outstanding festival offering top-notch films and events, and delicious food and drinks at the receptions. It’s really one of the finest and most elegant film festivals I’ve ever attended. And I’ve had more than my share!
COLCOA runs through September 28th at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, California. The theatre there itself has recently been renovated with the expert input of several top directors. As a result, to see a film in this theatre is an exceptional experience. First of all, when they darken the lights, it is almost completely pitch black. The sound is excellent, as are the theatre details and very comfortable seats. The Opening Night began with a wonderful reception with terrific food and drinks. Then we lined up to enter the newly renovated theatre. François Truffart, the Festival Executive Producer and Artistic Director, made a speech opening the festival. Paul Williams, the famous musical composer, also spoke. I met him briefly before his talk, and he could not have been kinder. Finally they screened the opening night film, Les Misérables. This is an updated version of Victor Hugo’s classic film, set in the slums outside Paris. It’s a dark, disturbing film but vitally important to show how easy it is to let gang warfare take over peace and calm. The film, directed by Ladj Ly, has been submitted by France to the Oscars for the 2020 Best International Feature Film Award, and is generating a great deal of buzz. It certainly captivated the COLCOA audience here. The US release date for Les Misérables is October 18, 2019, and is being distributed by Amazon Studios. All in all, a most enjoyable evening spent with some of the most elegant film aficionados on the planet. The COLCOA French Film Festival continues on through September 28 at the Directors Guild of America. Tickets and information can be found here: colcoa.org. More photos are available on my Flicker page here flickr.com/joybennett. |
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