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"The
SAVANNAH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL in Georgia, USA, selected Summer
Rain as an official presentation and offered to bring me to Savannah
with my girlfriend, Eimear, all expenses paid, in September 2002.
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That
proved to be my first experience of a ‘Class A’ international
film festival. Sadly, Summer Rain did not win any awards but it
did screen in two enormous, recently restored cinemas to its primary
target audience. Savannah hosts one of the largest art, film and
performing colleges in America and all these students were actively
encouraged to attend the festival which was hosted by the college.
Hence, my film virtually sold out both screenings, in cinemas with
nearly a thousand seats each. The student radio station played the
soundtrack CD virtually constantly too. |
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Actually
attending the Savannah film festival convinced me of the importance
of going to festivals to actively support your film. Firstly,
you are exposed to a new environment and travel gains you
access to new experiences, points of view and cultures. Traveling
to the ‘south’ was certainly an experience that
I won’t forget. Secondly, you are exposed to a wonderful
variety of films from all over the world and then can meet
the film-makers to discuss and trade ideas with, many of whom
I have stayed in touch with.
Thirdly,
you never know who you might meet. At the Q&A I gave at
the Summer Rain screening Hollywood actor Jake Busey (Enemy
of the State, Starship Troopers, Hitcher II) congratulated
me on the film and even offered to be in my next movie. For
a while, he let his name be attached to my screenplay FLAKE
CITY, even though he wasn't suitable for it really. Still,
a thoroughly decent chap.
I
also went to a guest lecture by maverick film-maker John Waters.
There was a special screening of THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN
attended by Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds. However, the
highlight for me was an intimate talk by Sydney Pollock and
a full retrospective of his multi-Oscar winning films.
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The
photograph alongside is of Mr. Pollock receiving the contribution
to cinema award. Eimear and I met Mr. Pollock at the following
party and were able to shake his hand, although he didn't
have a clue who we were.
Both screenings of Summer Rain were recieved very well indeed,
although I was my customary, nightmare, nervous, stressed
self before hand on both occasions. Actually
experiencing the enthusiastic audience reaction to my years
of effort and hard work made the nightmare of making Summer
Rain totally worthwhile. Although, whilst I sat in the stalls
watching the audience leave I did hear - GIRL: What did
you think? BOY: Ah... it was British.
One of my favourite moments was getting in the elevator with
Geraldine Chaplin. Of course she had no idea who Eimear and
I were, but we were both outrageously excited to be near her,
as we had just seen Pedro's "Talk to her".
Eimear met Debbie Reynolds at the bash in her honour. I'm
jealous. We also befriended the actor Harry Van Gorkum, a
Brit and ajudge at the festival. |
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Eimear
and I had a wonderful time and on my return to England I was
delighted to learn that the DIRECTOR’S VIEW FILM FESTIVAL
www.dvff.com had selected Summer Rain as an official presentation.
They offered to pay for the hotel if I made my own way there
in February 2003. The festival took place in Connecticut and
screened films in Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, New Canaan
and Westport."
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Jonathan Glendening |
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