Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Palm Springs, California

Story and photos by Pat Krause

For more Opening Night photos by Pat Krause, click here.

The premiere showing of the film “The Last Station” was the official start of the 21st Annual Palm Springs Film Festival’s 14-day run. This film is about the life of Leo Tolstoy, the famous Russian author and revolutionary. The story encompasses the reflection on the last year of his life. Comments from moviegoers gave this film a huge review. One guest said it was the best film she had ever seen. Of course, when you have actors like Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren in the film, it can only be a hit. Their chemistry on film is so great that I expect they will be nominated for an Oscar or a Golden Globe award.

)The evening turned out to be special as the one of the actors in the film, Paul Giamatti, walked the Red Carpet along with the director, Michael Hoffman and the producer, Bonnie Arnold. Photographers and interviewers kept them busy and TV crews filmed the event. Sponsors of the Festival, Jackie Lee Houston and Richard M. Milanovich and his family, also walked the Red Carpet along with the Palm Springs Film Festival Officials. Program Director Helen Du Toit, Festival Director Darryl MacDonald and Carl Spence were on hand to greet the film celebrities.

Other notables attending were Arthur and Patty Newman, Helene Galen and Jamie Kabler, Leanna Bonamici and guest, songwriter Carol Connors, singer Elaine Paige and local celebrity photographer Michael Childers plus many others.

Festival Chairman Harold Matzner and MacDonald spoke to the ticket holders prior to the showing of the film to give an update as to events occurring in recent days from the Awards Gala to the withdrawal of the Chinese films. One TV crew on the Red Carpet was there solely for the purpose of hearing comments on the Chinese withdrawal and the Festivals response.

The opening night event is always sold out early as a party after the film at the Palm Springs Art Museum makes tickets a premium. Buffet lines of gourmet foods served approximately 1,000 people. Filmgoers, sponsors, Festival producers, directors and other well-known local faces attended this kick-off party.

For more Opening Night photos by Pat Krause, click here.

For more about the Palm Springs International Film Festival, click here.