| Festival Notes | |||||||
 Opening Night
for the Maryland Film Festival 2000 was a smashing success. The
cold, rainy weath Press and stargazers
clamored to catch a glimpse of some of the visiting festival guests
and filmmakers. Among those spotted were Jill Hennessy (Law
& Order, The Acting Class), who arrived with her entourage of
actors including Paolo Mastropietro, Ken Murton, and twin
sister Jacq. Also attending were A Whole New Day cast
and crew, including Sopranos' Kathrine Narducci, director William
Garcia, his wife and editor Diana Vozza, and producer W. H Watkins.
Dr. Levi Watkins (who will present a Director William Garcia announced before his screening that it was indeed the first time his film A Whole New Day had been projected before a public audience. The crowd loved it. James Gandolfini's performance came to life on the big screen, accentuating nuances heretofore lost on TV. Immediately following the screening, Garcia apologized for James' absence from the festival. "James really want to be here for this festival," he lamented, "but he has been...how shall we say, a little busy lately?" He answered the usual round of questions (i.e. "What was your budget?") but also revealed some interesting anecdotes about the origin of the story, in which a drunk wakes up to discover his wife has left him. "My uncle, on more than one occasion, used to come to our house to sleep over," Garcia explained. "Only later, did I realize that he had been kicked out, by my aunt." The story, it turns out, is inspired by an actual incident involving this uncle. Garcia segued perfectly into King Gimp, by telling the audience about some of his other films. He has worked for years in documentaries, and made a feature about someone with cerebral palsy. First Event
of Maryland Film Festival 2000.
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er
was countered by the of the Senator Theatre, whose warm glow welcomed
hundreds of patrons to Maryland premiere screenings of Academy Award-winning
documentary King Gimp and the acclaimed short, A Whole New Day.
The evening began with the 
panel
on Friday) was present, as was Kelly Ripken, and Slamdance founder
Dan Mirvish. 
Susan
and Bill, Oscars in tow, took to the stage to introduce their inspirational
film--taking the time to thank all those not mentioned by name at
their Oscar acceptance speech. "We only had 45 seconds before they
cued the band," quipped Hadary, who was grateful that the Maryland
Film Festival imposed no such restrictions. A standing ovation greeted
the filmmakers after the show as they took to the stage. Only seconds
later, the crowd rose again, as Dan was hoisted to the stage to
accept his ovation. Dan broke the ice with a statement, "You have
to really love me, to put up with me." And love was abundant as
Bill, Susan, and Dan invited everyone involved in telling Dan's
story to the stage including his remarkable mother, and many of
his high school and college instructors, including the art teacher
who changed his life. The question and answer session lasted about
half an hour (almost as long as the film!) before everyone adjourned
to the Maryland Historical Society, where the new exhibit
"Filming Maryland" provided the ideal backdrop for the party.
Filmmakers, festivalgoers, and press enjoyed crab soup, sandwiches,
and popsicles as they mingled late into the night. But not too late--this
is only opening night, and there are three full days of movies ahead...
