It's the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
#SBIFF Part I
Surprise new feature! Last week’s brief Youthquake schedule pause is due to happily covering the notable Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Thank you for supporting my independent journey; please enjoy and support by subscribing below.
In today’s newsletter, I’ll discuss the memorable film festival based in gorgeous Santa Barbara. It’s bittersweet because it’s a virtual attendance, but more than honored to cover this year, but fingers crossed to cover this festival in the future and cross off this beauty of a place from my travel bucket list. No, this isn’t an ad; I’ve always wanted to see this Nancy Meyers of a vibe.
Let’s go back a little bit to learn about #SBIFF. In June 2016, SBIFF entered a new era to acquire the historic and beloved Riviera Theatre. After a capital campaign and renovation, the theatre is now SBIFF’s new state-of-the-art, year-round home, showing new international and independent films every day. In May 2019, SBIFF opened its own Education Center in downtown Santa Barbara on State Street to serve as a home for its many educational programs and a place for creativity and learning.
Currently resented by UGG®, #SBIFF is now in its 36th year and opened with the world premiere of Invisible Valley.
Drive-in movie go-ers watched on as Director Aaron Mauer and producer Zachary McMillan took to the stage with the festival’s Executive Director Roger Durling and introduced the film with the ocean's backdrop insight, with online attendees joining from all around the world in a continuous effort of commitment to education and community through its many free educational programs and events.
A full schedule of events, including where fans can purchase 10-day festival passes now through April 10th, can be found by visiting www.sbiff.org.
On day 3 of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Bill Murray accepts the Maltin Modern Master Award and virtually sat down with Leonard Maltin. Maltin makes his return for his 31st year to moderate the evening for an insightful conversation and look back at his career. Including watching nostalgic clips of Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, Lost in Translation, St. Vincent, On the Rocks, and more.
The highlights of this fascinating conversation include:
💣 On transitioning from improv comedy to film: “The most difficult thing is that when you tell a joke or say something funny, and no one laughs for nine months, you forget, and you have this incomplete feeling in your gut that something's wrong. And when you go to the movie, you realize that I said something funny a long time ago and no one laughed. And then when you see it with an audience, you think, 'oh, thank God that's over, what a relief that was.'”
💣 On filming Ghostbusters: “The four of us, Ernie Hudson, Danny, and Harold, we knew we were gonna sink or swim together, so we were always looking out for each other. We were constantly making sure that everybody was pumping and all getting it. As far as improvising goes, Harold was the mind of the Ghostbusters, Danny was the heart of the Ghostbusters, Ernie was the soul of the Ghostbusters, and I was the mouth of the Ghostbusters.”
💣 On his introduction to Wes Anderson: “My agent kept sending me cassettes of his [Wes Anderson] first film, Bottle Rocket. Finally, they sent me the script to Rushmore and asked me if I would like to meet him, and I said that's not necessary. He knows exactly what he wants to do. When I read the script, I thought this guy knew exactly what he was going to do. My agent asked, well do you want to meet him? I said it's not necessary; when do we shoot? Sort of like that.”
Following Murray's conversation with Maltin, none other than Sofia and Roman Coppola present the legendary actor with his award. Sofia opened her remarks by saying: “I'm so happy to join and present Bill with the Maltin Modern Master Award. It's been fun to look at the clips from all the great films. Thank you for all the fun, and love you bring to our lives through your work and as a person. It's always fun making movies with you, and thank you for helping me make the movies that I wanted to make. I'm happy to know you and have you in my family.”
💣 Upon accepting his award, Murray said: “I'd like to say a few words before sentencing... it's really an honor to receive the Maltin Milk award. When I heard I was involved in the award; I was taken by surprise, thinking that you had passed away. I had worked up so many nice things to say about you. But I was very happy to hear you were still alive. That's my happy-sad moment.”
Day 4 of the 36th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival presented by UGG® began with the Producers’ panel conversation on Saturday morning. Cinephiles worldwide tuned in to watch Oscar-nominated producers participate in a virtual conversation led by Los Angeles Times writer Glenn Whipp.
Josey McNamara, Promising Young Woman.
Dan Janvey, Nomadland.
Christina Oh, Minari.
Shaka King, Judas and the Black Messiah.
David Parfitt, The Father.
Sacha Ben Harroche, Sound of Metal.
Marc Platt, The Trial of the Chicago 7.
Ceán Chaffin, Mank.
Day 4 also includes a Writers panel conversation with some heavy-hitters in a conversation was led by Indiewire Editor-at-Large Anne Thompson.
Chloé Zhao, Nomadland.
Kemp Powers, Soul and One Night in Miami.
Lee Isaac Chung, Minari.
Darius Marder, Sound of Metal.
Kenny and Keith Lucas, Judas and the Black Messiah.
Peter Baynham, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.
Emerald Fennell Promising Young Woman.
Florian Zeller, The Father.
Ramin Bahrani, The White Tiger.
Aaron Sorkin, The Trial of the Chicago 7.
Day 4 closed with a stellar lineup from all the recipients of the Virtuosos Award below. There was a ninety-minute+ online conversation individually and together about each recipient and their breakout roles in film this year with Turner Classic Movies host and IMDb special correspondent host Dave Karger, who joined the conversation for his 11th year. Check out the actors in their movies below; each captivates and commands the screen and our attention. I happily oblige.
Sound of Metal’s Riz Ahmed.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’s Maria Bakalova.
One Night in Miami’s Kingsley Ben-Adir.
Billie Holiday Vs. United States’ Andra Day.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always’ Sidney Flanigan.
Pieces of a Woman’s Vanessa Kirby.
The Mauritanian’s Tahar Rahim.
Malcolm & Marie’s Zendaya.
Additional thank you to Zendaya and Sidney Flanigan for showing their #SBIFF looks. Both are fun and fabulous.
On day 5 (today), Carey Mulligan is honored with the Cinema Vanguard Award. The Cinema Vanguard Award recognizes actors who have forged their own path, taking artistic risks and making a significant and unique contribution to film. Mulligan is recognized for her remarkable career and most recent performance in Focus Features' dark comedy Promising Young Woman, written, produced, and directed by Emerald Fennell (Killing Eve, The Crown). You can read my review of Promising Young Woman via Play Into It. Look for more on Carey Mulligan’s Cinema Vanguard Award in part two of my #SBIFF coverage.
The fest's previous outstanding performer recipients include Laura Dern (2020), Rami Malek (2019), Allison Janney and Margot Robbie (2018), Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone (2017), Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan (2016), Steve Carell (2015), Cate Blanchett (2014), Jennifer Lawrence (2013), Viola Davis (2012), James Franco (2011), Colin Firth (2010), Penelope Cruz (2009), Angelina Jolie (2008), Helen Mirren (2007), Heath Ledger (2006), Kate Winslet (2005), and Charlize Theron (2004).
Today’s special edition of Youthquake is part one of my #SBIFF coverage; keep your eyes out for part two, including reviews coming soon and award recipients like Sacha Baron Cohen, Delroy Lindo, and Amanda Seyfried. Also Outstanding Directors of the Year Award, sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter; featuring Chloé Zhao for Nomadland, David Fincher for Mank, Lee Isaac Chung for Minari, and Thomas Vinterberg for Another Round. Plus more! Don’t miss a single moment of #SBIFF. You can get your tickets right here.
Lastly, there’s a fun new occasional new feature coming to your inboxes next month. I had an opportunity to interview someone from a hit show that I love, any ideas about which show? 👀
Good stuff. I didn't even know about the #SBIFF.