{"id":381,"date":"2014-11-20T13:18:16","date_gmt":"2014-11-20T21:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jeanneferris.com\/LatestNews\/?p=381"},"modified":"2015-05-11T09:35:35","modified_gmt":"2015-05-11T16:35:35","slug":"san-diego-film-festival-2014-raises-the-ante-of-stardom-with-new-sponsor-%e2%80%9cvariety%e2%80%9d","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jeanneferris.com\/LatestNews\/archives\/381","title":{"rendered":"San Diego Film Festival 2014 Raises the Ante of Stardom with new sponsor, \u201cVariety\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

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sdfilmfest.com<\/a><\/p>\n

The opening night premiere of \u201cWild\u201d with Reese Witherspoon was sold out, standing room only at the San Diego Film Festival (SDFF). Screening was at Reading Theatres<\/a> in the Gaslamp. An outstanding screenplay adaptation of Cheryl Strayed<\/a>\u2019s autobiography about her solitary Pacific Crest Trail journey was excellently directed by Jean-Marc Vallee.<\/p>\n

It is sure to garner Witherspoon an Oscar nomination for her commitment to roughing it in the woods.<\/p>\n

The Pacific Crest Trail will never see the bottoms of my boots because having discovered a recent serious bee venom allergy—the great outdoors looks mighty different to me now. \u00a0Particularly, near wildflowers.<\/p>\n

Every day of the festival offered world premieres and U.S. premieres of independent and studio pictures both at Reading and the Arclight theatre at UTC. Often, there would be such a conflict for me to choose which ones I could forego or not. Also, the Q & A after some of the screenings added depth and insight into the movies created.<\/p>\n

One screening that stood out for me was \u201cThe Good Lie<\/a>\u201d. Amazing true story of former Sudanese child soldiers who came to America and asked for asylum. \u00a0Again, with Ms. Reese Witherspoon, playing comic foil to the tribulations of these Sudanese exiles.<\/p>\n

Best party?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Chairman\u2019s Reception\u201d (chairman being Dale Strack of SDFF) at the gorgeous La Jolla Contemporary Museum (a star in its own right), a SDFF signature event titled, \u201cVariety\u2019s Night of the Stars\u201d .<\/p>\n

This event complete with red carpet and movie stars (see photos) honored the always funny and mostly grumpy, Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor and North County resident, Alan Arkin<\/a>. He was present to recieve the Gregory Peck Lifetime Achievement Award which the event awards tributes to veterans in the business.<\/p>\n

Jeffrey Lyon<\/a> moderated and interviewed. Unfortunately, a rogue newscast overshadowed the audio of clips shown throughout the evening\u2019s presentation.<\/p>\n

His response when I asked Arkin who did he think was funny?<\/p>\n