Stars and mortals
mix on Maui
WAILEA, MAUI >> For a while it was hard to tell which was more popular, 6-foot actor Geena Davis in a form-fitting black calf-length sleeveless dress and matching sandals, or the food laden table behind her with tureens of grilled opakapaka, tender pork loin, chilled asparagus spears, and an endless supply of steamed lobster tails.
"Excuse me," said Frank Stampin, of Chicago, as he reached behind Davis to fetch a couple of lobster tails. "Want to get a few these before they're gone."
Davis, accompanied by her surgeon husband Reza Jarrahy, smiled, stepped aside and continued to nibble on her own lobster, sans butter.
Stampin's wife, Louise, began gently tapping her husband's shoulder when she recognized Davis.
"I'll get ya a tail," he said. "Don't worry, honey."
"Uh, honey, honey, honey! It's Geena Davis," Louise yelled.
Stampin turned and stared at the grinning actor, handed his plate of five lobster tails to his wife, begged another diner for a pen, and asked Davis to autograph the only piece of paper he had: a shrimp-stained napkin.
"I'm so sorry," he told Davis. "I didn't know it was you; I mean, I know it's you now, but I didn't see you. Well, I saw you, but didn't see you for you."
"God, I love Maui," said Davis, who received the Maui Film Festival at Wailea's inaugural Stella Award last night for advancing the status of women throughout the film industry.
MORE THAN 200 actors and filmmakers mingled with news media from 33 print and television outlets and mere mortals at the two-hour Opening Night Twilight Reception at the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui Resort that kicked off five days of 50-plus films, food events, and panels in what some celebrities are calling the "Sundance of the Pacific."
"This festival is a true sleeping giant and the outdoor (Celestial Cinema) is not to be believed," said director Rob Reiner, whose film "Alex & Emma" premiered as the opening night film to a record audience of 2,265, surpassing the previous high of 1,950 people at last year's presentation of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Reiner introduced his film, and the festival's executive director, Barry Rivers, introduced Reiner.
The family friendly film starring Luke Wilson and Kate Hudson created long lines for parking, though shuttle service from all Wailea hotels was provided, and at the beach chair rental and cappuccino booth. Those who arrived a few minutes late to the film struggled to find spots to plant their beach chairs and blankets on the gentle slope of the Wailea Golf Club.
Chad Wong, his wife and twin 10-year-old girls, arrived 30 minutes before show time but still had to sit in the first row.
"We've been coming here all four years and there are as many interesting things to see in the crowd as on the screen," Chad said, laughing.
"I like looking at the stars," daughter Staci said. "Sitting way up here is like having our own really-big-screen TV."
THE BUZZ AMONG event organizers, Wailea hotel execs who donated dozens of rooms, celebs and the news media is that this is the Maui Film Festival's breakout year.
Oscar-winner Adrien Brody ("The Pianist") was ahead of the curve. "It made its mark last year with me when I first came because of the quality and number of excellent films, and low key, un-Hollywood atmosphere, so here I am again," Brody said.
Maybe it's because of that atmosphere that celebrities at the festival felt free to mingle with audiences without hesitation. After introducing his film, Reiner, dressed in an aloha shirt and slacks, chatted with fans for nearly 15 minutes, answering their questions about his career, especially his "Meathead" character in "All in the Family," before he started quizzing them.
"How early would I have to get up to see the sunrise (from Haleakala)?" he asked.
Those who missed the event can look forward to reading about it in coming months in Variety, the Los Angeles Times, Vanity Fair, US Weekly, Access Hollywood, New York Post, CNN, Entertainment Tonight, and Fox Television, all of whom were represented at the fest.
With the increased traffic, festival organizers scrambled to reorganize parking restrictions yesterday for Celestial Cinema screenings.
One of those attending was "Mr. Margaritaville" Jimmy Buffet, who is vacationing with his family. Buffet's private jet, a Falcon 80, sits alongside other celeb planes at Kahului Airport. (He confirmed that a Buffett concert in Hawaii later this year is nearly a done deal.)
Hawaii-born actress Kelly Hu, "Passionada" star Sofia Milos, and "Whalerider" star Keisha Castle arrived yesterday, well in time to attend the VIP Reception at Spago in the Four Seasons Resort.
Sir Anthony Hopkins will receive the festival's highest honor, the Silversword Award, in tonight's two-hour ceremony, including a question-and-answer session, at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa.
But the night's second most important event, and the festival's only private affair, will be at Shep Gordon's Wailea beachfront home, where Hopkins, Buffett, singer Michael McDonald (who just performed with the Honolulu Symphony), Reiner, Davis, Hu and Brody can celebrate away from the crowd, but with even better food. In addition to being a film and record producer, and entrepreneur, Gordon is also a master chef.
For information about the film festival that ran Monday, visit our Web site at starbulletin.com/2003/06/09/features/story1.html
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