Woody Harrelson, above, was awarded the Maui Film Festival's Navigator Award for carving out a career of distinction in the turbulent waters of the entertainment industry. Harrelson's film "Go Further" was shown Thursday night.
At Maui’s candid, casual film fest,
it’s OK to take the stage in shorts
and slippers
WAILEA » Barry Rivers paced the back-of-the-house corridor of a Grand Wailea resort ballroom like a father waiting for his wife to give birth.
But the Maui Film Festival director's pained expression was caused by the tardiness of producer Ted Hope ("21 Grams," "The Ice Storm"), who was to receive the fifth annual event's inaugural Trailblazer Award. Ten minutes after an awards ceremony in Hope's honor was scheduled to begin, Rivers' cell phone rang.
"No, you cannot take a shower first and change clothes," Rivers said into the phone. "If you try, I'll hang you first."
In this third day of the five-day event -- which was being covered by CNN, Variety, People, KTLA-TV from Los Angeles and a dozen other magazines and newspapers -- Rivers' eyes were starting to bug out a bit. He was visibly sweating through his lime-green Tommy Bahama shirt, even in the air-conditioned corridor.
"He's here," someone yelled.
Hope had spent the night in Hana, then hiked and swam around Seven Sacred Falls before heading back to Wailea along the rugged southerly route, miscalculating the drive time.
"I'm really sorry," the sunburned Hope said. "Uh, are you sure this is all right to wear onstage?"
The producer of 34 films in 17 years stood there in board shorts, aloha shirt and slippers.
"I've never talked to an audience in baggies," he said.
"You are now," Rivers countered. "Trust me, they'll love it."
They did. Following a brief clip of Hope's films, he walked on stage to enthusiastic applause and cheering.
"How long did it take you to start dressing Maui style?" someone asked.
"About an hour after my plane landed," the New Yorker said. "You couldn't do this at Cannes."
The relaxed environment of the Maui Film Festival has become a trademark. This year there was an official surfing school; free neck and back massage at the outdoor Celestial Cinema; and a comedy night at Mulligans on the Blue featuring two mainland comedians in a packed house. Through it all Rivers continued his tradition of never wearing long pants for a film premiere or award presentation.
The festival brings films that represent the quality of the human spirit or that address issues faced by the world's people to perhaps the most beautiful outdoor venue in the world -- the Celestial Cinema. This year's event exceeded all others, attracting more than 20,000 audience members. The previous record was set last year at 17,500.
The first night's film, "Two Brothers" attracted 3,845 people, setting a one-night attendance record. Even the second night's showing of "Open Water" -- the festival's break-out film -- drew more than 2,000 people.
And by Day 2, a source said, the festival already was into the profit zone.
Rivers is especially pleased at CNN's live coverage this year. The news network aired 32 cutaways to Maui through yesterday. "CNN is ecstatic at what they got," he said. "It's been seen all over the world, a quarter-billion media impressions in a global audience."
Security was stepped up this year and pass holders were required to show picture identification to enter events. The top-of-the-line $2,500 Galaxy pass was introduced, and for the first time visiting media were given a gift: Tommy Bahama, official presenter of the Maui Film Festival, provided intricately woven wine baskets complete with glasses, opener and special top.
"Oh, yes," one mainland TV reporter said. "The Maui Film Festival has arrived."
Actress Angela Bassett was given the festival's first Pathfinder Award, in recognition of her distinctive performances in roles from her star-making turn as Tina Turner in "What's Love Got to Do With It?" to sci-fi action in "Strange Days."
WITH ANGELA BASSETT, Woody Harrelson, Bill Maher and producer Hope attending, the celebrity quotient was modest compared to previous years. Rivers said he decided to focus on the quality of the 65 films being shown. Many had a political bent or a strong indie likability that was raw and honest, such as "Open Water" and Hope's "The Door in the Floor." The programming this year included 16 narrative films and 27 documentaries.
The lack of availability of a big-name talent was one reason no Silversword Award was given this year. Rivers didn't want the festival's most prestigious prize to go to someone who didn't have the right filmography, or worse, was a possible no-show (that's what happened last year with Sir Anthony Hopkins).
Academy Award nominee Bassett said she was mesmerized from Day 1 by the festival's organization, venues and natural beauty, beginning with Wednesday night's VIP Twilight Reception at the Fairmont Kea Lani resort.
Holding a plate of lobster tails, tempura jumbo prawns and grilled asparagus, Bassett was fixed on a point on the horizon between Kahoolawe and Lanai, where a pink to orange sun was about to set.
"Why haven't I been to Maui before?" she said to a friend. "Thank goodness they're giving me this award or I might never have made it."
Basset was one of four filmmakers/entertainers to receive an award, the inaugural Pathfinder.
"A women came up to me to say she had watched 'How Stella Got Her Groove Back,' 50 times because it's meant so much to her and I swear we talked for 20 minutes about it," Bassett said. "It seems safer here to do that than in some other places."
Festival producers cleverly mixed cinema with food events and parties "to give it variety and sizzle," Rivers said.
Five major gourmet food events either preceded or followed films, including two events at the Tommy Bahama restaurant, Spago at the Four Seasons and the Taste of Wailea. There were also two "Brunch with Filmmakers" events for the high-end pass holders.
Maher received the Maverick Award; Harrelson, the Navigator, at the Maui Digital Skydome atop the Marriott Wailea Resort.
The Taste of Wailea on Saturday night offered gourmet dining in a casual, outdoor setting.
A festival highlight is always the exclusive party at entertainment entrepreneur Shep Gordon's beachfront home, attended by every visiting celeb as well as many of Hollywood's behind-the-scenes movers and shakers. An outdoor buffet featuring Mexican food, an enormous open bar and entertainment by a taiko drum group filled the evening.
HBO executive Carmi Zlotnick, publicists Heidi Schaeffer (Tom Hanks, Courtney Love), Robin Baum (Adrien Brody, Russell Crowe) and Blaise Noto attended the Gordon's party.
Blanchard Ryan, star of "Open Water," was beaming at Saturday night's Taste of Wailea despite a bout with pneumonia. The dining event was held high above the Celestial Cinema, overlooking the resort and nearby islands.
"This place, this event, is unbelievable," she said, sniffling. "It's a perfect festival for this film. I've gotten such incredible feedback that I got out of a sick bed just so I could talk to more people about the film."
A moment later, Variety reporter Amy Dawes grabbed Ryan to interview her about the festival's buzz about "Open Water."
"I love Maui!" Ryan said.
Yesterday evening, with one event to go, Rivers was breathing almost normally and his giddy wife Stella was stylishly attired in a lime green top and pareu. She held her red high heels in one hand.
Leaving the Four Seasons Resort, they noticed producer Hope about to get into his car. He was wearing the board shorts and aloha shirt from his awards presentation.
"A little late for the beach, isn't it, Ted?" Rivers asked.
"Beach?" Hope said. "Heck, we're going to the Audience Awards Party."
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Festival’s Top 5
Star-Bulletin writer Tim Ryan picks the best films of the Maui International Film Festival:
1. "Open Water"
The break-out film of the festival created a buzz that lasted throughout the five-day event.Described as "Jaws" meets "The Blair Witch Project," this is a spine-tingling drama about two scuba divers -- played by Daniel Travis and Blanchard Ryan -- who are accidentally stranded in shark-infested waters when their dive boat leaves them behind.
The low-budget feature by director Chris Kentis and his wife, producer Laura Lau, uses no mechanical or computer-generated special effects for the sharks.
Beyond the obvious aspect of terror, this film's main story is about the couple's declining relationship and how -- when stuck in the water for more than 24 hours -- they are forced to discuss important issues they've avoided for years.
2. "What the #$*! Do We Know?"
The biggest surprise of the festival stars Academy Award-winner Marlee Matlin as Amanda, a photographer caught up in an Alice-in-Wonderland experience when her uninspired life sets her on a course that reveals the world of "quantum uncertainty" -- a world which, according to Deepak Chopra, lies beneath the mind and the heart.It's too bad that this piece of art and soul was shown at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center rather than the festival's premier venue, the Celestial Cinema, where a larger audience could have seen it. The film was so popular that an additional third screening was scheduled.
The film was directed by Mark Vicente, Betsy Chasse and William Arntz; and written by Arntz, Chasse and Matthew Hoffman.
Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger star in "The Door in the Floor."
3. "Two Brothers"
I tried to avoid this one because I always cry at animal films and my tradition carried on in this story about two tiger cubs separated at birth.The film offered the best cinematography of the festival, shot in and around the temples of Cambodia and Thailand.
The two cubs are taken into captivity, only to be reunited years later as enemies by an explorer (Guy Pearce). They are treated cruelly and for the most part humans are the culprits, stupid and inhumane.
But the cinematography is so beautiful and those darn cubs so cute that I stayed until the end. Some scenes could be tough for children but there are lessons to be learned here. Unexpected circumstances lead the cubs back to the freedom and majesty of their ancestral home.
The director is Academy Award-winning Jean-Jacques Annaud ("The Bear").
4. "Parallel Lines"
Filmmaker Nina Davenport headed cross-country after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, using her video camera to unlock the personal stories of hope, loss and redemption of the strangers and unexpected soulmates she met along the way. Much more than a singular portrait of 9/11, this funny, intimately insightful and life-affirming documentary is a spiritual snapshot of rural America.5. "The Door in the Floor"
Another winner by producer Ted Hope ("21 Grams") that honestly and adeptly explores a diminishing marriage. Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger are a couple dealing with turbulent emotions during an East Hampton summer. The film is a bit difficult to watch because the characters are genuine and their emotions so honest, but it's possible to see at least a touch of all of us in them.
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