Charlize Theron was honored with the Indie Impact Award by Variety Magazine. Her award was presented to her by co-star of the film,”Young Adult” Patton Oswalt. Her award honored her commitment to the art and business of cinema.
Variety also announced the Top 10 Directors to watch in the future. They have made outstanding films and have been in the spotlight as exciting new talents in the field of directing. The luncheon was presented by Mercedes-Benz and partnered with the Parker Palm Springs.
The event was held at the Parker Hotel and they provided a Red Carpet area for several photographers and TV crews to be able to photograph the directors and actresses. Other VIPs at the event were actress Shailene Woodley, singer Jack Jones and his wife, Festival director Darryl Macdonald,Artistic Director Helen du Toit and Chairman Harold Matzner. Steve Gaydos, Brian Gott and Tim Gray were there from Variety magazine.
All Photos by Pat Krause Copyright 2012
Actor Patton Oswalt ~Photos by Pat Krause
Singer Jack Jones and his wife Eleanora
Charlize Theron ~Photos by Pat Krause
Darryl Macdonald , Shailene Woodley and Harold Matzner
The Opening Night film for the Palm Springs International Film Festival was held at the Palm Springs High School Auditorium on Thursday, Jan 5th. This event is usually sold out weeks in advance. The film “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen was shown with the Star of the show, Emily Brunt, walking the Red Carpet and speaking to the audience prior to the showing of the film.
The film is basically a love story with a sub plot of the dream of a Shiek from Yemen wanting to build something special for his country. A place for fishing salmon by building a dam and river for salmon. They had to deal with many set backs on the way to creating this dream.
They did the impossible by making this dream come true with millions of Dollars. The ending of the story was when terrorists from Yemen not understanding his dream and blowing it up. The people involved found they could rebuild the dream only with a different approach, They needed to convince the people of Yemen that this was a good thing for the country. Then the main characters acknowledged their love for each other. A quiet film with great acting and a message.
Opening night brought out all our local celebrities, Palm Springs Mayor and councilmen, Representative Mary Bono Mack and PSIFF Diginitaries and Staff
Ticket holders were invited to an after-party at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Hundreds of people arrived at the Museum to magnificent foods, desserts and drinks. Several tables held cheeses,fruit and crackers while another area served desserts. Bars were set up around the Museum for guests and Meats, salads, meat balls, buns etc. was served in 4 areas with tables for those that wanted to sit and other tables where they could stand and chat.
Movie goers also got a chance to enjoy all the fabulous art works at the Museum. They could mingle with others guests while walking from room to room checking out the displays. For some this was the first time they got to see all the different artists and their works in such a special venue.
Hundreds of films will be shown over the next 10 days with many different countries bringing entries to be shown at 4 Palm Springs Theatres. Some are in English and others have sub titles. After parties are held almost nightly and various nightclubs in Palm Springs. This is the third largest film festival in the world. We are the Film Festival capitol of the west and founder Sonny Bono would be very proud today.
All Photos by Pat Krause Copyright 2012
Joanne Davis, Patty and Arthur Newman
Actress Emily Blunt
Mayor Steve Pougnet and Darryl Macdonald
Mayor Steve Pougnet plants a kiss on Congresswomans Mary Bono Mack’s cheek
The 23rd Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Gala was held on Saturday Jan. 7th at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The Red Carpet with hundreds of photographers and TV crews were ready for the influx of some of the biggest names in Hollywood. It was an exciting night for local residents as well as hundreds lined a fence across from the Convention Center hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite movie star. Many Celebrities walked over to the fence and gave some lucky fan an autograph or photo opportunity. Fans had waited for hours to get the best spot by the fence.
The Gala raised over 1.6 million dollars. About 1800 guests filled the ballroom for the dinner and awards ceremony. The late Jackie Lee Houston was honored and a bouquet of flowers was put on the empty chair at the table beside her husband Jim Houston and her family.
Brad Pitt was awarded the Desert Palm Achievement for “Moneyball “and “The Tree of Life” by presenter, Jonah Hill. The beautiful Angelina Jolie arrived on the Red Carpet with Brad. The fantastic actress Glenn Close was awarded the Career Achievement award by present Jeff Goldblum. Handsome George Clooney, “The Descendants” and “Ides of March” was awarded the Chairman’s Award and presented by Grant Heslov and Shailene Woodley.
The A-List of celebrities also included those honorees, Howard Shore was presented the Frederick Loewe Award by Graham King. Desert Palm Achievement award went to actress Michelle Williams and was presented by Kenneth Branagh. Actor Adrien Brody presented the International Star award to Gary Oldman. The ensemble Award was presented to Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt by Olivia Wilde for the movie “Young Adult”
The Breakthrough Performance award was given to Octavia Spencer “The Help” and presented by Melissa McCarthy. The famous Al Pacino awarded Jessica Chastain the Spotlight Award. Stephen Daldry was awarded the Director of the Year by Tom Horn and the great Tom Hanks. The Sonny Bono Visionary Award went to Michel Hazanavicius and presented by Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo.
Other celebrities walked the Red Carpet supporting this great festival. Local Celebrities and VIPs also graced the Red Carpet. This yearly event is eagerly anticipated by the whole valley and brings in people from around the world, Film makers, Directors, Producers, Actors, Actresses, and Public relations staff. Hotels are filled with film buffs and celebrity fans from all over the US. The event lasts for 12 days. From Jan. 5th thru the 16th with hundreds of films from many countries and delves into so many genres.
All Photos by Pat Krause Copyright 2012
Connie Mack and Mary Bono Mack
Glenn Close
Charlize Theron
Tom Hanks
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt ~Photos by Pat Krause
Michelle Williams ~Photos by Pat Krause
Al Pacino ~Photos by Pat Krause
George CLooney and friend Stacy Keibler ~Photos by Pat Krause
Local producer and director, Jim Casey and Kim Waltrip
Jamie Kabler and Helene Galen, Executive Board Member
Desert Hot Springs Police Department needs your help. Missing Juvenile: JUDITH RIVERA, HISPANIC FEMALE, 14 YEARS OLD, 5’2”, 120 LBS., BROWN HAIR, BROWN EYES.
Judith Was Last Seen On Thursday, 10-20-2011 At 0740 Hours (7:40 Am) When She Was Dropped Off At The Desert Hot Springs High School At The Start Of School, And Was Not There At End Of School Day. She Attended Her Classes The First Half Of The Day But Was Marked Truant The Latter Half. Although Foul Play Is Not Suspected, Her Family And Desert Hot Springs Police Officers Have Searched For Her At Various Locations Without Success.
We Are Requesting The Community’s Assistance In Finding Her. If Anyone Has Seen Judith, Or Knows Of
Her Whereabouts, Please Call The Desert Hot Springs Police Department At 760-329-2904, Option 2.
Although the Palm Springs International Film Festival is one of the largest International film festivals in the world, this 23rd annual film festival chose “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”, an English language movie to begin its eleven-day marathon of screening films at its five venues in Palm Springs. Well, if one considers the thick Scottish burghs of some of the characters in the film, perhaps, it does qualify as a foreign film. Several audience members I spoke with later, however, said they had a little problem in understanding some of the more witty and satiric idiomatic expressions, as well as some of the dialogue of the actors.
There is, however, no misunderstanding when it comes to Emily Blunt, the beautiful, tall, willowy English actress. She not only starred in the film, she attended the screening on Thursday, January 5, at the Palm Springs High School auditorium where the film was shown for 1200 assembled movie fanatics. It must be that cultured Brit accent that just sends Americans into a state of awe when it comes to their acting. Blunt made a huge cinema impact in “The Devil Wears Prada” playing the private secretary to Meryl Streep, only a couple of years ago. Now she stars in the romantic comedy directed by high profile director Lasse Hallstrom (“Cider House Rules”, which produced an Oscar for Michael Caine and an Oscar nomination for Juliet Binoche in “Chocolat”).
Darryl MacDonald Festival Executive and Emily Blunt, the beautiful, tall, willowy English actress. Photo by Pat Krause
The wonderful Kristin Scott Thomas, in a departure from her usual dramatic roles, plays the Prime Minister’s PR consultant, whose assignment is to see it that McGregor and Blunt succeed, despite their disagreements. Scott is a delight in a juicy supporting role reminiscent of Carole Lombard and the screwball comedies of Preston Sturges.
“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”, is based on the satiric novel of the same name by Paul Torday. However, director Hallstrom and his writers have opted for a different take with the movie. They have injected more romance and less political metaphor into the story with the result being the film is now a light romantic comedy that may not challenge the intellect, but still delivers a pleasant evening at the movies. Remember, love is always in the air in the rom-com genre.
The film is beautifully photographed but don’t look for any hidden agenda items or provocative political story points to discuss later with friends over late night coffee or drinks at your favorite watering hole. There simply aren’t any. Never-the-less, the screening of the movie is a coup of sorts for festival Chairman Harold Matzner and festival executive director Darryl Macdonald, who somehow talked CBS Films into allowing the movie to be shown at the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) two months ahead of its theatrical release. Well Done Gentlemen !
The festival is up and running from 9 am to 9 pm for the next ten days. You have 188 movies and documentaries from seventy countries from which to choose. Also, the festival will screen 40 of the 63 foreign films being considered for Oscar submission as Best Foreign Language Film of the Year. Films are being shown at five Palm Springs theatres: The Palm Springs Regal Cinemas Stadium Nine, The Camelot Theatres, The Annenberg Theatre, the Palm Canyon Theatre, and the 1200 seat Palm Springs High School auditorium. It’s the biggest event that comes to town every year.
With the growth of our pet foster program, we need more puppy formula to bottle feed newborn puppies. This winter, we continue to rescue unwanted puppies. Unfortunately, cows milk is not healthy for infant dogs and cats. Most pet stores carry kitten and puppy formula.We also need pet carriers to transport homeless dogs and cats to and from our animal shelter.
If you would like to donate a pet carrier or puppy formula to Animal Samaritans, you can bring it to our no-kill animal shelter in Thousand Palms: 72-307 Ramon Road. Please note our holiday hours below. Thanks for helping!
