Narrative: Sundance Film Results WHO: Felicity Bainbridge and mentions of others WHEN: Jan. 22-28 WHERE: Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah
One would never know that Felicity was mostly nerves. She looked perfectly poised and well-dressed without going over the top. This was Sundance not Cannes, after all. Still, it was the first major film festival of the year and the first of the film festivals she heard back from. Sundance made her an official selection and that meant something. It meant she could get distribution and ultimately a limited theatre release. It meant that she was giving a big finger to her parents who thought this was a passing fancy. This would prove to them she was not only serious but damn talented too. But that was all dependent on the results.
The flight there she either talked with Van when he wasn't occupied with his DS or reread the pamphlet from the festival she was sent. The itinerary was all lined out and each mile they flew closer felt like an eternity and a half-heartbeat at the same time. When they arrived, they checked into a hotel and she braced herself for what was to come. She'd attended film festivals before, walking on a red carpet or two known as Felicity Bainbridge, daughter of the head of Bainbridge Investments and worth about £7 billion. She was still those things but now she had a new title: new and possibly upcoming directing talent or potential dismal failure.
The festival at first was something of a blur. There were press packets given out and some buzz building around her film. Her name would likely draw them into the seats but hopefully the product would keep them there. She recognized critics from The Guardian and Variety. She wore her credentials and chatted with a few stars in attendance, and Felicity had met a few of them before and even chatted a bit with the likes of Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan, both actresses of elven blood, though of lesser noble families. Felicity was mostly excited about meeting Darren Aronofsky, and discussed with him the polarizing aspect of his latest film, mother!.
Felicity also noted the presence of the elven king and queen there: Taran and Lilie. They pelted the couple with questions about when Lilie would have a child and the two quickly averted the subject. Felicity noted the interaction between the two and the more subtle cues of body language. They didn't hate each other but it was clear neither felt any real romantic attachment. As far as elven marriages went, it could be worse. They ended up chatting for a bit with Felicity, and she learned that Lilie was friends with Davian Rivera. Or used to be? When she asked after him, it sounded like they didn't speak anymore. Intereting. But not interesting enough for Felicity to commit to memory the message Lilie asked her to pass along.
Then it was judgement day.
The day Felicity's movie premiered.
She braced herself and her film finally began playing. Clara, Van, Nathan (the boy from Camden playing the lead), Domino, and Mr. Farrell were all sitting with her. Galad showed up as well, having taken a flight to join her there. She gripped his hand unconsciously for almost the entirety of the film.
Felicity could pick out the parts she wanted to change in the film and bits of soundtrack she might have talked to Domino about maybe putting into a different key but she also sat impressed with herself too. Impressed by the cast who, for amateurs, really put out performances that she found exemplary. Her directorial influences were there where neo-noir met psychological art piece, where Lynch blended with Bergman and Kubrick. This was the first time her classmates and fiancé were viewing it so she kept peaking at their reactions, while also trying to enjoy the finished product too. Pride and fear made a dangerous cocktail within Felicity, but she kept her composure. The film's story unfolded. A young man's best friend died and as he looks into the murder, he discovers his small town hides many dark secrets. He grows more paranoid, afraid of who he can trust, and at the end it is hard to determine if he's lost his mind or if everything that happened really did happen.
The film credits began and there was a thunderous applause. Felicity relaxed for a moment and she hid the elation that surged into every part of her. She was beaming though and grasped Galad's hand again, but this time not so fiercely. Excitement at the positive response had her kiss Galad and then smile. She acted as if she wasn't surprised by the line of press outside but maybe a part of her was. They began talking to her but also Domino, Clara, and Nathan. They were quickly swept into interviews and talks, and representatives from major studios were talking to her about potential limited release. She directed them to her agent at the production company for then.
Felicity was riding high after that. She and Galad went out dancing and partying that night, letting all of her tension out on the dance floor and getting a number of other partiers high as others of elven-blood filled the club floor. Not enough for a frenzy but almost there.
The following day she went to Van's premiere. She sat and watched, letting herself view the film. Van had hassled her about asking about it but she had been somewhat truthful in that she wanted to experience the film with fresh eyes. She was glad she did. The film was impressive and she was almost angry at Van. The fact he could produce a film like this just to shut a teacher up bothered her. She studied film intensely and even if her own film, thus far, had wide praise from everyone she spoke to, the victory felt almost cheapened. Either Van was born with the talent or he had a lot of dumb luck on his side. She buried the anger inside though and congratulated his friend, not at all surprised by his own reception waiting outside of the cinema.
Felicity spent time in meetings for most of the rest of the trip, discussing the potential release of her film, regardless of whether it won or not. Quite a few excellent films made it to the festival, as usual, and she was gunning for the big prize. Award day came at last. She wore a simple pair of jeans with black heels, a white blouse, and a black blazer over it. Casual but fashioanble, which fit the tone of the room. As the awards were announced, she applauded a number of the films that she'd seen, and was happy to see a few of the others take their prize. She joined with the others to applaud Van, who won for his film. He gave his speech and she covered her mouth to hide the smirk that was there. She also avoided looking at Mr. Farrell, knowing that he would have a deepset frown in place.
Now it was time to announce the Grand Jury Prize.
"The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Drama goes to . . . " the announcer said and Felicity inhaled sharply, "Singing of Mount Abora." Felicity almost vomitted right then and there. An applause erupted and she rose from her seat, going to accept her award and the recognition she told herself she so badly deserved and now faced with some surprise. She greeted the announcer with a hug and then stared at it for a moment as the applause died down.Now it was time for her to say something.
"If I didn't get this, I would've been absolutely gutted," she said, "Though being English, I would've tried being polite about it." The audience chuckled at the start and Felicity continued.
"Film has always been my passion. Ever since I was little and watched Bergman's Persona, I knew I wanted to create something as complex and moving as I could. I've spent years of my life in preparation for making this. Hours pouring over the script and weeks planning and budgeting to make sure I could make this film the way I wanted. This award is not only a compliment, but it's a culmination of years of hard work and perseverance and sacrifice. I know that doesn't sound like much coming from a posh girl from Surrey, but I put all of myself into this film."
She paused and looked at the award and back to the crowd, exposing just a moment of vulnerability in a wavering start before the confdience returned.
"I . . . Thank you to my cast, Nathan, Clara, and Domino, you're all brilliant, and Clara, I'll use you in every film after this one if I can. Takk min kjære, Galadari. Takk for at du trodde på meg og aldri fortalte meg å være noe annet enn jeg er."
Felicity raised the award and then made her way off stage.