By TANESA WHITIN
Universe Staff Writer
@by2:Parties in the Utah County area abound during the Sundance Film Festival. The challenge for most individuals is finding out the locations of the parties and crashing them.
One of the biggest parties to date for this year’s festival was the private party at the River Horse Cafe Saturday night following the premiere of Eric Schaeffer’s “If Lucy Fell.”
The cafe was packed. Television camera lights notified the party-goers of another celebrity arrival. Photographer’s flashes remained constant throughout the night. “Marry Me Jane” played while many anticipated guests without passes waited below at the entrance door to get in.
This atmosphere seemed the perfect time to talk with celebrities about their experiences at the festival. For some, it was their first, others were veterans, but one thing was for sure … they were all having fun.
“It is my first experience at Sundance so I have got to tell you that I am really excited about it,” said Brooke Shields. “I have never been here before. Everyone is having a good time. It feels like a big dorm party.”
Some celebrities flew in the night of the party.
“I just got here tonight, so I don’t have a lot to tell you except that I am having a blast,” said Marcia Cross, who plays Kimberly on Melrose Place. “It is really fun. It is exciting to see all these film makers and their films.”
Cross, who is sworn to secrecy, could not reveal any information about what Kimberly has up her sleeve, but she did promise that it is not going to get dull.
“I just found out some things which I can’t tell you, which I can’t even believe,” Cross said.
The essence of the festival for some talent in the business is to network with producers and film makers for future projects.
“It is fun. It is great energy,” said Alyssa Milano. “You get to see some great films and try to force performances which you could never do in studio films. You just tear it up and take names.”
Some celebrities flock to Utah for the festival merely for a quick vacation to grace the slopes of Park City.
“I am not actually your typical actor Sundance person,” said Matt Le Blanc, who plays Joey on the NBC series “Friends.”
He had to cut his vacation short because of the Golden Globe awards on Sunday night.
“I went snowmobiling all day,” he said. “I didn’t watch any movies. I just goofed of all day and I had a great time.”
For those “Friends” junkies out there, Matt gave a little insight into what can be in store for Joey.
“He moves out,” Le Blanc said. “He becomes lonely, so lonely that he actually misses Chandler.”
Many celebrities were in attendance to support and add publicity for films they were associated with.
Brooke Shields was one of those.
“I am nervous and excited for it (her film, “Freeway”). I am going to see it for the first time tomorrow,” she said. “It is good if you have a movie here, it helps. It helps keep the jitters away. We all need validation, right?”
Randall Batinkof, best known for his roles in “The Player” and “School Ties,” expressed his admiration and respect for the Sundance Institute. “Walking and Talking,” starring Batinkof is in the dramatic category competition at the festival.
“Robert Redford and the Sundance Film Festival, in my estimates, represents true appreciation for artistry and the film business,” Batinkof said.
The night was exciting but also exhausting for many of the celebrities who were constantly mobbed by the press.
“I am so tired right now that I am not even thinking straight,” said Josh Charles, best known for his roles in “Dead Poet’s Society,” “Crossing the Bridge” and “Threesome.”
One of the Sundance film premiers, “If Lucy Fell” features the band “Marry Me Jane.” The group’s debut album is slated to be released at the end of January.
“We have seen a lot of movie stars,” said Amanda Kravetts, lead singer for “Marry Me Jane.” “It is very weird playing for actors and Hollywood. It is a different kind of audience. I was really nervous for tonight’s performance.”
The party was indeed a success for celebrities, press, entertainment industry insiders and a few lucky guests (including the lucky guest who caught Matthew Modine’s pass as he threw it from the balcony) mingled, ate and danced.
The party’s success can be summed up from the words of Josh Charles.
“I am having a really fun time,” Charles said. “I am not working on any movies right now. I am here, just here, just hangin’ out.”
