Fans of Beverly Johnson were delighted when the high-profile model put in an appearance last night at the screening of “About Face” at the LA Film Festival.
In this well-crafted documentary, noted filmmaker and photographer – Timothy Greenfield-Sanders – takes a glimpse into the lives of a handful of top-models from the past sixty years such as those of Beverly Johnson, Jerry Hall, and Isabella Rossellini (to name a few).
The artist tosses a searing lens on the glarmorous high-paid models - who in turn – candidly discuss topics that put the focus on controversial issues such as plastic surgery, race, drugs, and-so-forth-and-so-on.
Celebrated pop model – Twiggy – is noticeably absent on the screen because she allegedly wanted to be paid for her input.
“What has she done lately,” one irate reporter hissed.
“Twiggy should be thankful she was asked,” the middle-aged woman huffed to all within earshot later in the Filmmakers Lounge.
Frankly, I disagree.
I was a teenager in the sixties when the "Twig" splashed onto the International scene with her “little boy” do!
In the heady days of Beatlemania (and the subsequent “British Music Invasion”) Twiggy was - without doubt - the “Queen” of the pop model circuit and fashion scene.
“I guess I should have paid her,” the director fessed up at last night’s event in retrospect.
You betcha.
His failure to include Twiggy in his documentary left a gaping hole in the project.
Sheesh!
Meanwhile, across the festival grounds, film buffs and filmmakers were once again chatting each other up over cocktails and a delectable array of finger foods that quelled the hunger pangs, alright.
Prosecco was on the house and flowing from the bar freely all night.
I found a perch on a comfy couch and proceeded to court guests who plunked down next to me throughout the evening.
At one point, the schmoozing triggered an idea for a film.
Uh-huh!
Everyone who alighted next to my side had a story to tell.
One young actress was scouting the room for producers.
When quizzed about what part of town she resided in, she turned up her nose a tad, and gushed “Beverly Hills”.
One male guest chuckled that "310" was where an actor moved once he or she “made it” in the industry.
“I have made it,” she shot back at the startled man.
At this point, everyone turned to each other perplexed.
If she had “made it”, as she so emphatically alleged, then why didn’t we know who she was?
“I’ve made it in Italy. I'm a star there. It’s a bit tougher to become one in the States,” she fessed up.
When one gal noted that she allegedly worked for a film company overseas – I joked that I kept my Canadian Citizenship - so the Queen could honor with me with an OBE one fine day.
“If I received one, I wouldn’t pick it up,” she retorted.
“No one in England likes the Queen, you know."
Gosh, that was a pretty broad statement to make!
I immediately noted that I admired Queen Elizabeth and that she was a remarkable woman.
‘Nuff said!
One member of the press from the U.K. asked me who I wrote about at the Tattler.
When I mentioned Michael Phelps, she interrupted me.
“Who?”
Say what?
“Phelps. The Gold Medalist,” I shot back in disbelief.
“Never heard of him,” she stated without-blinking-an-eye.
I quickly noted that Phelps was an Olympic swimmer expected to take some gold home after competing in the upcoming competitions in England.
At this point she became flustered, so I dropped the subject.
Uh-huh.
The issue fell like fell a lead balloon.
At one point, the roar of conversation was getting so loud in the lounge, that guests were forced to screech at each other to be heard over the din.
Understandably, I am hoarse today!
Tonight, I plan to attend a screening of one segment of the HBO series – "Newsroom".
Aaron Sorkin, the creator, is slated to appear for a Q & A about the sizzling new project which stars likable Jeff Daniels as a TV News Anchor.
See ‘ya there!
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