Flashpoint was represented by a large contingent at the Summer Gala for the Chicago Film Festival which honored Jacqueline Bisset.
Starting off the evening with a bang, Paula and Amy drove right into the Ballroom in a beautiful Bentley convertible. Even Bill Kurtis, the MC for the evening, was duly impressed.
Roger Ebert and his wife Chaz who we hope will begin working with Flashpoint shortly as one of our Ambassadors to the Film Community were in attendance as well.
Jacqueline was interviewed and mobbed.
Bill Kurtis ran the Live Auction - strangely.
We had a prime table and a terrific time.
Sun-Times Article
Bisset goes deep into night
July 18, 2007
BY LISA LENOIR Sun-Times Columnist
"My Latin teacher told me I was such a chatterbox that I might make a good actress," Jacqueline Bisset told an audience of film lovers Saturday.
Her teacher was right. Bisset, honored at the 43rd Chicago International Film Festival Summer Gala at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, has taken her gift of gab and catapulted it into a career in which such movies as "Class," "Bullitt" and "The Deep" have made her renowned. And she has learned how to enthrall a crowd of admirers at length with countless behind-the-scenes stories of her career ascension.
"I am sorry ... I am wandering 'round a bit," she said while sharing about 28 minutes of anecdotes dotted with big names such as directors Roman Polanski and Ingmar Bergman during her acceptance speech, which took the night well past 10 p.m.
(Some women excused themselves from the affair and headed to the washroom, where they gossiped critically about her remarks and seeming lack of grace. One woman remarked, "Someone should have made her prepare something. How many times in your life do you get honored like this? Have a little dignity, honey.")
But they should forgive Bisset; she was flustered.
"I haven't won lots of awards; it gives me confidence," she admitted from the podium, as she accepted the Gold Hugo Career Achievement Award.
This was, after all, her night.
The stunning sexagenarian sashayed into the hotel's ballroom in a minidress and high heels. She appeared ageless. "I do one body, one life, one chance," she said in explaining her philosophy during the night's red carpet stroll. "I try to give a good vibe to the world."
Such radiance must have mesmerized those who honored her that night. Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert, who addressed the crowd through a voice simulator, and his wife, Chaz, said he admired her work in "Anna Karenina," John Huston's "Under the Volcano" and "The Greek Tycoon."
"Jacqueline Bisset's has been a career of fascinating performances and such a wide range of risk-taking roles. She is a great beauty and formidable talent and an actress who dignifies and glorifies a profession."
Producer-director Ted Kotcheff, who directed her in "Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?," said, "Character does not come by the truckload in Hollywood," but Bisset always maintained her grace and values. "In her long career of cinematic brilliance, she never surrendered her dignity. ... Success never led to compromises."
The night, which featured cocktails, dinner, live auction and sounds by Ajacks Music Mania, was to raise money for the festival's "Educational Outreach," a program that allows filmmakers to show their works to inner-city children and those with disabilities.
Co-chairs of the night were John Carroll and Judy Niedermaier. Bill Kurtis was the gala's emcee. Michael Kutza is founder and artistic director of the Chicago International Film Festival.
PARTY FILE
43RD ANNUAL CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SUMMER GALA
Tickets: $350-$1,000
Guests: 600
Amount raised: unreleased
