A Tribute to Regina Hall
SIFF's capsule summary: "One of America's favorite character actresses, Regina Hall has found much of her success in the most difficult of onscreen endeavors-making people laugh. An actor, activist, spokesperson, and journalist, her body of work is as broad as it is deep in a career that spans nearly three decades. From her career-launching performance in the Scary Movie franchise to her recent dramatic work in such films as Support the Girls and The Hate U Give, her versatility and commitment as an actress is renowned and cherished by all who collaborate with her." (180 minutes)
SIFF link: A Tribute to Regina Hall
This event began with a montage of clips from Regina Hall films. It included a film I saw at SIFF back before I started going to more than a few films per festival, Love and Basketball (2000).
Next, she was presented the 2019 Seattle International Film Festival Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema. It's a pretty cool trophy, and she looked quite pleased with it.
The main event, for us at least, was a conversation with Regina Hall about her life and career, moderated by editor Jacqueline Coley from Rotten Tomatoes. Regina Hall did one of the better appearances (top quarter) SIFF has had in their featured afternoon event, and did it without much guidance from the moderator. I wish I had recorded it, but I knew it would be longer than the typical post-film Q-and-A, and my arm would have tired out from holding my phone-camera.
After an intermission, Hall's 2018 film Support the Girls, directed by Andrew Bujalski, was scheduled, but "J" and I heard that it was already available by streaming, so we ducked out to see Carmen and Lola instead, with a detour through the SIFF Lounge.
This was a very good personal appearance. I hope we get to see the film before too long; it looks like fun, got quite a few good reviews, and Bujalski's feature debut, Funny Ha Ha, was excellent.
Event: 2 pm, SIFF Cinema at the Egyptian.
Audience: maybe 60% full, 575 seats (450 main, 125 balcony).
Snacks: none.
Ads and announcements:
- SIFF promotion - "SIFF brings communities together."
- SIFF membership promotion - "SIFF members make it possible."
- SIFF 2019 promotion - "Cinematic dish" is the theme.
- Thank you, volunteers - Time for applause.
- In-person people - The main event.
Notes to myself:
SIFF statistics: 82 films (64 features, 18 shorts), 67 time slots (this one without the film), five parties. (I've seen 11 features "J" missed, and she's seen nine features and eight shorts that I missed, so I've seen two more features than she has. She also saw one feature twice, which reduces the difference by one, if that counts. She skipped one of the parties.)