SIFF 2006 kicks off with the Opening Night Gala on May 25, 2006. The opening night screening, The Illusionist, stars Edward Norton as Eisenheim, an early 1900’s magician in Vienna who falls in love with a woman of class. Following her engagement to the Crown Prince, the magician uses his powers to woo the woman back and create unrest in the kingdom. Jessica Biel plays the princess to be. There are some great notes about the film over at Edward-Norton.org. No word on whether we’ll see Norton or Biel at the gala, but director Neil Burger and producer Michael London are expected to be on hand. Look for photos and a wrap-up following the event here.
Stuff in the Gift Bag:
$25 gift card to The Container Store, Sterling Vintner’s Collection picture frame, Nokia picture frame, Umbrella from The Container Store, $3 Starbucks gift card, book from Michael Wiese Productions, 3 months of TV5MONDE free, current issues of Travel + Leisure and Seattle Metropolitan, notepads from Bombay Sapphire and The Container Store, and advertising from Thomasville Furniture and the Washington State Film Incentive Package
Food and Drink in the Gift Bag:
375ml bottle Bombay Sapphire, One tin of Zhena’s Gypsy Tea, One pound Starbucks Coffee, One biscotti, Bombay Sapphire mints, Nokia mints, Dilettante Chocolates, Odwalla Bar, Complementary Appetizer or Dessert from Paddy Coynes, Dragonfish VIP Card for 20% off, Complementary small plate at Ibiza.
I happen to enjoy a gin and tonic or martini every now and then, so the Bombay Sapphire was certainly a nice touch. Sterling Vintner could have stepped up and thrown in a bottle of wine too, but they did have merlot and chardonnay on hand both before and after the showing of The Illusionist. The real stinkers here are Nokia, who gave away the same stuff they offer at their tradeshow booths and Thomasville Furniture who offers a “free consultation” to try and sell you furniture.
