Oscar season is here again ... It has been extended to what we like to call: "The Awards' Season."
That means practically, that every other night, we need to have hair and make-up done, a fancy designer gown, and applaud "The Man (or Woman) of the Hour" of the Hollywood's industry ..
Winning an award - is like getting a big present, huge boost to one's self esteem, let alone - bank account.
The slight problem, some have with this, is that there is inflation of awards & ceremonies over the years ... Some of us find it difficult to focus on a single or couple awards we should ..
Though - really?! - How can we define one award as more important than the other??
One glamorous award (and to be fair - a fun evening!) is based on votes of less than 90 people, who are not hugely known in the film (or any another) industry.
Still, a red carpet, and many after parties make the magic ..
*** ***
Yet - I am glad, I attended another one of those awards' luncheons this year again.
It was in Palm Springs, earlier this year. The Palm Springs International Film Festival has positioned itself as, "The First of Film Festival Awards of the season (leading towards the Oscars)."
Not a bad position to have ...
Situated two hours drive from Hollywood, and happening right after the New Year - why would not vacationing A Listers (plus their agents, managers and PR) attend the sunny land?
After all - JFK (president Kennedy), Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe have the same ..
So - as I was sipping champagne with actor Bradly Cooper, director Tom Hooper ("The King Speech"and "Les Miserables"). I noticed an emotional man, trying to get close to us.
"Look Daphne, this man just won some award .,. He was crying ... You may want to talk with him .." told me one of my friends.
THANKS GOD, HE DID!
I motioned to the guy to get closer ..
"My name is Chhay ..I am from Cambodia.Yes, I won an award here for my film ..It is a true story, about the genocide of my wife's family ..It is the (horrible) story of my wife's mother .."
A tearful Chhay told us, how he had spent all his life's savings, to film this devastating story: "Since we did not have money, I needed to use my wife as the actress ..It was tough for her, to relive her family's tragedy! She was crying ..It broke my heart ..I owe so much money ..I just needed to tell the story .."
It is that moment - when I am being pulled back to lunch - that I decided to hand Chhay my private mobile number, and invited him to lunch at my vacation home. My friends reminded me, that our schedule is hectic, but something in Chhay's body language makes me drawn into him like a magnet.
*** ***
The next day - Erbil agrees to pick up Chhay and bring him over to my place. When they arrive - my house guests and I see Chhay, filming my pool, spa, garden ..
"He asked for a permission to film ... He was so overwhelmed!" explained Erbil. It was clear that what Erbil learnt during the ride to my home from Chhay had moved him so much to allow him to film as he wished, freely.
Devastating (story) it is! Chhay is having lunch with us, describing scenes from he genocide in Cambodia. BUT then - we are getting even more emotional!!
Chhay is telling us, "How when I finished to screen the film in Palm Springs, people in the audience got so moved ..One lady screamed: 'Here is 100$ for you and your family' ..Then - others threw 100$, 20$ bills as well ..I was crying! Yes, I was grateful. Yet .. I did not come to Palm Springs for donations ..They brought me here to get an award ..I got the award! Now - I would like to get a distribution for my film ... I did not come for charities ... I thought, that an award would bring me distribution.."
*** ***
Save your tears ... I am trying to help Chhay. His story just refreshed my mind, about the original reason for the film awards, before PR and "packaging agents" took over ..IT USED TO BE ALL ABOUT BRINGING MORE BUSINESS! To the client, and so many people around, generating from such a hipe.
*** ***
One - above many things - I liked Chhay's story: it is a true story, being told from a personal POV. Also - it opens our (sometimes limited minds) into different cultures and territories.
In a way - it relates to my latest book, the autobiography of Barack Obama's family - "Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots". The book has by now publishing contracts in key markets worldwide, as well as offers for optioning it as a film.
For more info - visit www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnobles.com or www.pipublic.com
