10 Memorable Moments from RESFEST 2003

Words: Jonathan Wells

(in no particular order and by no means comprehensive)

1. Spike Jonze showing up to RESFEST LA sporting a well-worn Lost in Translation t-shirt.

2. Audible gasp in the audience at RESFEST NY when "Japanese Tradition" filmmakers said "Relationships" was the last in the series. Actor/writer Kentaroh Kobayashi proceeded to let out his loud trademark "Har Har Har... Just kidding."

3. Simon Le Bon (!) - dressed in white suit - negotiating the guest list at the opening night RESFEST NYC performance by LCD Soundsystem at Bowery Ballroom.

4. Michel Gondry verbally sparring with the paparazzi outside the closing night party at the Tribeca Grand Hotel. "You have no idea who I even am." "Yes, we do! We loooove you, Michel!" "Name two of my videos." Silence.

5. Mad rush of skateboarders at RESFEST London for the UK premiere of Helen Stickler's film Stoked. Some seemed more interested in lifting the Shepard Fairey posters for the film than getting into the screening itself.

6. A person asking us if they could join the inaugural sold out Studio Tours in SF. "I'm sorry but they are sold out." "I think you have room." Us turning to find the bus company had sent a full-sized (read GIANT) tour coach, instead of the mini-buses we had expected and later had in LA and NYC.

7. Mike Mills presenting a sold-out midnight retrospective of his work at the brand-new Virgin Cinemas at the Roppongi Hills complex for RESFEST Tokyo. Later he regaled us with tales from the set of his first feature film Thumbsucker, which is in post-production now.

8. Uproarious applause after screenings of David Ellis' "Letter to the President," an audience favorite from the By Design program.

9. Insane multimedia performance by Jack Dangers and Ben Stokes' Tino Corp for the closing night of RESFEST San Francisco at the Palace of Fine Arts.

10. The anticipation in the air as over 900 people eagerly awaited the start of the Michel Gondry Retrospective at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Daft Punk boomed over the sound system. One of the most memorable nights in RESFEST history.