Celebrity Living

Apparently, each year the Festival features and honors an American actor for their body of work and is presented and stars in a new film.  This year it was Glenn Close and the movie she leads was directed by Spanish Director, Rodrigo Garcia.  The name of the movie is ‘Albert Nobbs’, and Glenn Close plays a woman pretending to be a man trying to keep a job as a waiter/ servant at a hotel in 19^th Century Ireland.

An incredible performance and fascinating movie, Glenn Close accepted her award on stage before the movie, watched it and accepted thunderous applause afterwards.

Between movies, food and wine, we managed to find time to browse, tour and shop.  For Stan and I climbed the City's signature hilltop overlooking the entrance to the harbor and other incredible views of San Sebastian while Denise and I secured moments to shop and sit in one of the many outdoor cafes sipping coffee and enjoying the charm of this beautiful coastal City.  Just like in so many movies. I guess we are in the right place.  

Films and Food

Movies!  The crowds are feverish as they line up to see film favorites.  Some theatres are small, and the films are popular so you have to get to the locations early to get seats.  Our travel guide, Ilene, has been incredible.  She is always working hard to be sure we know where to go, how to get there and what to expect.  Ilene has done this so many times, she is a walking encyclopedia for all our questions.  Between she and Steve Farber, our movie guru, they have worked very hard to be sure we get tickets to good films and related events.  Some films are in English, but all have subtitles.  Some are great, some long and slow and many are provocative. 

Cuisine!  Even though most shops and businesses close mid-day from 2 to 4 pm, there is always time to eat incredible food and wine.  Our meals are served in exquisite settings and fashionable ambiance by expert chefs. The local fresh fish and wines are beyond good.  The delicious tapas bars, round out mid-day meals while Stan enjoys samplings of gelato along the streets and pathways one the way to films. An added experience is dining with our group of 20 or so as we discuss the movies and learn about each other while in restaurants you only qualify as 5-star. Fortunately, Stan has found some interesting steps and walks to help work off the calories.

San Sebastian Film Festival First Impressions

With much anticipation, we attempted to post what we thought would be interesting experiences and pictures of our trip.  But, to our dismay and frustration, computer glitches and pathetic computer skills, our efforts were thwarted.  Alas, Lauren came to our rescue from across the continents which enabled us to get this working.

Since landing in San Sebastian, we have been seeing movies and eating, with non stop abandon.  We are enjoying Top Chef-quality fine dining including incredible dinners and mid-day tapas and vino so reasonable and delicious that we can’t believe this tiny town in northwest Spain has such amazing feast and fare.

The status of films, directors, actors and acclaimed experts in this locale is simply amazing.  We have seen about 15 films between the both of us so far and can’t wait to see more.  Our eagerness to dash about seeing so many movies tells you how indoctrinated we have already become. 

This city is beautifully picturesque and quaint.  The group we are with are interesting and smart and we are enjoying their company and discussions on the movies and the cuisine. Here are a few pictures that gives a flavor of our experiences.   

Getting to Spain

We hope the flights are seamless, considering there will be 3 stops and transfers.  But it'll all be worth it once we land in San Sebastian and enjoy Tapas and Sangria.  We can't wait to get there and see what a Film Festival in a beautiful coastal town nestled in the Pyrenees Mountains is all about.  To be continued....