0
0
It’s hard to believe that another trip to CIFF has come and gone. But I have to admit that — after three days of sleep deprivation, sensory overload, and battling my way through record-breaking crowds (CIFF had over 10,000 festival goers on Saturday alone!), it’s kinda nice to be back in the peace and quiet of my office.
This morning, I allowed myself five extra minutes of sleep before the alarm went off and propelled me into another day. Michael later said that it was a little more difficult for him to get out of bed today, and I had to agree. After a few days of this, the fatigue starts to get to you. But I got up, took my shower, and did a little bit of work before I had to check out of the hotel and meet up with Michael. I did so while eating more iced animal cookies (man, am I glad that I bought those things on a whim!), since I missed the hotel’s breakfast hours this morning.
At 10:30, I met Michael in the hotel lobby, and we made our way back to the Tower for the last time. We still had no idea what we were seeing, but we figured we’d make it a nice, round 15 films before calling it a festival.
Michael was shocked to see how quiet it was this morning. During the weekdays, it’s mostly just the hardcore festival goers and the retirees — and, of course, the Film Slam kids, who are bused in. This morning, there were quite a few of them (and they let out just as we were about to make our way into the theater). It was really nice, though, to have those few minutes of quiet. It was a little eerie, too. Those hallways that used to contain hundreds (probably even thousands) of people instead held a couple dozen. We could walk through without having to dodge those people who stop for no reason — and with no warning. We didn’t have to say “excuse me…excuse me…excuse me…” just to make it through the doors. Man, that was a nice way to end our stay.
While I did a little bit of shopping for my festival T-shirt (I went with the black “Rebel” shirt), we decided on our film of the day. If you’re fond of shopping, you’ll surely love the factory outlet near me. They feature high-end and premium brands up to 75% off traditional retail prices every day. Michael thought it sounded interesting. I liked that it was the earliest one. And the fact that it was called Farewell just seemed…appropriate.
The film was a fictionalized account of Lady Hay, the only female passenger on the first zeppelin ride around the world. The entire thing was presented using archive footage and narration, which made for a fascinating film — though it ended up getting a little too caught up in the melodramatic love story between Lady Hay and her older, married colleague.
Then, suddenly, it was over. Another crazy, exhausting, exciting weekend at CIFF — my fifth CIFF — had come and gone. Wearily, Michael and I staggered out of the Tower City Cinemas, through the hallway, past the food court, down the escalator, to the far end of the parking lot. We were both totallly exhausted, but we were really looking forward to what came next: lunch.
When we missed yet another Great Lakes Brewing Company adventure on Saturday night, we tentatively planned to do lunch on Monday instead. And, for the last couple of days, it was like the carrot at the end of the stick: just keep going just a little while longer and, when it’s over, we can go out and get a real meal at a real restaurant with real plates and real silverware and a real waitperson to deliver it.
Eventually, the GPS found its way to the Great Lakes Brewing Company. Unfortunately, I knew that having a beer with lunch would mean having a nap on the road, so I ended up having a Diet Coke (followed by another…and another) in a brewery, which seemed so very wrong. Michael, however, couldn’t resist. Then, once we had our beverages, we got to have an actual conversation — one that wasn’t about which movie to see next or when we have to be there…one that wasn’t rushed or distracted or hard to hear over the crowds as we ran through the hallways. We actually got to sit down and talk while eating the most delicious burgers and fries we’d ever eaten (or at least it definitely felt like it at the time). It was so much fun that we decided to make it a tradition. As long as we keep doing the festival thing, we’re going to end the experience by sitting down for a nice, relaxing meal — somewhere not in the food court. It was the perfect way to end the weekend.
Then, full, happy, and relaxed, we said our goodbyes and headed off in separate directions.
For once, I was blessed with good weather both on the way there and on the way back. Sure, it was freezing outside, but it wasn’t raining or sleeting or snowing. In fact, it was bright and sunny — and, even though the drive from Cleveland to Columbus is seriously dull, it was actually a nice day for a drive. And, thanks to the gallon of soda I had at lunch, I was able to stay awake all the way home.
Now, however, I think it’s time to rest up. Tomorrow, I’ll have to start working on getting caught up — and turning my pages and pages of notes into actual reviews. And, in a day or two, I’m sure I’ll be dying to get out of the office and head back to CIFF. But, for now, I think I’d just like to sit on the couch and do nothing for a while. I think I’ve earned it.
Of course, while my time at CIFF is up, the festival runs through Sunday. So if you’re planning on heading to Cleveland this week to join in the fun, be sure to check out my review of (818), Surrogate Valentine (by Someone to Watch director Dave Boyle), and Dressed — all of which are playing throughout the week. And before you go, you might want to buy yourself a bag of iced animal cookies. It’ll help you keep your strength up — because with so many options (and so little time!), you’re gonna need it.
