Barbara Scharres & director Bruce David Klein at Q&A following film
By Rachel Galvin
The Sun & Stars Film Festival kicked off on January 23 with the film “Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story” at the Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. Before the film, there was a reception complete with Asian light bites, a keyboardist performing and champagne and wine being passed around. Before guests left the area to head to the theater, they could grab a box of their choice of candy to snack upon. Once inside the theater, they had their choice of buttered or cheesy popcorn.
Keith Myers, the president and CEO of MorseLife Health System said a few words before turning the microphone over to Donald M. Ephraim and Terri C. Sriberg, who are both founders and consulting principals. Ephraim told a few jokes to warm up the crowd. Next came Barbara Scharres, the artistic director, who said there are 26 more films to come in the fest, and she introduced the director of the opening night film, Bruce David Klein. He would also come back after the film to do a Q&A moderated by Scharres.
The film was a documentary focused on Minnelli and how she came to be such an icon following the death of her mother, the legendary Judy Garland. The movie focused on the mentors around her that emerged to help her find her own unique voice away from her mother’s memory. It showcased the heartache she felt, the tragedies she endured, as well as the victories along the way.
This was just the first film in a long list of motion pictures that will be shown at The Kravis, as well as at EVO Entertainment in Delray Marketplace.
To see the list of all the films, special guests, and to buy tickets, visit sasiff.org.
Keith Myers Barbara Scharres Donald M. Ephraim and Terri C. Sriberg
Director Bruce David Klein