Annegail Moreland 6/26/17 Annegail Moreland 6/26/17

Shut Up Anthony: Review

Shut Up Anthony is a complex film, one that requires an intricate sense at listening to the small details, and appreciating the things that are often not said. Movies like these can often be a beacon for self-reflection. Amongst those films Shut Up Anthony is the self-facing camera on your phone that you unwittingly turn to and are taken aback with. The main character: Anthony (played by Robert A. D'Esposito), after a series of cringe-worthy misgivings, retreats to a family vacation home, talking the whole way. Yet, it’s only when you realize it’s what Anthony does not say do you truly get to the beauty of the film. It’s not easy to find an unlikable main character so relatable as one finds Anthony. Relating to a character like him can hold the uncomfortable truth that from an outside perspective, we can look absolutely absurd and dickish. For that reason, I feel Shut Up Anthony will struggle to be liked by those who do not deal well with self-reflection. Some people just can’t handle the truth.

That being said, the actual depth of each character shows something to be said about Kyle Eaton’s debut film. With an uncompromising eye to both frame and script, Kyle marries outer aesthetic with internal turmoil in a way that brings the characters to life. Tim, played by Jon Titterington, holds the place of being a deep quasi-antagonist; Sparring verbally with Anthony until tensions build to a final confrontation, Tim is both wonderfully typed and dialogued. It is rare to see two male characters talk on end about emotions in the way these two do. Both passive-aggressively and on a deep emotional level.

Besides the two male characters there exists a presence that I feel others fail to touch upon in their reviews. That of the wonderfully rich character of Sam (played by Katie Michels). Sam subverts the typical girlfriend role in this film and refuses to play into a shallow, single faceted stereotype. Instead, Michels brings the depth of a complex and multi-directional woman who knows where the line is, and how to deal with those who cross it. Sam’s character is one who can see the deeper side behind Anthony and his often inappropriate babbling, and yet, knows when the relationship is taking a toxic turn.

Shut Up Anthony is a film to be watched for its deepness in character, realness in the plot, and unique cinematography in all facets. Stay patient with Anthony as so many others do in this film, and you will reveal a deeper meaning to both his absence of words and your own.

Meeting up at The West I interviewed Kyle Eaton to get a take on his Brooklyn Film Festival showing and the future of Shut Up Anthony.

How’s everything been since the showing?

Kyle: Pretty good. We actually won a spirit award! I was pretty surprised. It essentially is a critic's choice that they felt like it best suited the spirit of what the Brooklyn Film Festival was all about. Any additional recognition is really nice, you know? It’s always nice to get a little nod for whatever you produce.

That’s pretty amazing! Where do you think Shut Up Anthony is going next?

I think the film might be going down the video on demand streaming route like everything these days. We’re coming into a time where theatrical releases aren't as common these days. I sort of have to reckon with the fact that everyone wants to view movies on their laptop nowadays. So although we have a festival circuit coming up, the final form might be more digital for at-home viewers.

I read some reviews that didn’t like Anthony, suggesting he spoke too much. How do you respond to that?

Kyle: The root of Anthony’s self-destructive behavior is talking as a way of dealing with his grief. Especially returning to the house where a very traumatic incident took place, is very personal in a way. It stings to know that people would base their entire review on the main character's likability when in all honesty, they're supposed to be a real people that go through real hurt and deal with it in their own ways, not characters who you’d fall in love with but characters who have depth.

I really loved Katie’s character, how did you determine her lines and personality?

Kyle: We were very intentional in working with Katie on this character, that we didn't want her be one-sided and “the girlfriend.” We wanted her to have her own set of beliefs and ways of dealing with things just as any other character in the film. As it ends, we don’t know what really happens to Sam and Anthony but we see her start to take control at the end of the film. Sam has her own demons and her own problems and we didn’t want her to be a cardboard cutout of a traditional role that we so often see in classic film.

Photos courtesy of Shut Up Anthony

Amanda Serulneck 6/18/17 Amanda Serulneck 6/18/17

Opening Night of The Lower East Side Film Festival

Thursday, June 8th, marked the first night of the seventh annual Lower East Side Film Festival (LESFF). The films are being shown at the notable Sunshine Cinema, for the last time before the theater closes. The LESFF creates a special experience for both the filmmaker and the audience through film screenings, neighborhood engagement, and industry panels.

The LESFF is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit which supports underdog filmmakers who know that huge budgets do not equal great film. The festival has come a long way from it’s humble beginnings, in which the LESFF crew turned a LES pop-up space into a unique and intimate theater. Since then, the festival has been featured in major presses and even expanded to the greater venues which has and will continue to secure distribution for its up and coming independent filmmakers. The popularity and success the festival gained in its early days has brought it to where it is today, with people from all over the country waiting for tickets to go on sale. Past judges have included Denis O’Hare, Laverne Cox and Dolly Parton. This year’s festival judges included Sasheer Zamata (SNL), Jeremy Allen White (Shameless), cinematographer Sam Levy (Frances Ha, Mistress America), Stephen Schneider (Broad City) and Paola Mendoza, Documentary Filmmaker and Artistic Director of The Women’s March, among others.

The opening night of the festival premiered the film Avenues, written and directed by Michael Angarano, who also stars in the movie. The film also stars Nicholas Braun (How To Be Single), Juno Temple (The Dark Knight Rises), Adelaide Clemens (The Great Gatsby), Ari Graynor (Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist) and Maya Kazan (Frances Ha). The picture was produced by Michael Sherman, Matthew Perniciaro, Michael Angarano, Elyse Seiden and Jonah Quickmire Pettigrew. Before the film showing, guests were welcomed to a lounge with an open bar, snacks, and an opportunity to take pictures with the LESFF backdrop.

Avenues tell the story of when Peter (Nicholas Braun) arrives in Manhattan to visit his best friend Max (Michael Angarano), and the two go out for a day on the town, hitting the tourist spots and all the while hilariously working through the baggage of their friendship. When they meet two young women, day spills into the night and takes an unexpected turn. Angarano creates a portrait of contemporary New York City in his directorial debut that harkens back to the classics of the 1970s and is alive to new possibilities.

The film was charming, funny, and relatable. The depiction of struggling mid-life crises, a relationship falling apart, a woman seeking to settle down, this movie had characters and events that anyone can share. There were themes of friendship, love, and loss. The direction of Avenues was very indie-spirited, something many people want more of in films nowadays.

Following the film showing was a Q&A with Michael Angarano and Adelaide Clemens, where attendees were able to learn more about the writing and filming process and get to know more about the stars. The Opening Night Party, presented by Vimeo, took place at DROM, where guests were welcomed to another open bar and live music. The rest of the festival included not only tons of more fantastic films and film shorts, but also themed nights with ice cream socials, Christmas parties, and Ladies’ Night with reduced prices for Feminists ($16 for Feminists and $8,632 for Non-Feminists to adjust for the median annual earnings difference between men and women).

The Lower East Side Film Festival is an incredibly enjoyable experience for any film lovers. For more information, or to become a member of LESFF, please visit www.lesfilmfestival.com. As an LESFF Donor you will be supporting a community of passionate, creative, innovative, filmmakers and helping us create awesome screenings, events, and parties that celebrate their work.

Special thanks to Bianca from Shark Party Media. Photographs by Cory Goldberg.

Alex Korompis 11/20/16 Alex Korompis 11/20/16

Nordic International Film Festival

The Nordic International Film Festival provided a wide array of short films that engaged the personal side of life as well as more cerebral themes and ideas. Out of all the short films I’ve seen, these are the three that remain in the forefront of my mind because of their imaginative storytelling.

Running Through Life is a beautifully shot short film by Director Helen Moltke-Leth from Denmark. The entire short film is of a woman, running through different parts of the city with a voiceover that provides insight into her mind as she contemplates her thoughts, actions, and how she affects those around her. The voiceover really delivers a sense of struggle from the runner and what she wants versus what’s expected of her. Overall, it’s shot very well with a noteworthy juxtaposition of the nighttime setting with the woman's internal struggle that transitions into daybreak, implying a hopeful mindset.

You and Me is an intimate story between mother (Laufey Elíasdóttir) and daughter (Gríma Valsdóttir). Through misdirection, Director Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir wants the audience to think it’s a story between a man and woman who attempt to hook up after a night at the bar. It is revealed to the audience that the woman is a single mother when she closes the door to the room with her sleeping daughter inside. The woman proceeds to sleep with the man until her daughter interrupts them and which leads her to throw the man out of her home. What comes after is a display of great acting in a dialogue between mother and daughter as they reveal what their life is like, what it was like before, and what it will be like looking forward. The dynamic between the mother and daughter alludes to a role reversal of parent and child where the daughter almost plays the parent role of her mother in a cheeky, but playful way. Child actors are sometimes difficult to work with and have very little experience in most cases, but Director Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir seems to capture a child's natural inclination to be playful. Though it is a short film, I can't help but feel like I want more of their story because of the way the short film ends; mysterious, but hopeful.

Box, from Director Mathias Askeland, managed to get an Honorable Mention in the Nordic International Film Festival Awards with good reason. Box is the product of unconventional, but innovative filmmaking. The entire short film is shot as one long take and shows Anne Cecilie Ukkelberg and Kenneth Åkerland Berg, a couple attempting to take the perfect picture in a photo booth. While attempting to get this perfect picture, their relationship is revealed to be far from perfect as both partners fail to meet one another’s expectations in their relationship. It feels as if the photo booth is a metaphor for the boxed in or repressed feelings and problems of their relationship. The whole dialogue between them is reflective of how real life relationship problems are dealt with and seeing that reflection was both humorous and tragic. To prepare for the film, Anne Cecilie Ukkelberg and Kenneth Åkerland Berg lived together to attempt to replicate an authentic relationship. This paid off well because it would lead them to play off one another better as it really seems like both characters are in sync and manage to capture the quips they’d really have for one another. For a short film titled Box, Director Mathias Askeland thinks outside of the box and knocks it out of the park with this one.

Photos courtesy of Nordic International Film Festival

Jason Gao 10/26/16 Jason Gao 10/26/16

Food Film Festival NYC

The Food Film Festival does not do enough justice in describing what this is all about. It's an experience!

How many times have you watched a film (for me, it's almost anything on Food Network) and saw something that looked incredibly tasty and wished you could sample it? The idea of the Food Film Festival was born from that very craving.

The Food film Festival marked its 10th anniversary this weekend at AMC Empire 25. The festival offers a unique experience where guests get to actually taste the foods they see on the screen right in the comfort of their own seats. It was a dream come true for food and film lovers alike. Since 2007, the festival has been showcasing films that use food and beverages as thematic elements. What makes this event so special is the fact that guests are able to sample the items that they see on the screen.

The four-day festival which ran from Oct 20th to the 24th showcased independent films accompanied by different dishes featured in said films.

Opening night (Best of a Decade!) revisits the best films from the fest's ten years and offers treats from Amanda Cohen’s Dirt Candy, The Brooklyn Star, Max & Mina’s Ice Cream and more.

On the second night (Taste of Louisiana), the theme was celebrated Cajun cooking with Volcano Bread from Laugarvatn Fontana Spa, Pickles from Leibowitz Pickle Works, Pizza from Denino’s Pizza, BBQ Shrimp Boule by Chef Jude Tauzin, Spring Rolls by Jeannie Ongkeo, and Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream by Chef Jenny McCoy. The highlight of this night was definitely the alligator dish from City Pork Brassiere.

On the third night (Food Porn Party), the festival’s rousing Food Porn Party returns, with extreme eats from Meyers Bageri, Top Pot Donuts, Breads Bakery, Night Kitchen and many more, to accompany films that are essentially beautiful shots of food — aka food porn. The famous Chonut was a must try, and the night ended with a strip show – appropriately named food burlesque.

And closing night (Eat Japan!) was all about the Land of the Rising Sun with an amazing selections of food from Patisserie Tomoko, chef Karl Palma’s Takoyaki, Japanese iced coffee, mochi and last but not least, ramen.

In addition to drinks and the numerous courses served during the films, each night included an after party with even more food based on the night’s theme. One thing's for sure, this will be the tastiest film fest you've ever attended.

All Food Festival events benefit important non-profit organizations, such as the Food Bank For New York City, The Billion Oyster Project, The Good Food Project and GrowFood Carolina.

These unique kinds of events is what makes us so fortunate to be living in a place like New York. I thought it was such a fun experience and can't wait to see what they'll bring us next year!

Photos courtesy of The Food Film Festival.

Alex Korompis 10/12/16 Alex Korompis 10/12/16

Shin Godzilla: Review

Shin Godzilla? More like Shin Mortal-zilla. Directed by Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, the Japanese reboot of the beloved giant monster movie does not live up to all the hype. When one thinks of Godzilla or giant monster movies, one assumes an intimidating Godzilla and frightening destruction driven by human emotion. What we get instead is a rather underwhelming Godzilla with too many subplots from the human side of the story.

The film follows the structure of “this event is impossible, but if it happened, this is what would occur.” From the get-go, even when seemingly natural catastrophes occur, everyone tries to rationally explain what is happening, ruling out the improbable -- or rather the “impossible” -- except for Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Rando Yaguchi (played by Hiroki Hasegawa). He points out evidence of a possible giant monster, but everyone around him seems to be in denial before Godzilla actually appears and starts destroying the city. What ensues after are countless meetings between Japanese politicians, foreign officials, and military officers discussing the Godzilla crisis and how to resolve it.

shin_godzilla_full_wallpaper_by_godzilla_image-dadv0op.jpg

Good films are driven by its characters and Shin Godzilla manages to partially capture the human aspect of the film. Tension and drama builds really well amongst characters and overall the actors perform very well. The main spotlight would definitely be on Hiroki Hasegawa’s character, Rando Yaguchi; he always has great chemistry with whichever actor he’s with in any scene showing great versatility. What came as a surprise while watching this film was the amount of humor. Through the chaotic meetings between government and military officials, Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi sneak in quirky, yet funny moments that seem to show that no matter how serious the situation, there’s always time to add in a joke.

The upside to the meetings is its humor, but they also include unwanted or unnecessary subplots that clutter the film’s plot. While I understand the purpose of Kayoko Ann Paterson (played by Satomi Ishihara), she never seems relevant or as important as she should’ve been. The key problem in this movie is Godzilla itself. Godzilla may have been destructive, but it sure wasn’t terrifying which it should be since it is a giant monster that towers over buildings. Its very first appearance is rather underwhelming because of how it looks and though I understand why it looks the way it does at the beginning and at the end of the movie, the damage it had on my impressions were too negative. Buildings got destroyed, people died, and everyone was in mass panic, but I never felt a real sense of danger or fright from Godzilla itself.

Shin Godzilla is a sci-fi monster film featuring the legendary Godzilla. Even though this film has a strong lead, surprising humor, and good acting all around, this new incarnation does not quite live up to the legend because it completely misses the mark on the Godzilla side of the film. With a personal rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars, I’d wish I didn’t get invited to see Shin Godzilla.

Photos courtesy of Rogers & Cowan for Funimation Films

Traci Thomas 10/5/16 Traci Thomas 10/5/16

“Versailles” series makes elegant U.S. arrival

Cast of "Versailles" with show creators, SImon Mirren and David Wolstencroft

Glitz, glamour, and the charm of 1700’s France was the essence that steered the U.S. premiere of “Versailles”. The period drama aired its first episode on October 1st on the independent cable network Ovation TV. It follows the ever-extravagant King Louis XIV, historically known for his messiah-like sense of self, his many affairs, and -- most notably -- ruling all of France while living at the breathtaking palace of Versailles. George Blagden’s performance as the illustrious, yet paranoid “Sun King” sets the show’s dark, engaging tone, all the while juxtaposed with Alexander Vlahos, who executes a strong performance as Louis’ ambitious yet secretive brother, Philippe.

Guests are seated and prepare for dinner at Bagatele

Ovation TV went all out for the highly-anticipated premiere. The first night was set at Bagatelle in the Meatpacking district. Guests were greeted and served by the talented staff, dressed in period-appropriate garment, wigs and lovely French accents. The theme of the night was to “Dine like King Louis,” as guests were immersed in style, from the beautiful chandeliers and candelabras that lit the restaurant, to the assortment of fruit on every table.

Simon Mirren (left) and David Wolstencroft announce a preview from the show

The show’s creators, Simon Mirren and David Wolstencroft welcomed guests to the festivities and introduced the crowd to a handful of the featured cast, including Blagden and Vlahos. A preview of an upcoming episode was shown to the already-invested crowd right before dinner was served. Renowned French chef, Nicolas R. Frezal, served a stunning three-course meal, reminiscent of King Louis’ regular evening meals. The dining portion of the night concluded with dessert and a tasting of aged brandy, provided by Grand Marnier.

Lisa Zane serenades guests as they dine.

From food, to atmosphere and music, the evening came together in the most exquisite way possible. The night was concluded by a performance by actress and singer, Lisa Zane. Zane gave a breathtaking three-song set, completely in French, continuing the atmospheric feel that Paris had landed in New York City. Ovation TV rose to the bar that “Versailles” originally set. As the most expensive television program produced in France, the network saw that it was only fitting to give the premiere the 5-star treatment.

Special thanks to Killian and Nicole.

Photos courtesy of Patrick McMullan

Alex Korompis 9/21/16 Alex Korompis 9/21/16

Operation Avalanche: Review

One small step for man, one medium leap for Director Matt Johnson in his found footage conspiracy thriller Operation Avalanche. As director, star, and producer, Johnson shows he is able to accomplish both a lot and very little at the same time. The found footage medium has seen a lot of ups and downs over the years, but Operation Avalanche can be recognized as one of the better ones. Strong performances, technical achievement and stylistic sense manage to make this film a more likable one than not.

The CIA sends Ivy League recruits Matt Johnson and Owen Williams(playing themselves) on a mission to infiltrate NASA and expose a Russian mole. To do so, they use the cover of a documentary film crew that’s attempting to document the behind the scenes efforts leading up to man’s landing on the moon. In a turn of events, Matt and Owen realize the U.S. cannot actually land on the moon by the expected date and are forced to take on a new mission to fake the moon landing to “beat the Russians.”

While the premise may sound ridiculous and Argo-esque, Johnson and his team deliver something that has more comical moments than one would expect. Because the plot involves creating a fake documentary, the style feels like a mockumentary. Great acting is key in any film, but the found footage, mockumentary medium emphasizes capturing facial expression, small ticks and changes to the face that make a performance not only believable, but feel real.

During the Q&A after my screening of the film, Johnson revealed his difficulty in playing his character because of his inability to relate to him. He is, however, able to show us a passionate CIA agent with a restlessness to accomplish his mission. His determination shows not only through his character, but through his technological achievement. In one scene, Johnson and his crew visit Stanley Kubrick’s film set of 2001: A Space Odyssey to find the necessary technique to replicate the moon setting. Since this never actually happened, VFX specialist Tristan Zerafa had to animate old photographs of Kubrick on set and combine it with the footage of Johnson and company. This alone lends even more credit to this film as an ambitious one.

Matt Johnson, director and star of "Operation Avalanche," Photo: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

Operation Avalanche is supposed to be a thriller, but sometimes doesn’t feel like one. Tension doesn’t always build the way it’s supposed to and the climax doesn’t feel as thrilling as one would hope. While the narrative is easy to follow and technical parts of the film are explained well, pacing led the film to feel longer and dragged out during certain parts. For something as large as the moon landing, the film doesn’t quite deliver on the ambitious and impactful journey it sets out to be.

The film’s likable, comical nature combined with its stylistic approaches easily outweigh its lackluster climax. Operation Avalanche may not have reached its potential, but for its small crew and budget, Johnson manages to deliver something that stuck the landing with a great, fun, crazy film to watch. With a personal rating of 4 out of 5 stars, I’d invite you to watch Operation Avalanche.

Ryn Walling 5/21/16 Ryn Walling 5/21/16

A Night Out with TBS Comedies

To promote and celebrate the expansion of comedies on their network, TBS held A Night Out for members of The Television Academy; guest stars included Conan O’Brien, Rashida Jones, Samantha Bee, and Jason Jones. The event was held at the New Museum in Soho and included a red carpet, panel and preview, and after party.

The stars hit the red carpet and the room erupted into flashes from photographers and rapid-fire questions from journalists. I tried to reign in my inner fangirl as Rashida and Samantha neared my post on the carpet. They were both a delight to talk with and exceedingly polite, even as they were rushed off the red carpet and into the auditorium.

Next was the panel and preview, moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper. The stars were led in one by one, all cracking jokes along the way. Conan was predictably the most vocal, commenting on everything from the cubic white chairs they were sitting in to the attire of Jason Jones, which was less than formal.

Clips from the special “Conan in Korea” were shown and Conan had a chance to talk about his experience there. He discussed how unpredictable foreign episodes can be and letting the jokes, and sometimes more serious moments, play out on their own without a lot of scripting.

Samantha Bee was touted as “the true successor to Jon Stewart” in the preview of her show “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” which highlighted her sharp wit and ability to tackle with ease some of the more difficult political events that occur every day.

Jason Jones, who strolled on stage in jeans and sneakers with a beer in hand, was his usual brazen, sarcastic self. His show “The Detour” is based on his own experiences with his wife Samantha Bee and their children when they go on road trips. Oh, and it just so happens to have been created, written, and produced by Jason. The show was already confirmed for a second season even before the series was launched, which Jason describes as “the greatest thing ever, especially to have the faith of TBS to renew it before it aired.”

Lastly Rashida Jones was introduced, and after a quick mix-up by the moderator on what her show was called, we got to see some clips from “Angie Tribeca.” If you’ve seen Rashida on “Parks and Recreation” or “The Office,” this is a very different type of show. It is an irreverent version of typical police procedural shows that relies heavily on the complete seriousness of its characters, even as the bizarre and absurd happens all around them.

There were a few questions from the audience after the previews were over, but I think ultimately everyone just wanted to get to the after party that was held in the Sky Room on the seventh floor of the museum. Celebrities and guests chatted, drank, and enjoyed the view of the city through the windows and out on the balcony.

These stars and shows are clear leaders in comedy and television, and were a great way to cheer me up in the middle of the week. I’m excited to see the changes TBS is making to its network and hope to see these wonderful shows and their stars at the Emmys in September.

Special thanks to Chelsea and Eileen from Turner, and Molly from BWR.

Jason Gao 3/17/16 Jason Gao 3/17/16

"The Intern" NY Premiere

*Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures*

The Premiere took place at Ziegfried Theater with a steep price of $1,500 (luckily I was invited) and included an invitation to the after party at Tavern on the Green. Being a world premiere, all of the heavy hitter stars of came out to show support, Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway included.

There was free popcorn and sodas for everyone, but for $1,500 they should been serving caviar.

While walking around waiting for the screening to start, I noticed someone familiar from the corner of my eye As I got closer, I realized it was Regis Philbin. I had no idea he was 84 years old; he looked really good for that age. Regis was sagacious and very kind, even offering me some of his popcorn.

The stars finally arrived, even Mariah Carey showed up with her billionaire boyfriend.

After all the stars, arrived it was finally time for the screening. This was my first movie premiere so I did not know what to expect. I sat four rows (Yes, I counted...) in front of Robert De Niro. When everyone was seated in the movie theater, someone came out and introduced all the stars. They stood up while everyone cheered on. It was a surreal moment, to be watching a movie with some of the biggest movie stars on the planet.

After the movie, everyone including the stars went into lobby and greeted each other for such a wonderfully done movie.

This was definitely the funniest guy in the movie. You might recognize Zack from the substitute teacher skit from Key and Peele where he played A-a-ron.

Christina played assistant to Anne Hathaway and she was just adorable. I see big things in her future, and I am wishing her the best. I actually sent her this picture on Facebook, and she responded!

My Movie Review: I thought the movie was great, charming, and lots of fun. I really did not expect anything less from Robert and Anne. The pacing and comedic bits between the two of them were well developed for a lighthearted film such as this one. The whole time I was watching the movie, I could not help but think about The Devils Wear Prada. The movie was like a sequel to TDWP with Anne being the boss this time, and Robert changing her perspective on life. Although the movie was not Oscar worthy or anything, it is a fun weekend escape.

Jason Gao 3/17/16 Jason Gao 3/17/16

Force 4 Fashion

In order to promote and celebrate Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney and Bloomingdale's joined forces to create Force 4 Fashion. Top fashion designers created many Star Wars inspired outfits to be auctioned off for charity.

The event appropriately took place in Skylight Modern, a space that is typically used for fashion shows and other such events. The entrance with its Star Wars decor was outstanding. We were greeted at the entrance with Champagne, which is always a nice way to start a party.

Force Awakens stars came out to support the event

They did not let the guests go hungry. I did not get a picture, but they also passed around Wagyu steak hor devours style, and having been my first time having wagyu, I gotta say it was delicious.

This is the true definition of squad goals. Overall, the fusion of the Star Wars film and fashion worked out really well. The combination of Star Wars, fashion, and charity is a strong one.