The December Boys Premiere

As mentioned previously, at the last minute a friend of mine won tickets from the Herald Sun and invited me to go, and of course I said yes. We decided to train it, thinking that there would be no parking in Camberwell (the premiere was at Rivoli), and it was a beautiful day so I got to wear a dress.

It's funny - you would think over 5 years that I would get used to seeing the pandemonium (or fandemonium) that Daniel Radcliffe causes. But its nothing to actually being there. Both sides of the street were filled with people, and I feel rather sorry for those who were just going to the cinema normally! After a little issue getting the tickets, we wandered off and went to Target and Borders (I love Borders - we need one down this way!) we came back and got to walk the red carpet (for the first and hopefully not the last time), which was really cool. Spoke to Bianca from HP Events, then went up into the cinema foyer (where there was free champagne which I couldn't drink seeing as I had to drive home from the station) and a sudden outburst of noise told us that we had walked the red carpet just minutes before Dan himself. We then waited in a spot where we could see the carpet in an attempt to see him doing press interviews, but then they opened the cinema (with free water and popcorn!) so we went inside. I must say that the cinema was absolutely beautiful - its the first time I've been in any sort of old-fashioned cinema, and it was wonderful - except we sat just in front of the stairwell with the idea that no-one would sit in front, and I realised a little too late that I couldn't see the bottom of the screen - not that it really mattered.

After waiting ages for them to finish with the press, all the actors and the director came in and introduced the film - then they all left! So I only saw Dan in the flesh for around 5 minutes, and we right at the back of the cinema (though he did leave to go to Rove, so I'll forgive him). The other actors filed out, but from reports I've since read, they were there after the screening.

The film itself was beautiful - as any film shot in Australia tends to be. The story was well written, the acting was fantastic, and I completely lost track of time. I'm also eargerly hoping there's a soundtrack released - the music was beautiful, and a specially written song was used on the credits, which I hope turns up in iTunes if nothing else. The jury is out on Dan's accent - while he's no Hugh Laurie, I thought he did a pretty good job, though other people disagree with me on that. At any rate, if I get the chance to see the film again I will, and I'll certainly be buying it on DVD.

On the way out I saw John Blackman (from Hey Hey It's Saturday) and Richard Wilkins, which was kind of cool. Would have liked to have stuck around, but we were catching the train late enough as it is. Speaking of which - if this ever happens again, I'm driving - had to wait half an hour for a train at Camberwell, followed by another half an hour at Richmond. Didn't get home until 10!

Since then, the Australian media has been bombarding us with interviews - to the point I'm almost getting sick of them! I loved Rove though, especially seeing Dan stayed on the couch (which I was hoping for) and he gave some great answers to $20 in 20 seconds. I also enjoyed listening to Matt and Jo interview him. These interviews, which don't ask the same old stuff, are great. I just wish Hamish and Andy weren't on holidays, and I'm still hoping that he'll be on Enough Rope with Andrew Denton one day. Must admit I did find it funny this morning that Dan was going to be on the channel 7, 9 and 10 Morning shows, which all run from 9 to 11 - I only watched Kerri-Anne as I'm a bit of a Channel 9 girl, and have had quite a bit of respect for her since the John Stamos interview (plus she always goes along with the Chaser boys).

So that was my first premiere experience - nothing on a HP premiere I'm sure, but it was certainly an eye opener! Fingers crossed its not the last as well.

(P.S. - Ordered my 80GB silver iPod Classic from work yesterday, can't wait for it to arrive!)