Bob Mackie Feted at Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

The 2024 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival opens on November 8th with writer/director Ash Avildsen’s film about female wrestler Mildred Burke, starring Emily Bett Rickards, Josh Lucas, Walton Goggins, and Gavin Casalegno. The event opened with a screening of the biographical film “Queen of the Rings”. To celebrate the festival’s 39th anniversary^th That year, the film launched a 10-day program at seven venues in South Florida that included the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to costume designer Bob Mackie.

From Friday night’s red carpet, FLIFF President Lisa Grigoryan expressed her excitement about this year’s program. “We are very excited about this year’s festival,” Grigorian said. “With 100 movies from 35 countries, there’s something for everyone.”

“Queen of the Rings” co-star Casalegno, who was attending the festival for the first time, talked about what resonated with him about Burke’s true story. “I wanted to make movies that made the world a better place, and I wanted to make more movies that made people think about the world and their lives and humanity after they finished watching it,” he said. “I feel like this movie does a great job of showing this underdog story of actually winning and changing history for the better.”

Among those appearing on opening night were writer/director Robert Sayegh, actors Jon Savage (“The Thin Red Line”), Jace Bartok (“Founder’s Day”) and Bill Barrett. Also included were the cast and crew of “Beyond the Rush,” including (“Fly”). “Me to the Moon”). Sayegh explained that it took 33 years for the film to be released. “It’s taken a lot of work in my life to put together a story about overcoming addiction, getting sober, and dealing with a lot of heavy issues in a way that everyone can relate to,” he said. Ta. “I think this is a story that everyone can find something to take home with them to help solve their own lives and problems.”

Savage further added, “This is a sensitive story about maturing and coping in life and the challenges we all face… mental health, abuse, alcoholism, we can talk about it a lot… , this is a community effort. And this movie was really about the community for me.”

Mackie was also on the carpet. variety He received the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary work in costume and fashion design for more than 60 years. He accepted the award the following day at the Saber Cinema ahead of Saturday afternoon’s screening of “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusions,” Matthew Miele’s chronicle of Mackie’s life and work. After the film screening, McKee held a short question-and-answer session, beginning with reflections on what makes his clients great collaborators throughout his career.

“You know that,” McKee said. “I mean, when Cher first came in, I thought she was going to be this big, goth, tall girl, and she was a little kid like Audrey Hepburn, and she… I loved dressing up and just wearing nothing.” She was just amazing.

“And Miley Cyrus is like that too. You can see that she came out of the womb wanting to sing and dance and bump and grind.”

He then talked about where he gets his inspiration from, both the people he dresses and the occasions they dress. “The way they dress needs to tell the audience where they’re coming from and who they are and what’s going on in their brain,” he said. It’s an interesting job, but I just love it. ”

Rather than rest on her perfectly tailored laurels, Mackie has earned the right to slow down a bit, with a career that includes a who’s who of Hollywood, from Cher to Carol Burnett to Tina Turner to Pink. But at the end of our conversation, he said he felt as passionate about his job as ever. “I’m really inspired when a project comes up and it’s in your hands and you have the script and you meet who’s going to play the part,” McKee said. “But you have to worry about who’s wearing it. And if they don’t look good wearing something, you don’t need to design for them. A lot of people want something great. You just design something and then it’s put on someone who isn’t that great.”

McKee’s participation continued later that night, when she attended the Barbie Doll Las Olas Beach House Party hosted by FLIFF President and CEO Steve Saber. A portion of the proceeds from the invite-only event will be donated to Memorial Healthcare and Positively Pink. This event supports a wide range of nonprofit organizations and community support efforts in South Florida. For example, the Nov. 11 screening of “The Short Game” is sponsored by the Florida ABA Center, a proven autism care in support of the Ernie Els Foundation, and the Nov. 15 screening of “Venera” The screening will support Make-A-Wish. Founding of South Florida.

The Barbie-pink celebration continued into the night with a performance by Jersey Girls singing classic disco and R&B tunes as Greta Gerwig’s Oscar-winning film played on a screen overlooking the causeway. Mackie previously designed 23 different outfits for the doll, making her not just an icon but a fashion icon. For 24^th With the doll sale underway, Julien’s auction underway, and the documentary scheduled for wide release, McKee’s FLIFF award will need to be extended to add some more credit to his remarkable life. There may be.