The 3rd Annual Malibu Film Festival kicks off.
By Kim Devore/Staff Writer
Lilly’s back in town. With a half moon aglow over the fabled Malibu castle, its queen, philanthropist Lilly Lawrence, held court to help kick off the local film festival.
There was no mistaking the hostess at this affair. The tall, Persian beauty was resplendent in a sparkling, lilac sheer gown, with a purple and gold embroidered bodice, matching lilac ostrich fan and a chin-to-collarbone amethyst-colored choker worthy of Cleopatra. Supporting this impressive ensemble was a pair of 6-inch Lucite platform shoes festooned with rhinestone butterflies and flashing battery-powered light-just the kind of flamboyant footwear that would make Elton John weep with envy.
Lawrence greeted her guests with great enthusiasm and was quick to offer a tour.
“Just look at the fountain,” she declared, directing me to a Rococo wonder that could have come from Versailles. “It took a month to put in.”
Her last film festival fandango took place four years ago shortly after she acquired the whimsical estate for $2.8 million. Today, the 10,000 square foot pad looks a bit more lived in as Lily has installed a few of her family treasures.
“You must see the presidential room,” she beamed. “Just come and look.”
There, to the left of the foyer, we entered an eye-popping salon awash in crimson, replete with floor-to-ceiling ruby red walls, ruby sofa and ruby chairs. But the centerpiece was an eagle-emblazoned rug the size of Texas bearing the presidential seal.
“Did you get this from the set of the ‘West Wing?'” I queried.
“Oh no,” she replied. “It came from the White House. I won’t say which administration, but it wasn’t the previous occupant.”
Judging from the large picture of George Herbert Walker above the sofa, Bush Sr. was probably a safe bet.
Everywhere you looked, the place was lavishly decorated, beginning with the outside entrance. “Why have a red carpet, when you can use antique oriental rugs?” she observed. Why indeed.
Inside, the entryway was decked out with thousands of red and pink roses, fragrant day lilies and purple orchids, all by Luna Gardens. The Jacuzzi was filled with flower petals and floating candles. As for food, it was catered by Wolfgang Puck-picture perfect and plentiful.
“We have selections from Chinois, Spago and Granita,” Lawrence noted, referring to the celebrity chef’s top eateries, “so Wolfgang is well represented.”
Waitresses bearing silver platters made the rounds with grilled vegetable and chicken pizza, while the buffet tables were run with military precision. Servers spoke into wristwatches as if they were trying to make contact with Dick Tracy.
“I need more chicken marsala and quickly,” whispered one.
How strange, I thought, but on mature reflection, it made me lament that this tactic isn’t employed with regularity at all dining establishments.
With the stage set, Lilly’s well-heeled guests trickled in. The crowd was a mix of young filmmakers, celebrities like Suzanne Sommers and Martin Landau, and local notables like hair guru Bernie Safire and Jeff Jennings. John Paul DeJoria’s mother, Yvonne, represented sponsor John Paul Mitchell Systems at the gala. It was whispered that director Joel Schumacher made a showing.
Filmmaker Tony Griffin, son of Merv Griffin, brought along an entourage that included his wife, Tricia. He was very excited about the buzz surrounding his festival entry, “Squint.”
“My father told me he was very proud of me and that makes me so happy,” Griffin exclaimed.
A wide-eyed Mark Anthony Galluzo, whose photo was being taken multiple times, said, “This is some event!”
His film, “R.S.V.P” was also surrounded by a buzz.
The evening became even more dreamlike when, in a “Cinema Paradiso”-like event, a screening of director “Carmen Piccinni’s documentary, “The Magic of Federico Fellini,” took place on a stone patio, under the stars. While guests watched the film, upstairs a raucous group performed a sing-along, accompanied by a piano.
The finale of the evening-a risqu fashion show by Natalie Dubious, with barely clad, skinny models (males for the female audience), backed by high-energy rock band Surreal-sent everyone home with hearts a racing.
With a bash like this, the queen of “Kashan Court” has secured her spot as the film festival’s patron saint.
“My family has always helped struggling artists,” she explained with trademark modesty. “Who will help these young filmmakers? I am honored to do my little bit for them.”
And with that, the 3rd Annual Malibu Film Festival was underway.
Reporter Cathy Neiman contributed to this story.