The Kings of Las Vegas – Cinekink Day #4

We went to Cinekink Las Vegas (May 12 – 16) for the screening of our short film LIBIDOLAND. Here’s what happened on Day #1.  Here’s what happened on Day #2.  Here’s what happened on Day #3. Ready for the rest?

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CINEKINK FINAL DAY – SATURDAY , MAY 15, 2010

Jess will miss you, Vegas.

Poolside w/ the Cinekink Crew

• Final Morning of Fun: After crying a little because it was our last day in Vegas, we repeated our Starbucks / granola bar breakfast and then headed out for a poolside meet-up with Tess, Diva, and Lisa to discuss what Cinekink + Chicago might look like.  We all agreed it would pretty really damn good.

Jess = Thai Heaven

• Carbo Load = Done! To prep for the second day of films, we grabbed some great Thai food near the Onyx. Chili mint tofu + ginger tofu + fresh spring rolls + charming waiter = you win again, Vegas! (And by “you,” we mean “we”.)

Cinekink = Camp - Ticks + Sexy Movies

• Fast Film Friends: You know how kids develop fast and deep friendships at camp? Well, Cinekink felt like that, and by Saturday there seemed to be nothing that the attendees wouldn’t talk about or share.  It was wonderful.  Certainly we talked about the movies, but we also talked about our families, our travels, our ambitions, and our desire to meet up again at future Cinekink festivals.

• Movie Wrap Up #2: Amongst Saturday’s films we were delighted to find a wide array of topics, rawness, styles, and skill levels.  Cinekink director Lisa Vandever said that she saw a theme of female dominance in many of the movies entered into this year’s festival, so she put them together in the “Yes, Mistress” section. A few that really tickled our fancies included:
  • In the “Yes, Mistress”section: “Anti-Samaritan Hotline” – an exploration of perils involved with falling for your dominatrix;  “The Pawn Layman” – a funny twist on a fast cash fable; and “Taxi” – a short and sassy cab ride starring the aforementioned Madison Young. And…oh yeah – Our “LIBIDOLAND” was in there, too! So exciting. We talked a little after the screening, and the audience was very kind. Perhaps the perfect audience for this short.
  • Also on tap on Saturday: The features “Swingers” and “S & M Judge.”  Both foreign entries (Netherlands and Belgium, respectively), these movies contained “normal” characters in relationships who explored kinks in a thoughtful and unexpected way.  We didn’t actually watch S&M Judge (see below), but “Swingers” hit its mark.  It nailed what we tried to say with LIBIDOLAND, which is that kink can be a fun part of a normal, loving relationship.
  • Our only question: would “Swingers” work if it was in English?  Sometimes accents fool us (okay…Julie) into thinking something is better than it is.  We’d love to see an American film tackle swinging in a similarly mature and titillating way, but we doubt it could be done with as much tact and finesse. An American remake would probably star Jonah Hill and Jessica Biel anyway.  No, thanks.

Sushi Heaven

Corn + Cheese = Japanese?

• Dinner Time: We were determined to stay out late with our Cinekink friends, so this meant that grabbing dinner was essential. Unfortunately, it meant we had to miss “S&M Judge.”  We ordered a few rolls, and then the sushi chef started handing us extra food, including miso soup, cucumber salad, sizzling corn & cheese appetizer, broiled mushrooms, and ginger ice cream. It was wonderful.

Patty Fantasia = very comfortable or bored out of her mind

• We Met Patty Fantasia, Yo! We returned to the fest in time for Jessica to watch “The Best of Cinekink” program and for Julie to chat with Twitter friend and indie film producer / marketing guru / red carpet maven Patty Fantasia. Julie asked Patty a million questions about her job(s) and her current project (“Accused”); then poor Patty tried to stay awake while Julie blathered on…yes, Julie was a little nervous.  Can you blame her?

• What’s in a Name? By the way, Julie found out whether or not Fantasia is really Patty’s last name.  Are we sharing the answer?  No.  You’re going to have to meet up with her and find out for yourself.

• Best of Cinekink: While Julie chatted with Patty, Jessica watched the “Best of Cinekink” program, which consisted of award winners from the Cinekink NYC fest.  It goes without saying that all of the films were top-notch.  Jessica’s favorites included “Coverage” (about the effects of September 11th on a couple’s sex life) and “Balloons” (a documentary about sex and, well, you get the picture. But you’ll have to see it to REALLY get it…)

J + Terje + J

Seriously - have you ever seen Jessica look this happy?

• Another Cinekink Love Match: We never would have thought that we could fall in love so quickly after meeting Waxie Moon’s star and director, but after they left the fest, they left a hole in our hearts.  Luckily, that hole was filled when we witnessed a spot on impression of a woman from “Balloons” by Norwegian journalist Terje Mork.  Swoon. We never had a chance. If only his magazine was in English…

Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Tess?

Terje...on the rocks

So this is goodbye...for now

• Don’t Dream It’s Over: The Cinekink wrap-up party moved to the Peppermill Lounge, which had an old school, rat pack vibe, crazy floating fire pits, waitresses wearing long black gowns, and more flat screen TVs than we’ve ever seen in one place.  Someone may or may not have ordered a way-too-big fishbowl drink.  Julie may or may not have imbibed most of it through a 3ft long straw.  At the end of the long night, we somehow tricked Lisa, Diva, and Tess into walking all the way back to the hotel instead of grabbing a cab, much to the dismay of Diva’s little high-heeled feet. She was a trooper, though, and we had a great time savoring the last few moments with our new friends.  Hugs in the lobby. Stayed up to do a little tweeting. Finally went to sleep around 2am, which was unfortunate because…

Final, Final Cinekink Day, Sunday, May 16

Jess in LV airport

• Leaving on a Jet Plane: We got up at 4:30am to catch an 8am flight back to Chicago (via Cleveland).  Red eyes.  Starbucks breakfast.  And, surprisingly, we were probably the calmest we’ve ever been pre-flight. Sometimes exhaustion is your friend.

• A quick note about Continental Airlines: Way more leg room than we’ve ever had + free breakfast + no fewer than three drink passes = we will definitely use them again. You should, too. (No, we are not getting paid for this compliment. Although we are not opposed to that.)

• SUMMARY:
  • While we were sad to see the end of our Cinekink Vegas film-cation, we’re excited about what lies ahead. Specifically, we hope to bring Cinekink to Chicago this summer, and we’re absolutely inspired to make another kinky movie so that we can be a part of the Cinekink fun next year.
  • If the traveling Cinekink show comes to a town near you, GO.  If you’re a filmmaker, make something sexy and submit to Cinekink (submissions for 2010 open in August).  It’s a great opportunity to reach a very loyal and supportive niche audience, to connect with other filmmakers, and to be a part of a festival that could potentially screen your movie across the country.  Multiple screenings for one low submission price?  That’s very hard to beat.
  • So film it, cut it, print it, and submit it to Cinekink (submissions for their next cycle will start in August), and join us (if we’re lucky enough to get in again).

Julie's dreaming about Cinekink 2011

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