Editor

Palm Beach, the jewel of Florida's Gold Coast, played host to its seventh annual
film event this past week. Presenting over 50 films from around the world, the
Festival, under the new management team of Festival Director Randi Emerman,
was the most ambitious and far reaching ever, with screenings held in 5 separate
locations around Palm Beach County. The Festival is unique in that its proceeds
are donated to a special fund to assist high school and college students with
film education and training.

The highlight of the event was the gala Awards Ceremony held on Saturday night
at the swanky Boca Raton Resort and Club, a Spanish style complex that brought
out the local bigwigs and mucky mucks. The chief draw was the presence of three
actors representing different generations who collectively have been part of
Hollywood history of the past 50 years.

The first to receive honors was veteran character actor James Whitmore, a feisty
eminence grise who has been making an impression since his debut in John Houston's
The Asphalt Jungle (1950). Nominated twice for Academy Awards (Battleground
in 1950 and Give Em Hell Harry in 1978), Whitmore's career continues
with his recent acclaimed turns in The Shawshank Redemption and The
Majestic. "I'm just pleased I lived this long to see all the fine young
actors who have come up during the past few decades", Whitmore said in
his laconic acceptance speech of his Legend In Film Award.

Skipping several generations, the next recipient of the Artistic Achievement
In Film Award was Edward Norton, who since his Oscar-nominated debut performance
in Primal Fear (1992) has been one of Hollywood's busiest actors. Most
recently seen in The Score (co-starring Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando),
Norton has made his mark with such varied films as American History X
(Oscar nominated for Best Actor), The People Vs. Larry Flint, Fight
Club and his directorial debut Keeping The Faith (co-starring Ben
Stiller and Jenna Elfman). "I usually hate this kind of award thing",
Norton said in his speech, "but being a part of this Festival's effort
to introduce young filmmakers and encourage film students made the difference
for me." He added that the bowl shaped trophy would be "perfect for
the new apartment I just bought in New York City."

The climax of the evening came moments later with the introduction of Sir Anthony
Hopkins, who was being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. After a presentation
of clips from his celebrated performances since his memorable debut in The
Lion In Winter (1967), Hopkins was obviously moved by the acclaim, if a
little piqued that he should be getting a Lifetime Achievement Award so early
in his career. "I have traveled a long road from the small fishing village
in Wales where I grew up to get to this place", Hopkins reminisced. "I
do not understand the mystery of acting….I just show up and say the lines",
Hopkins continued. He dedicated his award to the young actors that he works
with in a workshop in Santa Monica, who "represent the future of this art
we call acting".

Both Hopkins and Norton were in Florida filming the final segments of Red
Dragon, a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs, which, of course,
featured Hopkin's Oscar winning performance as Doctor Hannibal Lecter. The film,
directed by Florida native Brent Rattner (Rush Hour, The Family Man)
will be released next year, with a cast that includes Hopkins, Norton and Emily
Watson.

Sandy Mandelberger