By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | April 25, 2022 | People, Style & Beauty, City Life, Culture, Fashion, Celebrity, Television, Entertainment,
Last Thursday April 24th, the historically iconic Castro Theatre was illuminated not only by its vibrant marquee lights shining bright again after a long-awaited return, but also by everyone in attendance for the San Francisco International Film Festival's grand Premiere.
With an exclusive screening of the remarkable award-winning film “Stay Awake” by visionary director Jamie Sisley, many flocked to the ornate venue donned in their most glamorous attire, including both himself and the tremendous film’s starring actors.
"This is Us" star Chrissy Metz poses with "Stay Awake" Director Jamie Sisley and actor Fin Argus during their stay in San Francisco.
The film premiere began at 7:30 p.m. sharp, after long lines of elegantly dressed moviegoers were all courteously seated inside, with the screen displaying the many past celebrity visits and awards in the meantime.
Following eloquent and impassioned speeches by Mayor London Breed and SFIFF Director Anne Lai on the city’s monumental “return to the movies” after lockdown, the main cast took the stage alongside Sisley to introduce the powerful film and provide a personal preface to its backstory.
Fin Argus, Chrissy Metz, Albert Jones, and Quinn McColgan were all in attendance adorned in fashionably stylish and avant-garde regalia, matching San Francisco’s essence as a fashion-forward and creatively innovative artistic hub.
After the moving film came an intimate Q&A session, and then the party officially began.
The Old San Francisco Mint was the host venue for the lavish gala, decorated extraordinarily with glorious lights, fun music, delicious catered food by several local businesses, and interactive decor which thoughtfully mimicked fan-favorite aspects and easter eggs of the must-see film (no spoilers!).
O’Malley and Argus were spotted again mingling throughout the renowned building, with Argus particularly hard to miss while in their fiery red western number complimented with striking eye makeup.
Built in 1876 and recognized both as a National Historic Landmark and California Historical Landmark in 1960 and 1974 respectively, the Old San Francisco Mint has since become a popular public space.
The Mint is currently utilized for a variety of community expositions, themed interactive exhibits, and other high profile events thanks to its spacious layout, tucked away courtyard, and magnificent architecture.
“Stay Awake” is as impactful as it is entertaining. Poignant as it is heartwarming. Sisley’s debut blossoming his short film into a full-length feature about two brothers' coming-to-age while caring for their drug-addicted mother in small-town America is a successful triumph and a must-view for everyone.
His unique storytelling tenderly captures the audience, allowing them to connect with the visceral plot and the actors’ natural and commanding performances while still providing moments of witty comedy and delightful lightheartedness.
The neon-bathed night was exceptionally jubilant, posh, and a strong message to both San Francisco and the city’s cinema scene that the arts and festival will continue to thrive, persist, and flourish.
Strongly having “Stay Awake” as the introductory film of this jam-packed festival’s two-weeks is a clear indication that there will be even more incredible films to come, many with their directors and main stars visiting our inviting city to personally welcome and chat about their projects.
Definitely also check out all our other most-anticipated film recommendations for this 65th anniversary happening around all of our historic theatres.
Photography by: Piotr Musiol/Unsplash