The Circuit

Snooping around the (great) Variety Asia blog site, I found the below Patrick Frater post from Pusan that puts the circuit life in perspective.  Appropriate, as we approach the Denver Film Festival and their now-infamous Late Night Lounge of alcohol and sin via sponsors Bombay Sapphire, Ciroc Vodka, Moet Champaign, Stella Artois, and Sterling Vineyards.  Infamous, because the party has grown out or been thrown out of four different venues in four years.  This year they found a warehouse.  They’re still waiting on a liver sponsor. 

Am I an alcoholic?
Tuesday, 09 October 2007 - PUSAN

I'd like to think that I can blame this on something other than myself. Korea maybe.

I'm going to all it a "festival headache." But whatever fancy name I give it, there is too much drinking in my life this week. Take yesterday evening for example.

The Variety Asia one year anniversary party: lots of water before my speech; mixed wine and beer afterwards.

Post-party drink: bottle of wine shared between five people.

Pusan market party: I can't remember (!)

Dinner with Chinese talent agents and French cultural attache: I taught the Chinese to mix baekseju and soju like a real Korean, they taught me to 'gan' or drink shots like an idiot.

Wide Angle Party: some beer I think, but it was too noisy to drink, so I didn't stay. But I left my phone there as a token of my appreciation.

Boracai night club: Walking in I met two women friends from Hong Kong who may have been using the club for its normal function of speed dating. We never found out. One stayed with us and danced. Management wouldn't let us order less than 12 bottles of beer. Seriously.

Slowly wending my way back into my hotel, I met a dear friend from Korea who wanted to talk. Went to a nearby fish restaurant, where she talked. I sipped more baekseju and had the impression I was falling asleep in her soup.

This has to stop.

(P. Frater)