The Circuit

At the Sonoma film fest this weekend, you may mistake the drunken swaying and rocking plaguing many filmmakers on one too many Syrah's. 

It could be true.  The fest has its own sommelier who pairs a wine with most every film screening here.  And there's no spit goblet, unless you count your popcorn.

Another reason could be the shoes.

The shoemaker, MBT, who adverts itself as "the anti-shoe," is the presenting sponsor.  And the fest has built a clever campaign around it -- renaming itself the "all walkable" fest.  Indeed, the pocket program tell you how many steps exist between venues (595 steps to the Ravenswood Theater from Sonoma Plaza).  MBT signage and tents are everywhere. 

And filmmakers are given a free pair.

So to see a filmmaker rocking back and forth in place, it may be the shoes.  The soles are curved, see.  Like a bowl.  MBT claims the curve improves posture, protects knees, tones muscles even while you're standing in place. 

While we can't speak to the shoes cure-all or snake-oil properties yet, we did wonder if a pair of MBTs can also dramatically improve the tipsy man's stumble to the hotel after too many local reds.  So we'll get a pair.  As every wine-fueled screening knocks The Circuit's balance off a few degrees, we'll make a note of the shoe's performance.