The Circuit

After the bumpy descent into Montrose, Colorado, Telluride Fest driver Peter quickly apologized in advance – “I just can’t get the guide out of me” he told the van, comprised Landmark Theater buyer Ruth Hayler, Criterion Collection producer Debra McClutchy, High Falls Film Festival director Catherine Wyler and Daniel Lopez, who was awarded a trip to the fest after his essay won a Telluride-sponsored competition.  Pete pointed to a knobby mountain, half a world away, and declared the festival to be on the other side, much to the chagrin of travel-weary passengers.  But along the way, his mountain-guide commentary kept the mood light and fun.  Passing Ralph Lauren’s 22,000 acre cattle ranch, the “Double RL,” Pete couldn’t help but admire the beautiful “designer cattle” as much as he admired the man - Ralph himself - whom Pete took on a ski tour years ago. “The man is only 4’ 11!”  That’s a low center of gravity!”

First impressions of this infamous fest and its die-hard devotees can get no better.  Telluride locals deeply appreciate the festival and they’re sympathetic to the bleary-eyed industryites that flood their city once a year.  Chuck Jones said of Telluride “it’s the most fun you can have without breathing.”  Whether it be the city’s thin air or the light headed confusion that soon sets in, Telluride works its mystery well.  True to form, to find something interesting, simply go to the circus sideshow-like signs around town that tease yet give nothing away.  

Tonight, the fest opened with an outdoor screening of the original “Thomas Crown Affair.”