Arriving 10 minutes before the doors opened for the showing of Nine Lives Would Not Do: The Life of Leo Grillmair, Mountaineer seemed like plenty of time, but it turns out I was quite mistaken. The show was sold out almost instantaneously.
The doors were to open at 6:30 p.m. last night and at (5:50 p.m.), six people were lined up. We didnt start selling because it wouldnt be fair. We started selling at 6:30 p.m. and we were sold out at 6:35 p.m., said the films creator, David Goldsmith, the day after the documentarys May 25th screening, adding that 140 to 150 people were turned away.
The showing of the film took place at Pynelogs with 90 audience members who lined up early getting in to see the film. With a question and answer period with the films star, Leo Grillmair, during intermission, the audience had the opportunity to ask any questions they had after the first part of the film.
He was so afraid last night that it would be a flop and he was so pleased by the peoples reactions. The audience was really good; they just laughed here and there and were really attentive, said Mr. Goldsmith.
The film itself follows the life of Mr. Grillmair. The two-part film is broken up between his early life living in Austria and his adventures upon arriving in Canada. The entire film was shot here in the Columbia Valley, allowing the audience to take in the beauty of the region.
Mr. Goldsmith recalls standing outside Pynelogs before doors opened and taking in the volume of people waiting to see the film.
I thought right about here, Theyre not getting in. I didnt know what the reaction would be when they couldnt get in, said Mr. Goldsmith.
If you couldnt get into the showing at Pynelogs or couldnt make it that day, there is another opportunity to see the film. On Tuesday, June 7th at the David Thompson Secondary School theatre, the film will be shown for a second time. The DTSS theatre can hold 140 audience members so there will be more space to accommodate viewers. The doors will be opening at 6:30 p.m.
Depending on numbers, a second screening at 9:30 p.m. may also run to allow all interested attendees a chance to see the film. The suggested donation for admission for this event is $10 to $12 with all proceeds going to the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley
