The 24th Annual Santa Barbara Film Festival opened in grand style last evening at its home base, the majestic Arlington Theater. Crowds were on hand to kick off the 10 day festival which will feature over 200 films and several Academy Award writers, directors, and actors.

January 22, 2009. The evening started with the traditional red carpet walk of local actors (Jeff Bridges and his wife Susan, James Cromwell) and actors/directors from the movie being showed on this night, Nothing But The Truth. The director, Rod Lurie, and 2 cast members from the film: Noah Wylie and 8 year old Preston Bailey made the red carpet walk and talked with local reporters and photographers. The Press Line had many young reporters from local junior high and high schools which made for a very endearing red carpet walk. The actors and director thoroughly enjoyed being interviewed by young and aspiring teen age reporters and film makers.

The movie, Nothing But The Truth, written and directed by Rod Lurie is a fictionalized account of the Valerie Plame case, the CIA operative whose identity was outed by New York Times journalist Judith Miller in 2003.

Kate Beckinsale plays Rachel Armstrong, a D.C. reporter jailed for refusing to name her source in an article exposing the identity of a CIA agent (played by Vera Farmiga). Armstrong is jailed for over a year which causes the break up of her marriage and loss of custody of her young son. David Schwimmer plays her husband, Matt Dillon plays the relentless prosecutor who puts her behind bars, and Alan Alda portrays her loyal and trusted attorney. Throughout this enthralling film, Armstrong holds firm in her committment to protect her source, giving everyone a lesson in morality and integrity.

 

After the film, the crowds were treated to the opening night party at the Paseo Nuevo Mall. Local restaurants were on hand to provide tasty appetizers and desserts for the several hundred in attendance. Santa Barbara's finest DJ's were on hand and live performers The Coral Sea got the crowds a movin' and a shakin'

Once again, this night represented how special the Santa Barbara Film Festival is to locals and filmmakers alike.