When Bai Ling - dazzling star of "Dim Sum Funeral" (which screened at the Festival last night as a centerpiece film) sashayed into the after-party at the Sports Club - the paparazzi went into a wild frenzy!
Within minutes, the stunning actress - dressed-to-the-nines in a chic Royal Blue cocktail dress with beaded accents one one shoulder - was writhing to the catchy beat of the pulsating music amid the glare of a media blitz which descended upon her with a vengeance.
The mood became quite infectious as a handful of well-heeled guests joined into the boisterous fray and mugged non-stop for the ubiquitous cameras that swooped in to capture the festive outburst on celluloid like it was manna from heaven.
A few brave studs swaggered in to get up-close-and-personal with Ms. Ling - at which point - the midnight soiree got a little wild and woolly as they romanced the sensual beauty under a picturesque canopy of stars lighting up the sky overhead.
In one brief moment, when Bai Ling gyrated within arm's length, I hollered "hi" and reminded the sexy actress that I interviewed her on the red carpet at the AFI last fall.
In response, she gave me a sly smile, then beckoned me to trip the-light-fantastic by her side.
Suddenly, there I was in the midst of her erotic charms, with a gaggle of media hounds snapping away furiously.
If I end up on the cover of The Globe, or on TMZ, you heard it here first.
"Were just acquaintances."
On the same occasion at the AFI screening at the Arclight last November, I had the opportunity to chat with the director of "Dim Sum Funeral" - Anna Chi - about her creative process.
"It's like cooking a good meal. You toss in a bit of this 'n that. Take a taste, see what else it needs. Add a little spice, if necessary."
Chi is a beautiful woman who radiates an inner glow and aura of spirituality that one seldom encounters in the film industry.
The cast on hand that glittering night noted that Ms. Chi was a dream to work with on the set.
When I complimented her on that, her humble response spoke volumes.
"If you treat people with respect, you get respect back."
Compared to the Bai Ling entrance, the bash - for the most part - was on the tamer side in respect to overt displays of human sensuality.
In respect to appearances, though, the woman went for broke.
Pretty statuesque ladies strutted about the party circuit in chic cocktail dresses and coiffed do's with subtle come-hither looks.
Surprisingly, the dudes turned out in well-tailored suits, teamed with trendy accessories such as eye-catching ties, slouchy hats, and even stylish Fedoras.
The setting for the blow-out was appropriate for the occasion.
Downstairs, party-goers posed around a reflecting pool as they sipped exotic cocktails provided by Festival sponsor Absolute Vodka.
Farther back on the patio, caterers from Taste Catering Cafe and Luscious Organic Desserts served up delectable "pure, decadent, vegan" cupcakes and a wide-array of scrumptious snacks that hit the spot just right.
Upstairs, in a more intimate setting, guests rubbed shoulders and chatted each other up without much pretension as they stood patiently in line for a morsel or two of the delectable hot Hors d'ouevres which were plentiful.
Actually, there was one sour note.
A pushy bottle-blond who introduced herself as a reporter from KNX tried to butt in line ahead of other guests.
"I'm from KNX, so I'm ahead of you," she rudely hissed to one startled newsie she thought was lower on the food chain.
To paraphrase Gertrude Stein:
"A line is a line is a line."
Was she there to report on the event or just wolf down the goodies?
Notwithstanding, guests handled the situation with amazing grace.
After all, they have impeccable manners in Orange County.
Gabirol said it best:
"The test of good manners is to be patient with bad ones."
(The Choice of Pearls)
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