A Royal Opening Night

[img_assist|nid=1016|title=|desc=|link=node|align=block|width=74|height=90]Helen Mirren

Saturday, September 30----The stars were out last evening, both in the night sky and on the red carpet at Avery Fisher Hall, as the New York Film Festival held its Gala Opening Night with the premiere screening of THE QUEEN.

Spotted on the red carpet were luminaries from the world of film, music and Broadway, including directors Brian De Palma and Taylor Hackford, musician Phil Collins, indie filmmakers Mira Nair, Mike White and Lodge Kerrigan, and Broadway luminaries Frances Sternhagen and Nathan Lane.

[img_assist|nid=1018|title=|desc=|link=node|align=block|width=76|height=115]Nathan Lane

Representing the film were director Stephen Frears, lead actors Helen Mirren and James Cromwell, screenwriter Peter Morgan, producer Scott Rudin and Miramax Films topper Daniel Battsek.

[img_assist|nid=1020|title=|desc=|link=node|align=block|width=53|height=90]James Cromwell

Gliteratti from uptown society and downtown bohemia rubbed shoulders at the after-party at the historic Tavern On The Green, beautifully set in Central Park. Film distributors, screenwriters, film critics mixed with personalities from the worlds of television, theater, fashion and finance in a "melting pot" gathering that was so New York.

[img_assist|nid=1017|title=|desc=|link=node|align=block|width=125|height=93]

Sandy Mandelberger

Festivals Editor