The trees along the sidewalk
Are shadowing the light
Of distant stars and tenderly

The night surrounds us
As we walk the quiet streets
While time is taken by the gentle wind
To make the space for love...

...the tune was playing constantly in my head when I got up early tuesday night at 3:50am, wanting to get on the 4:40 water bus to Lido. My hotel was in Punta Sabbioni, a small place east of Venice, easily accesible by car and with a good water connections to Lido and Venice. I arrived the evening before at about 11pm, after a whole day's work and a five-hour drive. A detail struck me when I first entered my room and turned on the lights: a ceiling-mounted fan was rotating slowly and quietly. I went into the bed after a quick shower, knowing that tomorrow comes early. And it did. Got out and started walking with my backpack on, and the street map I printed out, thinking the station was about 25-30 minutes away. After I left the hotel area I was literally shocked by the darkness which surrounded me: the streets had NO lights whatsoever, the fog was dense and I started to feel uncomfortable. With a strong faith and the will to go on, I embarked into the darkness, pitch black, so dark I couldn't even see what was I walking upon. Every now and then had to lighten up my map with my cell phone to see where am I, trying now not to walk the shortest route, but the one which will take me to some kind of a main street, hoping there would be lights there. After 10-15 minutes of this creeping walk I found the main street and it was easier then. However, I was late now, the walk turned out much longer than I expected. At 4:42 I arrived on the water bus station thinking I will have to wait another hour for the next one, but fortunately the bus was late also; I got on and was on my way!

Iar sent me a text message that she was already in Lido waiting for me, so we arranged to meet at the festival area where she would wait for me. After my vaporetto got to Lido I had no idea where to go, expecting there would be signs all over the place; Alas! No signs, no nothing. Again I messaged Iar for directions, which she kindly gave to me and again I was walking the quiet streets. This time, bathed in streetlights, to my delight. After some 25 minutes I met Iar and we took a walk around the area, since there was no ticket queue yet; Only a few people sitting in front of the ticket office. The morning was very quiet, I imagine very a contrast to the night before, judging by the various things thrown all around the place: bottles (all kinds of), cigarette filters, food leftovers, all sorts of garbage, in the garbage cans and out of them. Looked like some serious partying takes place here.

At about 6am a dozen of us waiting got up and formed a queue. Iar and I were about 10th, which was of no concern since the word was 300 tickets will be available for the public, with at most 2 (or 4, by some sources) tickets per person. At about 7:30 there was already more than 100 people waiting. I counted. Some of them wearing Twin Peaks shirts. Iar and I engaged in the most pleasant conversation which helped shorten the time. Suddenly there was some sort of an argument near the front of the line - some big guy was making problems, wanting to skip to the front and get a ticket, we guessed. Police was there to shut him up, but it was strange; They pulled him aside and he was talking to them, not wanting to get to the back of the queue. A few minutes before 8 o'clock, the official opening time for the ticket office, a few ladies came in the office. About that time the policeman took the big guy somewhere with him, and after a few minutes he returned, smiled, and rushed his way back to the water bus station. I knew right then, he got the ticket. But it was no big deal, since there are 299 more for all of us. A parallel queue of about 8 people formed to the left of the main queue, again causing unrest. The excuse was, they are just waiting for the promo material. Hmmm.

September 5th, 8am, Lido. The ticket office opened, with 4 windows, so 4 people at a time was served. Actually three, since the leftmost "queue" was for the promo materials? We will never know. The guy who bought them first had 4 tickets in his hand. He knealt down holding them high up in the air, like some sort of a holy grail in his hands. We laughed at the sight. After about 2 minutes it was our turn, and Iar proceeded to buy her ticket. A few seconds after that I got to the middle window, asking for the ticket for tomorrow's INLAND EMPIRE screening. After a few clicks on the keyboard, the ticket lady was puzzled. Iar was still at her booth. After a few more clicks on her keyboard, finally the lady said to me: "Sorry, finished."

Finished? I needed a few seconds to grasp the meaning, still not wanting to believe what I just heard. What does she mean, finished? I asked, and she said "No more tickets." Horrified beyond belief, I jumped to Iar who was still on the left from me and yelled "Get two! Get two! They are no more left!" Iar was already giving the money, and with a shocked face asked me "Already?!?" and quickly asked for the second ticket. Again, the response was: "Sorry, there was only one left."

Only one left. I was the first one to miss out on the ticket. What a sensation. After all I've  been through to get there. No, that can't be right. Desperately I turned to the guys who were in the very front and asked for a spare ticket. Of course, they had none. For the next few minutes I wandered around trying to think, but the thoughts eluded me. I couldn't even see what was going on with the queue, I can now only imagine it was wild! Iar tried to comfort me saying I should be there before the screening and try to get in, or at least see David walking the red carpet. I could see on her face she was having a very hard time living with the fact she got the last ticket. I talked to a few people there and met this guy from New York who came for this and SLEPT in front of the ticket office. He didn't get the ticket. One other guy said well, at least we're alive. See what happened to Steve Irwin, he got stabbed by a stingray.

I got back at about 10:30 and had some breakfast (!) and then a few hours of sleep, which were actually a few minutes of sleep. I couldn't quiet my mind. Meditation helped a bit. After some time I had dozens of ideas how to get in, what to try...but one thought was troubling me: I was the first one to miss out. Usually such things do not happen by accident; You can't trick the dealer, as my friend likes to say. But I wasn't ready to give up; I would do my best, and absolutely all I can, to get inside that theatre. I went back to Lido (this time drove to the vaporetto station and left the car on a private parking) and started asking away. I made friends with the girl who issues the passes and accreditations, and after she'd heard my story, she was very eager to try and help me out. Unfortunately there was no pass which could get me in; The press had their own screening in the morning, and the afternoon one was for the public and invitation only. She gave me some advice, called some people, but they said all the seats were taken. ALL of them. She even took my phone number and promised to call me if anything comes up. I called some friends back in Croatia who know some journalists who are doing a report on Venice festival, but in vain. They couldn't help. I got to the internet point and asked my friends at the Gazette, maybe someone could help somehow. After that, I remembered I have to get something to eat. I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, so I took the vaporetto to Venice to get some dinner and have a look around. After that I went back to the hotel and fell asleep.

September 6th, 10am. Lido. I came to Lido again, wanting to give a press screening a shot. I even put on a suit. I talked to some people wearing press passes, hoping they had seen the 8:00 screening (there was another one at 10:45). Also hoping maybe they would let me have their pass just for 10:45 INLAND EMPIRE. Alas. The security is very tight and a few people assured me there was no way for that to work. Quickly I went to see my new friend who issues passes, but she wasn't there today. Another slap in the face. Should've thought about the press screening earlier. Another failure. With the screening well on it's way, I boarded a vaporetto to the hotel, changed to my lucky red shirt I wore on the Twin Peaks fest two years ago, and went to Venice, where I'd arranged for a lunch with Iar. I had to change my vaporetto once I got to Venice, to get near Iar's place. Unfortunately, while taking the right vaporetto, it was going in the wrong direction, so it took me about one hour to reach the meeting point. Iar couldnt wait that much and left. So again, nothing was going as planned.

About that point, I felt something strange. Suddenly I realized, there's got to be some balance in this story. EVERYTHING I have done so far, had failed. Something good must happen, and I believed that very strongly. While driving on the boat to Lido again, I improvised this funny little banner which said "INLAND EMPIRE: TICKET NEEDED" on one side, and "INLAND EMPIRE: NEED TICKET" on the other. It took me about 30 minutes to make it and color it and glue it together, and with a handle too. I figured, this may be my last chance to get in. Still it was unclear how in the world 300 tickets dissapeared in 3 minutes. So I thought, someone has extra tickets and is going to sell them before the show. And I wanted to be the first in line in case that happens. So I got to the festival area two hours before the screening, which was scheduled at 18:30. For about one hour I walked around with that silly banner, but of course, nobody had extra tickets. A few people thought I had tickets to sell, and a few people found the banner very interesting so they wanted to take a picture of me. Oh well :) About one hour before the show, the area in front of the red carpet was starting to fill up with people. Right there, I met the big guy who had made problems yesterday morning. Seeing the banner, he smiled and said "I have one - for me". Yep. I knew he stole his way inside, but let him be, I thought. I met a few other people who were in the queue that morning, including a few Italian fans who made this very nice banner of the Red Room with the words "David we love you!" written across. Very nice! I also met one guy who made it his "mission" for Venice (that were his words) to get a David Lynch book signed by David. He told me actually only 30 tickets were out for the public!!! He was walking from the hotel Westin Excelsior (which was the fanciest one, and closest to the area) and back to the red carpet all the time, with his cell phone, coordinating the action with his friend who was inside the hotel I presume. He was eager to find out whether they will drive David to the red carpet or not. At this point I called my girlfriend in Croatia to check the Gazette board for me, in case some important information is waiting for me there. After a few minutes, I got a negative answer. Ah. And then I met one guy who said can take me in, but it's going to be difficult. He wasn't very convincing though. He said were it not for the award ceremony, he'd get me in, but this way it's way more difficult. Told me to look for him when the ceremony begins.

About 18:30 it was very crowded in front of the red carpet and the entrance. I moved a bit to the left where there was less crowd, and put my banner on my chest, because I couldn't hold it any longer (I put out the camera at that point). First celebrities started to arrive, and a guy in the white suit noticed my banner, came up to me and said: "You need tickets?" With my heart beating, I said something like "Yes, I had to try"....and with a smile he replied:

"Sorry, I can't do anything for you. The situation is a disaster, with the tickets. But you should see the movie, really. It's excellent. I did the music. David is on his way, they will drive him up to the front entrance. I suggest you try get in the Excelsior after the movie." Arg. Again, a hope, and then a failure. I smiled, and waited for David to show up in front of the entrance. And after a few minutes, he did. With Justin and Laura, who was absolutely stunning. And some other people. I took a few pictures of David, and I was really happy. His appearance took away all the sadness from me in a second. It was just an amazing thing. Even though he was far away, it felt good being there. He got closer and signed a few things for the lucky ones who were in the very front of the crowd. Laura did too. Screams of joy were erupting from the crowd. After a few photos for the press, everyone got into the theatre. I stood there silently, thinking I should go talk to that guy who told me to go see him when the ceremony starts. On my way to find him, I saw the big thief guy for the last time, running towards the theatre entrance, showing his ticket to the guards. He was late apparently. Bah. So, I found the guy who promised me he'd try to get me in, but now he said it's impossible, he'd try, but it's just impossible. Sigh. There goes my last chance. I wasn't sad, though; I knew it all along. I went to see the ceremony on the giant screen outside, like many others did too. There was a live feedback on that screen and it was a nice thing to see, although I was a bit dissapointed since the ceremony was only about 10-15 minutes long. Pretty much straightforward. Laura said a few words, David sad a few words, and that was about it. After the ceremony they put some old press conference on the screen and many people went about their business.

Now I sat there alone, thinking should I go home right away and drive to Croatia or should I wait the end of the movie, and maybe get a chance to see David again. In which case I would go very early in the morning to be able to get to my work on thursday. After a short discussion within myself, I decided to stay. I watched the press conference for a while. I was almost the only one left, one girl was there too.

And then I looked to my left.

And there was David. About 50 meters away from me.

In a split second, my heart raced. The next thing I know, I was running towards him and in the same time trying to get my copy of "Lynch on Lynch" out of my backpack. It was hard, as I was running, and trembling, my hands were shaking with the adrenaline rushing through me. The sensation was beyond any description. Not that many people were there at the time, so I got right in front of him (he was behind a sort of a desk which was about 2 meters high, and accessible only from the front). Still shaking, I handed him the book and the pen. My rational mind was not working very well at the moment, so I failed to see he already had his own pen. He took the book and signed it, for which I thanked him. I also said, Jai Guru Dev, which is a way meditators say hi to one another. Sure enough, he smiled and returned the gesture. I pulled back a bit, giving way to other people. Then I noticed a girl who was there in front of the screen watching the press conference with me, when almost nobody was there anymore. She was crying. Real tears. She was looking at David, and crying. She was so happy. I turned and watched him sign all those things people have. There he was, the guy whose work turned my life upside down, standing a few feet from me. And not only my life, but so many lives. And he was so calm and so dear, he shook every hand there was to shake, and signed every single piece of paper they wanted him to sign. When my ability to think returned, I remembered I had a star pics "David Lynch" card in my wallet too, so I approached again and gave him the card to sign. I shook hands with David Lynch and told him we would all like to see him on the Twin Peaks Festival some day. He smiled and said "ok". Wasn't very convincing though. :) Completely happy, I stood there a few meters away and watched at all the people and their reactions. I noticed the Italian Twin Peaks fans, I noticed the guy with the mission too. I saw the guy from New York as well. Everyhing was good. Each thing for it's own purpose. Finally I realized why hadn't I gotten the ticket. I needed this experience more than just the movie. Had I been inside the theatre, I wouldn't get the chance to meet David. This experience was so strong, so fulfilling, I was so thankful for not being inside the theatre then. So thankful everything turned out so right. I stayed there for about 40 minutes, that is how long David Lynch was signing stuff and hanging around fans. So many times I had to look down to the ground, just to be able to look up and see him anew, a few feet away, and realize I'm there, it's real, it's not a dream. The girl who was crying came up to me and asked me to pinch her, to make sure she wasn't dreaming as well. We took a few photos there too. And after a little while, it was over. With a loud cheer, David waved to us and left.

And as I walked down to the vaporetto station, thinking about one of the happiest moments I've had, the tune played in my head...

The night surrounds us
As we walk the quiet streets
While time is taken by the gentle wind...

What a wonderful story, Igor!  I just knew you were meant to be in Venice and I'm so pleased your cloud had such a happy silver lining!

I must reread the whole story too.  You did indeed write a detailed story which was better than all the reviews that have been posted so far.  Terrific!

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

I just reread your whole post, Igor and it is even more beautiful the second time around.  I actually have tears in my cynical eyes visualizing your total experience in Venice.  You painted a word picture.  My mind filled in the images.  I feel like I just watched a great short film with Igor in that memorable red shirt as the star!  Seriously, it's should be on film.  Uh, or video!

I really think you should submit this story to some magazines/websites with photos once you get home.  Truly evocative!  I'm so glad you made the effort and were open to accepting the misfortunes knowing that there had to be fortune at the end.

 Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Yeah, your story is amazing. I guess one can't have two wonderful things together in one only day (watching Inland Empire and get to meet David, talk to him and his autographs too)!

As nuart said, I could see it too, even because I know that particular place where you met David, so I could easily piece the scene together! I believe you when you say that this was one of the happiest moments in your life. I think I would have collapsed If was there and saw "the man"!

"Did they scoff the whole damn Smörgåsbord?" (Audrey) 

"Gimme a donut!" (Coop)

Thanks Susan, thanks to all of you for your kind words. When I sat down and began writing, I realized I had to write a very personal review because I was still full of emotions and still moved by the experience. Who else to talk to than my Gazette friends, who else can understand? Who else is even interested in the story? Very few people around me.

I'm so glad it worked out and I see now I managed to get some of those feelings across. Even to you Susan, eh? :) Just kidding, of course. Thank you again for your support. I will think about your suggestion, and I will post some of the pictures I took too. Stay tuned!

Cheers!

I really love your post.  I actually picked up my copy of Writer's Market in the hopes of pointing you in a direction of sending that in to an editor and getting it published.   I'm sure there are a lot of people that would appreciate that piece.

Hey, thanks :) That would be great, I'd appreciate if you could help me out with that, since I have no idea where to start. Seeing all the positive reactions to my story, I would give it a shot. Thanks again people.

Now, some of the pictures I took, resized, I will make a webpage with all of them in full size next weekend (I will be out of town for a few days again this week).

Great shot of you, Igor!  Kinda sums up the whole trip, huh!

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

The pictures and the story are wonderful; I tried to comment yesterday, but my post got deleted.  You really should submit your story somewhere, and if you can write like that, maybe more...

Thank you!

Keep your eye on the doughnut, not on the hole -- DL

It certainly was an experience, I walked for ages before finding the cinemas, there were no signs at all, I just followed the main road to the right of the water bus exit.

Back in town again. What a schedule this year...oh well. Sub, you've got to send me that pic of me with the banner!! Try chandra@email.t-com.hr please. It will be another thing to remind me of the Venice experience.

Annie, appreciate your response even though the original reply got deleted. Don't really know if it's too late now to try and publish the story somewhere... 

Cheers!