Okay, so I'd like to tell you more about yesterday!

The event was supposed to start at 11 a.m. but people were coming from 7 and earlier. With tickets, we could sit wherever we wanted so to avoid chaos everyone who came got a number written on his hand and then we formed a really, really long line outside the cinema. That way the best places went to those who came first and it was fair. My number was 252 and got me a place in about tenth row. I was proud the fans were so well organised

At 11 Benedict, Nick Moran, Adam Acland, Adam Selves and the Q&A host Elvis Mitchell came in, sit in a first row and the film started. I was so happy and exited about seeing Benedict that I was worrying how wrong it is to watch a serious film with lot of violence with a wide smile on my face. But the film was so good and I was carried away since very beginning. The light, the sound created unbelievable tension and everyone just focused on watching the film. I almost forgot Benedict was there. After the ovations the Q&A began.

Elvis Mitchell was a very good host. I think Benedict was the person who talked the most but all four participated in conversation and listening to them was a pleasure. Most questions were about the film but they talked about SunnyMarch a lot. That's why they accepted the invitation - to tell people about the company. They said SunnyMarch is very young but they hope to run for many years. They are still figuring out their roles in it; Benedict wants to produce films and he's been thinking about directing; he'd be also acting in some of them. It's very important for him to create proper working condiction. He said people who make a film often do overtime because they have to finish they work before deadline and they have families, children waiting at home - he doesn't want to make films like that. He also said it makes a huge difference when your bosses and coworkers are your friends and he loves it.

They all aprecciate freedom they have as producers. They discuss all decisions, experiment a lot and no one from big companies tells them what to do. They like making short films because it allows them to hire very good people, e.g. the best stunts. It's impossible to hire those people for three months and make a full film but they often find two or three days and that's what you need when you make a short film.

About Little Favour: they rose money and filmed it in 11 days; Benedict had a break between episode 2 and 3 of Sherlock 3 and he went to New Zeland to do some recording for Smaug and he found time to film Little Favour. While everyone were saying how kind and helpful Benedict was during the shooting, Benedict decided he had to prove it and started pouring water for everyone They also want to do a full film based on that story but Benedict joked they might recast and he might not be in it. They were even talking about shooting in Poland. Benedict likes Poland, he finds Cracow beautiful

They were also talking about child soldiers and symbolism (the hand shake between Ace and James, the fact it was Lilah who took Ace's hand, not the other way). Somebody from the audience asked what had happened between Ace and James before but they said it's left for our imagination. Or, if they do a full film, we'll find out.  

After the Q&A Benedict received and award called Upstream Award for supporting independent films and not being afraid to do new things. He thanked and said he's glad that despite his roles in mainstream films, his other work is also known and appreciated.

In the afternoon, Benedict appeared on meeting with Nick Moran and he watched The Kid and listened to Nick's Q&A. They seem to be good friends

Unfortunately there were no meeting with the fans during the entire visit. We found out he wasn't allowed to meet the fans due to the contract with Off Plus Camera and it was Karen Milkis' decision - he came to Poland as a producer, not an actor. 
I only wish festival's organisers told us about it, we would unterstand and there'd be no dissappointing and pointless waiting outside the buildings. It's the only downside I can think of.

It was an amazing experience, I'll never forget that day and I know how lucky I am to be able to attend a meeting with Benedict. He's a wise, charming man, and he knows what he wants from life. It was great to see him among his friends and listening him talking about his passions. 

PS We made a gift for him and gave it to the organisers. We hope he gets it It's a t-shirt, here's a front:

The best known Polish legend is the legend about Wawel Dragon who lived in Cracow (you can read it here) so we laughed Smaug has replaced the dragon for few days The city on the picture is of course Cracow. On the back of the t-shirt is: "I also did the motion capture" as it's a line Benedict said many times when talking about Smaug.

This amazing t-shirt is made by a talented artist Paulina Kędzia and the photo is taken by Daria Budna.

My photos aren't good bacause the zoom in my camera doesn't work. But there are absolutely fabolous photos on the internet, I watch and download them myself

It's very interesting what you said, undoubtedly that was an amazing day for you and all fans who were there  

Shame though that there was no meeting with Benedict after that, I did read on filmweb some comments of people who were disappointed too because of that. Yet the best thing is the fact of meeting and seeing Benedict live after all, heh

Awesome t-shirt, so now we know exactly which dragon lived in Wawel! :D

 "It's very important for him to create proper working condiction. He said people who make a film often do overtime because they have to finish they work before deadline and they have families, children waiting at home - he doesn't want to make films like that,"

Oh Ben.   *squee*   

Thanks again Marta.  Love being able to hear about these things from eyewitnesses.  

Last edited by tonnaree (May 11, 2014 10:55 pm)

Thanks Marta for sharing, and I LOVE the shirt!

Marta wrote:

I'm not really that much into autographs and pictures, it's more about the fact that for few seconds you're so close to him and he's looking directly at you  In fact, I'd prefer a short conversation instead of the photo or the autograph anytime. But it's surely not possible when he's surrounded by crowds.

I totally agree with you on that one. Of course with an autograph you have some kind of 'proof' that it really happened, but if I had the choice between an autograph/picture and a proper conversation (even if it only lasted for a few minutes), I'd always go for the conversation. Always.
 

So happy for you Marta, that sounds like an amazing experience! But sorry about the autographs... 

The T-shirt is awesome! I hope we get to see him wear it! 

Hey everyone,

I think it was on this thread that we discussed Ben's loveliness earlier this month with regards a fundraising campaign by a British teenager called Stephen Sutton. James Rhodes tweeted a picture of Ben holding details on how to donate?

I'm sad to say Stephen passed away this morning, aged 19.

Thought you'd want to know. You can still donate on Stephen's just giving page if you like. He raised £3 million before he died. And absolute inspiration.

I've just seen this on my news app
What a truly inspirational and beautiful soul. Sleep well Stephen.

No, no age.

In a news report here he said he was ok because he had had a happy life.

I should imagine he's raising a morphine toast to all who loved him. A real-life James whose inspired me to try to be a better me.

Goodnight sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.