SFFS Screen presents: Hats Off August 22, 2008

Employing ten years of footage, a variety of film clips and an astounding assortment of magazine photos, Bay Area–based director Jyll Johnstone has created an effervescent portrait of 93-year-old actress, dancer and all-around bon vivant Mimi Weddell. At 65, left financially bereft when her beloved husband died, Weddell decided to take up acting full-time. At 90, she was named one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in New York” by New York magazine. These days, she hustles from dancing and gymnastics classes to cattle-call auditions with barely enough time to breathe in between. As she pertly puts it, “I am not one of those ladies who lunch.” Though full of wit and wry wisdom, not everything in Weddell’s life is perfect—money is still a problem, and her health is sometimes a concern. Living with her less bohemian children and a grandchild also causes conflict. And then there is the callous treatment she receives at the hands of casting agents and from her fellow actors. But she has an indomitable spirit, and it is in full flower as Weddell reminisces philosophically about her life, her loves and her career. A piquant rejoinder to the idea that life must diminish at any particular age, Hats Off is an inspiration to all viewers. Photographed by Ed Marritz. (84 min.) Distributed by Abramorama.

Official Website: http://www.sffs.org/events/films/film_hats_off.html