Harry Harrison! Harry Harrison! by Harry Harrison

Harry Harrison! Harry Harrison! by Harry Harrison

Author:Harry Harrison
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781429967280
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates


12

There was one trip to Italy that I was actually paid to take. Life has few riches as fine as this one. It seems that the Italian Tourist Office had decided to hold a film festival, to encourage the summer tourists to come to Italy for their holidays. As usual there were science fiction enthusiasts working away in the background. Anyone can throw a plain old film festival. So why not beat the ordinary and have an international festival of science fiction films? And hold it in Trieste, since, frankly, there is little else to attract tourists to that international city at the top of the Adriatic. The thinking was that, since there was nothing else like this on the world scene, all the countries would be happy to contribute films to this showcase for free. As a further temptation, some big-name SF pros would be invited as judges—and getting them would be the only expense that would be needed to get this festival off the ground.

The invite was like gold. A week in the best hotel—with all expenses paid. What could be bad?! (The films were; but that could be suffered through.) And, with infinite wisdom the sponsors had also invited two old mates, Brian Aldiss and Kingsley Amis, to be judges as well. Not only that—my entire family was included in the invite.

We drove from Denmark across Europe in our decaying VW camper. It was a dusty VW that drew up at the luxurious entrance of the Grand Hotel de la Ville, but a client was a client. The porters whisked our bags into the hotel and a driver took the car to the garage. Joan and the kids went to have a restorative drink in the lobby bar, while I did all the passport and ID paperwork so dear to the Italian heart. Then to the room! In reality, it was a suite, with a Mussolini balcony where one could give speeches to the masses. Our bags were there ahead of us so Joan unpacked and we settled in. I rang room service for more drinks and some sandwiches, and signed for them. I was running a tab with all expenses paid. Luxury!

Brian and Margaret Aldiss arrived later that afternoon with Kingsley and Hilly Amis soon after. We all joined in the lobby bar then went in for an early dinner in the hotel restaurant, which proved to be a first-class Italian meal. There was an impressive wine list that we did great damage to. The judges had to attend the opening ceremony that evening; the ladies opted out, sensing correctly that the Italian ceremonies would be long and boring.

The festival formally opened in the Castle San Giusto, in the Roman theater in the castle grounds. The sky was clear and it was a pleasantly warm Italian evening. The introductions were boring, but boredom was alleviated as the moon rose over the battlements—it was in partial eclipse.

The opening film began and, it can be said, this put a bit of a damper on the occasion.



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