Melyanna's thoughts and memories - Elijah at Giffoni Film Festival Pt. 1

I arrived in Salerno (a town near Naples) Saturday morning. At the train station, there was a car waiting for me and other journalists and we were taken to our hotels. Then we had to catch a bus for Giffoni, which is a little town in a valley, half an hour from Salerno.

A view of Giffoni

I was glad that in the meanwhile I met Alessandra, a young journalist from Rome who stayed at the same hotel. She told me that she was there to interview several people and music groups and that she was a fan of  Frodo and Lord of the Rings.

In Giffoni, we collected our pass and went to the press office, to have the program for the day and to ask for a private interview with Elijah Wood. They made us fill in a form, transmitted it to the person who was planning the interviews and then asked us to come back within a few hours.

While waiting, I attended the press conference of Sabrina Ferilli, who is an Italian actress and showgirl (mostly known because she is a huge supporter of AS Roma football team) and went with Alessandra to interview an emerging Italian group called Finley. It was my first time ever. I’ve only written articles until now, but never made interviews or press conferences, so I was very curious. Later in the evening, we asked if there were news about the private interview with Lij, but they said they didn’t know yet and we had to wait until next morning.

Another view from the festival

The following night was probably the longest in my life. I slept only 3 hours, I was too excited (and it was too hot) to sleep and I was constantly thinking about my next meeting with Lij. I didn’t know if I would be able to interview him personally, anyway I was sure I could attend the press conference and the soirée and the prize ceremony, which meant at least an hour or two with Lij (far more than the handful of seconds I’ve spent with him in London).

Sunday morning arrived and Alessandra and I caught the first bus to Giffoni. On the bus there were a lot of kids and everyone was talking about Elijah Wood. My heart started racing, it was true, after all. But I was so scared, at the same time: where could I find the courage to interview him in case they had agreed for the interview? But I tried to relax and calm down. I didn’t want to waste this chance because of my fears and shyness.

Once there, we asked for the day program and we had a great surprise: there were other events with Lij that day. First a conference with the kids (at 4 pm), then a conference with older students (at 4.30 pm), then the conference for the press (at 5 pm). Then the soireé, at 9 pm. In the middle, they say they were still scheduling the interviews. I was incredibly happy! So many events to attend and the real chance that I could have the interview.

Then, while we were at the restaurant for lunch, my cell phone rang and someone announced that my private interview with Elijah was for 7 pm. Oh, my!!! I nearly choked. I wanted to jump, to squeee, to dance, but I had to restrain myself. I was supposed to behave like a journalist there, not a fan! So I squeeed just a little, with Alessandra, who had received the same call a few minutes later. So no more wasting time, we had to get ready for the long afternoon.

At 2.30 pm we went to the first location where Elijah was supposed to meet the kids. It was a park called “Giardino degli Aranci” (Oranges garden) and the TV crew was already there, working with gears and wires. We entered the gate (thanks to the pass, it was closed to the public), sat on a bench and waited for the Beautiful One to arrive, in the meanwhile discussing the questions we wanted to ask Elijah.

Then someone said that the car had arrived. I turned towards the gate and there was a car parked just in front of it.

Then I saw him! He left the car and, strictly followed by the security, walked through the gate, greeted by a huge cheers and applause from everyone there.

I could not believe it. Only 15 days since London and Lij was in front of me again! He was wearing jeans and shirt and sunglasses, the usual bag across his shoulder (what does he have in that bag??) and looked very relaxed. He smiled and waved to everyone, before entering another gate.

Here's the clip of his arrival. I've already posted it, but in case you missed it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cldFWRuBdCY

Everyone  immediately followed him, then he entered a third gate, which was forbidden to us. We tried to explain we had the pass, but they didn’t let us in. So I waited patiently, watching through the bars, feasting my eyes on Lij talking and smoking a cigarette, until a body guard told us to leave the place. I think there was a private photo session to be taken there so no one was allowed. But I didn’t care, because I knew that in a few minutes Lij would have been back


Watching at him through the gate ... Eh, eh, I felt like a paparazzi!

And here's a short clip of Lij smoking. If you hear someone complaining, he's a photographer who could not understand why they didn't let him in
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs2vC0QnQOA


Actually, after a short time he was ready to come back and meet the kids. He walked just in front of me, so I said “Hi Elijah”. He turned towards me saying “Oh, hello!!” in his sweet voice, greeting me with a lovely smile (a great, real smile, gap included). And waved. I waved back and followed him, waiting for the TV program shooting to begin.

The kids were really impatient and they’ve been instructed on how to behave and who was going to ask question and in which order. It was very interesting to be there and see things from real, how they were set and programmed. We are accustomed to the final product, the movie or the program. For me it was a sort of behind the scenes.

Lij sat on a bench, surrounded by those excited children. He was so relaxed and full of joy, clearly enjoying his time, chatting with the kids, sharing smiles and laughter. It was since the old days of LOTR that I haven’t seen him that happy. I was so glad it happened here in Italy and that I’ve been able to witness it.


Lij chatting with kids before the TV program.

Well, that's all for the moment, more to come!!!!

Hugs you!