“Our 19th Nervous Breakdown”

Well, the Bonita Springs International Film Festival (BIFF) just accepted “The Stairs”.

This is our 19th win. In honor of win number 19, I immediately YouTube, The Stones 1966 hit song, Nineteenth Nervous Breakdown. My head bobs to the beat. I recall some of the words.

I sing out loud:

You better stop, look around,

Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes, here it comes.

Here comes your nineteenth nervous breakdown.

I try to figure out the song’s message.

I Google and study the lyrics.

Jagger dating some really messed-up chick. He tries to change her (It is easier to turn water into wine)  and realizes instead of her behavior modifying, she driving him nuts. (Universal theme—like we haven’t all been there.)

Well, thank you BIFF for your acceptance and letting me take a trip back to 1966 with one of my favorite bands and learn what one of their songs was all about.

For those interested in going to the festival the dates are January 26-29, 2017.

Hope to see you there.

“Stardust” A Mort Laitner Vignette

Six months ago, I’m watching this documentary on Benjamin Netanyahu and the interviewee says, “American millionaires circled around him as if he were covered in stardust.

Questions cratered my brain as if meteors striking the moon. Where did Netanyahu get the imaginary shiny powder with magical powers? How did he find this charismatic quality that drew rich folks to his side? He wasn’t a major movie star or sports figure with the charm or attractiveness that stems from their celebrity.

Weren’t we all made up of tiny stardust particles? Weren’t we all creatures of the big bang?  Weren’t these minute particles constantly falling to Earth. Therefore, don’t we all had some stardust in our eyes?

Last night, I watched Woody Allen’s, Stardust Memories. Allen plays a celebrity movie director who is plagued by his fans for autographs, photographs, jobs, advice, and asked questions about the meaning of his films. Allen’s character is covered in stardust. But rather than being self-absorbed, He handles his fame with nonchalance—signing all autographs, posing for all pictures and giving snippets of his time to all adoring fans. He brushed off his stardust as if dandruff on his shoulders.

Well, recently I’ve had a few particles of stardust land on my shoulders. I’ve signed some autographs, had some pictures taken with fans and discussed the meaning of my film with audiences.

And some of my critics have had the nerve to accuse me of being too self-absorbed.

Well, I would like to respond but I am too busy holding on to my stardust.

Readers’ comments:

Thanks for sharing your “Stardust.” What an excellent piece. We wish you well with all your multiplying glamour.—Gina

Good for you! Enjoy the stardust 😊—Terri

Random Thoughts

At my age, I have learned that is wise to write down my thoughts before they escape into the ether.

Here they are:

Visit the Wynwood District in Miami. The neighborhood is a living, breathing art exhibit. Many 0f the exterior walls of houses, bars and restaurants are clothed in murals. I kept saying, “WOW!” as I turned each corner and saw street art. It’s also great eating and drinking scene. Try the shaved chocolate ice cream that you can eat with a fork.  Who knew that Miami could be so hip. I’ll be back!

I loved doing Q and A’s with my son, Blake, at the “I’m Not Gonna Move To L.A Film Festival and the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival (FLIFF). A Father’s pride in his son’s success is a hard emotion to beat.

Blake also did a phenomenal job on Anika Madison’s radio program, Journey Into Passion with Anika S. To listen to the show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ everydayfolksradio/2016/11/12/ journey-into-passion-an- interview-with-mort-laitner- author

One of the highlights of FLIFF was when a viewer of “The Stairs” came up to me after the movie and asked me to autograph the page in the program were “The Stairs” appeared. I never saw that coming nor as the producer of a film that I would get free sodas and popcorn. I love my FLIFF poster hanging on the wall of my office. It draws smiles on my face.

I love my film-festival tee-shirt collection. (Four so far)

An old acquaintance who I had not seen in 30 years appeared to see our film. I was blown away.

I loved hanging out and networking with producers, directors and actors (Bailee Madison). Creativity is infectious. Who said my ego couldn’t grow any larger.

I love short movies and foreign films, even with subtitles. I plan on making FLIFF an annual pilgrimage.

“The Stairs” mentioned in Miami New Times. See the notice at: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/event/im-not-gonna-move-to-la-anything-goes-edition-8878194

“The Stairs” trailer has hit 1,100 views on Trailer Addict— @traileraddict.com

Our website hit 217,128 views.

We created a Go Fund Me site and have already gotten a donor for our next film.

You can also help fund my next movie by buying some of my books.

Now available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble:

View a 39-second film trailer at https://mortlaitner.com/the-stairs/.

Hot of the presses Mort’s latest book, “The Greatest Gift— Award Winning Stories Filled with Life Lessons” or $10.00 on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Gift-Award-Winning-Stories-Lessons/dp/0996036911/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473472933&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=the+greatest+gift+mort+laistner

For Autographed copy send $14.00 to address below.