by Alex Deleon

If you came to Palm Springs for the waters you were not misinformed, and if you came to see stars there were ample rewards here at the Red Carpet Opening Awards Gala.
The local paper. "The Desert Sun", which offers a four page daily supplement on the festival, called it "beyond Cannes" which wasn't too far off the mark. A partial listing of the A-listers who arrived (and some of their special awards) follows:
Robert Duvall (Lifetime Achievement, well chosen), presented by Aaron Eckhart --they worked together in "Thank you for smoking", Desert Palm Achievement, actress award, Natalie Portman, currently top lining "Black Swan" as a ballerina; International Star, Javier Bardem, Spain's best known actor and recipient a couple years ago of a Best Supporting actor Oscar for the Coen Brothers "No Country for Old Men", Desert Palm Achievement, actor, Englishman Colin Firth, presented by that luscious senior citizen, Helen Mirren --Oliver Stone, Ben Affleck, David O. Russell, Mark Wahlberg ...
on and on and on and on! -- Sonny Bono, once the other half of the super sixties singing duet Sonny & Cher, who started this festival as small local show when he was mayor of Palm Springs, must be very pleased from his position up above in The Great Beyond.
Alex hot in Palm Springs
Dailies from Palm Springs on fest21.com