The Tribeca Film Festival is back. Weird movies at ridiculous prices. I’m ok with that. This year, to get people excited because we’re all broke and unemployed, they’re hosting a bunch of events, parties, panel discussions and the like. And for the fifth year in a row, the Apple Store in SoHo, is helping them squish a lot of people into very small spaces. The first in the scheduled line-up of these discussions is the indelible Spike Lee, promoting his two new projects Passing Strange and Kobe Doin’ Work.
Umm? A free, heavily advertised discussion with the very famous Spike Lee at the Apple Store in Soho (a very congested part of town)? I’m concerned.
When I got there, the line was around the block and I didn’t even bother going in. Spike Lee is interesting, sure, but I’ve got things to do.
Later I went back to see if the line was moving. Of course, they weren’t letting anymore people upstairs to the discussion. Oh well. I’m at the Apple Store, so let’s make the best of it, right? Bad idea. It was packed because all of the extra people who were not getting in to see Spike upstairs, were loitering downstairs, hoping to get a glimpse. Someone was arguing with a Tribeca attendant, so I rolled my eyes and kept it moving. I asked an employee about potentially fixing a problem I’ve been having with my antique ipod. She said it sounded like I should just buy a new one. Wow. What a great idea. Of course I should! Funny you should mention that I should buy a new ipod, while I’m standing here in the congested Apple Store.
Later, after looking at new ipods that I’ve been ordered to look at (yes Ma’am!), the crowd from upstairs slowly dispersed out of the store and shortly after, Spike Lee appeared on the stairs and practically ran out of the store, flashing lights and all. I don’t blame him. There was a huge crowd following him out the store, too. Trying to act cool, like they just happened to be leaving at the same time.
He got into an SUV (on Earth Day Spike? Really?) and ignored the woman tapping on the window requesting, “Just a sec Mr. Lee! Just a sec!”
He stared at his lap, which I’m sure is very interesting, and waited for the traffic to pull in his favor.
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