August, 2000. Just got back from San Francisco, where “Dad on the Run” opened the Festival at the Castro Theater. My eyes weren’t fooling me: there were 1500 people, all thrilling to the beat of my movie up there on the giant screen. Just five months after it opened quietly in Paris to a politely lukewarm reception, now I felt galvanized and energized. “This is how films should be shown,” I said to myself. “In special conditions, where the mood can really get through.” Fortunately, there were film buyers in the audience. People came up to me after the screening and discussed their reactions. They all said how much they loved the movie, and what a hit it would be when it opened. I didn’t have the nerve to tell them that it had already opened in France and hadn’t done too well. After this uplifting experience, I half-seriously considered taking up a career in marketing. But then again, no. Better make another movie. Given the choice...

Dante Desarthe, Director