Examiner.com
May 15th, 2011 5:34 pm ET
By Charlotte Libov
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South Beach native and blockbuster Hollywood director Brett Ratner returned to his home town this weekend to inspire fledging filmmakers and also to help raise funds for the Miami World Center Cinema, a non-profit film studio designed to nurture young talent.
Ratner, who achieved acclaim by becoming a major director before he as 30, was the perfect choice for the event, which was arranged by Miami World Center Cinema CEO and founder Patrick de Bokay. Bokay served as modereator for the event, which was held at the Miami Beach Cinematheque and billed simply as “A Conversation with Brett.”
Although de Bokay acted as moderator, Ratner needed little prodding to launch into an entertaining account of how his career evolved, from the days when he skipped school to hang out on the Fontainebleau hotel swimming pool set, where “Scarface” was being shot in the early 80s. He held the audience spellbound with stories like how he talked his way into NYU’s film school at the age of 16, even after being told, “I had the worst grades of anyone who applied that year.”
Throughout his talk, Ratner told anecdote after anecdote, all designed to deliver one message: That in filmmaking, it’s drive, preparation and perseverance that count. “I was a fearless kid,’ he said, adding that his enormous desire to make movies trumped every adversity.
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Although the evening was billed as a tribute to Ratner, the director turned the tables, lauding de Bokay for creating the non-profit film studio, which involves local filmmakers and community members through collaboration, production, educational programs, screening and events.
“What Patrick is doing is incredible. He is creating an environment for young filmmakers, and I really commend him for this,” Ratner said.
Also at the event, City Commissioner Michael Gongora announced that the City of Miami Beach had proclaming it “Brett Ratner Day.” Ratner was also presented with a specially engraved Super 8 camera, the same kind he used when he was a kid making movies on Miami Beach. “This is the best gift I ever received,” the clearly delighted director exclaimed.
After the event, Ratner was honored at a lavish reception and dinner at The Forge, hosted by owner Shareef Malnik, who is Ratner’s childhood friend. Among those in attendance were tennis great Serena Williams, famous photographer Bruce Weber, Anthony Kennedy Shriver and “Burn Notice” star Gabrielle Anwar.
