After that wonderful and emotional visit, we went to lunch at Cuisine a la Flamande. (Had the best grilled chicken salad I ever had!) We were joined by Susie Buffett, Warren’s daughter, who was honorary chair of that evening’s event for Filmstreams. I’ve known Susie for a long time. We served on the National Girls Inc board and were both working to replicate an early childhood programs called Educare. She has brought several to Omaha.
From left to right against the wall: Rachel, Simone, me, Susie, Alexander, (front row) Ann, Troy and Laura.
That evening we went to the Holland Performing Arts Center for the raison d’etre of the entire trip: the on-stage dialogue between Alexander and me on behalf of Filmstreams. It should come as no surprise that, busy though he is, he did deep research in preparation for this event (even though he was to start preproduction on his next film the following day.) He had read my memoirs, seen many of my films and interviews. He took his role as leader of the discussion seriously and worried that I wouldn’t have fun (I did).
He is a deeply compassionate man and, I can tell---heck, I experienced it—he creates a safe space for his actors. Laura confirmed this is true on his sets. He is prompt, creative, empathetic, original (co-writes all his unique films), been with pretty much the same crew since the beginning. In other words he is loyal and a team builder. He also loves to cook and is gorgeous. Doesn’t this kind of describe a perfect man?
Before we went on stage we spent awhile with the big donors and a wonderful (and large) group they were. Here I am with Laura, Alexander, and Susie.
Troy’s Aunt Mary Frey, who is the sister of Troys Dad, her husband Doug and their children Eric and Alex came to the event. I knew Mary when she was in high school in Detroit. Her daughter Alex just graduated from Marion High School, and even though they are moving to Chicago this week, it was great serendipity that they were still in Omaha and could join us.
I believe the audience of more than 1,300 people enjoyed themselves. There was lots of laughter and many tears as well, especially when the conversation turned to fathers and daughters. Alexander showed clips of some of my films and the one from “On Golden Pond” lead to an interesting discussion of tensions, universal ones I sometimes believe-- at least with a certain generation—between powerful, remote fathers and daughters who struggle for their love. Susie Buffett told me afterwards that she was very moved by that and related deeply to it. Alexander had a gentle but in control way of leading the dialogue just where it needed to go. Now I’m at my ranch after a far too long absence, still feeling the warm after-glow of Omaha, Alexander’s magic circle and the knowledge that I have 3 wonderful, inspiring new friends.
