Dancer in the Dark party animals make for the abattoir

This festival, it seems, was not destined to start without a few problems. As well as the hasty preparations to ensure that the venues and Delegates Centre were completed only a day or so late, almost all the venues experienced some technical difficulties yesterday.

In particular, the Opening Gala of Lars von Trier's Dancer in the Dark was hit hard. The first screening suffered a power cut which left the screen in darkness for a quarter of an hour, and the second screening was missing a video introduction from the director, Lars von Trier.

Indeed, one of the biggest disappointments of the first day for me was the distinct lack of stars to support the films. Not only did Bjork not turn up (she was playing a gig in Brussels) but noone else connected to the film appeared as well.

It was left to the Scottish mob to provide the glamour, but even they stayed away, with only the lovely Robert Carlyle making an entrance. Some went even further, as a distinguished Scottish film writer was seen slipping out of the Odeon across the road for a few pints. Even Alan Parker, head of the new Film Council, didn't bother attending, but instead went to see a show at the Pleasance.

The venue for the Opening Night Party - The Corn Exchange - was very apt. Not only was there a herd of sheep outside, waiting to be slaughtered the next morning, but the main interior looked like a prison block. The huge venue meant that lots of people were on the dance floor, and the night was enjoyed by all. The dress code was supposedly informal technicolor, but most stuck with the usual party frocks and suits (apart from yours truly, who at least made an effort to be bedazzling). We were even graced with the presence of Ms. Jane Middlemiss, although this could have been because of the generous free bar.

At the end of the night, everyone poured out into the Edinburgh drizzle, as the last bars of the theme to Film '00 echoed through the venue. Only one question was on everyones mind: why did the next days screenings start at 9am? It's a tough life!

Trinity