The Murakami event slated to premiere at a "blow-out bash" at the CineVegas Film Festival - was being billed as a landmark "Art Happening" for the Festival this year - and a major coup for the Las Vegas local art scene.
However, during the course of the Las Vegas Fest there was a stink in the air; after all, it was quite evident to any fool that the Greenspuns (Mr. Greenspun is the President of CineVegas) had been up to no good.
When a member of the press and a "Royal Flush Pass" patron showed up at the CineVegas soiree at the Wynn for the Murakami "exhibition", they were summarily snubbed for no good reason.
The journalist was not permitted to enter the exhibit in spite of the fact he had a ticket in tow.
And - a "Royal Flush Pass" patron - who is supposed to be granted access to all events throughout the course of the Festival (which one pays through the nose for) was left to gaze from a distance through a glass window upstairs.
Here is how the disgruntled patron described the occasion:
"Tonight was a trip...I was with an invited member of the press..and we went to the Murakami short at the Wynn.
He was not allowed in..to see the event..and I was only allowed to view it from the second floor through the glass...no sound..no viewing.
It was another CineVegas ripoff...for me. I am pissed...yesterday I was just miffed..they embarrassed me to the T...tonight.....this royal flush pass should be flushed.
Tonight was really a private event for Greenspans and their 100 closest friends...you could not buy a ticket to it...you could not get in with a ticket. Don't ask...and be prepared to be treated like shit..we were.
The screening was a Propaganda film...tell you about that tomorrow. Can you tell I am not happy?."
I also had a bad experience with the press staff over the Murakami event which was reported in a prior post.
On the surface, the Greenspuns give the impression that they are open, caring, giving individuals.
However, quite the opposite appears to be true.
The Festival is used to promote themselves, their business, and exhalt their name in the community.
Patronage and philanthropy is one thing.
But, abuse of power - at the expense of others - is shocking, disturbing, and a menace to the public at large.
Shame on Amy and Robin Greenspun for their greedy grip on the Murakami "unveiling" - which ultimately - ruined the credibility and stature of Cinevegas on the Festival Circuit.
To many film buffs around the Nation, their disgraceful conduct amounted to uncalled-for elitism.
Dan Rather once said:
"An intellectual snob is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture and not think of the Lone Ranger."