RSVIP: Private Cinema Society Screening of "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"

by Jeffrey Slonim (RSS feed)
Jun 29th 2010 at 8:01PM

You're invited . . . shhh. Founded in 2005 by Andrew Saffir, a former Ralph Lauren executive, the Cinema Society of Manhattan has evolved into a clubby gathering of like-minded celebrities and socials who convene in luxury venues to debut small films.

A-listers such as Cate Blanchett, Daniel Craig, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Jude Law, Madonna, Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Naomi Watts, bring smaller, specialized projects to the Cinema Society. Likewise, films that draw excess attention, such as "The Twilight Saga," may use the privacy of a smaller Cinema Society gathering to screen a film with a select group in a setting that doesn't require Biblical-scale crowd control.

The entire cast, including Robert Pattinson, attended the Cinema Society launch of "New Moon." But, as only two cast members were attending "Eclipse," Summit Entertainment was only required to line one block with stanchions to hold back onlookers.

Piaget sponsored "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" on Monday, June 28, with the thought of connecting to an affluent youth audience. "Please keep details of the evening completely confidential beforehand," mentioned the Luxist invite. The secret location: The boutique Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo, which boasts a well-appointed but discreet screening room at basement level.

"Piaget was founded in 1874 in a small village in Switzerland's Jura Mountains," Larry Boland, Piaget North America President, told Luxist. "There, the name Piaget is like Smith here," he quipped.

Former model Kelly Bensimon, of "The Real Housewives of New York," wore a gold Rolex. "I'm very traditional," she said referring to her chunky timepiece.

So what brought Bensimon to the event? "My kids are obsessed with the 'Twilight' series," she said. "I think it's important for me to be educated, so I can say, 'You can see this; you can't see that.' When I told her I was coming, my 12-year-old daughter said, 'Get pictures!'"

Meanwhile, American Piaget Ambassador Nick Roldan, who captained Prince Harry's polo team the day before on Governors Island wore a distinctive Piaget Polo FortyFive Chronograph in grade V titanium and stainless to "Eclipse."

On the red carpet, Kristen Stewart wore RM by Roland Mouret, a short dress with swirls of large paillettes and spiky, 4-inch Louboutins. Her hair was newly colored brunette for her role in "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac. It was tied back loosely with braids to achieve a "ready for the gala but fell asleep" look. On the carpet, a tiny Stewart lost the Louboutins to chat with press.

She said that she had recently whipped up marinara sauce for a barbecue. And, after posing for an iPhone pic with a child, she discussed her biggest fan. "I don't remember her name, Kate, Sarah, [expletive]? I'd hate to get that wrong."

Taylor Lautner, the third wheel in the film's macabre love triangle, wore a gray Calvin Klein suit and a Piaget men's Altiplano in white gold featuring a black dial and black alligator strap. "It came today," said Lautner. "And I have to say I love it."

Stewart indicated that she, too, was pleased with her ensemble, "If I don't like something I'm wearing," she said. "It's so obvious."

"We had a lot of fun making it," said Lautner, introducing "Eclipse" in the theater. "It's my favorite."

"Seriously, I hope you like it," said Stewart, mike in hand, before she scurried from the stage.

During the screening, Luxist was seated next to Abigail Breslin and her mother. Other notables included Sofia Vergara of Modern Family, Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, fashionista Rachel Zoe, and supermodels Dree Hemingway and Maggie Rizer.

But not all of the adults were wowed by the film's endless Saccharin dialog. "Perhaps if I'd seen the other films in the series . . ." suggested a well-known designer. No, "Eclipse" has so many shirtless chats and Hallmark-card vistas as backdrops that only young, die-hard Bella and Edward fans with strong stomachs will be able to digest this one. Even children in the audience were squirming.

That said, Luxist gives high marks to the food at the Crosby Street Hotel afterfete: beef sliders, chicken curry, crab cakes, squash, and goat cheese risotto. "Eclipse" fete food: Two thumbs way up.

Tags: bella, eclipse, edward, kristen stewart, KristenStewart, taylor lautner, twilight, twilight new moon, twilight saga, TwilightSaga