The Silverdocs Film Festival opened in Silver Spring last Monday to overflow crowds, thanks to the presence of LeBron James. On Saturday night, the festival closed to even bigger throngs, thanks to … Marion Barry.
Saturday was the premiere of “The Nine Lives of Marion Barry,” and you just knew the Ward 8 Councilman and “Mayor for Life” would be in attendance.
By our approximation, the ticket-holders’ line stretched began forming more than an hour before the movie, and grew to some 270 feet. The standby line, for those without tickets, itself stretrched about 150 feet. Hundreds were turned away, more than came to see LeBron.
Also, added a Silverdocs spokeswoman, Barry’s appearance drew “tons more broadcast media.”
The cameras swarmed him when he arrived, and the former mayor raised his arms overhead victoriously as he was introduced in the theater. Barry stayed for most of the film, ducking out in the dark during its closing moments — but not before pausing in the aisle to take one final look at footage from his victorious 2004 campaign for Council.
The scene in the film that drew the biggest reaction from the crowd may have been the very first. That’s when a campaign aide tells someone on the phone that if you’re calling on Barry, “You have to bang on the door, like you’re police.”
They arrive to find him in his bathroom, listening to blaring jazz and sporting a coat of “5-Minute Mud” facial mask on his face.
