My friend Debbie and I arrived at the Kunde Vineyards around noon on Sunday, August 2, 2003 in Sonoma California for a Red Cross sponsored reception and screening of the documentary, Disease of the Wind. In attendance as special guests for the reception, were actress and humanatarian, Jane Seymour and her husband, director, James Keach.

While we were waiting for Red Cross transportation vans and winery vans to take us up the mountain to a bluff where the outdoor reception was to be held, many guests mingled outside and inside of the Kunde winery shops and landscaped park.

We were the last group taken up the mountain to the reception, as we arrived later then most guests. To our surprise, Jane and James rode in the same van as we did to the reception. We said our hellos and morning greetings, and off we went to the reception.

Once there we found about 40 guests standing under some giant beautiful shade trees awaiting Jane and James' arrival. There was wine and fruit being served to the guests, as well as breads and cheeses. Each reception ticket cost $100.00 and went for donations to the Red Cross (this was our understanding, although it may have gone to the film festival we weren't sure

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Jane and James made the rounds and greeted all the guests. James answered a few phone calls and both he and Jane were interviewed by a local news station Channel 50. There was also a newspaper reporter there for the Wine festival and she was taking photos of Jane and James for the local press. Jane and James posed for some fun publicity photos, both were asked by the reporter to act like they were fighting over who would get to read the newspaper first, and in the process tear the newspaper in half.Guests then scrambled for their cameras and that was a fun thing to watch.

Jane then spoke to guests about her new St. Catherine's Household line and her new book Remarkable Changes. She chatted with sponsors and guests for nearly 90 minutes and she posed for photograpghs with the sponsors.A couple of our DQ Times members attended the reception from the San Francisco area, so it was fun to see them and get to visit during the reception.

Debbie and I left the reception at about 2.15 PM we wanted to find the local train depot where the screening of Disease of the Wind would be shown at 2.30 PPM. We found our seats and waited for Jane and James to arrive. Once they were there the screening began. Nobody said a word throughout the one hour documentary and when it was over everyone applauded loudly. There was a very short question and answer session following the film, as another film was being shown directly.

The audience seemed very pleased with the film, there were about 40 people at the screening. I took away the feeling and impression that those in attendance thought the film was superior. Once we all were ushered outside the Red Cross asked for donations to help raise money for the people of Africa, and so my friend and I donated along with I think about everyone there. I voted for the film, I gave it a 5,. the best vote you can give a film at this festival. I spoke with James outside the train depot, he had directed the film. I showed him my vote, he laughed and remarked that he had forgotten to vote. He seemed pleased we all responded to the film in a very positive way, and was glad to hear our praise on his documentary.

Video interview Q&A with Jane & James You will need realplayer to view the videos. If you don't have it, download it for free here. For best results, right click on link and select save target as. Save to your hardrive. Open file from there.

Disease of the Wind Part One (approx. 8 MB) Disease of the Wind Part Two (approx. 8.8 MB) Disease of the Wind Part Three (approx. 7.2 MB)

We were about to leave for our hotel when I saw Jane approach me, we were walking towards each other, I stopped to say good-bye to her, and she me. Then I said my good-byes to James.

We had enjoyed the day, but we were all hot and tired and heading for home. My friend Debbie and I enjoyed the reception and the film. We both thought the documentary was wonderful and we hoped it would bring attention to the much needed help of the African communities of Africa.

Pam                                                                                 BACK