Rolling out the red carpet, you get your star power, politicians, and even gold medal athletes. Harrison Ford was at the premier and stars in the film "Extraordinary Measure." He also produced it.
The event was one of several around the country, but it was the first held at Letterman Digital Arts Center in the Presidio. That is George Lucas' company and of course Lucas and Ford go back a bit.
In the film Ford is a scientist pursued by Brendan Frasier's character who is a father desperate for find a cure for a life threatening disease that affects two of his three children. It's called pompe disease which causes muscle weakness. It is based on a true story.
Ford explains the movie is about "A man's industry, intelligence, and vigor, and determination to have an effect and to change things."
Gold medal figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi was at the event and said "When something can bring attention to a cause and help it some way, in a positive way, I think that's a great thing."
Actress Jennifer Siebel Newsom said "You want to give your child ample opportunity and you never experience love like that."
In the shadow of Yoda, is the reality San Francisco does not have many premiers here. "Milk" was the last big one.
Senator Diane Feinstein said "We do a lot of this back in Washington and some of it in Los Angeles and it's really special when it's in San Francisco."
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said "We don't do many of them. We're making a bit of a comeback on the film side."
So can San Francisco become a major player in film production again?
Newsom also said "I've got some new plans and new desire in the next two years to take it to a new level and that's why I made some changes."
The film is destined to raise awareness of pompe disease. "Extraordinary Measure" opens in theatres on Jan. 22, 2010.
