Fan Report from Greece Premiere of Half-Blood Prince with Tom Felton and Evanna Lynch

Aug 31, 2009

Posted by: SueTLC

HBP Film

As a follow to the earlier report last week of the premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in Greece featuring a guest appearance from Tom Felton (Draco) and Evanna Lynch (Luna), we now have a first hand report from the scene. TLC reader Mr. Brightside was at the event in Greece, and sent us these photos (more here) as well as the report below. You can also see additional photos and videos of Tom and Evanna at this event here, here, and here courtesy of Feltbeats.com. Enjoy! Thanks so much Mr. Brightside!

“So, the event was supposed to start at 6 a.m. I arrived with my friends
at around 4:30 and the place was already filled with fans. Around
nearly one hundred people were gathered around the area were the event
took place. There were props from the movie, two bookcases with books,
a desk and chairs were Tom and Evanna would sit as wel as a Hedwig
replica along with a bird cage. There was also Harry Potter decoration
around the cinema with big posters and character cut outs. All the
stuff at the cinema was wearing black t-shirts with a silver Half blood
prince logo on them.

Surprisingly
many people came at the event dressed up in wizard costumes (it is
quite unusual in Greece so i was very excited to see more fans) which
looked exactly the same from the movies, carrying wands and wearing
hats or wearing HP merchandise such as Slytherin ties and t-shirts.
Actually there were many people wearing Voldemort and Slytherin
merchandise. Of particular mention though is a little blond boy who
drew all the attention on him as he was dressed up in black clothes
wearing a black scarf and round potterish glasses having the scar on
his head. He looked like a combination of Malfoy and Harry.
Unfortunately i couldn’t get any pictures of him.

While
we were waiting, several press photographers and cameramen from Greek
channels appeared and the crowd was getting bigger and bigger.
According to reports more than 3.000 people filled the mall. As the
time was getting closer and closer we all turned towards the entrance
from were the two actors would come. Around at six o’clock people
started screaming and shouting and we all though that they were finally
there but it was one of the many false alarms that followed. The time
was passing and we were getting tired due to the heat, standing almost
still and the pushing among the crowd. It was 6:30 when many people
started cursing and leaving frustrated at the actors who were late
(although many of them had no idea who would appear as they seemed to
think that the trio would be there so as soon as they found out that
“Malfoy” was there they were leaving disappointed). We had to wait
twenty more seconds when at 6:55 the actors finally came and we all
went crazy.

Unfortunately
we had to wait for ten to fifteen minutes till the meet and greet
session begun as Tom and evanna had to give interview to several
channels. More angry people left the event but the true fans waited
patient including myself 😛

When they were done, the autograph
event begun. We had to queue and wait our turn as Evanna and Tom were
signing autographs. There was a professional photographer that was
taking a picture for each fan with Felton and Evanna that as we assumed
they would give each of the them after the event. It was quite quick
actually since fans couldn’t stay more than a few minutes with them.
The process was much like, greet them, probably say a few words, take a
picture and go. A few people tried to have their books signed but most
of them were unlucky since the organizers would not let them. A young
woman tried to unfold her enormous Marauders map (where did she found
it?) for Tom and Evanna to sign it but she was kinda kicked out
immediately. It seemed as they were trying to sign as many cards as
possible. Funny moment: a young woman tried to kiss Tom on the cheek,
when he turned towards her and they almost kissed. Tom surprised turned
his face the last moment.

But the crowd
was quite wild and everything was a mess. Some people were constantly
pushing those in front of them to move forward while the security
guards kept pushing everyone back. So the two lines that were formed
couldn’t make any progress and we were stuck at the same place for ten
to fifteen minutes. According to the host that was there, Evanna and
Tom were frightened by the crowd and if the pushing wouldn’t stop the
actors would leave. After only thirty to forty minutes and a lot of
pushing, screaming and yelling both Tom and Evanna got up and left
without even thanking the crowd for being there or saying goodbye. The
host though informed us they had a surprise for us.

Needless
to say that the crowd went nuts and booed them for leaving (they were
supposed to stay for another hour and boy, they had more than enough
cards to sign), while several other people started cursing them and
doing some not very nice Greek gestures towards them. On my behalf i
was rather dissapointed and frustrated as well as my company, since we
were tired waiting for them so long and we really wanted to meet them.
Especially if we consider that most of those who attended the event
(including me) came from distant locations of Athens.

In an
attempt to calm the fans, the security guards distributed the
remaining unsigned cards to the crowd. When that was done, since we had
nothing to do we did what everyone else was doing. I have never seen
people queuing to take pictures with character cut outs. It was crazy
but very funny. Everyone was running around like kids taking pictures
with Hermione, Ron, and the rest of the cut outs. Funny enough there
was not Snape cut out or poster.

Finally when, the loudspeaker
voice informed us that the screening room was ready, everyone started
clapping and screaming. In the screening room there were cameras set
up. After a few minutes, Felton and Evanna entered the room while
everyone in, was clapping and screaming out of excitement (we though
that they would watch the movie with us). They gave a small interview,
which was rather funny and akward for the audience because of the
interviewer’s mistakes (he called Luna “Roula’ which is a Greek name
and we were all laughing and then he asked the audience if we think
that Tom’s blond hair is real or not. Of course we all screamed no, but
he though we were saying yes, because the Greek word for yes sounds
like the English no, and then we screamed even louder but i guess he
was deaf). After a few questions, both Evanna and Tom thanked us (Tom
in Greek) and left the theater.

To
sum up, although like many others i did not get an autograph and met
them, it was a very nice experience and both of them as everyone
stated, were very nice and friendly with everyone and hopefully we’ll
see them again, it was amazing to have them here. On the movie
part, everyone seemed to love the film and every time Rupert appeared
on the screen everyone was laughing hysterically.”





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