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PALM SPRINGS - The Palm Springs International Film Festival kicked off Wednesday night in Palm Springs.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival is bigger than ever.  Big names, big crowds, big events.
We spoke with actress Emily Blunt, she was in town for the festival's opening night film.
"I want people to feel a great sense of hope, I want people to enjoy a film, its very much like a breath of fresh air and I don't think there's enough films out there like that that are unique."
Actress Emily Blunt is talking about her new movie, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, also starring Ewan McGregor.
And like a salmon, the film is going against the flow.
We mentioned a shot wher McGregor turns against the crowd like he's actually moving upstream.
Blunt said, "I know it's such a cool shot and I think that, I think that Lasse Hallstrom really really wanted that to be an ongoing theme that you really represent the movie with the shots and everything, he was just so clever and evocative with it."
"The fact that we have an Arab language focus this year, this film ties into the Arab language focus as well, so it's a nice combination, and we have Emily Blunt," said Palm Springs International Film Festival artistic director, Helen Dutoit.
This is just the first red carpet with actress Emily Blunt Wednesday evening.  Coming up on Saturday, is the big red carpet, the Black Tie Awards Gala, whwew you can expect big names like Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Glenn Close, Michelle Williams, and Charlize Theron.
Big names drawing big crowds.
"We're going to be over 150,000. We're shattering all sorts of records, I mean just shattering all sorts of records," said Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet.
Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack talked to us about the legacy her late husband, Sonny Bono started.
"When I look back and Sonny created the idea a lot of people thought it wouldn't happen, it couldn't last," said Bono Mack.
But Sonny Bono's vision of the film festival did last, and grew to epic proportions.
"Today is the 14th anniversary of his passing, so it's especially poignant day for me that's its the anniversary of his passing, and its also opening night, so its kindof a bittersweet day," said Bono Mack.
The 23rd annual Palm Springs International Film Festival runs through January 16th.