Sunday, June 1, 2014

Good Will Hunting Screening at Camp David in 1998

Group shot of the participants at the screening of "Good Will Hunting" (Courtesy; William J. Clinton Presidential Library)


In January 1998, President Clinton invited a couple dozen people to Camp David for a weekend screening of the movie "Good Will Hunting". The guest list included film actors Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Robin Williams, and Minnie Driver; along with film director Gus Van Sant and producer Lawrence Bender.

Other guests included  National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, Senator Tom Daschle, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; Clinton friends Terry and  Dorothy McAuliffe; Harvey Weinstein (Miramax); and actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

The weekend included a tour of the presidential retreat; watching the NFL football playoffs on a big-screen TV in Laurel Lodge;  a formal five-course dinner also in Laurel; the Good Will Hunting screening in the movie theater in Hickory Lodge; and some late-night bowling.

President Clinton speaks with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in Laurel Lodge (Courtesy; William J. Clinton Presidential Library)


President Clinton watching football with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in Laurel  (Courtesy; William J. Clinton Presidential Library)


Gwyneth Paltrow poses with Clinton's dog Buddy at Camp David  (Courtesy; William J. Clinton Presidential Library)


President Clinton and Madeleine Albright practice bowling  (Courtesy; William J. Clinton Presidential Library)


(Courtesy; William J. Clinton Presidential Library)


Sources
William J. Clinton Presidential Library
What A Party! by Terry McAuliffe
University of Maine Alumni Profiles - Lawrence Bender
London Evening Standard