Rage, a new film by Sally Potter, is something of a cinematic experiment. It takes place backstage at a fashion show and features an ensemble cast (including Judi Dench, Lily Cole, and a barely recognizable Jude Law playing a transvestite named Minx) standing against a green screen and speaking directly into the camera. It's also one of the first feature films to be shot and released on cell phone.

Keeping things unconventional, it premiered last night at The Box. Owner Simon Hammerstein is chummy with Law, and Potter is a fan of the place, so the downtown burlesque club found itself serving up popcorn and AriZona iced tea (in alcoholic and non-alcoholic formats) for its first-ever movie screening. Surprisingly, the audience actually hushed up when the house lights went all the way down. (Overheard: "Sally, it's Jude. So bloody dark I can't see anyone!")

Lingering in a corner, Steve Buscemi (who plays a reluctant paparazzo in the film) was having the sort of overlap with the fashion world he'd "never" had before. "I shouldn't say never," he corrected. "I do wear clothes, and my wife and I are good friends with Nanette Lepore." Also, he added, 20 years ago he played a character based on Stephen Sprouse (in Slaves of New York, directed by James Ivory).

Potter, best known for Orlando, explained one (non-budgetary) reason her film skimps on visuals: "The world of fashion is so familiar—we're bombarded with images. It's really about conjuring up an invisible world, making a space in people's heads that they can fill with their own imaginary collection." As for the resemblance one of the film's characters bears to a certain Dior designer? "The actor, Simon Abkarian, actually happens to look that way," she said. "And he modeled once for Galliano, so he may have picked up some hints."

— Darrell Hartman