Chick Empowerment Not Intended

The Scene: Wednesday’s premiere of Hollywood Picture’s “G.I. Jane” at the Village theater in Westwood. The film was described by one industry savant as a “chick empowerment flick.” In it, Demi Moore goes for a shaved head and ultra-buffed physique to become a Navy SEAL. “When the filming was done,” said the actress, “I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness, I really need to look over this body and get some hair.’ ”

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Who Was There: Moore, with husband Bruce Willis; director Ridley Scott, producer Roger Birnbaum and screenwriter Danielle Alexandra; among the 1,300 guests were Ellen DeGeneres, Patrick Swayze, Chrissie Hynde, Naomi Campbell, Scott Wolf, Rod Steiger, Khrystyne Haje, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Brad Krevoy, Puffy Combs, Doug MacLaren and studio execs Joe Roth, Dick Cook and John Cywinski.

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Quoted: Moore on her role--”If I said I was trying to empower women or be some kind of role model, I would be lying about my intentions. I’m just in there trying to figure it out myself.”

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Buzz: The phrase “pleasantly surprised” came up frequently. But it was the difficulty of selling a non-male action film that dominated finance-minded conversation. “If anyone can market a female action movie, it’s Disney,” said a producer affiliated with another studio. “They’re the McDonald’s of movie-making.”

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The After-Party: In homage to Ridley Scott’s past films (which include “Blade Runner”), a nearby parking garage’s rooftop was radically modified with a techno-industrial design featuring camouflage netting, searchlights, black Astroturf, pool tables, bullhorn wielding “drill instructors,” chain-link fences and neon turquoise lighting. The overall effect mixed Village People characters, MTV summer house ambience and a military base with on-site bartending.

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Best Prop: Parked outside the theater was a twin-engine, Nautica 27 inflatable boat capable of going 80 mph--the attack vessel of choice for amphibious commandos everywhere. Asked what its civilian use would be, Jim Pearson of Cinema Rentals said: “Well, it’s custom built in Miami. Does that tell you something?”

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Chow: Either asparagus and heirloom tomatoes with lemon-basil vinaigrette is the cuisine of the new military, or it was a completely non-theme menu.

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Worst Trend: Handing out free stogies at parties. Cigar smoke has become the tear gas of Hollywood.

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Observed: One minor TV actress grabbing a fifth of Jim Beam, half an Angel’s food cake and stuffing them into her bag. “I was surprised she didn’t take the shot glasses,” said a woman watching.

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Overheard: “I love the smell of daiquiris in the evening.”