Photos from the Garland VISION QUEST screening.

Photos from JESUS WAS A COMMIE screening.

Davis, SPIFF & Modine

_Plans were in the works.  Terry Davis would join novelist Jess Walter and actor Matthew Modine for a series of special events at the Spokane International Film Festival in late January of 2012 in Washington State.  The buzz was growing, when tragedy struck.

Terry Davis was airlifted on January 19 from Mankato, MN to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN after doctors discovered a bump on his head was more dangerous than they had suspected.   Within hours, he had slipped into a coma and the prognosis was bleak.

Without surgery, the doctors said, Davis might never wake up.  But surgery could leave him in need of 24-hour care.  His family studied his living will and prepared to honor Davis's last wishes.    Then came the fireworks.

On January 20, just before 11:00 pm EST, Terry Davis woke up.  He asked for a paper and a pencil.  Breathing tubes made it impossible for him to speak.  He wrote, "Did I die?"  And later wrote, "Will I croak?"  By morning, the blood clots that made it impossible to operate had dramatically reduced in size.  After six hours in surgery, doctors were encouraged that his prognosis would now be very good.  After weeks and months of rehabilitation, they said, Davis would likely experience complete recovery.   But traveling would be out of the question.

_The Spokane International Film Festival moved forward as planned, from January 27 to February 4, 2012 -- without Terry Davis.  But at Matthew Modine's special events, he was certainly there in spirit, in tribute and in very fond celebration.   

Walters opened the screening of Modine's short film, JESUS WAS A COMMIE, with his version of the original VISION QUEST movie poster projected behind him, with one major facial adjustment.  Walter's face had replaced Modine's.   When he introduced the actor, he saw the poster revision for the first time and burst out in laughter.  He thanked the audience for their kind welcome and immediately mentioned Davis.

"If not for the brilliant book by Terry Davis," Modine said, "I might not be here today.  He was supposed to be with us  tonight, but a head injury made it impossible.  We wish him a full and complete recovery," he continued.   Davis came up many times through the course of the evening, to vibrant audience response.

On Saturday, January 28, Modine hosted a second event -- a fundraiser for Ferguson's Cafe, a local business  that went up in flames in 2011.

Featured in VISION QUEST, the diner has been a Garland District landmark for more than 75 years.  So Modine joined more than 600 Spokanites at the historic Garland Theater for a special screening of VISION QUEST.  The $3.50 tickets sold out within minutes of the ticket booth's opening.

_At the VQ screening, Modine once again thanked Terry Davis for launching his career with the universal appeal of VISION QUEST and expressed his hopes for his full recovery.  When Davis appeared in cameo roll, waiting in the Roger's High School bleachers to watch the wrestling match between Louden Swain and Brian Shute, the 600 person crowd erupted in cheers, yelling, "Go Davis!"  

Modine signed an original copy of the VISION QUEST movie poster that will replace the copy destroyed by fire when Ferguson's burned, once Terry Davis is well enough to sign it too.  He wasn't standing beside Matthew Modine at SPIFF, but Terry Davis was at the heart of the celebration. 

For more photos, videos and newspaper links, scroll down. 

SPIFF/VISION QUEST Links

Modine talks about Terry Davis and a VQ Sequel (and more)   KXLY
http://video.kxly.com/watch.php?id=28920

On Location with Matthew Modine  KXLY
http://www.kxly.com/sports/30310761/detail.html

Running like Louden Swain  KXLY
http://downtownspokane.kxly.com/news/arts-culture/72363-running-louden-swain

Underware Moment   KXLY
http://downtownspokane.kxly.com/news/arts-culture/72303-exclusive-matthew-modine-explains-recent-underwear-moment

Ride Along with Modine   KXLY
http://downtownspokane.kxly.com/news/arts-culture/72271-ride-along-matthew-modine

Modine on his Career and Spokane   KHQ
http://www.khq.com/category/195686/video-landing-page?clipId=6686117&auto

Modine on Giving Something Back -- Ferguson's and the Milk Bottle    KHQ
http://www.khq.com/story/16616468/actor-matthew-modine-in-spokane-to-help-raise-for-milk-bottlefergusons

Ferguson's and the Milk Bottle, just after the fire.