Hamptons International Film Festival:
Bigger, Better, and Leaner
(09/23/2009) The 17th annual Hamptons International Film Festival is just around the corner, with a host of changes and a stellar lineup
“8” |
of films, panel discussions and, of course, parties. For the first time, the festival’s organizers have chosen to have the event coincide with the Columbus Day weekend, and cinephiles who attend the opening night film on Oct. 8 will plunge headfirst into an emotional melodrama that sets the tone for the whirlwind weekend.
“The opening night film is really strong,” said David Nugent, the programming director, about “The Greatest,” which examines a family’s relationships after the unexpected death of a son, and offers a stark contrast to last year’s lighthearted opening film, a quirky documentary about the fashion designer Valentino.
Both Mr. Nugent and Karen Arikian, the festival director, have been working in overdrive in the past few weeks, tying up loose ends and recruiting talent to make appearances over the big weekend. For the opening film, both the young director-screenwriter, Shana Feste, and the producer and star of the film, Pierce Brosnan, will be in attendance.
“Desert Flower” |
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the whimsical Terry Gilliam film “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus” is set to be the closing night film. If nothing else, it is sure to provide some serious eye candy. Originally starring Heath Ledger, the lead role was assumed by Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell after the actor’s death midway through shooting.
Judging by Mr. Gilliam’s notorious reputation as the man behind the Monty Python movies, “The Fisher King,” and “Twelve Monkeys,” it is likely to be a festival favorite.
In the film, “there’s a device in which one can walk through a mirror and see a sort of reflected alternate reality of their true self. When the actor or actress walks through the mirror, it changes their appearance,” said Mr. Nugent, accounting for how the four actors could conceivably play the same role. “It is very interesting, and handled very
“The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus” |
well.”
The movie, which morphed into a tribute to Mr. Ledger’s life during production, is one of a handful of films that appeared first in the Toronto International Film Festival, from which Mr. Nugent returned only last weekend. There, he picked up another film, “Young Victoria,” the closing night film at the Canadian festival. Last year, films that appeared in Toronto before being added to the Hamptons roster included “Slumdog Millionaire” and “The Wrestler.”
According to Mr. Nugent, who travels the world and handpicks movies, Toronto is where “we often pick up some of our biggest films.”
Judging by ticket sales on Sunday, when the box office opened, Mr. Nugent said the festival’s centerpiece film, “Solitary Man,” starring Michael Douglas as a recently disgraced car salesman, will be another crowd pleaser.
Aside from the plethora of films, Ms. Arikian has been busy this year cultivating relationships with other organizations that will play a role in the festival, as well as planning around longstanding festival favorites such as the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation series, now in its tenth year. With a $25,000 prize awarded to a director who accomplishes a compelling narrative with a focus on science, this year there is to be a tribute at Guild Hall, where snippets of the winning films from the past decade will be shown with special guests, including Alan Alda.
“John Rabe” |
According to Ms. Arikian, Mr. Alda, who maintains a residence on the East End, “has been very much involved in science and film for some time. It’s a personal interest.”
Mr. Alda is one of four stars who will participate in the “A Conversation With” series this year, along with Sharon Stone and Martin Bregman, the producer behind “Serpico,” “Scarface,” and “Carlito’s Way.” If anyone in East Hampton happens to run smack into Steve Buscemi while standing on line for coffee, not to worry, they have not wandered into the surreal landscape of “Fargo” or “Reservoir Dogs.” He will be in town to support two films he acted in, and also make an appearance in the conversation series.
With tried and true programs continuing, including the Golden Starfish Awards, “View from Long Island,” and “Breakthrough Performers” series, Ms. Arikian said that a few new events are to debut this year as well.
“This is the very first time during the festival we’re going to do a benefit for another foundation,” she said. “We’re screening a film called ‘8,’ ” which includes “eight short films made by very notable directors,” based on the eight millennium development goals set by the United Nations to be accomplished by 2015. Proceeds from the screening are to benefit the Maysha Foundation, set up by one of the filmmakers, Mira Nair, to benefit young people in Uganda who want to get into film.
“Nigeria and India have very strong industries,” she commented, and Uganda could be next.
Despite the fact that the year’s economic crisis caused Ms. Arikian to cut back on staff and devise other creative ways to save money, she said that the board of directors came through and she expects the festival to be one of the best to date. This year is the 75th anniversary of the New York Film Critics Circle, and four members of the group are to participate in a panel discussion about new media on Oct. 10.
“Those things for me are very exciting and important, partnerships, collaboration, and working together in this very difficult year,” she said. “It has been a very tough year for everybody in so many different ways,” but the show will go on.