This signature event began in the Festival’s first year, when Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg took the stage at Guild Hall for a frank and lively discussion of their craft. In the years since, the Festival has attracted several legends of cinema to share insights about their lives and their work in an informal setting. In 2010, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, James Franco, and Julian Schnabel each took the stage for animated reflections on their respective careers. Additional past participants have included Robert Altman, Kevin Bacon & Kyra Sedgwick, Jacqueline Bisset, Ellen Burstyn, Anjelica Huston, Quincy Jones, Harvey Keitel, Sidney Lumet, Frances McDormand, Vanessa Redgrave, and Gena Rowlands.

2011 Conversations With…

DAVID BAILEY
With Bruce Weber
Moderated by Rajendra Roy, Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York

Following a screening of David Bailey’s Cecil Beaton documentary, BEATON BY BAILEY, Bailey and Bruce Weber sat down for a discussion of their fascinating lives behind the camera. Moderated by Rajendra Roy, Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Considered one of the driving forces behind contemporary photography, David Bailey is credited with photographing some of the most powerful images of the last four decades. His popular and critically beloved work includes iconic images of legends such as The Rolling Stones, the Kray twins, Mickey Rourke, and Kate Moss. Bailey was the real-life inspiration for the fictional photographer protagonist in Michelangelo Antonioni’s masterwork, BLOW-UP, and has also led a vibrant filmmaking career of his own. Bailey’s 1970s documentaries about Cecil Beaton, Andy Warhol, and Luchino Visconti define the spirit and creative force of a generation.

HIFF also proudly presented Bailey’s 1973 film WARHOL.

HARRY BELAFONTE
Moderated by Dick Cavett

Harry Belafonte’s accomplishments in the performing arts are second only to his pioneering work as a human rights activist and his visionary efforts in collapsing racial barriers in the American cultural sector. His distinguished achievements include the legendary album, Calypso; becoming the first black producer in television; and leading Otto Preminger’s Oscar-nominated film opera, CARMEN JONES. A close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Belafonte was deeply involved in the American Civil Rights Movement. He has continued to devote himself to civil and human rights issues globally, focusing on the United States and Africa. He was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to be the cultural advisory for the Peace Corps, and was an outspoken critic of South African apartheid, contributing to its end and the release of Nelson Mandela. He has been one of two Americans to hold the position of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

MATTHEW BRODERICK
Moderated by Alec Baldwin

Tony Award-winning actor Matthew Broderick is an icon of American cinema and stage. Already an accomplished stage actor at the age of 21, Broderick began his screen career with a bang, leading box office hits WARGAMES and LADYHAWKE. Broderick landed one of his best known roles ad Ferris Bueller in the 1986 comedy classic, FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF. Back on Broadway, Broderick’s performances in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, THE PRODUCERS, THE ODD COUPLE, and THE PHILANTHROPIST won him much acclaim. HIFF also proudly presented one of Broderick’s best performances in Alexander Payne’s comedy classic, ELECTION on Saturday, October 15 at Guild Hall.

SUSAN SARANDON
Moderated by Bob Balaban

Oscar Winner Susan Sarandon is a mother, actress and activist. Her career, both on-screen and off, has been defined by her individualist spirit, conviction, and commitment to critical social issues. Since her breakthrough performance in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW catapulted her to stardom, Sarandon has become one of the world’s most admired and beloved stars. Her impressive body of work encompasses over 100 screen performances, including classics such as ATLANTIC CITY, BULL DURHAM, THELMA AND LOUISE, and DEAD MAN WALKING, for which she won the Academy Award. Sarandon’s activism is as impressive and admirable as her acting career. A UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Sarandon’s humanitarian work has taken her around the world, from Nicaragua to India to the Republic of Tanzania to her own native New York City. Sarandon is also the co-star of this year’s Opening Night Film, JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME.

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT

Affectionately referred to by Elton John as, “the greatest songwriter on the planet,” and praised by The New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus Wainwright is one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation. He is the son of folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and brother of Martha Wainwright, but Rufus has achieved his success by carving out his own singular sound in the worlds of rock, opera, theater, dance and film. After the recent death of his mother from cancer, Rufus and his family teamed up with documentary filmmaker Lian Lunson to create KATE MCGARRIGLE: I AM A DIAMOND. Rufus Wainwright presented clips from the work-in-progress film, and tell stories about his exceptional, legendary family.