Friday Gets ‘Wild,’ Patricia Clarkson, A Dangerous Game, The Last Impresario

Wasn’t last night a hoot and a half? Bill Murray brings the fun.

PatriciaClarkson 400Before we go any further, we have to tell you how thrilled we are to have Patricia Clarkson here with us at HIFF 2014. The acclaimed actress is attending the Festival on behalf of her Spotlight film, Learning to Drive, which has been one of the hottest-selling tickets at our box office.

In addition, she has graciously agreed to join our A Conversation With… series, which launches with Ms. Clarkson today.

2:00 pm | Bay Street Theatre | Tickets

No matter the role, Clarkson brings intelligence, dedication, and her unique sense of empathy. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, she worked on Broadway before making the leap to feature films with 1987’s The Untouchables. After successful stints on television, she achieved breakthrough status with 1998’s High Art, for which she earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Female. From there, she earned raves for her terrific turns in The Green MileFar From Heaven, HBO’s Six Feet Under (two Emmy Awards), The Station Agent, Lars and the Real Girl, and Easy A. In 2003, she earned an Academy Award® nomination for her work in Pieces of April.


Wild-650

Today, the Festival expands outside East Hampton! Sag Harbor Cinema is open all day, with four screenings to choose from (see below), and our Southampton Opening Night features the much-anticipated Wild, starring Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, based on Cheryl Strayed‘s best-selling memoir. We are honored to welcome Laura Dern and director Jean-Marc Vallée (Dallas Buyers Club) as our guests here at HIFF. Though advance tickets are no longer available, you are welcome to try your luck in the Rush Line!


Showtime-The-AffairToday at 4pm, join Showtime Networks, Vogue Magazine and HIFF for a special (free) advance screening of Showtime’s new drama series, The Affair.

Starring Dominic WestRuth WilsonJoshua Jackson, and Maura Tierney, and set against the beautiful backdrop of the East End, this exclusive preview is can’t-miss event for Festival-goers.

(Free) tickets are still available; please arrive at Guild Hall by 3:15 to ensure your seat!


Let’s dive right into the rest of Day 2, shall we?

Rowdy-Talk-1This morning at 10 am, our *free* Rowdy Talks series kicks off with a deep-dive into Video On Demand (VOD), which has significantly—and rapidly!—expanded the reach of independent film. What can filmmakers expect to earn? How is it changing the ways we experience film as an audience? Panelists, including entertainment reporter Bill McCuddy, Lisa Rosman and Neil Rosen of NY1, and Jay Hogan of Gathr, will walk us through.

Rowdy Talks: Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, join us for food, fun, and casual conversation in East Hampton’s Rowdy Hall, located at 10 Main Street. Admission is free, and seating is limited. Doors open at 9:30AM; conversations begin promptly at 10AM.


Sag Harbor Screenings

Four or five films per day will screen in Sag Harbor throughout the weekend. On deck today:

Virunga 700Virunga | 1:30 pm | Tickets
WINNER: Zelda Penzel Giving Voice to the Voiceless Award
The breathtaking Virunga National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site in eastern Congo, is under attack from many sides. With its rich bio-diversity, Virunga is home to the last mountain gorillas and holds a wealth of natural resources. Orlando von Einsiedel fashions together a thrilling documentary, introducing us to the brave people protecting the park.

Dior&I_460Dior & I | 4:00 pm | Tickets
This documentary takes us behind the scenes of one of the most renowned fashion houses as designer Raf Simons takes over the reins, working hard to unite his background with that of the illustrious brand. Director Frédéric Tcheng takes the camera into the workshops, showing us the hard work that goes on as the skilled artisans bring Simons’ vision to life.

Gabriel-2-650Gabriel | 6:30 pm | Tickets
Longing for stability in the throes of mental illness. Gabriel (Rory Culkin) is abrasive and irrational. Nonetheless, he evokes empathy as he winds his way through New York City and Long Island, in large thanks to Rory Culkin’s commanding performance.
Scheduled to appear: director Lou Howe & Rory Culkin

Low-Down-1-new-650Low Down | 9:00 | Tickets
A compassionate look at the complex relationship between Amy-Jo (Elle Fanning) and her father Joe (John Hawkes). Set against a sensuously textured 1970s Hollywood, the film beautifully evokes a colorful, seedy world of struggling musicians, artists, and vagabonds.


Selections from East Hampton (with directors in attendance!)

A-Dangerous-Game-700A Dangerous Game | 1:45 pm | Tickets
In A Dangerous Game, the follow-up to You’ve Been Trumped (HIFF 2011), filmmaker Anthony Baxter is still hot on Donald Trump’s tail as the billionaire sets out to build yet another luxury golf course along the idyllic Scottish seaside. Residents in Croatia are engaged in a similar battle of public will as they face down developers (and politicians) of their own.

Diplomacy-700Diplomacy | 4:15 pm | Tickets
When General Dietrick von Choltitz, the governor of Nazi-occupied Paris, receives an order to destroy the city if the Nazis lose it to Allied forces, Swedish Consul General Raoul Nordling appears in his office and pleads with him to abandon the plan. Adapted from the stage and directed by legendary German filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff (who now lives on the East End).

Last-Impresario-3-650The Last Impresario | 6:15 pm | Tickets
Michael White helped influence the cultural scene of the 1970s with everything from theater, film, dance, fashion, and beauty—but you’ve probably never heard of him. In this personal documentary, Gracie Otto celebrates the living legend that brought to life over 200 shows and movies, with interviews from over 50 of his closest (celebrity) friends. He’s still the life of the party.


There are plenty of other films on deck today.
Browse the entire schedule here.
See you at the movies!