The weather cooperated for another great day at the 20th Hamptons International Film Festival. Between Guild Hall (@GuildHall), UA East Hampton Theatre and The Maidstone Inn, there were screenings, receptions, and lots of chances to meet and talk to directors, producers and actors from around the world.
The day’s films included The Details by Jacob Aaron Estes, The Late Quartet by director Yaron Zilberman, and The Sessions by Ben Lewin, just to name a few. A nice crowd showed for Shadow Dancer by director James Marsh.
Actress Julia Garner, the main character in Electrick Children, by director Rebecca Thomas attended the film’s screening. Dan Marvish was at the red carpet for the Between Us screening and we bumped into Charlie Kessler, director of the movie Montauk who told us about his website http://www.thephoenixlives.com.
At the filmmakers gathering at the Maidstone Inn, we talked with Lekha Singh of Beyond Right and Wrong and Sue Rockefeller of Mission of Mermaids. Thank you for the interviews! We also spoke with T.C. Johnstone of Rising from Ashes winner of Films of Conflict and Resolution at the festival. Congrats to T.C.!
Saturday afternoon, October 6th at the 20th Hamptons International Film Festival was another day filled with great movies, events and chances to meet and greet artists from all over the world.
At noon, Variety (@Variety) and HIFF presented the yearly panel discussion, Variety 10 Actors to Watch, with a diverse and impressive representation of the best and the brightest up and coming stars.
Moderated by Variety‘s Executive Editor Steven Gaydos, the actors in attendance included Adam Driver, Domnhall Gleeson, Boyd Holbrook, Scoot McNairy, Imogen Poots, Bella Heathcote, Dree Hemingway, Elyas M’Barek, Nate Parker, and Alicie Vikander.
Nate Parker offered wisdom and observations far beyond someone who has yet to reach thirty years old. When asked his preference of directors, Parker responded:
“It’s easiest to work with directors who know what they want, but who ask you what you think.”
It’s easy to see why Richard Gere welcomed Parker so warmly on the set of Arbitrage, as Parker expressed his awe of Gere. HIFF is honoring Gere with the Lifetime Achievement Award this year.
After the Variety panel, Gotham Chopra gave us the joy of seeing his father, Deepak Chopra in a new and more nuanced way in his documentary Decoding Deepak which played at the UA East Hampton.
We also had the pleasure of interviewing actor Brendan Fraser and writer/director Terry George (director of Hotel Rwanda). Both men discussed how much they enjoy working with each other.
To top off a great day, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Hamptons International Film Festival honored Oscar-winning costume designer Ann Roth at Guild Hall (@GuildHall). It was a moving tribute full of laughs and surprises.
Roth arrived to a standing ovation. Meryl Streep, Nathan Lane, and Mike Nichols sung Roth’s praises. All have known her for decades. During his tribute, Nathan Lane joked that when he works with Ann he is usually standing in his underwear under a neon light—so he always knows who was in charge! Mike Nichols, who has known Roth for 47 years, gave us a peek into Roth, the woman and friend and Meryl Streep read a poem she wrote, Ode to Ann. Hamptons Film Festival Board Chairman, Alec Baldwin was also there to honor Roth.
A short film of highlights chock full of memorable moments in Roth’s career included The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley and The Hours, including the famous prosthetic nose Nicole Kidman wore.
CNN Fashion Editor, Alina Cho (@AlinaChoCNN) proceeded to interview Roth, which gave an intriguing look into Roth’s creative process.
Congratulations to Ann Roth for receiving this honor and thank you for bringing the magic of imagination and filmmaking to each and every one of us! Read a full recap of the event here.
It was a long day full of great film and meeting new and old friends. For more updates, recaps and media from the 20th Hamptons International Film Festival, follow @HamptonsFilm.
