(Long Island, N.Y.) This year The 18TH Annual Hamptons International Film Festival opened with “Barney’s Version,” a Sony Pictures Classics’ release. The film premiered at a special screening at Guild Hall in East Hampton on Oct. 7th as the opening night film of the festival. Hamptonites, media, filmmakers and celebrities all attended with much enthusiasm.
The Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to celebrate the Independent film – long, short, fiction and documentary – and to introduce a unique, varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to the public. The Festival is committed to exhibiting films that express fresh voices and differing global perspectives with the hope that these programs will enlighten audiences, provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers and present inspired entertainment for all.
The Babelgum Animatron Animation Film Festival celebrates the very best in independent animated short filmmaking, and drew over 200 international submissions for its inaugural 2010 competition. Approximately ten films in each of four categories – Fantasy, Humor, Minis, and Real Life – were short listed and made eligible for cash prizes totaling $17,000. The Jury Award-winning films announced and screened at the Hamptons International Film Festival, can be viewed at www.babelgum.com/animatron and on the Babelgum mobile application (www.babelgum.com/mobile). Entries to the Animatron competition came from more than two dozen countries, including Albania, Taiwan, Greece, India, Spain, Russia, Romania, Poland, Japan, Germany, Canada, Italy, Brazil, the U.S., and the U.K.
Richard J. Lewis’ “Barney’s Version,” produced by Robert Lantos is based on the Mordecai Richler novel. The film stars Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, Rachelle Lefevre, Scott Speedman and Bruce Greenwood. Giamatti is the titular Barney and presents a view of his life that is at times hilarious and at others, heartbreaking.
With humor, panache, drama and insight, “Barney’s Version” tells the beautiful and moving story of Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti), an incorrigible and cantankerous yet warmhearted Jewish television producer in Montreal. When details of an unsolved mystery resurface and cast a shadow on Barney’s past, he begins to trace the memories of both the good decisions and the missteps that have determined the shape of his life. Barney’s candid confessional spans four decades and two continents, and includes three wives (Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, and Rachelle Lefevre), one outrageous father (Dustin Hoffman), and a charmingly dissolute best friend (Scott Speedman). Adapted to marvelous affect from Mordechai Richler’s prize-winning comic novel of the same name, “Barney’s Version” richly illuminates the experiences of a gloriously portrayed Everyman and considers the little things that make up a life.
“We are so excited to open our 18th edition with a film as moving and powerful as “Barney’s Version”, said Executive Director Karen Arikian. “Director Richard J. Lewis does such an amazing job in capturing the essence of Mordechai Richler’s novel, while Giamatti’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary” adds Director of Programming, David Nugent.
At the red carpet premiere I had the pleasure of interviewing the Producer, Robert Lantos, who revealed that Giamatti was the only actor to portray this complex character.
In our interview Actor Paul Giamatti confessed that he received the script from his agent and he was submitted for the role, “All very standard procedure,” Giamatti announced.
Later that evening I attended the Opening Night Reception at Gurney’s Inn in Montauk and interviewed Filmmaker/Director Dennis Lynch about his film “King of the Hamptons.”
Dan Rattiner from Dan’s Papers is cast in the film and both Dan and Dennis were eager to chat with me on the red carpet about their latest project together.
This documentary involves a midlife crisis that hits Dennis Lynch. He’s turning 40, his career is floundering, his wife is pregnant, and his grandfather is suing him. Deciding to escape his troubled life, Dennis takes a Hamptons adventure with A-List Hamptonite, Dan Rattiner, founder of Dan’s Papers. What begins as an ordinary man’s quest to experience the extraordinary turns into a series of moments that teach us how to face life’s unfortunate situations, embrace future opportunities, and live for a greater purpose. Appearances by Billy Joel, Christie Brinkley, Alec Baldwin, Ed Burns, Chevy Chase, Mercedes Ruehl, and Kim Cattrall.
“King of the Hamptons” is Dennis Lynch’s first full-length film as a director and filmmaker. Currently, he’s Founder of TV360.tv, a digital media company that produces Internet videos called, REAL QUESTIONS. The videos appear on thousands of websites, including ABCNEWS.com, and generate 2.5 million plays monthly. He’s also the Founder of Midlifenetwork.com, a blogging network for mid-lifers.
Mr. Lynch’s entry into film and media was a result of his midlife crisis. Prior to that, he was a 5X college dropout who spent 20-years as a successful entrepreneur building businesses he didn’t love. His achievements have been written about in the NY Times, WSJ, Entrepreneur Magazine, Newsday, and USATODAY. He’s been featured on ABC, CNN, MSNBC and NEWS12. In 2000, Mr. Lynch won the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
He grew up in Hicksville, New York and is married to his high school sweetheart. Together they have four children and reside in East Hampton, New York.
The film “Fair Game” directed by critically acclaimed Director Doug Liman premiered Friday, October 8, 2010 at Guild Hall. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Liman at the Maidstone Inn prior to the film’s screening that night.
Doug Liman, the director behind “Bourne Identity” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” returns with a gripping, edge-of-your-seat political thriller. Academy Award-nominee Naomi Watts stars as Valerie Plame, an undercover CIA agent investigating weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. After her husband, Joseph Wilson (Academy Award-winner Sean Penn), publishes a controversial article in the New York Times, Valerie’s world falls apart. When her cover is blown, she and all her contacts must now fear for their life and figure out who they can trust in the twisty world of international politics.
Doug Liman has been acknowledged as one of the most vibrant and original voices in American film, with a solid track record of critically acclaimed features that includes “The Bourne Identity,” “Mr. And Mrs. Smith,” “Jumper,” “Swingers” and “GO.” For the small screen, Liman has directed several pilots and produced series such as THE O.C., which was his first TV show. Currently, he is producing COVERT AFFAIRS, an original series that will premiere on USA Network this summer. The director currently serves on the board of the Legal Action Center and is actively involved in the Arthur Liman undergraduate fellowship program.
The film “Miral” premiered at a special red carpet screening on Friday October 8, 2010 6:30PM at the United Artist Theater in East Hampton Theater 2. Celebrities that attended included Film Director Julian Schnabel and Actress Frieda Pinto from the Academy Award Winning Film “Slum Dog Millionaire.”
Miral is a little red flower that is commonly found on the side of the road; it is also the name of a young woman whose story illustrates the lived experience of the Israeli/Palestinian struggle. This special film was directed by Filmmaker Julian Schnabel from the film “The Driving Bell and the Butterfly.” The film depicts the celebrated novel by Rula Jebreal, a multi-generational story of Palestinian women whose lives are shaped by historic conflict. An intimate tale of loyalty, love and family is painted onto a pristine gorgeous desert landscape. The film “Miral” is an eye-opening drama as well as a transportive experience of breathtaking cinema.
Director Julian Schnabel, born October 26, 1951, is an American artist and filmmaker. In the 1980’s Schnabel received international media attention for his plate paintings, large-scale paintings set on broken ceramic plates. Schnabel has directed “Before Night Falls” (which became Javier Bardem’s breakthrough Academy Award nominated role) and the four-time Academy Award nominated “The Driving Bell and the Butterfly.” He has won a Golden Globe, as well as BAFTA, a Golden Palm, two nominations for the Golden Lion and an Academy Award nomination.
On Saturday October 9, 2010 The Chairman’s Reception was held at the home of Stuart Suna at 4:00 P.M. for red carpet interviews. Some of the celebrities in attendance included Actor Alec Baldwin, Actor Stanley Tucci, Susan Cohn Rockefeller, Niles Rodgers and Marcia Gay Harden. Filmmakers and supporters came to honor Filmmaker Ben Barenholtz. At the event I had chance to interview Master of Ceremonies, Actress Marcia Gay Harden, who expressed how proud she was to work with Mr. Barenholtz in her first film “Miller’s Crossing.”
The Hamptons Film Festival featured a special 20th Anniversary screening of the 1990 Coen Brothers gangster classic, with select cast and crew in attendance for a post-screening discussion. “Miller’s Crossing” is the story of two warring crime mobs in a corrupt, prohibition-era city. Tom Reagan, a respected loner with strong ties to the current boss, plays alliances across enemy lines when he makes a move that could turn him into a missing person. “Miller’s Crossing” is a masterful morality tale, teeming with irony and humor, and featuring a cast of amazing characters that only the Coens could dream into being.
A revered figure among independent filmmakers, Ben Barenholtz has been a key presence in the independent film world as an exhibitor, distributor and producer since the late 1960’s when he owned and operated New York City’s Elgin Theatre.
Ben Barenholtz’s innovative approach to the Elgin’s programming made it among the world’s most visionary and historically significant art houses. Barenholtz was the originator of the “All Night Show” as well as the “Midnight Movie”, launched in 1970 with Alexander Jodorowsky’s “El Topo” followed by John Water’s “Pink Flamingos.” At the Elgin, Barenholtz re-launched the films of Buster Keaton and all the while discovering independent films by young American directors working outside the mainstream. Early works by Martin Scorsese and Jonathan Demme found a home at the Elgin.
Barenholtz was also the founder of specialty distributors Libra Films and co-founder of Circle Releasing, and over the course of his career at these two companies launched many first films from the likes of David Lynch, John Sayles, Guy Maddin, the Coen brothers, as well as Jean Charles Tachella’s “Cousin Cousine,”which garnered three Academy Award nominations. Barenholtz began producing films in the 1980’s and became Executive Producer on the Coen’s “Miller’s Crossing.” His directorial debut was the documentary “Music Inn,” which will be followed up by the short, “PERCY” about jazz legend Percy Heath. He is currently developing Kurt Bursiek’s “Astro City.”
Past Industry Toast recipients:
- Wouter Barendrecht (2008)
- Ted Hope (2006)
- Bob Berney (2005)
- Marcie Bloom (2004)
The Hampton International Film Festival IndieWIRE Industry Toast was made possible with the support of German Films and the continued support from HIFF’s corporate sponsors which include Altour International and American Airlines among many others.
The Hamptons International Film Festival announced, “Our festival brought such a variety of films to our audience in the Hamptons and this year’s winners reflect the diversity of voices that we strive to highlight. As we continue to host more and more film lovers from around the world, we are grateful for the support of the Hampton’s community as the foundation of the festival”, says Executive Director Karen Arikian. “There has been a very special feeling around this year’s festival and we have the filmmakers to thank for that”, says Director of Programming David Nugent. Their films have delighted, charmed and challenged our audiences and we are honored that they shared their visions with us.”
HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CONGRATULATES THE WINNERS:
KING’S SPEECH
Audience Award Narrative
Award collected by director Tom Hooper
LOVE, ETC.
Audience Award Documentary
Award collected by director Jill Andresevic
MAMAS & PAPAS
Narrative Jury Winner
Zicherman Screenplay Winner
Awards collected by producer Jefe Brown
CIRCO
Documentary Jury Winner
Award collected by director Aaron Schock
MY SO-CALLED ENEMY
Conflict and Resolution Jury winner
Award collected by director Lisa Gossels
NEW MEDIA
Short Film Winner
Award collected by director J.J. Adler
BORN SWEET
The festival will accept the award on behalf of the filmmaker Cynthia Wade.
THE HOUSE OF SUH
Winner of the Investigation Discovery Award for Excellence in Journalism
Award collected by Director Iris Suh
NO TOMORROW
Winner of the Victor Rabinowitz and Joanne Grant Award for Social Justice
Award collected by Directors Roger Weisberg & Vanessa Roth
THE BABLEGUM WINNING FILMS ARE LISTED BELOW:
FANTASY CATEGORY
Jury Award Winner $2,500
“This Is J03,” Once Were Farmers (U.K.)
Runner-up $500
“Noesis,” Sophie Klevenow (Germany/U.K.)
HUMOR CATEGORY
Jury Award Winner $2,500
“Pigeon Impossible,” Lucas Martell (U.S.)
Runner-Up $500
“Ant & Len,” Jon Marsh & Duncan Raitt (U.K.)
MINIS CATEGORY
Jury Award Winner $2,500
“Dog Judo: Meat Sprinkles,” Dave Anderson (U.K.)
Runner-up $500
“Knit’N’Purl,” Rhiannon Evans (U.K.)
REAL LIFE CATEGORY
Jury Award Winner $2,500
“Prayers for Peace,” Dustin Grella (U.S.)
Runner-up $500
“How to Animate,” Jordan Wood (U.K.)
Grand Jury Award Winner $5,000
“Coalition of the Willing,” Knife Party (U.K.)
For more information about the 2010 Festival, and to become a member, please visit the website at www.hamptonsfilmfest.org.
