The Hamptons may be mostly known for its summer season and endless beaches but I’d say the fall is probably my very favorite out here. Especially when it’s the Hamptons International Film Festival which happens to be this very weekend… c/o The Maidstone is the official headquarter for the second year in a row and I love having the actors, the filmmakers, the press and the movie aficionados meet at our place to talk about movies, drink champagne and catch up with each other.
The movies that have screened have been fantastic and the Q & A’s that follow the movies are such a treat. The opening movie of the festival was Barney’s Version with an exceptionally well cast Paul Giamatti. For those of us that fell in love with him in Sideways, I can assure you, you will not be disappointed in this one.
I had a chance to tell Director Richard Lewis as he stayed at our hotel and loved it as much as I loved his movie…
I also saw Beautiful Darling about one of Andy Warhol’s famous factory girls, which coincided with my discussion about our planned photo exhibit at Krägga Herrgård, which will feature photos of Andy Warhol’s home and factory, the way it was at the time of his death. My new friend, Director James Raisin, plans on being in Stockholm for the film festival in November and wanted to do a screening of his movie at our mansion or perhaps an opening party or event to celebrate his documentary as well as our photo exhibit.
The photographer David Gamble was naturally in town this weekend as well so I lucked out, to plan our fall photo event while enjoying my favorite things; movies and photo art.
The best part of the story is that the decisions were reached over a glass of champagne at a movie producer’s home in the Hamptons, which feels so exquisitely normal on the East End…
Miral was another movie that made a big mark. A must see for all as it deals with the dream of living in peace, and shows some very human aspects of a struggle that seems to go on in too many places in this world. Julian Schnabel seemed at ease on his home turf and gave a fabulous account of the movie and the process of becoming what it now is, but the true star was the author Rula Jebreai who shone in her humble yet persistent attempt at bringing light to a difficult subject that affects way too many innocent victims. And Freida Pinto is a delight in all areas. Her acting was stellar and her personality so sweet and inspiring when voicing her thoughts in eloquent manners.
More to come after I’ve viewed the closing film The Black Swan with Natalie Portman.
Take care,
Jenny
