Review Fix Staff Writer Cynthia Spataro’s Hamptons International Film Festival Blog

Check out Cynthia’s trials and tribulations during the Hamptons International Film Festival.

Day 1 – Thursday, October 8th, 2009

I’m all pumped up driving from Brooklyn to East Hampton for this year’s Hamptons International Film Festival. For those who have never been that far out on “The Island,” just think of it as the next stop is ‘the end’ (the slogan for Montauk). It’s about two hours from the city and a pleasant drive if you leave at the right time.

I reach the Maidstone Inn, which is a lovely hotel hosting the press office, receptions, and many well-known guests. I hang out for a short time, collect my packet and head to my first screening, which is the German film “My Words, My Lies, My Love.” I read a description of the film and it seemed to have a lot of potential, so there I was. The micro and less than intimidating East Hampton theater welcomed a mixed crowd of locals, out-of-towners, film buffs, press, and of course filmmakers, actors and all manner of film folk. I am waiting on line thinking that about 7 years ago I worked at that very same theater as a manager/projectionist and how not much has changed. The town is still quaint, the people subdued and the festival loaded with great films (except this time I get to actually see them!) All I could think about is how it’s so much better to be on the audience side of things.

As myself and a few other early-comers wait in life for the screening (very neatly organized I might say), a director of a documentary film rolls up and starts asking if anyone wants tickets to a screening of his film tomorrow. This all strikes me suddenly as a grass roots experience and I start reflecting on how great it is that filmmakers can feel so relaxed to interact with the audience, until I then hear him tout his film as “the greatest film of its kind” and a “masterpiece.” I mean, who says that? I guess the ‘Hamptons’ never really leaves The Hamptons.

Day 2 – Friday, October 9th, 2009

I have my first interview at 11 am with supermodel and actress, Liya Kebede. As I am waiting, I pull out my notebook and start jotting down some notes I have concerning the interview, when Pierce Brosnan saunters into the lounge and over to where I am sitting, and starts chatting with some people about his film “The Greatness,” which screened at the festival last night. I had tickets, but I was pretty beat from the drive in so I chose to head back and get some sleep for this morning. People are gushing to him about the film, but he has a completely cool air about him, just as you think he would, with his smooth accent and stylish getup. Ah, 007, sorry I missed your flick.

I check in at the Press Office and let them know they I will be meeting her in about an hour and they snap into action. They set us up at a lovely table in the dining area and a comical employee even tells me he is going to create mood lighting for us. I am totally at ease speaking with the accomplished Kebede, as she sips her Darjeeling tea, wrapped in a scarf with an heir of calmness about her.

After the Kebede interview, I drive around for a bit to get something to eat and enjoy the sights of Eastern Long Island. The little traffic running down Montauk Highway seems headed for the pumpkin fields, and it reminds me fall is in full effect and also that it must be a great year for pumpkins as the stands are stocked. I decide to stop at this restaurant in Bridgehampton called “Pierre’s” and enjoy a delicious bowl of lentil soup and a Caesar salad. As I’m enjoying my lunch, the police are inside trying to view the security cameras which tape the street in front because apparently someone’s car was broken into just then. This is pretty funny to me since I never even see this happen in Manhattan, what a rep we have in the city.

As I return back to the office, I meet up with Alexis Spraic who is the director of the documentary “Shadow Billionaire” and we discuss the film and her experiences in the industry for a good amount of time. She is a passionate filmmaker and I look forward to seeing her film on Sunday.

It’s about 5:45 pm and I am sitting in my seat waiting for the film “Desert Flower” to start. Two older people take a seat next to me (it’s a three person row in the back), and I start chatting with the gentleman next to me. He asks me who I write for and I start talking about the film I saw yesterday. He tells me that he and his wife haven’t actually seen a film in its entirety yet, but they’ve been to four different screenings. He tells me, “If it’s not good in the first 10-15 minutes than chances are it doesn’t get better.” They are friendly and we chat some more before the movie starts. About 10 minutes into the film the two of them get up and wish me a good festival. I happen to disagree with them because the film peaks my interest thus far and I go back to watching the film, the chairs next to me now a lonely reminder of people who don’t give films a chance.

Day 3 – Saturday October 10th, 2009

I missed the early morning screening of “Waking Sleeping Beauty,” which I hear a buzz going around about how it is a very good film (my instincts proving good up to this point). I proceed to spend the afternoon doing some writing and plan to arrive at the theater for the 7:30 pm show of “Dare.”

While I am waiting on line for this screening (seems like everything interesting so far happens while I am on line), I notice two girls who must be no older than 13 on the rush tickets line to see the film. This sort of puzzles me as the film from the description and trailers seems to include a lot of sexual content. The two girls are also dressed as 20-somethings with dresses and high boots; I guess the fashionistas of the Hamptons start early.

The screening of “Dare” is over and I tape the Q & A with the filmmakers and two of the actors, which was fun, the audience asking everything I had on my mind anyway. I head back, looking forward to another day at the festival tomorrow.

Day 4 – Sunday, October 11th, 2009

I catch the early morning screening of “Shadow Billionaire” which turns out to be quite interesting and entertaining, and get to see Alexis Spraic again, as she does a small Q & A after the film.

I grab some lunch, and then head over to Guild Hall (which is down the street from the theater) to check out “A Conversation with Steve Buscemi.” Now, I love Buscemi as an actor, and like nearly all his films, but I also have been dying to ask him if I indeed lived next door to his parents for years growing up. The conversation and then Q & A following lasted about an hour and a half, but it seemed to be 20 minutes. I never did get to ask him my question because alas, there were too many people with their hands up. Steve, if you’re reading this, Dorothy Buscemi…Golden Gate Drive? Sound familiar?

I didn’t have a screening planned for the night, so I decide to try “The Messenger” at 7:00 pm because Buscemi mentioned it is one film he appears in at the festival and it sounded interesting. I head to the back of the theater because I was in the front of the line, and I find a one-seater right next to the aisle. This is always the best because I could spread my stuff out and not have to worry about someone next to me. So people are filing in and I settle down with my popcorn and start shoveling it into my mouth since I haven’t eaten anything for dinner yet. The theater is almost entirely filled when I feel someone standing over me in the aisle looking down. I look up to see it is Buscemi glancing down at me as I shovel a giant handful of popcorn in my mouth; one of my finer moments. He kind of just smiles and then heads down the aisle to introduce the film. On his way back up, I grin at him like a fool. He’s just a cool guy.

Day 5 – Monday, October 12th, 2009

My last day at the festival, and it is a picturesque cool October day. I enjoy the drive to East Hampton as much as I can, trying to savor this last day out of the city and in some fresh air. I arrive at the theater for an early screening of “Solitary Man” starring Michael Douglas.

The next screening I go to is the documentary “How to Live Forever.” Again, I make friends on line and start talking with a woman who is also from Brooklyn, and enjoying the festival with her husband. They say they have seen some great films and come every year to check out the HIFF. I look around and notice I am the youngest person on line to this film, with most people looking over 60 at least. I guess I’m the only young person curious about living forever! The film was a fun experience, and the filmmaker Mark Wexler answered some questions following the screening.

Overall, it was a fun and relaxing experience this year at the festival. You can leave behind the pressure and the high energy of the city and wind down and relax to some great films. It was a highly organized event and they had a lineup of interesting and solid films. The minute I get in my car and start driving back, I’m wishing there was just one more day. I’m looking forward to next year already, I believe it is one of the best film festivals in New York and I hope in the future it remains as accessible and great as it was this year.