There are plenty of reasons people come to the Hamptons—the beaches, restaurants, architecture and, of course, the real estate. But one of the things I enjoy most about living and working here is that there is a real cultural community underneath everything else. The Hamptons International Film Festival is one of the best examples of it.
Every October, the Festival changes the energy of the East End. You find yourself sitting in a theater in East Hampton, Sag Harbor or Southampton watching a film you may know very little about, sometimes followed by a conversation with the people who actually made it. For a few days, our relatively small community has become part of the international film world.
What I particularly like is the mix. There are major films and recognizable names, but there are also documentaries, independent films, shorts, and emerging filmmakers you might never otherwise discover. That sense of discovery is really what makes a film festival fun.
This year, one film I’m particularly looking forward to is I PLAY ROCKY, the Festival’s Opening Night film. The Rocky story has become such a familiar part of American culture that I’m interested in seeing it approached from a different perspective.
I’m also intrigued by AVEDON, Ron Howard’s documentary about legendary photographer Richard Avedon. Photography, design, architecture and storytelling all have a strong presence in the Hamptons, and Avedon’s extraordinary ability to capture personality and character makes this one especially appealing to me.
And because I’m a local, I always pay attention to the Festival’s Views from Long Island program. I love the idea that while HIFF brings filmmakers and stories here from around the world, it also keeps a spotlight on Long Island filmmakers, locations and stories. It’s a reminder that some of the most interesting stories can be found right in our own backyard.
I’ve spent much of my professional life meeting people, listening to their stories, and trying to understand what motivates them. Real estate may seem like a long way from filmmaking, but both are ultimately about people, places and stories.
That’s what I love about the Hamptons International Film Festival. For eleven days in October, it gives us another reason to appreciate where we live—and occasionally reminds us that the most interesting part of the Hamptons isn’t necessarily the house, the beach or the restaurant.
Sometimes it’s the person sitting next to you in a dark theater.
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