(Long Island, NY) The 14th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival opened last week with the highly publicized and controversial film, “The Situation” starring beautiful Danish-born Actress Connie Nielsen. There were quite a few political films appearing at the festival but “The Situation” is certain to spark debate. At the screening I interviewed the director of the film Philip Haas who revealed to me that this is the first U.S feature film dealing with the war, set exclusively in Iraq.
I also had a chance to speak to some of the actors in the film Mido Hamada and Damian Lewis.
Ms. Nielson roles have ranged from an owner of a strip club in “The Ice Harvest” to her role as the incestuous sister of Roman Emperor in the Hollywood blockbuster movie “Gladiator”. This particular role as an American journalist is her most challenging because of its political content and message. The film touches on the struggles of the Iraqis surviving and intelligence officers and American soldiers trying to win support and favor of the Iraq people while quelling insurgencies.
The cast and director of the film “The Situation”. Photo courtesy Gary Silberman
At the screening I also had a chance to interview some truly talented and wonderful actors who are part of the Rising Stars Program. The Rising Star Program has grown within the past few years to become a dynamic program in providing a platform for extraordinary talent. This years rising stars are Dagmara Dominiczyk from the film “Mentor”, Carmen Chaplin from “Day on Fire”, Noah Fleiss from “Day on Fire” and later at the kickoff party at Montauk’s luxury spa and hotel Gurney’s Inn, I chatted with the very talented and handsome sexy young actor Mido Hamada. Mr. Hamada a German-Egyptian actor and a native from London expressed to me how excited he was to be starring in (“The Situation”) such a political and controversial film.
Mr. Hamada plays Zaid a photographer in war torn Iraq who has a special passionate bond with an American journalist Anna Molyneux played by stunning Connie Nielson.
Other films sparking attention were “Gray Matters” starring Heather Graham and Tom Cavanaugh, “Canvas” starring Joe Pantoliano and Marsha Gay Harden and “Shut Up and Sing” starring the gorgeous young Molly Shannon.
The most important event and the true soul and heart of the Hamptons International Film Festival has always been The Golden Starfish Award. This year marked a truly diverse selection of international films to date. The Golden Starfish Award for Career Achievement in Acting was presented to veteran actress Ms. Ellen Burstyn. Accomplished actress Ms. Burstyn has portrayed some of the screen’s most memorable characters including Alice Hyatt in Martin Scorsese’s “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and Lois Farro in Peter Bogdanovich’s “The Last Picture Show” which have brought her international fame.
“While the Festival serves as showcase for established and emerging Artists, it is also a promotional opportunity for the business and corporate community. I see this collaboration as upholding a long tradition of Patron and Artist”, says Dense Kasell. “We are a fraction of the Entertainment Business and as such it is our mission to establish a platform where both can coexist and The Arts are supported.”
For further information about the Hamptons International Film Festival please visit www.hamptonsfilmfest.org.
