HamptonsFilms’ SummerDocs Are Back

The HamptonsFilm SummerDocs series returns for its 15th year and kicks off on Friday, June 16, at 7 p.m. with a screening of MTV Documentary Films’ “The Eternal Memory” directed by Maite Alberdi, winner of the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. The series continues on Saturday, July 8, at 7 p.m. with Netflix’s “The Deepest Breath,” directed by Laura McGann, and concludes with a third film yet to be announced on Saturday, July 22. All three screenings will be held at the Regal UA East Hampton Cinema.

“The Eternal Memory,” tells the uplifting yet heartbreaking love story of Augusto Góngora and Paulina Urrutia who have been together and in love for 25 years. Eight years ago, their lives were forever changed by Góngora’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. As one of Chile’s most prominent cultural commentators and television presenters, he is no stranger to building an archive of memory. Now he turns that work to his own life, trying to hold on to his identity with the help of his beloved Urrutia, whose own preeminence as a famous actress and Chilean minister of culture predates her ceaselessly inventive manner of engaging with her husband. Day by day, the couple face this challenge head-on, relying on the tender affection and sense of humor shared between them that remains, remarkably, fully intact. The film balances vibrant individual and collective remembrance with the longevity of an unbreakable human bond, in partnership.

“The Deepest Breath” follows champion freediver Alessia Zecchini and expert safety diver Stephen Keenan, who seemed destined for one another despite the different paths they took to meet at the pinnacle of the freediving world. Zecchini fell in love with the sport as a child in Italy, astounding coaches with her raw talent and determination in pool swims and open water contests before she was old enough to legally compete. Irish adventurer-turned-expert safety diver Keenan, meanwhile, was raised near the sea, but as a young man set out on a quest to find himself, traveling across Africa before landing in Dahab, Egypt, and establishing a dive school. Despite their very different paths, the two meet at the pinnacle of the competitive freediving world, discovering a shared passion for pushing their limits and forming a powerful relationship that felt like fate. The bond between them propels the film’s emotional journey into the stunning, silent depths of the ocean, a breathtaking place unseen by all but the fortunate few — where exhilarating accomplishments and unavoidable risks await.

“As we look ahead to summer, we are excited to share the robust and diverse slate of documentaries showcased at the landmark 15th annual edition of the SummerDocs Series,” said Nugent, who will lead conversations at each film with attending filmmakers and subjects, including Paulina Urrutia, subject of “The Eternal Memory” and Laura McGann, director of “The Deepest Breath.” “It is truly one of the highlights of HamptonsFilm’s year-round programming as we continue to bring topical issues to our audiences.”

To commemorate the 15th annual SummerDocs Series, HamptonsFilm will bring back its SummerDocs Audience Award this year. Voted on by the film-loving community, this award will recognize one of this year’s strongest documentaries highlighted within their programming.

“We have a rich history of showing award-winning projects as part of the SummerDocs series, and it is a privilege to recognize the work of documentary filmmakers as we have over 15 summers,” said HamptonsFilm Executive Director Anne Chaisson. “Further involving our documentary-loving community in awarding one of these filmmakers with an additional honor shines a light on the issues and challenges these films bring to all of our attention.”

Tickets for the 2023 SummerDocs Series individual screenings will be sold for $35 and are available for purchase hamptonsfilmfest.org/summerdocs/.

Other programming in the months ahead includes HamptonsFilm free outdoor screenings on select Wednesday evenings at sunset at Herrick Park and Main Beach in East Hampton Village. This year’s films are “Goonies” on June 28; “Back to the Future” on July 19; “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” on July 26; “Splash” on August 2; and “Jaws” on August 16.

In addition, HamptonsFilm will offer in-person film camps for ages 8 to 15 from July 10 to 14 in East Hampton, and August 7 to 11 in Southampton in partnership with the Southampton Arts Center.

The 31st annual Hamptons International Film Festival will take place from October 6 to 15, as an expanded 10-day event for the second consecutive year. Visit the HamptonsFilm website for more information on the SummerDocs Series, the Hamptons International Film Festival and all year-round programming.