'SummerDocs' Series Returns To The Hamptons

Summer blockbusters could have some fierce competition in the Hamptons this season with the imminent return of the Hamptons International Film Festival’s “SummerDocs” series, minus the pyrotechnics.

“I, like many people, find enjoyment in seeing big budget summer movies,” said David Nugent, the festival’s director of programming, during a telephone interview last week. “But there’s a limit to the number of explosions I want to see. It’s nice to have an entertaining, smart movie, and that’s what we’ve got.”

In partnership with Guild Hall, the series kicks off on Saturday, June 4, with the screening of “Buck,” this year’s Sundance Film Festival Audience Award recipient, at the East Hampton museum’s John Drew Theater. James Lipton, host of Bravo’s “Inside the Actors Studio,” will interview the film’s director, Cindy Meehl, following the movie.

“SummerDocs” host and co-programmer Alec Baldwin, who is currently working on a film, plans to return for the remaining screenings, beginning with Andrew Rossi’s documentary “Page One: Inside the New York Times” on July 22.

“I am looking forward to continuing the series with interesting films that lead us to great conversations,” Mr. Baldwin said in a recent press release. “SummerDocs is quickly becoming one of the best series out east in the summer and I’m excited to be presenting another new group of films in 2011.”

The documentary “Buck,” which is the first to screen in the series, revolves around Buck Brannaman, an ordinary man who transforms the horror of his youth into the gentleness of his adulthood, cultivating his connection with horses and passing that knowledge on through his clinics, according to producer Julie Goldman. The two-year production was shot in Montana, Wyoming, California, North Carolina and France, she said, and the 300 hours of film shot was edited down to just 88 minutes.

“We had a feeling that the film was really going to resonate with people,” Ms. Goldman said. “But it’s over and above what we had hoped for. We had very high hopes and it

even surprises us as we go forward about how it really does stay with people and make an impact.”

Mr. Nugent, who annually attends festivals around the world, saw the film for the first time at Sundance Film Festival, he said. As the credits rolled, he said he knew he wanted it for the “SummerDocs” series.

“I went into it not knowing a whole lot about it,” he said. “I’m not necessarily a big horse person. I have nothing against horses, but I don’t particularly have any strong feelings for them either, not a horse whisperer by any means. I was slightly skeptical, I guess is what I’m getting at.”

“But I came away from this movie so moved, so inspired, so excited,” Mr. Nugent continued. “He’s just an amazing man and it’s a very inspiring movie. I love this film.”

The “SummerDocs” series is entering its third season, but it was a success from the start, according to the festival’s executive director Karen Arikian. In years past, the series featured three films. This year, there will be four.

“I would do one of these a week throughout the summer if I could, but Alec is way too busy for that,” Ms. Arikian said. “I’m happy to have him do three every year, and I’m thrilled that we moved up to four. Most of the films are pre-release, but it’s not about being the first person out of the gate. It’s about presenting a quality film and having a great conversation.”

A question and answer session with Mr. Baldwin and guests from each film will follow each of the remaining screenings, an element of the series that Ms. Arikian says is a huge draw.

“I love that the audiences are so involved,” she said. “Sometimes when you go to a Q&A, people are reluctant to raise their hands. Here, it’s zoom, zoom, zoom, up in the air with hands. People are very engaged.”

Mr. Nugent said he is still in the process of selecting the final two films of this year’s series, which will be screened on August 19 and September 1.

“This series is different than the [Hamptons International] Film Festival,” Mr. Nugent said. “I love that, too, but at any one time, nine screens are going with different movies and different people. There’s choices to make; seeing one, missing another. Here, we work really hard to bring the best documentaries of the year out east, and not only that, but to bring the people with them. It’s a really exciting and rare opportunity.”

The “SummerDocs” series will kick off with a screening of “Buck” on Saturday, June 4, at 8 p.m. at Guild Hall in East Hampton. Tickets are $22, or $20 for members. For reservations, which are suggested, call the box office at 324-4050 or visit guildhall.org.