Tomorrow, Thursday, October 6 kicks off the 24th edition of the Hamptons International Film Festival. Running through Monday, October 10, the event will present nearly 30 documentary features among its approximately 70 feature film lineup. Select highlights follow:
Five titles vie for recognition in the Documentary Competition, including the North American premiere of Charlie Siskel’s AMERICAN ANARCHIST, about the author of THE ANARCHIST’S COOKBOOK; and the New York State premiere of Estephan Wagner and Moritz Siebert’s THOSE WHO JUMP (pictured), an immersive look at the experiences of African migrants attempting to cross into Europe.
Several more titles appear in the World Cinema Documentary section, including the world premieres of Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg’s MARATHON: THE PATRIOTS DAY BOMBING (pictured), following the manhunt for the bombers and the impact on several survivors; Matt Schrader’s SCORE: A FILM MUSIC DOCUMENTARY, presenting an inside-look at the art of film composing; and Jessie Auritt’s SUPERGIRL, about the strongest girl in the world, an Orthodox Jewish teenage powerlifting champion. Other docs include: Takuji Masuda’s BUNKER77, about the unconventional surfing legend who was heir to a sugar dynasty and Clark Gable’s stepson; Andrew Becker and Daniel Mehrer’s SANTOALLA, about the tragic results of a feud between the only two families in a desolate Spanish village; and Jerry Rothwell and Reuben Atlas’ SOUR GRAPES, on the greatest wine fraud in American history.
Documentaries among the fest’s many sidebars include: In Compassion, Justice & Animal Rights, which includes the New York State premiere of Kief Davidson and Richard Ladkani’s THE IVORY GAME, about anti-poaching efforts to protect the African elephant; and in Views From Long Island, which offers Beatrice Alda and Jennifer Brooke’s LEGS: A BIG ISSUE IN A SMALL TOWN, a chronicle of Sag Harbor’s response to a provocative sculpture; and a sneak preview of episodes of Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills’ A&E Long Island serial killer docuseries, THE KILLING SEASON (pictured).
what (not) to doc 