Movie Stars Swoon Hamptonites at the 17th Annual Hamptons Film Festival
Hello darlings, Welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Sharon Stone posing for a photo-op at “Conversations with Sharon Stone” at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor – Photo by Carlo Mallol
Cognac interviews Movie Star Pierce Brosnan – Video by Michael Wellbrock
Cognac interviews Gina Glickman and Pierce Brosnan – Video by Michael Wellbrock
TV Host Cognac Wellerlane poses for a photo-op with Actor Alec Baldwin at the Maidstone Arms Inn Scandinavian Party – Photo by Michael Wellbrock
News 12 What’s Hot in the Hamptons Gina Glickman and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op at the Scandinavian Party at the Maidstone Arms Inn – Photo by Michael Wellbrock
Actor Alec Baldwin poses for a photo-op with Designer Count Vlad at the 17th Annual Hamptons Film Festival – Photo by Michael Wellbrock
Count Vlad, Gina Glickman and Publicist Ron Capparella pose for a photo-op at the Scandinavian party at the Maidstone Arms Inn in East Hampton at the 17th Annual Film Festival – Photo by Michael Wellbrock
Press Photographer Rob Rich working on his photos at the Maidstone Arms Inn
TV Host Cognac Wellerlane and Designer Count Vlad pose for a photo-op at the Scandinavian Party at the Maidstone Arms Inn – Photo by Michael Wellbrock
TV Host Cognac Wellerlane interviews Director/Writer and Producer Darko Lugulov at the Hamptons Film Festival – Photo by Michael Wellbrock
TV Host Cognac Wellerlane interviews Director/Writer and Producer Darko Lugulov at the Hamptons Film Festival – Video by Michael Wellbrock
Publicist Ron Capparella poses for a photo-op at the Scandinavian Party at the Maidstone Arms Inn East Hampton – Photo by Michael Wellbrock
TV Host Cognac Wellerlane poses for a photo-op at the Opening Night Party at Gurney’s Inn at the 17th Annual Hamptons Film Festival – Photo by Michael Wellbrock
TV host Cognac Wellerlane poses with Chef Monte and the Manager of Gurney’s Inn – Photo by Michael Wellbrock at the Opening Night Party at the 17th Annual Hamptons Film Festival
Publicist Ingrid Lemme of Gurney’s Inn and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op at the Opening Night Party at Gurney’s Inn for the 17th Annual Hamptons Film Festival
Writer Douglas Harrington from Hamptons.com poses for a photo-op with Cognac Wellerlane at the Opening Night Party at Gurney’s Inn – Photo by Michael Wellbrock
Actor Bill Lee Lanndis poses with Cognac Wellerlane outside the Bay Street Theater for “Conversations with Sharon Stone” – Photo by Carlo Mallol
Actor Bill Lee Lanndis and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op at “Conversations with Sharon Stone” at the Bay Street Theater during the 17th Annual Hamptons Film Festival – Photo by Carlo Mallol
Models pose for a photo-op promoting Vue Water The official Sponsor of 17th Annual Hamptons Film Festival – Photo by Michael Wellbrock
Actor Bill Lee Lanndis and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op at “Conversations with Sharon Stone” at the Bay Street Theater during the17th Annual Hamptons Film Festival – Photo by Carlo Mallol
This by far was the best Hamptons International Film Festival I have attended to date. Celebrities and Movie stars swooned ticket holders and hamptonites at local film premiers from Montauk to Southampton attracting approximately 15,000 visitors around the world. The festival was orignated to showcase filmmakers creative ideas in cinema.
Best known for his portrayal of 007 License to Kill James Bond, Pierce Brosnan was on hand to promote his film “The Greatest.” Still strikenly handsome at age 56, Brosnan spoke to me on the red carpet at the film’s premiere about making the film.”We just loved the material, It touched a nerve in my heart,” Mr. Brosnan expressed.
I also had a chance to chat with Director Shana Feste who submitted the script to Brosnan pleaing her case for him to star in the film. To her advantage, he loved the story and decided to help her finance the film.
Director Leslie Iwerks and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a Photo-op – Photo by Carlo Mallol
Another favorite film that I was able to interview the Director causing much controvesary was “Dirty Oil.”
Director Leslie Iwerks spoke to me about her motivation in working on this film in bringing awareness about toxins and environmental issues.
Cognac interviews Director Leslie Iwerks from the film Dirty Oil – Cinematography by Bill Lee Lanndis
The film depicts The oil sands in the Canadian Providence of Alberta as a vast source of petroleum. The profits for oil companies exploiting the sands are staggering, but at what cost? Leslie Iwerk’s probing documentary, narrated by Neve Campbell, explores the environmental, health and moral ramifications of this booming business, offering hard statistics, sobering forecasts and cautionary tales, among them the story of Dr. John O’Connor, a soft-spoken physician whose study of an alarming rise in the incidence of cancer in an indigenous community near the oil sands almost leads to the ruin of his career.
Cognac interviews Director Jessica Burstein and Roy’s wife, Director Brenda Siemer Scheider – Video by Michael Wellbrock
Another great film “Abbie Cancelled”. The premise of the movie is about unfortunate circumstances that bring mutual friends to cancels at the last minute, two very different couples are forced to endure a cringingly awkward dinner party involving broken chairs, media job-hunting and recreational huffing. At the Opening Night party I had the opportunity to chat with the Director, Jessica Burstein. As Dumb Bunny, Writer/Director team Jessica Burstein and Robbie Norris created the MTV campaign, “Don’t Cha,” which won Promax Awards for Best of Cable in 2007. Dumb Bunny is presently developing feature length screenplays, including one for ABBIE CANCELLED.
Cognac interview Writer Douglas Harrington from Hamptons.com and Spa Director Candice Monte from Gurney’s Inn – Video by Michael Wellbrock
An interesting short during the festival that premiered “Smiles” is a seven minute film that combines roy Scheiders expectant actor’s you with his courageous dance with a deadly blood cancer. Multiple Myeloma at the age of 75. Using scenes from the actor’s first move, a 1964 silent short of the same name, Roy’s wife, Director Brenda Siemer Scheider, takes us on a powerful journey that weaves the timeless, unsayable moments of life and death. While the film tells the story of how the brilliant yet unlikely oncologist Dr. Bart Barlogie dedicates his life to inding a cure for Myeloma. It also expresses a deeper spiritual note of how indivuals summon their inner strength to survive against all odds – to live the life of the death, fully.
Brenda Siemer Scheider spoke to me about the film and how much she truly misses her beloved husband Actor Roy Scheider.
Judy Licht interviews Actress Sharon Stone at “Conversations with Sharon Stone” at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor – Photo by Bill Lee Lanndis
Among the many events, premieres and parties that I attended I truly enjoyed “Conversations with Sharon Stone.”
Sharon Stone is a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actress and humanitarian. Her diverse body of memorable work has established her as a versatile presence in the world of Hollywood, independent film, and television. While perhaps best known for standout performance in 1992’s top-grossing “Basic Instinct,” Stone has received critical acclaim for her work in Albert Brooks’ “The Muse” Jim Jarmusch’s “Broken Flowers” Sidney Lumet’s “Gloria” and Martin Scorsese’s “Casino” (for which she received an Academy Award-nomination and a Golden Globe for Best Actress). The Hamptons Film Festival was honored to proudly welcome this American film icon as a mentor to their up-and-coming Breakthrough Performers and recipient of this year’s Achievement in Acting Award. Ms. Stone participated in their annual “Conversation With” discussion series. Sharon spoke candidly about her struggles in Hollywood before she became a Star and was extremely well received by Hamptonites and the press.
Actress Sharon Stone astonishes her audience at “Conversations with Sharon Stone” at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor during The 17th Annual Hamptons Film Festival – Photo by Bill Lee Lanndis
Glamorously dressed in Dior, Sharon astonished her audience while being interviewed by Judy Licht explaining her audition for “Basic Instinct,” Sharon revealed she purposely wore an Armani pantsuit and a sheer blouse braless exposing her naked breast just to prove she had no problem with nudity, she also revealed at the Hamptons Film Festival fans at the Bay Street Theater that she had campaigned eight months for the 1992 role after her manager stole the script from a secretary’s desk. “After 12 actresses turned down the role, it was finally mine,” Stone confessed. Sharon at first was shocked when she first glimpsed at the famous Paul Verhoeven provocative leg-crossing scene. She then later felt it was right for the movie and the character and agreed to let it be released. Ultimately it changed her career forever making her a star!
If you think the films and the celebrities were outstanding, well the parties were even better. Gurney’s Opening Night Party is always my favorite choice. Another favorite was the Maidstone Arms Inn in East Hampton. Their cocktail parties were amazing, plenty of champagne and caviar appetizers darlings! There were also a list of parties from Montauk to Southampton celebrating this years Hamptons Film Festival.
Until my next celebrity event darlings,
Pink Champagne Kisses
Cognac Wellerlane