by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
For twenty years now we have been attending the Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) and each year there is usually one film that stands out above the others that stays in my thoughts for several reasons. Since our favorite films are typically documentaries or autobiographies, the subject matter delves into parts of the topic we were unfamiliar with. This year the standout film for me was I Play Rocky. Perfectly timed for this film’s release as the original Rocky film is celebrating its 50th year since hitting the screens to become a classic and financial success. Commemorating this anniversary Sylvester Stallone has been appearing on various programs talking about it and once again explaining to unknowing audiences why “I look and talk this way.” He details that during his birth the obstetrician used two pairs of forceps and accidentally severed a nerve. This caused paralysis of the lower left side of his face, which included parts of his lip, tongue and chin, causing his slurred speech and snarling look. This appearance and manner of speaking resulted in being bullied by schoolmates and even his own father would insult and ridicule him. Despite his parents’ divorce, rough childhood, his writing skills and acting talents and producers’ doubts he was able to immerge triumphantly, and the film Rocky was created.
I Play Rocky tells the story of a young Sylvester Stallone and his hard luck childhood and years of living on the street or staying in what was called “flop houses” back in the day. The young actor that stars in the film, Anthony Ippolito, is unbelievable! Within twenty minutes into the film a viewer feels like a miracle has occurred and the real Sylvester Stallone, a younger back in timer version, has appeared to star in this production! Ippolito looks, sounds, walks and has the persona of Stallone. Directed by Peter Farrelly, Academy Award winner, this movie should not be missed if you are a fan of the original film or Sylvester Stallone and his other bodies of work. The movie follows Stallone’s mission to play the role he created and convince the two producers he is up to it, even though they wanted a name actor to be the lead. Despite being broke, with a wife and baby on the way, Stallone holds his ground, refusing large sums of money from the movie company to buy his script. The two producers manage to get permission from the head of the studio for Stallone to start the role with conditions, basically a short window, to see if he can do it. Even though the viewer already knows Stallone got the part in the end, the film takes audiences on a journey that leaves you wondering if he will get it! Supporting the star Anthony Ippolito in the film are cast members Matt Dillon, AnnaSophia Robb, P.J. Byrne, Toby Kebbell, Tracy Letts, Jay Duplass, Stephan James, Kiki Seto. The film is being released commercially this November. Don’t miss it!
If biographical or documentary movies are among your favorite genres, here is a list of some of the best ones we’ve seen at HIFF over the years. Many of them you can probably see on streaming locations or borrow DVDs from your local library. You can search the title on IMDB to read the full description of each film.
Itzhak – a documentary about famed violinist, Itzhak Perlman. The life story of this “greatest living violinists” captured the audience from the start and high praise is certainly deserved for Director/Producer Alison Chernick for this accomplishment. The story is told with vintage photographs, film clips and current interviews of Mr. Perlman and his wife, Toby, in their New York City apartment. She is also an accomplished violinist, and they met when both attended violin camp as teens one summer.
Sherpa – This combined Australia/Nepal made movie is about the Sherpa population that are the guides on Mt. Everest. The film gave a harrowing, insiders peek into the dangerous climbing involved and the intenseness, the tedious and precarious routes the Sherpa guides make to carry equipment, food and supplies for the tourists for the duration of the trip. The photography is breathtaking as is the footage of the dangers on the mountain. Viewers are drawn into the Sherpa life as the film shows the tiny village and those left behind as the men leave to earn enough to get the family through the months until the next tourists arrive on Everest. The story shows the tourist adventures, some paying as much as $75,000 a person for the two-month climb and what dangers await both climbers and guides.
Goodbye Christopher Robin is the full title of the life story of the author A.A. Milne. This is a sensitive portrayal of the little boy that was the feature character in the Winnie the Pooh book series. Milne was inspired to write his stories after seeing his only child playing with his stuffed animals and using his imagination to keep him company. The opening scenes of the film were beautifully photographed and instantly the quality of the film is recognized within minutes and carried throughout its entirety. What one thinks before viewing this film is how happy Christopher’s life must have been featured in a world-famous book series. Think of the Harry Potter success of J.K. Rowling and it is easy to picture, if there were a real life Harry, how fans adoration would be overwhelmingly disruptive to life. Viewers are quickly immersed in Christopher’s life and seeing how fame was not something we’d come to envy. This film is not a children’s movie or whimsical tale. Newcomer Will Tilson (Christopher Robin) was adorable, and his dimpled smile melts your heart. The strong performances by Domhall Gleeson, as A.A. Milne, and Margot Robbie as Christopher’s often cold, stern mother, complete this sensitive, enchanting and touching story. Try not to miss it. You will never look at storybook characters and the fame it brought to its authors the same way again.
Koch – No explanation is needed when defining the subject of this film, his Honor, the former Mayor of New York City, Edward Koch. He oversaw NYC from 1978 to 1989 and at the time the film was released in 2012 he was 86 and still as feisty and entertaining in his film answers as he was on interviews during the time of his tenure. Although “intensely private” Ed Koch is “combative, funny and blunt” in this documentary that depicts the major incidents during his time in office. Growing up in the Bronx, I remember quite well the many controversies that occurred when he was Mayor. This film Koch gave an honest portrait of the man, what he endured and how he took on his critics and allies alike. Ed Koch may have passed on, but his legacy lives forever as part of New York history.
Marvin Hamlisch – What He Did for Love – The notices for this documentary described him as a “Composer, conductor, genius, mensch, Marvin Hamlisch was as close to a modern day DaVinci as it gets. Hit after hit with The Way We Were, Nobody Does It Better, The Sting, Chorus Line, Marvin was irrepressible and prolific. His creative streak was staggering. So, what made a genius like that tick? What was his creative process? What struggles, inner turmoil and breakthroughs did Marvin endure to realize his triumphs?” The film used Marvin’s personal archives and interviews and comments from his classmates, contemporaries, and colleagues to capture the essence, personality of this musical genius. This story about this extraordinary man was also featured on television’s American Masters series.
There are too many excellent documentaries to possibly cover, so readers should seek out some they come across even if there is only a mild interest in the subject matter. It is amazing how a good storyteller and fantastic photography can open a new world of intellectual discoveries. There is a perfect quote by a famous documentary film maker, Albert Maysles that says it all. “Documentaries are not diversion but engagement. We’re not trying to move you away from life, but closer to it.” If you recognize his name, you might know it from the 2006 documentary he made with his brother about Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis’ cousins. The documentary was, The Beales of Grey Garden, which was about the eccentric Edith, “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale and her mother Edith Bouvier Beale and was directed by Albert and David Maysles, who also appeared in the film. This truly captivating film followed the mother/daughter pair as they lived in their run down, decrepit house, Grey Gardens located in East Hampton, New York. Following the original documentary by the Maysles brothers, a remake was made in 2009 starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange that was an equally compelling look into the lives of these two eccentric people. Both versions are worth seeing.
The Montauk Sun thanks FrankPR owners Clare Anne Darragh and Lina Plath and their team for their help, assistance and information throughout the 2026 HIFF. With hundreds of films, shorts, discussions and events in the Festival and scores of press representatives attending, their task of supplying updates and schedules was vital in keeping information current for journalists and reporters. My FrankPR contact, Molly Kucharski, was always so helpful answering my texts or calls for information. Her tireless efforts and friendliness were truly appreciated!