“Where do we import most of our oil from?”  This is the opening question of the film, Dirty Oil an eye opening documentary which will make you think twice about driving your hummer to the store for milk.  The answer is the majority of our oil comes from Canada, specifically from a region in Alberta about the size of Florida.  Forget the land of rockies and mounties —  Alberta is a petrol state.

We all were the real winners at the Hamptons International Film Festival, the film goers who had the chance not only to see moving, provocative, educational, and entertaining films but to interact with actors, writers, directors, producers, and industry executives.  It’s not every day that you can discuss rabbits and the Berlin Wall with Alec Baldwin.

All too often independent filmmakers live on a steady diet of “No” so when someone says “Yes” and especially if it’s putting money where your mouth is, it is a real treat.  At the Hamptons International Film Festival funding sources for filmmakers came from surprising directions and provided much needed light at the end of a dark financial tunnel.

In an age of cutbacks on investigative journalism and media filled with political pundits, it is often difficult to get at the “truth.”  A first person account holds more credibility than ever.  If you want to see the “truth” of war, the films in the Conflict and Resolution Section curated by Cara Cusumano, serve as a history lesson, current affairs eye opener, and moral compass with incredibly compelling, disturbing, and ultimately effective filmmaking.

 
strong>Stephen Talkhouse is going to be jamming this week and weekend, not only being the official late night watering hole for the Hamptons Film Festival, but featuring some favorite bands and fantastic newcomers.
Thursday Oct. 8 at 10pm:
PERROTTA is a fashionable pop rock trio that combines songwriting aptitude with a grand and sweeping soundscape. The band features Sarah Perrotta: Rhodes piano, Moog synthesizer, and voice; Johnnie Wang: guitar and voice; and Will Olsen: drums. With their romantic melodies and driving rhythms, Perrotta’s sound …

So you want to be rubbing elbows with the stars or chatting up famous filmmakers or simply absorbing the artistic energy of the influx for the film festival, how do you get access?
The old fashioned way is still the best.  Buy it.  If you’re feeling flush the very best way to get all access is to purchase a Founders Pass for $1200 which gets you into any film or panel or listed event.  If you can’t step up to that gold plate …

If Columbus Day is about Europe discovering America then this Columbus Day we will see America discovering Europe through film.  The 17th annual Hamptons International Film Festival runs from Thursday Oct. 8 – Monday October 12 and focuses not only on American independent film but a cornucopia of fascinating foreign films both narrative and documentaries which serve as a first person lense on the rest of the world.

 
Harborfest in Sag Harbor which runs from Sept. 11 – 13 is a hallowed local tradition which lets you know front and center that you are lucky to be in a maritime village with a rich history. How many times have you walked by historic buildings or cemeteries or heard something about a famous author who lived here. Now is your chance to find out.

celebrity photos courtesy of Jerritt Clark
Just as there is a signature scent, there is also a signature sound which suggests great things to come.  Gentlemen start your Ferrari engines.  For enthusiast and collector Nathaniel Christian who founded the first annual Ferrari Hamptons Rally, the best moment came when 40 Ferraris, the world’s finest driving machines, fired up their ignitions (think how 25 million worth might sound) to get ready for their tour of hallowed Hamptons lanes. 

The first Labor Day took place in New York in 1883 and was a “workingmen’s holiday.” with a parade to exhibit “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations.”  For everyone out there who has been busting their butt all summer, now is the time to express your own personal Hamptons esprit de corp and set up your perfect holiday.  We have the best of the weekend laid out here for you to enjoy, no permission slip required.  …

For Hamptons farmstands, the season’s bounty is in peak season and the local produce is not only picture perfect, it’s delicious.  Enjoying a local farm stand August tomato is better than sex.  Seriously – just add salt.  And using them for the famous Ladies Village Improvement Society East End Tomato Tart is simply one of life’s tastiest pleasure (go by the LVIS thrift store in East Hampton to get their cook book.)  But gourmands or those with vastly underused Viking Stoves alike …

As the Mercedes Benz Polo Challenge at Blue Star Jets Field galloped to its finale, spectators crowded to the rails to see the match where team White Birch emerged victorious after a fierce and pounding hooves and heat battle with an impressive team performance including rising star fifteen year old Santiago Torres who was awarded Most Improved.

You could tell it was male fantasy because of their comments, “gorgeous,” “sexy,” “smokin’ hot.”  You just knew that these men wanted to touch but were keeping a respectful distance.  Yet the headlights and curves they were referring to had everything to do with luxury transportation instead of a woman.  That sort of eye candy was a secondary consideration for these men of means.

The Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge redefined “hot” as the battle for the Cup at Blue Star Jets Field was in its second to last week.  You could tell the competition was compelling as spectators in the sponsor VIP tent even braved the blazing sun to get right up to the fence to watch the match.  Considered a gentleman’s sport and increasingly a gentlewoman’s sport (although the new female competitors are hardly wilting flowers) polo invites at least small acts of chivalry where the …

 
Tax-deductible dating continues in the Hamptons with social events raising money for causes ranging from Breast Cancer Patient Support to homeless animals, to local cultural institutions.   As always fine food and wine and let’s face it, perfect pretty people watching abound whether you’re listening to Gershwin under a tent or sliding into home base (literally or should we say literarily).  Read on.

em>Photo courtesy of Hamptons International Media
 
For better, for worse, but not for polo.  Is it the warm summer breezes wafting through diaphanous sun dresses on beautiful women, successful men checking out the newest CLK Mercedes Benz?  Excitement in the air with the pounding hooves of world class steeds and their accomplished riders?
The Hamptons Hot Spot has definitely been the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge 2009 at Blue Star Jets Field, and couples who have broken up must be consulting their lawyers on who gets to …

A star studded creative brain trust gathered under the tents at the East Hampton Library for Authors Night which not only raised money for our hallowed literary ground, it proved the see and be seen sophisticated social spot for a Hamptons Saturday night.   While we may know them through their words, there is nothing like meeting your favorite authors in person and having a tete a tete.  For the younget set, it would be like if the entire cast of Gossip Girl …

Kudos to John Kawalenko and Cheryl Stair of Art of Eating Catering and Hampton Event Management International for Ladles Of Love where locals came out in support of locals to enjoy a rockin’concert and food and wine tasting to raise money for the East End Food Pantries.
The concert at Principi Farm had a little bit of everything from acoustic guitar to drummers to rock and roll to hip hop.  Loved the guys from Montauk, Suddyn.  Be sure to check out their myspace …

Where else can you meet female icons Candace Bushnell and Barbara Walters, taste morsels from chef Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin, eat rasberries picked moments before from the field, and do yoga with your dog?  It has to be a weekend in the Hamptons.
Friday August 7
Fridays at Five – Author Steven Gaines
Take the time to enjoy this witty author whose Hamptons’ and world views always entertain, giving you a glimpse into the true inside stories of the rich and famous, or infamous …

Love is in the air – literally.  The newest high end social networking is in the sky.  Instead of sharing photos on Facebook, share a private plane.  Todd Rome of Blue Star Jets told us he has started Share A Jet Exchange where people travelling the same route can share a private plane and share the cots. 
Think super luxury HOV fast lane to the Hamptons.  Wonder if Michael Lohan and ex Dina Lohan who both showed up at the VIP tent would …