2023 Hamptons Film Festival Reveals Spotlight Films

HamptonsFilm, the home of the Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF), announced today a handful of additional Spotlight selections, which include Jennifer Esposito’s FRESH KILLS, Andrew Haigh’s ALL OF US STRANGERS, George C. Wolfe’s RUSTIN, and Jonathan Glazer’s THE ZONE OF INTEREST. The 31st annual edition of HIFF will take place October 5-12, 2023, with in-person screenings and events across the Hamptons.

“This year’s Signature programming and Spotlight films include a diverse array of powerful and thought-provoking titles,” said HamptonsFilm Artistic Director David Nugent. “We feel it is important to feature projects that are not only compelling but also socially impactful and capable of sparking a dialogue among our audiences.” 

Spotlight Selections

ALL OF US STRANGERS
dir. Andrew Haigh (UK), 2023

One night in his near-empty tower block in contemporary London, Adam (Andrew Scott) has a chance encounter with a mysterious neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal), which punctures the rhythm of his everyday life. As a relationship develops between them, Adam is preoccupied with memories of the past and finds himself drawn back to the suburban town where he grew up, and the childhood home where his parents
(Claire Foy and Jamie Bell), appear to be living, just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before.

FRESH KILLS
dir. Jennifer Esposito (USA), 2023

Late 1980s—Meet the Larusso family: Joe, the loving father and up and coming mafia kingpin; Francine,
the lovingly flawed wife and mother; Connie, the son Joe never had; and Rose, an inquisitive, withdrawn young girl. New to Staten Island by way of Brooklyn and looking to make a better life, we follow Rose, the youngest daughter, as she reluctantly discovers who her father is, her place within this family and the world around her. Her eventual desire to break free from the life set before her not only threatens her existence but makes enemies out of her closest allies: her mother and sister. Like every mob movie you’ve never seen before, this is the story of the women of this life, and the fear, violence and rage that dictates who they are and who they become. A search for freedom within a world they may never leave.

RUSTIN
East Coast Premiere
dir. George C. Wolfe (USA), 2023

The architect of 1963’s momentous March on Washington, Bayard Rustin was one of the greatest activists and organizers the world has ever known. He challenged authority, and never apologized for who he was, what he believed, or who he desired. And he did not back down. He made history, and in turn, he was forgotten. Directed by DGA Award and five-time Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe and starring Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo, RUSTIN shines along overdue spotlight on the extraordinary man who, alongside giants like the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and Ella Baker, dared to imagine a different world, and inspired a movement in a march toward freedom. Produced by Academy Award winner Bruce Cohen, Higher Ground’s Tonia Davis, and George C. Wolfe, the film features an all-star cast including Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, with Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald.

THE ZONE OF INTEREST
dir. Jonathan Glazer (USA/UK/Poland), 2023
The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their
family in a house and garden next to the camp. 

For more info, visit Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF)