LTV Studios, in association with The Bonackers Project and The Peter Matthiessen Center, present the premiere screening of “The Bonackers” documentary on Friday, December 20, at 7 PM.
Produced and directed by Joanne Friedland Roberts, “The Bonackers” is a documentary that tells the evolving story of the women and men whose families fished and farmed the East End for almost 400 years and how many now struggle to live in the mansion-filled Hamptons.
This 60-minute documentary, filmed on the East End over the past year and a half, features the descendants of East Hampton’s first European settlers. They share their history, traditions, wisdom, and hopes for the future.
Roberts, who created “The Bonackers” to draw attention to the Bonac community and inspire viewers to think more deeply about what the community stands to lose if centuries-old cultures like this one disappear, will introduce the film. LTV Archivist Genie Henderson, who helped source much of the historic footage layered throughout the film, will discuss LTV’s “hidden archive,” which contains many decades of local stories.
After the screening, some of the long-time locals in the film will share their perspectives, struggles, and points of view. There will be a special musical performance by Dan Koontz, who’ll perform his original song, “Fireplace Road,” featured in “The Bonackers” documentary’s opening sequence.
“The Bonackers” production crew all have ties to the area. Cinematographer Julian T. Alvarez and Editor Sam Hamilton met at East Hampton’s Ross School. Story Editor Amelia Garner is a frequent visitor, and Producer/Director Joanne Friedland Roberts has lived in East Hampton and Amagansett part-time for almost 40 years.
Tickets are $10. Visit ltveh.org/thebonackersdocumentary.