In honor of the fourth anniversary of the Sag Harbor Cinema fire on December 16, the cinema has released a five-minute-long documentary, remembering the events of that day as recalled by the firefighters.
The film is meant to show gratitude for the efforts of the Sag Harbor Fire Department and the 16 surrounding departments that arrived on the scene to help, as well as for the community support following the fire.
The short was created by Sag Harbor’s Sam Hamilton and is produced by SHC Executive Director Jamie Hook. The doc tells the story of the dangerous conditions on the coldest day of the year in 2016.
There are interviews from former Sag Harbor Fire Department Chefs Tom Gardella and Bruce Schiavoni, among others. There are photos from local photographer Michael Heller, and a score by Oscar-nominated composer and Amagansett Fire Department volunteer Carter Burwell.
“I immediately knew we had a major situation,” said Gardella in the film.
“It’s basically an unwritten rule in the fire department, the worst fire you can get is one on Main Street,” recalled Steve Miller the Chief of the Sag Harbor Fire Department in his interview.
“Without the efforts of all of the East End fire departments that responded to the call, there would have been no cinema to rebuild — let alone a downtown Sag Harbor,” said Hook. “We hope this small video reminds the community of Sag Harbor of their heroic volunteer efforts, and acts as a thank you for your continuing patience as our opening plans change with the circumstances.”
“We look forward to the day that we can reopen our doors to members of the community and guests of our great village when it is safe to do so,” Hook continued. Stay tuned in the coming months for info on the cinema’s grand reopening.
For more info and to see the cinema’s newly updated website, visit www.sagharborcinema.org.