The Rose and Don Ciampa World Cinema Series at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center has unveiled its summer lineup, which includes an exciting roster of new films each Tuesday night, curated by Director of Sales and film enthusiast Allison Frost.
“I’m thrilled to present a lineup that not only showcases cinematic excellence but also brings to the screen stories that are both profound and extraordinary. Rich and gripping narratives, stunning visuals, and themes of human resilience make this an unmissable summer of film,” said Frost. Most screenings will feature a filmmaker discussion following the film and will be moderated by veteran critic Andrew Botsford.
On July 9, the theatre presents an encore screening of “In the Whale,” hailed as “arguably the greatest fish story ever told.” This award-winning feature-length film is the first-hand account of Cape Cod fisherman Michael Packard, who survived to tell the tale of being swallowed by a whale and the aftermath of what happened when he was spit out. The screening will also feature an appearance and Q+A session with the film’s director, David Abel. Abel, a native Long Islander now based in Boston, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who covers environmental issues for The Boston Globe. He is also a professor of the practice at Boston University. “We had an incredible turnout for our first screening of ‘In the Whale’ in March, and we’re thrilled to bring it back for new audiences,” said WHBPAC Marketing Director Heather Draskin.
Following on July 16, “Ghostlight” is a profound meditation on loss and growth that tells the story of a lonely and detached construction worker who finds himself drifting from his wife and daughter and impulsively auditions for a local theater production of “Romeo and Juliet.” While working on the play, he will discover hidden desires and truths about himself that will help him overcome his insecurities and difficulties with his home life. The theater provides a community and purpose for the aging father as the production quickly mirrors the struggles he faces in everyday life. These personal issues multiply when he must cope with a personal loss amid his self-discovery journeys. A Q&A after the film will be run by WHBPAC’s executive director Julienne Penza-Boone.
On July 23, director Mooly Landesman will be joined by Hank Sheinkopf to present a screening of Landesman’s film “The European Dream.” Based on the true-life story of the Klausner and Graetz families, whose families received a letter listing local looted art from World War II and began a journey to reclaim the lost art of their grandfathers. They enlist the help of their lawyer, Fritz Enderlein—an 88-year-old German who fought in the Wehrmacht—who works to restore looted works of art to their rightful owners. The trio will venture across Europe to track down the missing artwork as well as discover more about their famed grandfathers and the world of art as a whole. An emotional whirlwind about legacy and loss will strike a chord with audiences around the globe. “The European Dream” captures the fears, hopes, and thoughts of Jewish people internationally and highlights how important researching their roots is to benefit Jewish descendants.
On July 30, “Crows are White” is one man’s journey of self-acceptance through unconventional methods. In the depths of Japan, a secretive Buddhist sect has lived in an isolated monastery for thousands of years, unaffected and uninterested in the outside world. They perform extreme acts of physical endurance in pursuit of enlightenment. This documentary centers around a young filmmaker who struggles to reconcile his faith and desires and ventures to this monastery in search of self-discovery. His presence is not welcome by the monks who refuse to speak to him except for a single one who relates to the outsider and his struggles. They forge an unlikely friendship as they discover higher truths both were seeking. Director Ahsen Nadeem will appear via Zoom.
In a timely release on August 6, “Bella!” tells the story of Bella Abzug, an American Congresswoman by way of the Bronx, who changed the status quo by running a campaign on the streets of Manhattan that successfully scored her a spot in Congress. She entered Congress like a ball of fire demanding necessities and rights for people everywhere; from credit cards women can open by themselves, equality for the LGBTQ+ community, and trailblazing a path for future leadership that values equality and diversity. However, the inspiration was “threatening” to the men in power, and she had to overcome even more obstacles as the Senate, FBI, and CIA started coming after her. Her bravery and determination fostered a space for underrepresented groups everywhere. The film features never-before-seen interviews with Lily Tomlin, Barbra Streisand, Hillary Clinton, Gloria Steinem, and more. A post-show discussion with director Jeffrey L. Lieberman will follow the screening.
Tickets can be purchased at whbpac.org.