Winter Events Recap: Two Sold-Out Screenings and Director Discussions
We are ready to say goodbye to the winter season and look back with fond appreciation after two spectacular, sold-out events hosted on the banks of the Hudson river at Hutton Brickyards in Kingston, NY.
On Monday, February 28th, our community of film lovers had the pleasure of spending the evening with actor/director Mary Stuart Masterson and her 2007 directorial debut THE CAKE EATERS. The film was screened previously at the Woodstock Film Festival back in 2009 and stars this year’s Academy Award nominee Kristen Stewart and Academy Award nominee Bruce Dern.
Guests took advantage of a warm fire on a chilly night and were welcomed to gather around an outdoor fire pit lit in the courtyard. Audience members appreciated the film while snacking on Bar Bites from the Winter Pavilion and complimentary popcorn.
At the end of the screening, WFF’s executive director Meira Blaustein led a lively conversation with Mary Stuart, who spoke about her experience directing the film in the Hudson Valley and working with actors like Kristen Stewart in one of her first major roles. She shared the anecdote that in order to prepare for her role, Stewart studied her character’s genetic disorder at great length, learning all about the neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system.
Our second sold-out event took place on Wednesday, March 30th where we screened actor/director Matt Dillon’s 2002 thriller and directorial debut, CITY OF GHOSTS, which stars himself and Academy Award nominee James Caan. Matt Dillon attended the Woodstock Film Festival numerous times before, most recently in 2021 for the East Coast premiere of his feature documentary EL GRAN FELLOVE, which tells the life story of the eponymous Cuban scat singer.
A specialty, house-made cocktail was concocted by Hutton Brickyards utilizing ghost pepper as a main ingredient, in respect to the film’s title. Guests mingled throughout the evening and explored the imaginative beauty of the grounds.
The night concluded with a moderated conversation led by WFF’s executive director Meira Blaustein. Matt spoke about the various influences on his work, the challenges of shooting in Cambodia 20 years ago, and how the people and culture of Cambodia have inspired him as much as master directors including Werner Herzog and Francis Ford Coppola.
For this film, Matt notably cast local, non-actors from Cambodia. The role of Sok, Matt’s on-screen driver counterpart, was cast shortly after meeting Kem Sereyvuth, who was Matt’s real-life driver. Matt appreciated Kem’s demeanor and asked him to drive around the corner to meet with the film’s casting director. Kem was awarded the role and after the film’s completion, Matt gifted him with a car.
Don’t miss out on more events happening in the spring. Please visit our website for information and follow us on social media.