Rathergate Film ‘Truth’ With Robert Redford Will Open Hamptons Film Festival

After scoring a $6 million distrib deal at Cannes and right on the heels of screenings in Toronto at TIFF, Truth will open the 23rd Hamptons International Film Festival on October 8. HIFF also announced today its lineup for the Narrative and Documentary Competition Feature Films.

The James Vanderbilt-helmed film stars Robert Redford as former CBS News anchor Dan Rather. Cate Blanchett co-stars, along with Topher Grace and Elisabeth Moss in telling the saga of Rather’s final days at CBS News, when he broadcast a report alleging that President George Bush relied on privilege and family connections to avoid fighting in the Vietnam War. The flawed report ended Rather’s extraordinary career with the news division. The film is based on Truth And Duty: The Press, The President And The Privilege Of Power, an account of the story by news producer Mary Mapes (played by Blanchett), who was the first to take the fall in the scandal. The Sony Pictures Classics film will open in theaters on October 16.

“We had the pleasure of having James Vanderbilt serve as a mentor in our Screenwriters Lab back in 2009, and we’re thrilled to have him back as the director of our Opening Night film,” said HIFF Artistic Director David Nugent. “He’s made a sharp and insightful film with wonderful performances that makes audiences consider the ever-changing relationship between journalism and politics in today’s media.”

This year’s Narrative Competition feature films include Matt Sobel’s Take Me To The River, Ciro Guerra’s Embrace Of The Serpent, Avishai Sivan’s Tikkun, Grímur Hákonarson’s Rams and Diastème’s French Blood.

This year’s Documentary Competition feature films include the World Premiere of Jon Fox’s Newman, David Shapiro’s Missing People, Jean-Gabriel Périot’s A German Youth, Michael Madsen’s The Visit and Ilinca Calugareanu’s Chuck Norris Vs Communism.

“We are back with smart, intriguing, and stimulating films from 10 countries from around the globe,” said HIFF Executive Director Anne Chaisson, “that continue to position our festival on a competitive landscape, while still staying faithful to our audience.”

The Narrative and Documentary Competition Awards are selected by industry professionals. The Feature Jury Prize winner in each category receives a package of essential goods and services valued at over $85,000 to be used toward the making of his or her next feature film and a cash prize of $3,000.

This year’s jury includes Michael H. Weber, writer of 500 Days of Summer and The Fault In Our Stars; Dan Guando, head of US Production and Acquisitions at The Weinstein Co., Josh Charles, star of The Good Wife and Masters Of Sex; author, journalist and film critic Marshall Fine; and Sarah Lash, acquisitions consultant at Conde Nast Entertainment.

HIFF will run over Columbus Day Weekend, October 8-12.

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