Film insiders gather at Hamptons film fest

Rising young filmmakers Jay and Mark Duplass brought their upcoming comedy-drama "Jeff, Who Lives at Home," starring Jason Segel, to Thursday night's launch of the 19th annual Hamptons International Film Festival.

The opening-night film won't be released until March 2, but a tightly packed crowd gathered to watch it at Guild Hall in East Hampton.

Before the screening, an East Coast premiere, the filmmakers characterized the film as a portrait of a stoner-philosopher living with his exasperated mother, played by Susan Sarandon. Segel, they said, was the obvious choice, though not for the reasons people might think.

"There can be something dark about him, and he can convey sadness in a very funny, comedic way," Jay Duplass said. "It's about a sad person."

Though stars such as Sarandon, Matthew Broderick and Emily Browning won't make their festival appearances until the weekend, industry insiders showed up for a pre-screening reception across the street at c/o The Maidstone hotel. One guest was Carter Burwell, a film composer known for scoring the Coen Brothers' "True Grit" and a recent transplant to Amagansett. Burwell is scheduled to speak at a panel discussion Friday.

"I have no idea what I'll say," confessed Burwell, whose many scores include 2008's "Twilight." "I'm here on principle. I'm here because, living in the neighborhood now, I want to contribute to the love of cinema in the area." He added that he planned to see Wim Wenders' new 3-D dance film "Pina," but was unaware that the esteemed German director would be attending.

"Is he going to be here?" Burwell asked. "Wow, I'd love to meet him."