Sag Harbor - This past weekend the 19th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival was held in East Hampton where film goers all got a taste of France as they celebrated film with Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka.

Ciroc was the official sponsor and spirit of choice at the festivals screenings, and provided cocktails the entire week with their signature drinks made especially for the festival.

In addition, Ciroc also presented the Conversation With Series, a moderated live conversation with actors and the public. Matthew Broderick with Alec Baldwin, Susan Sarandon with Bob Balaban, and Rufus Wainwright were the actors that participated in the three series event.

On Saturday, October 15, Sarandon sat down with Balaban at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor for a candid and revealing discussion of her career, politics and hopes for the future for not only herself and family, but for all of us.

The Academy Award winning actress who won Best Actress for her performance in the 1995 film "Dead Man Walking," directed by then partner Tim Robbins, has appeared in more than 100 films, and is considered a cultural icon for her early career role as Janet Weiss in the 1975 film "Rocky Horror Picture Show." The oldest of nine children, Sarandon was born in New York City and raised in New Jersey. She revealed that acting was not really her chosen vocation, but when cast in "Joe" after accompanying her then husband Chris Sarandon on a 1969 casting call she decided "this might be fun."

Well known for her political activism, Sarandon was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1999, and discussed in a pragmatic and realistic manner her commitment to each. Raised a Roman Catholic, Sarandon indicated that she sent Pope John Paul II a copy of the book "Dead Man Walking," and is currently receiving negative attention for stating "...The last one [Pope John Paul II], not this Nazi one we have now," (Pope Benedict XVI) in clarification to a question posed by Balaban.

Having been present in the audience, and in response to Balaban's evident discomfort, Sarandon went on to state "Well, it's true." In fact, her comment is true - Benedict was a member of the Hitler Youth as a boy, a requirement at the time for German boys his age, however, claims to never have had any active participation in the group. Balaban, who has directed the actress in two films, carefully diverted the conversation away from the delicate situation, and no audience members displayed any visible offense at Sarandon's comment.

Sarandon conducted an informative and revealing conversation with Balaban about her career, her daughter's upcoming wedding, (she also has two sons), her ascent to a respected and outstanding career as an actress, the support she has received from others, most notably Sister Helen Prejean, who Sarandon played in "Dead Man Walking," and Kevin Costner, who offered support to both she and Robbins during the filming of "Bull Durham," and balanced her evident humor, intelligence, grace, honesty and professionalism with not only Balaban, but also with the audience during the Q&A. She was charming, engaged and refreshingly candid.

Ciroc also sponsored the Opening Night Reception at c/o The Maidstone; the Opening Night Party at East Hampton Point; Baume & Mercier Party at Wolffer Estate; Chairman's Reception at the Suna home; W Magazine, Clarins, and FEED Reception @ Nick & Toni's; Filmmakers Party at SL EAST, and the Closing Night Film at Guild Hall & Closing Night Party at Race Lane.