Sag Harbor - Despite the oppressive heat and the day after a holiday, an artistic crowd gathered in Sag Harbor on Monday, for a screening of the film "Great Directors" directed by Angela Ismailos.

The film is a documentary featuring interviews with 10 well known directors.

Held at the Sag Harbor Cinema with a dinner party following the screening at the Paradise Cafe, the theater was almost filled to capacity with attendees to view an obvious labor of love filled with the personal appreciation and respect Ismailos has for these particular directors.

Ismailos chose world-class filmmakers Bernardo Bertolucci, David Lynch, Stephen Frears, Agnes Varda, Ken Loach, Liliana Cavani, Todd Haynes, Catherine Breillat, Richard Linklater and John Sayles, and allows each to set the tone and setting to reveal deeply personal insights in chosen environments to seriously discuss their own careers and filmmaking in general.

Least there be any confusion as to the seriousness and depth of these interviews, director Loach felt compelled to announce that the beautiful gardens where his interview was conducted was not, in fact, his personal property, but merely a "location."

Speaking with Ismailos prior to the screening, she explained "I chose these particular directors because they talk about the truth, offer no compromise for their artistic visions, and have not become embroiled in the politics of filmmaking - they are true artists." Additionally, "They address issues that should be important to all of us and do so in a manner that they want to do it as they are comtemporary genuises. I enjoy this particular cinema style, which some may refer to as the 'New Wave' movement."

Greg Therriault with playwright Joe Pintauro.

Further elaborating, she revealed "The film took me four and half years to compile and one year to edit. I have 380 hours of footage, and much of what is not in this film will be in the DVD which should be released in the next few weeks."

The film itself not only celebrates the creativity and vision each director has brought to the screen, but the response, interpretation and success (or failure) each director experienced with films during the course of their careers. In particular, director David Lynch recalls a very amusing encounter with director Mel Brooks that offers an interesting insight into the balance of creativity and commercialism.

These directors each discuss their careers, many of which span decades of acclaimed and provocative filmmaking, and Ismailos has achieved a realistic balance by including not only female and male directors, but directors whose ages also span decades.

Debbie and producer John Loeffler with Kirk Stambler.

lsmailos achieves a tremendously delicate balance of interwoven archival footage with current interviews, which sets the informational flow for the on-going growth of each director's evolution in filmmaking. Many of the directors reference other directors whose influence played a major role in their own careers, such as Bertolucci discussing legendary director Pier Paolo Pasolini, who came to visit his father one day and the young Bertolucci had no idea who he was.

The interviews are refreshingly candid and in-depth, as well as revealing in that the directors do discuss the pursuit of artistic endeavors versus the practicalness and commercial appeal of working in an industry that may put the almighty dollar ahead of the almighty vision. The film may have some viewers wondering if art is really art if no one sees it, and it is commenable that Ismailos allows each director to traverse through that particular minefield at their own choosing and pace.

Christina Carter and Diana Cochran.

The documentary "Great Directors" had its world premiere at the 2009 Venice Film Festival and a New York premiere at MOMA, and it is revealing that the East End premiere of the film should take place in Sag Harbor, which is a small village with a very large artist population.

Among those in attendance at Monday's screening were former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani with wife Judith, Jimmy Buffet, Donna Karan, Sandy Brant, Ingrid Sischy, Jay McInerney, Irving Benson, Beth DeWoody, Terry George, Steven Klein, Donald Sultan, April Gornik, Antoine Verglas, Eric Fischl, Joe Pintauro, and many other artists of different and varying mediums. In addition the following were listed on the invitation for the evening's event, including John Alexander, Francesco Clemente, Chuck Close, Lisa Dennison, Leon Falk, Michael Mailer, Jane Rosenthal, and David Salle.

A lovely dinner was held immediately following the screening at the popular Paradise Cafe where guests not only received a delicious meal, but also received the added dividend of sharing tables thus allowing for the opportunity to discuss the film and express varying opinions - making for an entertaining evening that was - perhaps - directed to be so.

For more information go to www.greatdirectorsfilm.com.