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"To Age or Not To Age" will premiere on Thursday, February 11, in New York City. (Indira Gumarova)

Southampton - Local film maker Robert Kane Pappas' new documentary, "To Age or Not To Age," a film about new discoveries on the extension of healthy life span, will premiere on Thursday, February 11 at The Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater in New York City at 6:30 p.m.

Pappas has been a key presence in the experimental cross-culture film scene. He is the director and author of "Now I Know" (Lifetime Television), "Some Fish Can Fly" and a controversial documentary "Orwell Rolls In His Grave," which explores the corporate conglomeration of the new media and its effects on politics. Pappas had written a number of screenplays, including the recent "Nantucket Sleighride." A graduate of Georgetown University and New York University Institute of Film and Television, he is an award winning film maker, including a Parents Choice Award for his childrens videos.

"To Age or Not To Age" explores recent extraordinary breakthroughs in the science of aging. Nowadays, although many people choose to look younger by means of widely-available cosmetic surgeries, there is growing recognition that artificially enhanced physical beauty doesn't measure up to the youthfulness of perfect health.

Pappas, in this timely documentary, shows how scientists have taken up the challenge to stave off death, if not forever, at least for a very long time, and passionately attempts to answer such controversial questions as:

 • Is it possible for a 120-year-old to feel as healthy as today's 60 year-old?

 • Would another 50 years make us more satisfied with our lives?

Film maker Robert Kane Pappas.

The documentary also covers the controversy created by highly speculative marketing campaigns driving anti-aging supplement sales. "My goal is to bring awareness of anti-aging from all possible points of view, including the scientific ones," says the director.

Much of the documentary was shot in the Hamptons, and the film features many familiar locations and local personalities. Shooting locations include the Main Street Cemetery, Louse Point in Springs and Circle Beach.

"I shot clams on the beach," says Pappas. "In 2007, scientists caught a clam that was born 405 years ago, ironically the year Shakespeare first mounted 'Hamlet.' My actor clams will live a long time as well," continues Pappas. He also favored a Bridgehampton supermarket for observing people and portraying stereotypes regarding psychological phenomena.

Sag Harbor artist David Slater, who feels ambivalent about living a long time, expresses concerns about the quality of people who will get the drugs, and the impact on population density. Southampton artist Ivan Kustura thinks that the reason many people want to live longer is because they haven't done anything with their time. He also doubts they would do things any differently if given an extra 100 years. East Hampton artist Michael McDowell feels that if he is going to live an extra 50 years in pain, why bother? However, if he could stay active, then why not?

Pappas' previous extraordinary documentary "Orwell Rolls in His Grave" achieved success and recognition at the 2003 Hamptons International Film Festival.

The world premiere of "To Age or Not to Age" will be followed by a panel discussion, with special guests including Pulitzer Prize-winning author and founder of the National Institute on Aging, Dr. Robert Butler; Cambridge advocate and pamphleteer Dr. Aubrey de Grey; director of the Guarente Lab at M.I.T, Dr. Leonard Guarente; head of the lab at the Buck Institute Dr. Gordon Lithgow, as well as Pappas.

In addition, the evening will be simulcast in a number of theaters across America, and the panel following will be joined by streaming it on the Internet.

Having had numerous conversations with Pappas regarding this endeavor, he is obviously a film maker who has brought a great deal of personal commitment, time and effort to this project and exploring this subject matter.

The film is directed, written and edited by Pappas, produced by Miriam Foley; executive producers are Joseph Zock and Anthony Loera. The Assistant Editor is Eric Glandbard, and runs 93 minutes. Starring Dr. Steven N. Austad, Rev. Nicanor Austriaco, Dr. Aubrey de Grey, Leonard P. Guarente, Dr. Cynthia Kenyon, Dr. Thomas Kirkwood, Dr. Gordon Lithgow, Dr. David Sinclair, and Dr. Christoph Westphal.

Tickets are by reservation only at 631-678 3740 or email at mfoley528@optonline.net. For more information go to www.toageornottoage.com.