HIFF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2012
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanYesterday was a very important day for a man who has always been on my ‘Top Ten’ list of favorite actors for years.
Distinguished actor, Richard Gere, was honored as the recipient of the Golden Starfish Award for Lifetime Achievement in Acting at the 20th Anniversary for The Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF).
This all took place on Saturday, October 6, 2012, at Guild Hall in East Hampton at 7:00 p.m. The evening was a culmination of many years of hard work. Gere first entered the world of acting in Terence Malick’s “Days of Heaven”.
We fell in love with him in “Pretty Woman” and “An Officer and a Gentleman”.
His career has spanned the decade with various genres of film such as “Chicago”.
Most recently, we can relate to Gere as a New York hedge-fund magnate whose world is about to come crumbling down. It is a drama and a thriller blended into one.
It can be said that Richard Gere enters into the roles he plays with a passion and a fervor for drawing moviegoers and fans in and stirring up their emotions. Executive Director of HIFF, Karen Arikian, put it so appropriately, ” Richard Gere’s outstanding body of work speaks for itself. Richard’s phenomenal talent and social activism has showcased his passion and heart. We are thrilled to present him with the Golden Starfish Award for Lifetime Achievement in acting.” The Hamptons International Film Festival is presenting a special screening of “Days of Heaven” to honor Gere and his work.
In addition to the presentation of the award last night, HIFF Honorary Chairman, Alec Baldwin, moderated a presentation of “Conversation with Richard Gere”. This captured Gere’s life and career through a discussion with the actor himself and a montage highlighting the span of his career. The evening was sponsored by Capital One.
Although we know Gere best for his exceptional acting, there is so much more to the man. He is an accomplished musician, photographer and most notably a humanitarian. He tirelessly advocates for human rights with organizations such as The International Campaign for Tibet, Survival International and Healing the Divide. He went one step further to create The Gere Foundation to support the cultural preservation of Tibet and the Tibetan people.
With so much talent wrapped into one individual, there is much more of Richard Gere to come in the years ahead.
Tonight, October 7, 2012, the Golden Starfish Awards Ceremony will take place to recognize the films that have made this festival such a huge success once again this year along with honoring the filmmakers that brought the films to the big screen. Learn more at www.hamptonsfilmfest.org.
PHOTO CREDITS: Fanpix.net, A/P, flickr.com
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