By Rosa Waite, Georgia Entertainment
Prominent actor Ethan Hawke wowed attendees of the Rome International Film Festival (RIFF) with a panel discussion at PAM Studios on Broad Street.
Hawke, who was in Georgia to show his newest directorial achievement at RIFF, stopped by PAM Studios Friday morning for an exclusive discussion with acclaimed actress Danielle Deadwyler and former RIFF Creative Director Michael Dunaway.
The event began with remarks from current RIFF Creative Director Seth Ingram, as well as Rome’s Mayor Sundai Stevenson. Stevenson welcomed Hawke to the city by declaring Friday, Nov. 3 as Flannery O’Connor Day; she is the subject of Hawke’s film. The Mayor then honored Hawke by giving him a key to the city with an invitation to “visit anytime.”
The panelists held a philosophical conversation on how people can approach history and art through a modern lens. They discussed themes like racism, empathy, and progress as they relate to Hawke’s film “Wildcat” – which stars Ethan’s daughter, Maya Hawke, as American novelist Flannery O’Connor. Though it was filmed in Kentucky, “Wildcat” takes place in Georgia where O’Connor was born and raised.
Hawke detailed how his daughter was inspired by O’Connor’s book, “A Prayer Journal,” and encouraged him to make “Wildcat” – which was eventually written by him and Co-writer Shelby Gaines. He also explained the film’s importance by saying, “It makes room for conversations on important topics” like racism and spirituality. Attendees were then invited to a screening of “Wildcat” at 7 p.m. and were encouraged to stay for the rest of the festival weekend.
In attendance with Mayor Stevenson were PAM Studios Founder and CEO Maria Guerra-Stoll, Consul of the Bahamas Duran Saunders, and a packed audience of Rome locals. RIFF Creative Director Seth Ingram said, “It’s been a long road making this festival go from a local festival to a regionally respected and even internationally respected festival. I’m excited to see what the future holds for RIFF.”
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