'Notte Italiana' at Governor's Retreat — a fundraiser for the Black Bear Film Festival
When Max Brinson said “We like to celebrate local talent,” he didn’t think he'd get such a quick response from a couple so close to the center of the cinema world.
Brinson, president of Milford's Black Bear Film Festival, soon heard from Lee and Sonda Miller, who live for most of the year at the fabulous Governor’s Retreat in Dingmans Ferry. Their relationship with film is personal and passionate. Their daughter, Kiersten Pilar Miller, has worked as a director for many years. She was assistant director for 12 episodes of "Rome," the TV series, and was involved in the direction of "Brotherhood," "Anger Management," "Two Weeks Notice," "Men in Black II," and many other films.
Kiersten’s 12-year-old daughter, Millie, acts in the film "Profondo," which will debut in the United States at this year’s Black Bear Film Festival. "Profondo" will also be featured at the Sao Paulo film festival in September.
Millie grew up in the film business and is well on her way to being a star. She'll soon be appearing in her second movie. Kiersten and Millie live in Rome but spend summers in Dingmans Ferry with Lee and Sonda.
Food, music, and film
Lee and Sonda will celebrate the inclusion of Italian cinema in the Black Bear Film Festival with a spectacular dinner at their home at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. The Governor’s Retreat is a magical cottage in the woods built as a retreat for Pennsylvania Governor William Cameron Sproul in the early 1900s. The property is situated along Dingmans Creek and nestled among towering trees and beautiful landscaping. The home has been covered in numerous lifestyle magazines. To see the magazine covers and for a virtual tour, visit governorsretreat.com.
The evening, titled “Notte Italiana," will be a fundraiser for Black Bear. The Italian theme will be carried out in the food and the music. There will be a home tour and tasting of Italian foods and wine, with a sneak preview of "Profondo." Kiersten will be there, and will introduce Millie to attendees.
A short film produced and directed by Kiersten, "The Performance: Sex Like Birth," will also be shown. "Put a couple having sex in the same shoes as a labouring woman in a hospital setting and what do you get?" says a description in Bellies Abroad (belliesabroad.com). "This very funny, and astute, short film highlights how atmosphere, attitudes and interventions can influence birth by comparing it to sex." The film has been translated into eight languages and received more than two million hits.
Local celebrity chef Doug Cosh will serve a sumptuous Italian dinner. Local musician Joe Ferry and his band Led Zeppoli will play delightful Italian music.
“We’re delighted to have Lee and Sonda put on this fundraiser for Black Bear," Brinson said. "It’s not only going to kick off our foreign film section of the festival, but should also raise a substantial amount of money for the festival.”
Tickets are $100 per guest, with all proceeds to benefit Black Bear. The event is limited to 75 guests.
Tickets may be reserved by email at blackbearff@gmail.com. After Aug. 1, tickets may be purchased directly at blackbearfilmfestival.squarespace.com.