Staunch!: Grey Gardens 3

Curated by Rebekah and Sara Maysles

The 3rd Annual Grey Gardens Staunch Fest is a weekend long celebration of Staunch Families, June 10th-12th, 2011.

"But you see in dealing with me, the relatives didn't know that they were dealing with a staunch character. [...] S-T-A-U-N-C-H. There's nothing worse, I'm telling you. They don't weaken, no matter what." - Little Edith Beale.

   This year's Grey Gardens Staunch Celebration is a weekend exploring "staunch" families on film - families whose members despite everything 'don't weaken, no matter what', for better or worse. For Grey Gardens, in the decaying titular East Hampton mansion, a tight knit mother and daughter pair, while blocking out much of the outside world, over the years have expanded their family to include cats, raccoons, a singing cowboy, an effete pianist, a teenage handyman, a gardener, a local psychic, and a pair of visiting filmmakers. At the center, the bonds of blood between mother and daughter drive a complex relationship filled with regret, longing, anger, but above all, love. Our families, however we may define them, make us who we are - they can cultivate the best and the worst in us, drive us crazy, drive us forward and/or trap us.

Friday, June 10th to Sunday, June 12th