Who's Here

Lisa Kudrow - Actress

By Victoria L. Cooper

You've laughed, cried and most likely spent some of your greatest memories with her in your living room. No, I'm not talking about your Aunt Betty or your best friend Sue. I'm talking about Emmy-award winning actress, Lisa Kudrow.

Best known for her ten-year stint on NBC's hit sitcom "Friends," as the lovable, quasi-hippy Phoebe Buffay, Kudrow is a multi-faceted and talented actress. And it comes as no surprise then, that she is starring in Kabluey, a film written, directed and featuring Scott Prendergast, which will have the spotlight in the 15th annual Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) this week.

The HIFF, which began fifteen years ago to celebrate the Independent film including short, fiction, documentary and feature films, was created to introduce this range of films and international filmmakers to the Hamptons audience. The films shown at the HIFF are important stories that often touch upon subjects uncommon in mainstream box offices. Further, their themes are inspiring and provide invaluable perspectives on our world-at-large, and Kabluey is no exception.

The film is funny, unique and was shot in Austin, Texas. Kudrow explains how she came to be in the film starring opposite Jeffery Dean Morgan, best known for his recurring roles as a patient on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." "Scott Prendergast sent me the script and a letter. His writing is really great and I just began to love the story. It's a wonderful film." The story follows an inept and heavy-handed man named Salman (Prendergast) who comes to rescue his sister-in-law (Kudrow) and her out of control and, strangely enough, homicidal toddlers while his brother is off fighting in the Iraq war. In order to make ends meet and hold the family together, Salman must then accept the humiliating job of being a giant blue corporate mascot. With an interesting plot like this, you know there are bound to be moments of both laugh-out-loud humor and irony, while also times of stone-cold reality and gravity.

The delicate balance of these themes is executed well and is best described by Kudrow as "a town of people that has just given up." A timeless reflection on many American communities that face hardships, Kabluey brings to life the struggles of Kudrow's character and her ability to cope with financial problems amidst the pressures of life.

Kabluey will mark Kudrow's first time at the HIFF and moreover, her virgin experience in the Hamptons. "It's practically my first time. I think I may have been there a while back at my sister's friend's house. I can't remember."

I asked her if she remembered the beaches.

"We have really nice beaches,"

"Ah, yes, I remember that the Hamptons have really nice beaches," Kudrow laughed.

"Are you excited to come here? You think you might eat at Nick & Toni's or the American Hotel...Bobby Van's?"

"I just might. You know, I have zero expectations. This way it will all be exciting and very new," Kudrow finished.

It's understandable that Kudrow, who is staying in Southampton, has not graced the East End yet, since she is a very busy and brilliant actress whose first home is in Los Angeles. Besides Kabluey, Kudrow just finished the film P.S., I Love You, alongside two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank, which will come out in December. Also, in pre-production is the film Hotel for Dogs, which she will begin filming in November. But acting is not the only thing that Kudrow does with her time. In 1995 she married Michael Stern, a French advertising executive, and in 1998, they were blessed with a son, Julian Murray.

"He's on the cusp of being a pre-teen. Does he have a cell phone yet?" I asked.

"I know it's scary. No cell phone. We are holding off as long as we can on that," she said.

Kudrow grew up in the San Fernando Valley in California, where her father was a doctor and her mother a travel agent. With an interest in biology and research, Kudrow graduated from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. While there she majored in biology and upon graduation, moved back to Los Angeles to pursue a career in research. And just as fast as her days in the lab began, they ended. She auditioned for The Groundlings, a well-known improv theater group, where she was taught under the direction of Cynthia Szigeti. But not only that, Kudrow is now presently on the Board of Trustees at Vassar College. She explained her recent visit, "I really love Vassar College. There are so many things to learn. You know, I wish I could take an Art History 101 class."

"You should look into it," I encouraged.

"Yes, I think I will," Kudrow replied.

Far from what her breakout role in "Friends" depicted, a ditzy and spacey blond, not to mention her role as blonder than blonde Michele in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, Kudrow is a smart and motivated woman who attempts to find substance in all of her work. Now Kudrow will join the list of the famous celebs including the likes of Molly Shannon, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Alex Baldwin and Steven Spielberg. So, come down to the Film Festival this week and come give her a big Hamptons welcome.

Kabluey was selected for a number of awards already including the FIND (Film Independent, Los Angeles) 2005 Screenwriter's Lab, the 2005 Producer's Lab, the 2006 Director's lab, the IFP (Independent Film Project, New York) 2005 Director's Lab, and the L.A. Film Fest's 2005 Fast Track program. It will be playing in East Hampton Thursday, at the Ross School Friday and in Southampton on Saturday. Be sure to check the schedule on the following page for times.

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