Documentary Feature | USA | 2022 | English | 62 minutes
In the mid-1980s, when abuse insidiously took hold in the lives of three women, a small grassroots group of locals tapped into the good will of the local Rotary Club and the town of East Hampton to establish a shelter called The Retreat, which opened in 1992. Director Markie Hancock uncovers a narrative of survival and empowerment as she retraces the improbable beginnings of The Retreat and its mission to provide safety, shelter, and support to victims of domestic violence. A story of resilience, hope, and inspiration in the face of fraught times, THE POWER OF COMMUNITY is a moving and empathetic testament to a life-saving local institution.
Followed by a conversation with director Markie Hancock, producer Kathryn Gregorio, and the courageous subjects of the film, moderated by David Rattray
• In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Hamptons International Film Festival is honored to share several compelling stories of resilience, including THE POWER OF COMMUNITY: HOW ONE TOWN STOOD AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WOMEN TALKING, and THE FIRE THAT TOOK HER
