"13 Reasons Why" star Amy Hargreaves on Rockville Centre, Films On The Green & more
Amy Hargreaves has been acting professionally since the early 1990s, and her first notable role was in 1994's Brainscan alongside Edward Furlong and Frank Langella. However, Amy really began to turn heads this decade after appearing in a dozen episodes of Homeland. Prior to being cast for the Mrs. Jensen role in the Netflix hit 13 Reasons Why, Amy was featured prominently in episodes of The Blacklist, Elementary, Blue Bloods and Person Of Interest.
Filming Season 2 of 13 Reasons Why is not the only interesting project that Amy has been working as of late. She appears in the upcoming feature Super Dark Times, which recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, and has a supporting role in Todd Haynes' film Wonderstruck, which will be premiering at Cannes. Amy is also one of the celebrities involved with curating films for this summer's Films On The Green festival.
An annual outdoor French film festival presented in New York City parks, Films On The Green is a co-production between the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, the New York City Department Of Parks & Recreation and the FACE Foundation. Kicking off this year on June 2nd with a screening of Poitche in Central Park, Films On The Green's screenings take place all over Manhattan and Brooklyn; the series also has sister festivals in Miami, Chicago and Boston. Besides Amy -- who selected La Traversée De Paris, which will be screened at Washington Square Park on June 16th -- other participating celebrity curators include Wanda Sykes, Saul Williams, Wes Anderson, Jim Jarmusch, Matthew Weiner, Isabella Rossellini, James Ivory, Matías Piñeiro and Laurie Anderson.
No Place Like Long Island had the pleasure of doing Q&A with Amy over e-mail. She was born in Nassau County and spent her childhood in Suffolk County. Amy remains a New Yorker and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram.
Where on Long Island did you grow up? Rockville Centre?
Amy Hargreaves: I grew up in Miller Place out in Suffolk County on the North Shore. I was born in Rockville Centre but moved to Miller Place when I was three months old.
Is there anything you miss about living on Long Island?
Amy Hargreaves: I miss the proximity to the beach. We basically grew up on the Long Island Sound -- swimming, water skiing, clamming in shallow coves, at beach parties in high school.
What is it that keeps you based in New York all these years later?
Amy Hargreaves: New York City is my favorite place on Earth. I love the people, the energy, the culture, the architecture. Plus there's so much work for actors here now -- production is through the roof. I travel a lot for work, but am always thrilled to come home to this town. I can't imagine living anywhere else!
How did you first wind up working with Films On The Green?
Amy Hargreaves: I'm actually a dual citizen with France. Because of that, I have a strong network of "French connections" in New York. I have gone to events at the French Cultural Services Embassy in the past -- and some people there are familiar with my work. They reached out when they were looking for guest curators.
What inspired you to choose La Traversée de Paris for this series?
Amy Hargreaves: Honestly, I have a soft spot for Jean Gabin and I love his role in the film. I'm also a sucker for older films, black and white. Ultimately I love the humor and humanity woven through the entire piece.
When did you first see it?
Amy Hargreaves: My ex-husband showed it to me on VHS in the late 90s.
Do you have a favorite moment in the film?
Amy Hargreaves: When Bourvil has realized Jean Gabin is a wealthy artist and asks Gabin why he went on the caper with him. I love Gabin's response about doing it out of sheer curiosity -- "to see how far we can go..."
Finally, do you have a favorite restaurant on Long Island?
Amy Hargreaves: La Plage in Wading River is pretty fantastic. I haven't been in a while -- I need to get back out there!
