Living on the North Fork can make it easy to forget the magic of this 30-mile stretch of island, with its sprawling farm fields and endless stretches of coast.
But for those exploring the North Fork with fresh eyes, the timeless beauty of this place can enrapture and inspire, as it has one filmmaker who has chosen the North Fork as the subject for his upcoming documentary.
“It’s such a unique place,” said Scott Goldberg, the 32-year-old director of the documentary. “My love for the North Fork runs very deep.”
Goldberg, who lives almost 60 miles west of Riverhead in Glen Cove, has fond memories of childhood trips out east to pick pumpkins and visit the apple orchards. “It’s a very nostalgic thing for me,” he said.
But it wasn’t until last summer, when Goldberg was directing a short film in Wading River, that he realized he really wanted to be shooting a documentary on the North Fork instead.
“I wanted to hear the stories of the people who live here, and what the North Fork has made possible for them. I really love the lifestyle,” he added.
He’s sought out a variety of eclectic subjects, people whose lives and dreams have been shaped by living here. Among them are farmers, fishermen, retirees, owners of old buildings and cottages – “anyone who has a story to tell,” he said. “Some of these people have been living here for 60 or 70 years.”
One of the major concerns he’s found for his subjects is land preservation. “It’s a big thing for many people,” he said. “They want it to stay the same. They don’t want a lot of change.”
A Nassau County native, Goldberg says the eastern Suffolk County towns’ dedication to preserving farmland and maintaining the area’s natural beauty was a big draw for him as well.
“It’s so congested where I’m from,” he said. “Nassau County has had a lot of change, and it’s a lot worse off for it.”
He plans to capture the North Fork during all four seasons, beginning this summer.
“I think it’s important to get all of the seasons, because there’s so many things going on in each of them,” he said. “When people think about the North Fork, they think about it during the summer and the fall, but there’s a whole different aspect to the winter, too,” he added. “Business gets slower. There are some people who leave for the winter. It’s important to capture all of that.”
Goldberg has been doing pre-production on the film over the course of the past year. He will begin filming in the next month or two, but he is still seeking a few additional subjects – farmers, truck drivers, or “anyone who does something odd or obscure.”
“I just want to document people’s lives,” he said. “I enjoy documentaries because you’re able to capture real life, just as a photographer would.”
The response to the film has been “fantastic,” Goldberg said. “Everyone’s been extremely accommodating. People really love the idea.”
Anyone interested in participating in the documentary can contact Goldberg at northforkmovie@gmail.com.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
