Following the United States debut screening of Julian Schnabel's new film "Miral," the New World Symphony Orchestra building filled up with guests for a art-star-studded "Maybach Night." It was the first event to take place in the new Frank Gehry building, and the charitable auction, dinner, and rooftop party honored the J/P Haitian Relief Organization, which Schnabel co-founded with Sean Penn.

Hosted by newly announced partners Schnabel and luxury automaker Maybach, along with Fondation Beyeler in Switzerland and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, the evening’s auction featured five donated Schnabel works, all proceeds benefitting the J/P HRO. The series was made in Mexico, painted on navigational charts of Haiti and other Caribbean islands. In the artist-cum-filmmaker-cum-sculptor's words: "I was wondering how I could do something to help the people of Haiti. I knew Sean Penn was down there doing meaningful work and it seemed to me that if I got the money to him, through his J/P Haitian Relief Organization, we could make a difference."

The evening featured an impressive roster of A-list guests, including the likes of Bruce Weber, Naomi Campbell, and Peter Brant. The three-course dinner was accompanied by remarks by Patrick Marinoff, Maybach's global brand manager; Jeffrey Deitch, who announced MOCA's plan to host the first major U.S. retrospective of Schnabel's work within two years; Schnabel; Penn; and others. Penn founded J/P HRO, which is dedicated to saving lives and bringing sustainable programs to the Haitian people. His impassioned speech described both the severity of Haiti's current reality and the importance of and potential for change given proper resources, such as clean water for hand washing in a devastated nation now facing a cholera outbreak.

Repeatedly, Penn pointed out Haiti's proximity: only an hour and a half away from the art fair glamor and decadence of Miami Beach. According to the actor: "There's a potential revolution in the aid movement in Haiti today. We make Haiti work, we make the Congo work, we make the world work. I believe that. I've spoken to President Clinton and he believes that. Everybody down there believes that." Schnabel shared similar sentiments: "If we're privileged in some way, I think it's our responsibility to help others who don’t have the same advantages."

Following dinner, Sotheby's senior vice president August O. Uribe hosted the live auction, with assistance, after a certain point, from an enthusiastic Rula Jebreal, the magnetic author of "Miral." In addition to the novel — a portrait of a three Palestinian women — Ms. Jebreal also wrote the film’s screenplay, which was directed by Mr. Schnabel, and is scheduled to hit theaters next March. 

Earlier in the day, when asked about the possible political implications of the new film, Schnabel told journalists, "I'm not a politician, I'm an artist, but I hope it will open up another avenue of thought to get things resolved." The artist also confirmed rumors that he'll be taking a break from film for a while, saying, "I feel best when I'm painting."