by Sam Juliano
The Tribeca Film Festival, now in it’s eleventh year has been steadily gaining in popularity and in perception among the world’s cineastes. Founded by the actor Robert DeNiro, the eleven day film celebration, primarily offered up in four houses, but also extended to other venues for special events, features over 200 features and shorts, and a plethora of films that will eventually win release in theatres within months of the festival’s conclusion. The Festival is divided into several categories and awards a $25,000 prize to the winner of the “Heinecken” audience award, determined by exit voting on a small white ballot and simple rating from one 1 to 5. The “Spotlight” selections are usually the most prestigious, while the ‘World narrative competition,’ ‘World documentary competition,’ ‘Viewpoints,’ ‘Cinemania’ and ‘Short film programs’ regularly yield some great surprises. It’s a time the sitting is overcome by movie fans from around the world, and visits from directors, stars and industry people. Appearing in the Tribeca line-up is a dream come true for aspiring artists and it’s usually the first stop for eventually distribution and acceptance.
Tribeca Film Festival followers usually get a fair chance to piece together schedules, because of the programming that usually offers four screenings of any given feature or shorts compilation. In some instances, like the world premiere of The Avengers or the two screenings of Michael Winterbottom’s Trisha -which is only screening twice- schedules won’t permit for expanded coverage, bit in exceedingly large measure, most fans will be able to see the vast majority of films on their must-see lists.
The Festival launched on Wednesday April 18th with galas and special events, and on Thursday when the regular screenings went full-swing, a restored print of Jaws was shown at a drive-in location near the World Trade Center. The first four full days of the festival were attended in force by Yours Truly, with a total of ten feature films successfully negotiated, a few of which were most impressive. A full round-up will be published at WitD after the festival concludes, one that will also include a listing of the event’s favorite works.
So far I have seen (with either Lucille or Broadway Bob in tow) Youssi, Una Noche, The Girl, Polisse, Struck by Lightning, Xingu, Graceland, Whole Lotta Sole, Take This Waltz and Sleepless Nights, with most screenings introduced by the film’s directors and main actors and topped off by Q and A’s. The Tribeca Film Festival is a portal to world culture and of the new talents that are hoping to break through and make their own mark on the cinematic landscape.
Three of the films were outstanding: Sleepless Nights, Take This Waltz and Polisse. Lucille passed on two of the films that I saw and went into other theatres to see Your Sister’s Sister, and a documentary. She really loved the former. Broadway Bob passed on seeing Polisse with me, and instead took in Jack and Diane, which he disliked.
For movie fans the Tribeca Film Festival is cause for excitement and gleeful anticipation, and the 2012 event has started off most impressively. But there’s much more to come!
Ahhh, Tribeca – one of the many great pleasures of living in/near NYC. It’s great to hear your firsthand accounts, Sam!
Thanks Pierre! It’s admittedly been a grind, and yesterday we had torrential wind swept rain challenging us at every turn. Michelle Williams appeared on stage to talk after the screening of TAKE THIS WALTZ, but unfortunately Lucille and I had to leave to make the next showing of a late film up at Chelsea. Hence we needed to hold our umbrellas firm to get from Point A to Point B. Ha! Thanks as always my friend!
I actually drove from Jersey back to NYC last night. Not the most ideal conditions to be on a highway. Still I’m sure it would take more than a rainstorm, or hurricane, or even a tsunami to keep you at home during this festival.
Ha Maurizio! I have been waging war on the elements for quite some time now as you will recall.
Wow… You’ve banged down that many films already?!!?!?!?!?!? Your dedication and stamina never cease…
Let’s see Dennis……….stamina, dedication, and……oh yes………”insanity” That one must be figured in too.
You have made this all possible my friend.
Great to see you are making good on the passes, but this is nothing I didn’t expect. Three very strong films out of ten is an excellent ratio for a film festival. I see others received satisfactory ratings too. I could imagine you and Lucille were swimming yesterday. Keep it going buddy!
Well Frank, we were in actuality nearly air born. The wind gusts were ferocious, and it’s a miracle the umbrellas didn’t reverse. Yes, the passes are being put to maximum use, and tonight I will be seeing BEYOND THE HILL and WAR WITCH with Broadway Bob. Thanks as always.
I wish I were there with you guys. While I’m sure a few gems will be found, the entire “event” status of the venue will allow you to bring home much more. I wonder how many of the films will actually get wide releases now that you guys mention it.
Yes Peter, much of the excitement is because of the venue. Looking through the line-up I would be surprised if at least a dozen of the features didn’t get theatrical openings soon. Thanks again my friend.
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Sam, don’t forget to eat and sleep! The festival sounds like a great experience and I’ll look forward to reading the round-up. Slightly ashamed to admit that I missed seeing ‘Trishna’ the other week when it ran for a couple of days in my town, because I was busy at the time, but Winterbottom’s reimaginings of Hardy are always interesting and it is definitely one I want to see.
Indeed Judy, eating between films has been a regular occurance. I rarely eat cheeseburgers and french fries anymore, but that was the route that Lucille, Bob Clark and I took last night at “Luckys” next to the Chelsea Cinemas, where we saw three films. The best was CHICKEN WITH PLUMS with Matthew Almaric by the people who crafted PERSEPOLIS, while the final one with Eric Bana, Sissy Spacek and Kris Kristofferson was decent enough. The one seen in the middle was a documentary on James Franco that was frankly awful. TRISHNA already had a run in the U.K.? Wow. Well, I will be sure to see it on Friday, and will have a full report my friend. Many thanks as always for the support, kind words and insights.