Films, Big and small, making a splash at the Tribeca Film Festival

Starting on April 17th, and continuing on until the 28th, Lower Manhattan will once again find itself hosting the Tribeca Film Festival.  Founded in 2002 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff, the festival now estimates that in that time it has drawn 3.7 million visitors to the city, and has generated some $725 million in economic activity for the city.  In its twelfth annual incarnation, this year’s festival offers the usual mix of small indie films, big box office hits seeking critical buzz, international fare seldom seen in the U.S. without such a platform, and the odd and unclassifiable. No matter your own taste, there should be something for any film buff, casual or avid, at the Tribeca Film Festival.

 

The festival’s origins, though there is some debate as to when exactly it began it’s planning, came in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, and aimed to provide some help in the long-term revitalization of the neighborhood of Tribeca and lower Manhattan generally. This year’s festival will host panels, films, and receptions as in past years, in a range of venues throughout the area.

 

The festival will open with a screening of Mistaken for Strangers, a tour-documentary of sorts about the band The National, directed and shot by Tom Berninger, brother of the band’s lead singer Matt Berninger. What starts as a travelogue or rock documentary ends up being something much more interesting, as the film follows the band from Berlin to Paris, and even to a 2010 Obama rally, documenting tensions and humor arising out of the band’s internal relationships as well.

 

Another film at this year’s festival with a high profile is Take This Waltz. Starring Seth Rogen and Michelle Williams and helmed by writer-director Sarah Polley, the film takes a look at Lou and Margot, a “happily” married couple in Toronto. Things shift, however, when another man enters the picture, and Margot must choose between comfort and excitement offered by the unknown. Both Rogen and Williams offer strong performances, and Rogen in particular is more open than in any other previous appearance.

 

Beyond films, which include a romantic comedy starring Jason Segel alongside foreign documentaries and shorts, the festival will also host many panels and discussions about film and related topics. One panel of note will feature a conversation between Academy Award^®-winning director Clint Eastwood and Academy Award^®-nominee Darren Aronofsky following the premiere of Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story. The film examines Eastwood’s directorial methods and features interviews with many major figures in Hollywood, from Morgan Freeman to Martin Scorsese. The talk will take place on April 27th, at 2:30pm.

 

After the movie or event of your choice, you may want to enjoy yourself with a night out, and what better way to end the night than with a hassle-free ride home provided by Gotham Limousine? Calling Gotham to get you to the theater of your choice can also help you make it in time to secure tickets to popular events, so get in touch with us today when making your festival plans.

By Frank McDonald