With one Film Festival ending there always seems to be one right around the corner and now, with Sundance and Berlin promptly in the past, it’s time for the Tribeca Film Festival, hosted in New York each spring. It may not hold the prestige the it’s other contemporaries do but it’s always a mixed bag of curiosity. It’s documentary lineup is always stellar and this year see’s some Sundance crossovers. The narrative films sometimes flounder post-debut, but it’s welcoming of newcomers is a noted and appreciated change of pace from the other circuits that are looking for a particular edge in notoriety.
What also makes this years Tribeca so exciting is that it has a large amount of female directors, which I am decidedly pleased about. With an industry that persistently shuts down female and minority voices it’s nice to see a place where they’re allowed to breathe. Sure, it won’t garner them the attention that directing a big budget blockbuster would, but it’s something.
Below I’ve listed some of the films that caught my eye as ones to look out for. Any movie Oscar Isaac is in ever is going to catch my eye. Russell Brand hasn’t done anything particularly noteworthy as of late but a team up with Michael Winterbottom seems promising. There’s much more then what I’m listing but these are the few that truly stuck out. What’s great about Tribeca though is that the ones that end up sticking are the ones that have very little hype around them. Check out my picks below and the full list of entries over here—->
http://tribecafilm.com/
Among the Believers, co-directed by Hemal Trivedi and Mohammed Ali Naqvi, written by Jonathan Goodman Levitt. (Pakistan) – World Premiere.An unsettling and eye opening exploration into the spread of the radical Islamic school Red Mosque, which trains legions of children to devote their lives to jihad, or holy war, from a very young age. With incredible access and chilling footage, Among the Believers is a timely and relevant look into the causes that have led to the growth of radical Islam in Pakistan and around the world. In Urdu with subtitles.
Despite never having found a consistent brand for themselves the Tribeca Film Festival has always done well by it’s documentaries and this is just one of the many that is eye catching. It’s a perilous subject that should have some emotional impact as well.
The Emperor’s New Clothes, made by Michael Winterbottom & Russell Brand (UK) – International Premiere. Cinema’s prolific writer/director Michael Winterbottom and comedian/provocateur Russell Brand join forces in this polemical expose about inequality and the financial crisis. From London to New York the film combines documentary style, archive footage and comedy to explore how the crisis has gravely affected the 99% and only benefited the 1%.
As I mentioned Russell Brand hasn’t been doing anything as of late that’s piqued my interest which is a shame considering he very peculiar style of comedy. He has lately however been a vocal advocate against government and while I don’t always agree with him, his team up with Michael Winterbottom and his earnest passion for the subject should make for an entertaining documentary.
Mojave, directed by and written by William Monahan. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. William Monahan’s second feature, starring Oscar Isaac and Garrett Hedlund, is a delirious trip from the fringes of the desert to the center of the film industry. Armed with little more than a knife and two handles of vodka, an on-edge Hollywood director sets out to the Mojave Desert, where he finds a drifter brandishing a rifle and claiming to be the Devil.
Sounding a bit more momentum based than many of Tribeca’s typically narrative releases, Mojave features one of today’s most talented actors-Oscar Isaac-and Garrett Hedlund, and actor who’s deserved far better than the Tron remake and playing Brad Pitt’s ill-fated cousin in Troy. It sounds moody and tense and again, Isaac being on board means I’ll be seeing it regardless.
The Overnight, directed and written by Patrick Brice. (USA) – New York Premiere, Narrative. Alex and Emily have just moved to LA with their young son. Eager to make new friends, they accept an invitation to a party from the father of their son’s playground mate. After the kids fall asleep, the “playdate” takes a bizarre turn in this racy and hilarious romp. Featuring Judith Godrèche, Taylor Schilling, Jason Schwartzman, and Adam Scott.A release by The Orchard.
After premiering in Sundance this past year it’s been one of my most anticipated. The cast is stellar and the plot sounds just odd enough to keep us guessing.
Aloft, In parallel narratives, single-mother Nana (Jennifer Connelly) has a mysterious experience at the hands of a traveling healer, years later her troubled son Ivan (Cillian Murphy) sets out in search of his now absent mother. Academy Award®–nominee Claudia Llosa’s (The Milk of Sorrow) decade-spanning family drama is a dreamlike rumination on faith, forgiveness, and family, set against an otherworldly frozen landscape. A Sony Pictures Classics Release.
Cillian Murphy and Jennifer Connelly in a movie together? Count me in. This is a great year at the festival for female directors and this one just scratches the surface. The drama is apparent from the synopsis and the actors are more than capable.
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