After a COVID-induced hiatus, the Tribeca Festival returns with in-person premieres and an exciting mix of studio productions and low-fi indies. The festival has dropped the word “movie” of its title to highlight the fact that Tribeca now encompasses podcasting, games, television and more. But who are they kidding? For most New Yorkers, it’s all about the movies. With that in mind, here are 11 films that should be on every festival goer’s must-see list.
12 powerful orphans
Director: Ty roberts
Discard: Luke Wilson, Vinessa Shaw, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Wayne Knight, Jake Austin Walker
Meet your next uplifting sports drama. In the tradition of “Rudy” or “Hoosiers” comes “12 Mighty Orphans”, the story of the Mighty Mites, the football team at a Fort Worth orphanage that became an unlikely contender for the State Championship. Texas. In the process, their brave race out of nowhere inspired a country reeling from the Great Depression. The eyes will not stay dry during the final touch.
Tom Stourton in the horror comedy “All My Friends Hate Me”
All my friends hate me
Director: Andrew Gaynord
Discard: Tom Stourton, Charly Clive, Georgina Campbell, Joshua McGuire, Antonia Clarke
Think of it as “The Big Chill” without the uprising or “St. Elmo’s Fire” with a healthy dose of goofy humor. Gaynord’s comedy follows a college team reuniting for a birthday party at a country estate. As the title l Their bonding weekend is quickly derailed, says the director and cast are largely unknown to American audiences, but that could change when the film opens in Tribeca.
Bernstein’s wall
Director: Douglas tirola
Few people held a more prominent place in American cultural life than Leonard Bernstein, the musical powerhouse behind “West Side Story” and “On the Town,” as well as the musical director of the New York Philharmonic. Tirola’s film examines Bernstein’s political activism, as well as his artistic genius, retracing his opposition to the Vietnam War and his support for the Black Panthers, as well as his struggles against his sexuality. Finally, one of the most complex and important figures of the 20th century gets the kind of in-depth portrait it deserves.
Children
Director: Eddie martin
Larry Clark’s “Kids” was a stick of cinematic dynamite when it premiered in theaters in 1995. His take on party, sexed teens sparked controversy, inspired dozens of editorials and thoughts, and helped l low-budget indie to become an unlikely box office success. “The Kids” dissects Clark’s film legacy by examining the lives of the actual street children who made up the cast. Their story is one of sudden and flamboyant fame, which severely burned them and which continues to process the experience more than two decades later.
Indian sweets and spices
Director: Geeta Malik
Discard: Sophia Ali, Manisha Koirala, Adil Hussain, Deepti Gupta, Rish Shah
After completing her freshman year of college, Alia returns home to New Jersey to spend the summer with her wealthy Native American family. But her perfect life is not what it seems, and the revelation of some family secrets soon leaves Alia questioning her education and class privileges. His journey of discovery is helped by a romance with the handsome son of local traders. “India Sweets and Spices” is one of the best-selling tracks at Tribeca this year and is expected to land one of the biggest deals at the festival.
Steven Soderbergh’s upcoming crime thriller “No Sudden Move” will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Claudette Barius
No sudden movement
Director: Steven soderbergh
Discard: Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbor, Jon Hamm, Brendan Fraser, Kieran Culkin
Okay, Soderbergh’s turn to produce the Oscars was a swing and a miss, but he should recover well with this flashy new thriller set in Detroit around 1955. It’s the same Midwestern town that featured so prominently. Soderbergh’s greatest film, “Out of Sight” from 1998, another sleek slice of black that hit all the right notes. “No Sudden Move” premiered in Tribeca ahead of its HBO Max debut. And watch this casting! At a minimum, it won’t be boring.
The novice
Director: Lauren Hadaway
Discard: Isabelle Fuhrman, Amy Forsyth, Dilone Kate Drummond, Jonathan Cherry, Charlotte Ubben
Imagine “Black Swan” in the world of competitive college rowing. The psychological thriller, loosely based on director Lauren Hadaway’s own experiences, takes a chilling look at a freshman who becomes obsessed with the idea of hitting the top varsity boat on her varsity rowing team, whatever the cost. No coxswain will be spared in his quest for glory.
The One and Only Dick Gregory
Director: André Gaines
“The One and Only Dick Gregory” takes a compelling look at a comedian who used his public platform for activism during the civil rights movement. Backed by executive producers Kevin Hart and Lena Waithe, and featuring interviews with Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock, among others, the documentary highlights an underrated icon of black America.
David Chang (left) and Anthony Bourdain (right) star in Morgan Neville’s Focus Features release ROADRUNNER documentary. Courtesy of Focus Features, in association with Zero Point Zero
Courtesy of Focus Features
Roadrunner: a film about Anthony Bourdain
Director: Morgan neville
Almost three years after the tragic death of Anthony Bourdain, audiences get a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the famous globe-trotting chef’s impact on the food world and beyond. If director Morgan Neville acclaimed documentary about Mister Rogers is one indication you might want to have a handkerchief handy.
Queen of glory
Director: Nana Mensah
Discard: Nana Mensah, Meeko Gattuso, Oberon KA Adjepong, Adam Leon
Mensah wrote, directed, and appears in nearly every scene in this beautifully crafted drama about a doctoral student who is forced to reassess her life after her mother’s unexpected death, leaving her the family’s Christian bookstore. The film advertises Mensah, who has previously starred in “New Amsterdam” and “Farewell Amor,” as a star to watch, both in front of and behind the camera.
A new documentary by comedian Dave Chappelle is set to close this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.
Untitled: Documentary by Dave Chappelle
Director: Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar
During the pandemic, Dave Chappelle makes waves with his special stand-up titled “8:46”, a reference to the murder of George Floyd. A new documentary provides insight into the challenges a small town in Ohio faces in the early days of COVID-19 and grapples with the emotions that have erupted in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement. Despite the difficult subject matter, Chappelle can be counted on to skillfully provide comedic relief to a community in need.
