Its’s that time of year when the Tribeca Festival to start.
The festivities begin Wednesday night with the premiere of an HBO documentary on Billy Joel and it runs for 12 days when it finishes up on June 15. In between there will be hundreds of films, concerts, podcasts, talks and assorted madness. All 0f it happening across Lower Manhattan from 19th Street to the World Trade Center.
It’s an insane party and I have been allowed to be part of the party.(insert evil laugh)
As I have done for most of the last 15 years I will be at the fest everyday from early morning to late at night attending films and events and seeing as many friends as possible.
Of course I’ve already started seeing things. As this posts I’ve seen around 75 films and I’ve done five interviews with many more of both scheduled.
If you’ve been following Unseen Films for the past few years you know that I will be joined by Ariela Rubin who is my extra set of eyes, as well Liz Whittemore who is covering for her regular home Reel News Daily and who is allowing me to cross post.
Coverage will hit when the embargoes drop, with the exception of some of the anniversary titles since they’ve all been around for decades. (NOTE TO PR PEOPLE- If you sent me the film it's been watched and reviewed. I have reviewed everything. The reviews will post where I can slot them-which means some reviews will be late. Apologies)
As is my custom what follows is a list of the must see films that we have seen so far:
RISE -(Short)- the story of a young boy who wants to box and the trainer who takes him on. It's glorious.
THE WOLF THE FOX AND THE LEOPARD- deeply disturbing and completely compelling of a feral woman who was discovered and returns to civilization. Weeks on I'm still bothered.
SNOWBEAR(Short)- a magical tale of a polar bear who can't find a friend, so he makes one. Joy and then some. (A review and interview is coming)
THE INQUISITOR is a look at Congresswoman Barbara Jordan
DEAD LANGUAGE A woman picks up the wrong person at the airport and changes her life. This is a good film until a needle drop-and then its wow.
KISSES AND BULLETS (Short)- two women protest the Iranian government and connect via photos.
I WAS BORN THIS WAY- glorious portrait by Carl Bean, who recorded the title gay anthem and then went on to become an activist and religious leader. All people should be this accepting.
THE ROSE COME BACK TO ME - this portrait of the K-Pop band will make you a fan (I'm planning on seeing it a second and third time)
PLAYING GOD (Short)- a deeply troubling animated short that will haunt you. (A review and interview are coming)
SONGS OF BLACK FOLK (Short)- this portrait of a special celebration put together in Seattle for Juneteenth needs to be expanded so we can hear more of the music and spend more time with the people who put it together.
OH YEAH! a bio of the group Yello and their best-known song. This short is one of the best music documentaries I've ever seen. (A probable interview is coming)
ASK ME ANYTHING- a short film about a Sudanese immigrant asking his neighbors to ask him anything. In an age of hate, this film shows us how to end it.
HORSEGIRLS is the story of a mother with medical issues and her autistic daughter. Liz Whittmore didn't love it so much as claim it as part of her soul.
DEEP COVER is an action comedy from MGM Amazon concerning a trio of wannabe improv comedians (Bryce Dallas Howard Orlando Bloom and Nick Mohammed) who get roped into pretending to be bad guys to help an undercover police officer. While not the best film of the fest it’s a rainy Saturday Night on the couch sort of film that will get repeat viewings.
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