Tribeca Film News and Features Feed

Diving Deep

Marc Hayes — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:59:11 GMT

Funny and frank, Julian Schnabel’s latest film, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, avoids sentimentality while plunging in on the furthest edge of life.

Opinion: The Other Docs

Marc Hayes — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:59:34 GMT

Does the recently announced shortlist for Best Documentary Oscar nominations really include the best titles of the last year? Documentary director AJ Schnack says no, and calls for a new engagement with the art of nonfiction filmmaking.

The Reelist: Love Blows

Marc Hayes — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:35:46 GMT

In defiance of the annual commercial tyranny that is Valentine's Day, we've compiled a list of a dozen essential films that make a case that love's not all it's cracked up to be.

Screen Grabs: Gold Men, Old Men, Bold Men

Marc Hayes — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:07:14 GMT

The Oscar predictions come rolling in, plus news and rumors about new projects for Kelsey Grammar, Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell, reports from the Berlinale, Where the Wild Things Are, the passing of two legends, Lindsay as Marilyn, and more.

The Other Side of the City

Marc Hayes — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:41:55 GMT

City of Men, the new companion piece to the acclaimed City of God, offers a humane take on the violence in Rio de Janeiro's hillside shantytowns.

The Brazilian Invasion

Marc Hayes — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:03:52 GMT

With four compelling new Brazilian features hitting US theaters in the early weeks of 2008—including TFF ’07 titles The Year My Parents Went on Vacation and Santiago—Brazil’s national cinema is the strongest it has been since Cinema Novo flourished in the 1960s.

Official Contest Rules: Aura Wellness Spa Giveaway

Marc Hayes — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:06:47 GMT

The Reelist: Snowed In

Marc Hayes — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:54:46 GMT

With the arrival of the new ski documentary Steep and the first snows of the season, we compile a list of films that depict the whiteness of winter in extraordinary ways. Call it a snow cinema.

2008 Ticket Prices and New Passes and Packages

Marc Hayes — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:15:48 GMT

2008 Tribeca Film Festival to enhance consumer experience with dual Festival “Hubs” and special Ticket Packages and Passes for the public and industry.

An Interview with Kristi Jacobson, director of Toots

Marc Hayes — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:06:07 GMT

Kristi Jacobson’s Toots, an affectionate documentary portrait of her late grandfather Toots Shor’s seminal midtown bar, opens September 14. We spoke to Jacobson about nostalgia, laughter, and the importance of storytelling.

Jim Mickle Presents: 13 Awesome Independent Horror Movies

Sheldon Noland — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:09:36 GMT

Director Jim Mickle, whose unconventional zombie flick Mulberry Street screened in TFF '07, offers up his list

Tribeca Tribute: Bahman Ghobadi

Marc Hayes — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:07:04 GMT

Iranian filmmaker Bahman Ghobadi got the world's attention in 2000 with A Time for Drunken Horses, the first Kurdish-language feature film ever made. His newest film, Half Moon (TFF '07), is banned in his native Iran, but out in the US.

An Interview with Griffin Dunne, director of Fierce People

Marc Hayes — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:11:50 GMT

In anticipation of the theatrical release of Fierce People (TFF ’05), we spoke with director Griffin Dunne about adapting literature for the screen, his love of New York, and why he’s so excited to be a judge at this year’s Tropfest@Tribeca.

The Reelist: Iraq on Screen

Marc Hayes — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:03:12 GMT

While Americans are increasingly preoccupied with domestic issues, the war in Iraq is now rapidly approaching its fifth anniversary. With that dubious date in mind, we compile a list of films that depict the turmoil in the country during and after the two American-led invasions.

An Interview with Eytan Fox, director of The Bubble

Marc Hayes — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:15:37 GMT

Eytan Fox’s controversial film, The Bubble (TFF '07), makes its way to theaters this week. While preparing for the debut, he shared some insight into the power of a good love story, the importance of demystifying politics and why making films is like dati

Peak Performance

Marc Hayes — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:50:09 GMT

Mark Obenhaus' new documentary Steep (TFF '07) is both a chronicle of big-mountain skiing and an homage to the awesome beauty of nature.

Gucci Loves Docs

Marc Hayes — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:34:29 GMT

The influential Italian fashion label has entered into a unique partnership with the Tribeca Film Institute, the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund, designed to provide finishing funds for documentaries that illuminate issues of social justice. Submissions begin February 5.

Screen Grabs: The Art of Negotiation

Jesse Ashlock — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:30:48 GMT

To the relief of all, the writers strike came to an end, while the Screen Actors Guild was preparing for negotiations of its own. Plus, new projects for the Coen brothers, Nicole Kidman, Marisa Tomei, Ellen Page, Ashton Kutcher, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, and the deals in Berlin.

Review Stew: George Romero's Diary of the Dead

Jesse Ashlock — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:31:01 GMT

Our latest recurring feature compiles quotes and opinions from smart critics to create a single meta-review of a new release. In our inaugural edition, we find out what people are saying about Diary of the Dead, the latest brainy horror flick from zombie master George Romero.

Official Contest Rules: Be Kind Rewind Tickets Giveaway

Marc Hayes — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:00:31 GMT

Official Contest Rules - Phyto Universe Giveaway

Marc Hayes — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:23:40 GMT

Official Contest Rules: Reelist Giveaway: Anti Valentine's Films

Marc Hayes — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:11:53 GMT

The Reelist: Obsessive Hobbyists

Marc Hayes — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:31:29 GMT

The King of Kong joins a growing body of documentaries that provide windows into subcultures of obsessive hobbyists. These aren't poker players or skateboarders; their passions are more esoteric, ranging from Scrabble to speed-eating. Here are 12 of the best.

Press Release - Tribeca Teaches: Films in Motion

Marc Hayes — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:25:36 GMT

Tribeca Film Institute Launches Second Annual Tribeca Teaches: Films in Motion Program with Bronx Preparatory Charter School Students.

Screen Grabs - It Ain't Over Till It's Over

Marc Hayes — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:15:17 GMT

Yogi Berra's classic quip describes not only the long slog of the primaries, but also the current situation with the writers' strike, last Sunday's big game, and the latest developments in several celebrity stories.

Brazilian Film at the Tribeca Film Festival

Jesse Ashlock — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 23:39:25 GMT

Two new Brazilian features in American theaters this month, The Year My Parents Went on Vacation and Santiago, played at last year's Tribeca Film Festival, and represent the latest in a long line of compelling Brazilian work to screen at the festival. Here's a complete filmography.

Official Contest Rules: Physique 57 Giveaway

Marc Hayes — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:40:21 GMT

Official Contest Rules: Blue State DVD Giveaway

Marc Hayes — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:24:59 GMT

Screen Grabs - Keeping It Real

Marc Hayes — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:57:38 GMT

A new American realism carried the day at Sundance, while the a major new film from the Romanian realist movement arrived in American theaters. Plus, colleagues offer thoughtful tributes to Heath Ledger, and there's cautious optimism for an end to the writers' strike.

Official Contest Rules: 9 Star Hotel DVD Giveaway

Marc Hayes — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:35:10 GMT

Fresh Air

Marc Hayes — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:00:01 GMT

In his debut feature, The Air I Breathe (TFF '07), Korean-American filmmaker Jieho Lee explores questions of individual agency through the intertwined destinies of a disparate group of characters. The film, which features Forest Whitaker, Andy Garcia, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Brendan Fraser, and Kevin Bacon, opens this week.

Screen Grabs: -Ologies

Marc Hayes — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:12:05 GMT

Numerology, Scientology, ideology, and eschatology were the themes of the last week, which was dominated by reports from Sundance and the Academy Award nominations, until news of the untimely death of Heath Ledger overshadowed all else.

Screen Grabs - Larger Than Life

Marc Hayes — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:34:01 GMT

The last week was all about roided-up celebs, a forgettable Golden Globes, some noteworthy obits, the countdown to Sundance and Cloverfield, and more! Plus, that pesky strike that just won't go away.

Second Draft

Marc Hayes — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:49:11 GMT

The United States has maintained an all-volunteer army since 1973, but what if the draft were reinstated? Bryan Gunnar Cole's Day Zero (TFF '07), starring Elijah Wood, Chris Klein, and Jon Bernthal, imagines how three different New York guys would respond to the call.

2008 Tribeca Film Festival Submissions

Marc Hayes — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:56:30 GMT

Submissions for the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival are now closed. Check back in the coming months for festival updates, ticketing info, and more.

Conversation: Uncharted Waters

Marc Hayes — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:28:33 GMT

With her first documentary, A Walk into the Sea, director Esther Robinson exhumes the legacy of her late uncle Danny Williams, while offering a fresh take on Andy Warhol’s Factory.

Getting to Know… Benten Films

Marc Hayes — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:28:29 GMT

The fledgling New York DVD label Benten Films issued its first release, Joe Swanberg's LOL, last August, and has several other compelling titles in the pipe for 2008. Benten's principals shared their thoughts on acquiring films, cultivating a curatorial i

An Interview with Jeff Garlin

Marc Hayes — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:13:23 GMT

Jeff Garlin vents on Tribeca’s red carpet about the making of his 2006 improv comedy, I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With, opened in theaters Sept. 5th, and offers an unsolicited (albeit fascinating) Top 5 list for eating cheese at all.

Becoming Jane Panel

Marc Hayes — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:31:07 GMT

Prior to this week’s Tribeca Cinema Series screening of Becoming Jane Anne Hathaway and director Julian Jarrold discussed the pressures of depicting one of literature’s most celebrated and controversial romantics and the scandalous nature of a romance re-

Interview with John Polson

Marc Hayes — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:43:08 GMT

Born In the USA

Marc Hayes — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:35:11 GMT

Director and producer Abby Epstein speaks about her new documentary The Business of Being Born, co-produced with actress Ricki Lake, which explores the childbirth industry in America today.

The Reelist: What to Expect When You're Expecting

Marc Hayes — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:13:50 GMT

In observance of the release of The Business of Being Born, we gather a terrific list of titles that offer nuanced, unsentimental looks at pregnancy.

Screen Grabs - Deal or No Deal?

Marc Hayes — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:56:08 GMT

This edition of Screen Grabs looks at the dealmakers and deal-breakers during the first week of the new year, including David Letterman, Jay Leno, Mike Huckabee, the WGA, United Artists, the new cast members of Bond22, Diablo Cody, and more.

The Reelist: Holiday Nightmares

Marc Hayes — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:06:49 GMT

For all the holiday haters out there, this edition of the Reelist features films which remind us that no matter how grueling the season to be merry might seem, there's always someone out there who's got it worse.

The Reelist: Booze Movies

Marc Hayes — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:39:56 GMT

The holidays are a time of both joyful spirits and 80-proof spirits, and since December 5th is Repeal Day—the day which marked the end of Prohibition—we've compiled a list of 12 great booze-soaked flicks to get you through the season.

Screen Grabs - The Season for Giving

Marc Hayes — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:01:51 GMT

Christmas is coming and the gift-giving has already begun, even if some of the gifts being exchanged are lumps of coal. Featuring Will Smith, Vince Vaughn, Diablo Cody, the Simpsons, the latest from the writers' strike, and more.

Screen Grabs - Stunt Artists

Marc Hayes — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:43:51 GMT

The great American daredevil Evel Knievel died last week, but the art of the stunt is alive and well, as evidenced by upcoming new installments of Rambo, Batman, and Terminator, upcoming movies about Joe Namath and Barry Bonds, and several of the document

Answers to the Eternal Questions

Marc Hayes — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:00:35 GMT

Submissions to the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival are open, and every year, filmmakers ask the same questions about submitting. So we took three of the most common ones to TFF Co-Executive Director and Programmer Nancy Schafer and asked her for her two cents.

Award Winners 2007

Marc Hayes — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:11:43 GMT

The 2007 Tribeca Film Festival Awards Ceremony took place on Saturday, May 3 at the Jing Fong Restaurant in Chinatown. Awards were given for both narrative and documentary feature-length and short films.

Award Winners 2006

Marc Hayes — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:05:56 GMT

The 2006 Tribeca Film Festival Awards Ceremony took place on Saturday, May 6 at the Golden Bridge Restaurant in Chinatown. Awards were given for both narrative and documentary feature-length and short films.