Mired in the suburbs of Dallas, I can only look on with jealousy as Cinema Blend staffers Lexi Feinberg and Stefanie Jackowitz are on site at the increasingly popular Tribeca Film Festival. Throughout the next few weeks they’ll both be handing in tons of coverage on the festival. Stefanie kicks it off today with a quick look at the festival’s introductory events. - Josh
Swarms of New Yorkers Flock to Lower Manhattan
Report by: Stefanie Jackowitz
The 2005 Tribeca Film Festival, the fourth festival of its kind, opened its doors Tuesday, April 19. This year the critically acclaimed festival, founded by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro, is the home to 250 films ranging from features and documentaries to shorts and family films. Since its inception in 2002, the Tribeca Film Festival has brought life and energy back to a solemn Manhattan one that was trumped by the disheartening tragedy of September 11. According to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the festival has generated 125 million dollars of economic activity in Lower Manhattan and has helped trigger a citywide program that aims to bring filmmaking back to the east coast. “If you want to make a movie, this is the place to do it,” said Bloomberg.
The 2005 festival kicked off with an opening night premiere of The Interpreter- a film directed by the acclaimed Sydney Pollack who is also a featured part of this year’s Tribeca Talks Panel series. Screening on Thursday was the David LaChapelle documentary Rize, an inside look at a new dance craze called krumping, and the heartening tale Through the Fire that chronicles Sebastian Telfair’s journey from high school ball player to NBA star.
Neither Sundance nor Cannes, the Tribeca Film Festival has a name and an identity all its own. “The neighborhood looks forward to the film festival like they look forward to Christmas, “ said Rosenthal. Mr. De Niro had his own thoughts about the spirit of the festival. “It’s great to see what the name Tribeca says to so many people,” he said.
The 2005 Tribeca Film Festival will run until Sunday, May 1. For more information and screening times, visit TribecaFilmFestival.org.
The Interpreter: A Conversation with Sydney Pollack
This enlightening Q &A with Oscar-winning director Sydney Pollack tracked his career from his early days of acting through his transformation to acclaimed Hollywood director. Pollack, the only director to be granted the rights to film inside the United Nations for his recent release The Interpreter, was not always certain he was to become a director. After moving to New York and enrolling in acting school, Pollack was fortunate enough to be introduced to actor Burt Lancaster who insisted that Pollack become a director. Lancaster introduced Pollack to mogul Lew Wasserman who persuaded the young family man to move to Los Angeles. After getting gigs like the popular 60’s TV shows “The Twilight Zone” and “The Fugitive”, Pollack was ready for Hollywood films.
The evening included clips from some of Pollack’s films including the 1969 Jane Fonda picture They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, Jeremiah Johnson starring Robert Redford, and the light-hearted comedy Tootsie.
Even though Pollack has over ten feature films under his belt, he still gets nervous when screening his films to an audience. “Sharing your movie is like taking your clothes off,” he said candidly.
Keep checking Cinema Blend throughout the next couple of weeks as our in depth Tribeca 2005 coverage really gets rolling, we’ve got a lot more in store.
