As the Tribeca Festival has wrapped up, now is an ideal time to review incredible films included in this year’s Festival, which ran from June 5 to June 16. As always, the Festival was overflowing with such amazing and inspiring work that it was impossible to see everything. However, here are some titles to add to your must-watch list as soon as they become available to the public, as well as a roundup of Festival events.
The Wasp – A near-flawless psycho-thriller, The Wrap features great depth that explores how everything we do has consequences. Full of twists and turns, this is a powerful film that features some of Naomie Harris’ and Natalie Dormer’s absolute best work to date. Examining class, gender relationships, and childhood scars, with an evocative metaphor, The Wasp is fresh and gripping. The writing is dark yet compelling, the direction is tight yet well-paced. Luckily, the film has already snapped up a distribution deal so keep your eyes peeled for release dates.
It Was All A Dream – Billed as a visual memoir, It Was All A Dream will quickly divide audiences into two camps. There will be one happy to see anything from hip-hop’s golden era of the ’90s on a big screen. The other camp will be more discerning. While this insider view is somewhat intriguing, the grainy footage from back in the day wears a bit thin a bit quickly. Coupled with the voice-over of director dream Hampton’s sleepy cadence as she reads one article as if it were poetry, the visuals evoke a sense of nostalgia. However, they fall short of introducing the audience to any new themes within hip-hop or shedding fresh light on artists like Method Man and Biggie.
Dream’s pre-iPhone-video-crispness era footage caught on the fly is similar to that of the Kanye West documentary JEEN-YUHS, which takes us through the rise and subsequent height of West’s career. Dream leaves us to stew in brief questions about the loss of Method Man’s anonymity, Lil’ Kim’s work ethic, and more. When the film explores women’s roles in hip hop, it briefly hints at deeper insights, only to retreat back into general studio footage of other artists. However, a highlight is a segment featuring a shoot with female artists who were prominent back in the day, like Boss and Nikki D. Indeed, a more compelling topic would be a true exploration of how these artists crafted images before the era of ubiquitous twerking or better yet, how Hampton herself rose through the ranks of media to arrive where she is today. Maybe next Festival.
Made In Ethiopia – This documentary provides a very compelling look at the Chinese influence in Ethiopia via in the installation of an industrial park of factories. The film takes a seemingly neutral stance truly allowing the viewer to come to his/her own decision as we move through issues between values and standards of work ethics between Chinese management and Ethiopian workers, issues around what are considered by one side to be low wages while the other side expresses frustration with levels or productivity. We see the promise of progress clash with tradition of farming and displacement all against the backdrop of a local government that can’t quite seem to get its actions to match its campaign slogans. And just when we might think a bit of headway is made, all parties must face the devastating setbacks of not only the COVID pandemic but also a civil war. This documentary does a solid job as presenting gender hierarchy, class warfare, urban development, and more to wonder what will be the overall outcome of China’s feverish play for Africa will be.
The Black Table – This film brings several Black Yale alums back together to examine how the “black table” in the college meal hall was formed, the pros, the cons, and what each believes to be the challenges of being Black on the Yale University campus. While beautifully shot and pulling no punches, The Black Table opens itself up to the larger question that is: if a group separates itself because it feels segregated, does that action perpetuate and deepen the perceived segregation or does it provide some solace? And if one is not going to knock down perceived barriers, then why apply to such a campus in the first place? The Black Table is an interesting sociological study that unfortunately does not include any cultural experts to lend even deeper understanding nor does it include enough interviews with both academics and students who either opposed to the idea of the table or supported it to give a richer, deeper view of the overall situation at the campus. There is also no comparison to present day.
The standout moment in this film is the introduction of a resilient Black male alum, aged over 90 years, who the documentary encounters on campus. Despite enduring the challenges of being among the few Black students at the time, he remains hopeful and steadfast.
Memes & Nightmares – This is an entertaining inside-baseball spoof docu comedy of sorts executive produced by LeBron James and his ever-present collaborator Maverick Carter. This film explores fandom, bromance, digital assets, and influencer currency in today’s age where all of these things converge from moment to moment. While a little bit longer than maybe it needs to be for a story of its type, some of it is quite comical while other parts drag just a bit. There are nice cultural references here, and the film gives the viewer a peek into the ultra club of users who impact the NBA just as much as the NBA impacts them.
Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play., The Knife, and Samia are still on our must-watch list, but having caught Era Oculta is a beautiful art film that takes place in Mozambique. The film examines Interdependence, one’s role in the world, and feminism through an artist’s lens. The pace and scenes where there is simply movement without dialogue at all give Era Oculta an almost hypnotic and regenerative vibe.
They All Came Out to Montreux – This is a fantastic documentary produced by Quincy Jones that takes us deep into the debut of the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival and its challenges and triumphs in becoming one of the premier brands of its type. Unlike Summer of Soul, this festival’s evolution unfolds over the years, seen through the eyes of its founder, Claude Nobs. Nobs faced numerous challenges, from securing venues and managing hippies and drugs in conservative Swiss towns, to being arrested for his sexuality. He adapted to changing musical styles and even rebuilt the venue from scratch after the original was destroyed in a fire. There is such incredible footage of Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Prince, and many, many more that it is a thrill to a minute to watch.
Luther: Never Too Much – Words like “poignant” were made for documentaries like this one, which delves into the iconic talent of Luther Vandross. The film uncovers so much about Vandross’s extraordinary gift and his journey, offering insights that only his most devoted fans might already know. It’s a captivating experience, filled with performances and interviews that showcase just how special and sincere he was. While the segments covering his stroke and eventual passing are heart-wrenching, they are tempered by his achievement of “crossing over” into mainstream success. Ultimately, it is the deep friendships he nurtured and his sheer genius that make this film profoundly inspiring.
Following Harry – Everyone knows that the legendary Harry Belafonte was a champion for social justice, but this film will reveal to you the depth of that work, which few know. The number of lives he touched, the ever-active ideas and creativity for new projects he possessed right until the end, his guru-ship that righted many as they sailed the rough shores of activism–it’s all so loving captured by filmmaker Susanne Rostock in this powerful documentary. Belafonte was a grand master, grand consigliere, conspirer, wizard, and godfather all rolled into one. Of particular note are his comments about Donald Trump (made before the 2016 win) being Hitler in retrospect after a term, which oddly enough yielded no wars, immigration crime, or vaccine mandates, and job loss. That was actually under a different administration, and it makes one think deeply about the intersection and complexities not only about race in America but race and American politics and governance and what future citizenship will hold.
But Wait, There’s More…
Diane Von Furstenberg: A Woman In Charge – This film opened the Festival and was the gala night documentary. It’s a compelling watch and makes one yearn for the glamour and edge of the ’70s. Von Furstenberg is candid yet likable and utterly intriguing. This film is beautifully crafted, seamlessly blending archival footage with interviews, including those with the ever-present Oprah Winfrey. An intriguing aspect is how both she and Von Furstenberg speak about women in broad terms, despite the reality that women of color were less likely to afford the “affordable” $83 wrap dress due to the persistent wealth gap in the country. Even if they managed to purchase one, the likelihood of them being “in charge” in a society that demanded they balance both sexism and racism would have been a significant challenge, to say the least.
Furthermore, as other critics have noted, the film entirely overlooks key aspects such as the loss of the business, how it was wound down, the intricacies of entering and exiting licensing deals, and the current state of the business. It all seems to happen magically once she marries a prince, gains access to the influential network of fashion through Vogue, receives introductions, and easily secures funding. This portrayal suggests that after the divorce, she could effortlessly become a successful businesswoman, raising the question: couldn’t most women achieve the same given such advantages and leverage? Ultimately, the film highlights themes of taking risks and bending rules to one’s advantage, making it an entertaining watch despite these oversights.
How I Faked My Life With AI – An interesting documentary, it explores what is and will become a massive growing question in society: what is real? And how will it determine success and hierarchy in our culture? This is an intriguing look at how one guy goes to extreme tech lengths to, essentially, be validated. The viewer will leave not only wondering what is real and what isn’t but also what compels people to take the time to craft the perfect life instead of building it from scratch. This film also makes it seem as if certain demographics are out front in terms of leveraging the technology. Don’t be fooled. Hip hop started the national narrative around AI and audio, leading the way for precedent in sampling clearing of AI tracks and much more. All stories in this space are valid and contribute to the new world that we are all creating together.
Daddio – Every festival has its buzz film, and Daddio was it for Tribeca. Though no people of color, save an adorable little Black girl, we had to completely shout this film out because it is so beautifully, achingly portrayed through characters embodied by Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson. The script and exchange are so authentically New York City. Though it seems odd that a film that takes place entirely in a taxi on the way from JFK Airport to the passenger destination in midtown and simply involves talking could be so riveting, it truly is. Perhaps that might be because it was written and directed by a woman and is a complete work of art crafted by a masterful team that got it so very, very right.
Here is a featurette with director and writer Christy Hall that sets the scene and provides helpful context.
Audio: https://spe-dct.cimediacloud.com/r/FcAQAe39n32E
Video: https://spe-dct.cimediacloud.com/r/GFYzbuBwBQ9O
The Tribeca Festival is a true blessing, immersing us in rich storytelling that makes us ponder, think, and share about the messages, lives, lessons, and stories crafted by passionate professionals. It helps us live fuller lives and inspires others to do the same by exploring the many facets of the human experience.
Here are a few of the winners.
- U.S. Narrative Competition:
- Founders Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature: Griffin in Summer directed by Nicholas Colia.
- Best Performance: Jasmine Bearkiller Shangreaux for Jazzy.
- Best Screenplay: Nicholas Colia for Griffin in Summer.
- International Narrative Competition:
- Best International Narrative Feature: Bikechess by Assel Aushakimova.
- Best Performance: Yu Aier for Some Rain Must Fall.
- Documentary Competition:
- Best Documentary Feature: Hacking Hate by Simon Klose.
- Best Cinematography: Ezra Wolfinger for Shelf Life.
- Special Awards:
- Nora Ephron Award: Don’t You Let Me Go by Ana Guevara and Leticia Jorge.
- Best New Documentary Director: Debra Aroko and Nicole Gormley for Searching for Amani.
- Viewpoints Competition:
- Best Film: Come Closer by Tom Nesher.
- Special Mention: Witches by Elizabeth Sankey.
The festival celebrated diverse voices and creative storytelling, with many films recognized for their unique perspectives and impact.
Tribeca: Beyond the Screenings
The beauty of the Tribeca Festival is the wealth of creativity showcased during the event. From talks to exhibits and more, here are our picks for this year’s highlights:
Mercer Labs – This year Tribeca Immersive was held at this new museum steps away from the former World Trade Center. It is an assault on all five senses as each exhibit pushes the boundaries of light, sound, and more. Of particular note was an exhibit that used natural and AI-generated sounds to replicate city sounds from just under the surface of the Hudson River and explore “human control over aquatic environments.” Stunning! Though we miss the VR films on experiences by people of color and more, this was a super inspiring experience.
Starbucks – The Reserve at the Empire State Building hosted a lively celebration of short films, drawing a crowd of screenwriters, producers, and industry professionals engaged in deal-making, networking, and conversation. However, it was noted that the event lacked closed captioning and interpreters for hearing-impaired attendees. Let’s hope for improved accessibility solutions by 2025.
DeNiro Con Talks – There were several high-profile stage talks in honor of the legend’s 80th birthday. The Tribeca Festival team cleverly created a parallel fest, entitled “De Niro Con” featuring installations, special screenings, and more.
We caught De Niro coming out of his talk with Quentin Tarantino, heard about De Niro’s and Scorsese’s talk with Nas about “Mean Streets,” and so much more.
A couple of intimate talks stood out for us regarding various parts of his business and career, such as “Building Restaurants with De Niro.” The conversation with Drew Nieporent, De Niro’s partner in his restaurant ventures, shared his pioneering journey in founding and opening restaurants from the ’90s. His engagement with Robert De Niro has been strong for 34 years, which includes the kick-off of Nobu, which, shockingly, only started with only $500,000. Nieporent recounted adventures opening Tribeca Grill in 1990 and shared many memories with countless prestige chefs and movie stars from the early days.
“Dressing De Niro” offered an insightful talk on De Niro’s character preparation through makeup and costume via his costume designers and makeup artists.
The discussion on the Hexadome segment of the installation “De Niro Is An Icon” provided an in-depth exploration of the meticulous development and production behind this expansive six-screen setup with spatial audio. This innovative piece creatively weaves together footage from various De Niro films set in New York, overlaying music, dialogue, and sound to offer viewers a dream-like immersion into De Niro’s body of work. With a production time of 400 hours, this cutting-edge installation is a remarkable creation by Jay Rinsky, Luke Heher, and Sam Gill of Little Cinema.
Interesting side note: they come from the world of club DJs, one of which focused on hip-hop. This work is like a visual sampling of sorts and was truly imaginative.
The Hexadome was the centerpiece of a larger exhibit of over 300 items from De Niro’s archive that included annotated scripts, costumes, storyboards, and more that was all the ultimate for any De Niro fan. The written portion of the installation was impressive on its own, expertly weaving together the various eras and examining how De Niro’s tendency to play “morally ambiguous characters” interacted with various socio-political aspects of the time. (Overheard: The cost between the ticket for the installation and one talk hit the economic threshold of many on the scene.)
The Belafonte Social Justice Awards took place in a packed theater following the screening of the documentary Following Harry. Legendary activist Angela Davis served as the master of ceremonies, presenting awards to notable figures such as Rosario Dawson and Jesse Williams, among others who are making significant contributions in various fields.
Many brands hold their events during the Festival, and this year was no different. Audible produced a panel that sparks the underlying theme of unintended consequences. All creation, industry transformation, or business innovation can trigger butterfly effects intentionally and unintentionally. In this first series of “Vaping,” the speakers shared inspiration, interviews, and personal stories on this topic. Iconic companies like Juul began by solving society’s tobacco problem and introducing a healthier way of smoking, yet facing scrutiny due to its product designs inviting more nicotine consumption and youth issues attracted by the coolness and perception of healthiness. The uniqueness of the Audible media format allows for open and vulnerable conversations, welcoming listeners deeply engaged with their personal stories and thought-provoking themes around the unintended consequences of innovation.
Adidas held a panel and screening event within the festival entitled “Creating Legacy: The Power Of Black Storytelling.” The event was packed and began by showing a number of short films from emerging Black filmmakers that Adidas collaborated with to tell untold stories. The screenings were followed by a panel with these same filmmakers who spoke about everything from securing funding from local retailers to produce films to challenges in straddling authenticity and branding. The lingering of the crowd and satellite discussions made it evident that many more opportunities to convene around this topic are sorely needed by this demographic.
OpenAI presented a Sora Shorts offering that showcased films created with the help of Artificial Intelligence. We also caught up a filmmaker-to-watch who produced an evocative short film entitled Earthshine, which is for anyone who has ever faced self-doubt and worthiness. We had an opportunity to speak directly with the filmmaker during the festival.
Listen to the audio interview here.
Looking forward to Tribeca Festival 2025 already. Here’s to a print media partner of color being included next year along with such outlets as Airmail and others.
–-With additional reporting from Lily Li
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