March 2007 | blackfilm.com | features | 2007 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL news

March 2007

2007 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL news

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THE 2007 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES SELECTIONS FOR ITS COMPETITION AND SPOTLIGHT SECTIONS, continued

Spotlight

The Spotlight category was created for unique out-of-competition films with well-known cast members, high-profile directors or timely subject matter. With themes ranging from soccer and poker to a determined shepherdess looking for the perfect husband as well as a documentary about the unsung heroes of humanitarian efforts, this year’s Spotlight category sheds light on diverse issues and emotions with 17 features and documentaries from eight different countries.

· 2 Days In Paris (Deux jours á Paris), directed and written by Julie Delpy. (France) – North American Premiere. Actress Julie Delpy (Before Sunrise) writes, directs, edits, produces, stars in and even composes music for her crowd-pleasing directorial debut. With a snappy comic edge, the story revolves around Marion bringing her American boyfriend Jack (Adam Goldberg) on a visit to Paris. Between clashes of culture, language and flirtatious ex-boyfriends, their relationship is tested in this charming, smart gem. A Samuel Goldwyn Films Release.

* Chops, a documentary film directed by Bruce Broder. (U.S.A.) World Premiere. Each year, Jazz at Lincoln Center and its artistic director Wynton Marsalis host the prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival, a competition of high school jazz bands from across the country. This toe-tapping and empowering documentary focuses on one Florida band filled with young musicians who hit all the right notes.

* The Grand, directed by Zak Penn, written by Zak Penn and Matt Bierman. (U.S.A.) World Premiere. Woody Harrelson goes all-in to save his dead father’s hotel-casino from a real estate developer in this hilarious mockumentary. His master plan: to win the world’s most famous high stakes tournament, the Grand Championship of Poker. Anteing up the laughs are Werner Herzog, Cheryl Hines, David Cross, Ray Romano and Dennis Farina.

* Invisibles, directed by Mariano Barroso, Isabel Coixet, Javier Corcuera, Fernando León de Aranoa, Wim Wenders. (Spain) U.S. Premiere. Giving voice to those silenced by international indifference, Academy Award® nominated actor Javier Bardem teams with Doctors Without Borders to produce this powerful collection of short films. Five acclaimed directors shed light on heroic, yet unsung humanitarian efforts to combat international crises, which have thus far remained invisible. In Spanish, English, Lwo, Kiluba and Swahili.

* The Killing of John Lennon, directed and written by Andrew Piddington. (U.K.) North American Premiere. A riveting, disturbing glimpse into the mind of John Lennon's killer, Mark David Chapman, during the days leading up to his deadly confrontation with the rock star outside the Dakota. Lines lifted verbatim from Chapman's own journal give actor Jonas Bell's unforgettable performance an eerie, chilling precision.

* My Best Friend (Mon meilleur ami), directed by Patrice Leconte, written by Patrice Leconte and Jérôme Tonnerre. (France) U.S. Premiere. After business associates chide him for his indifference to other people, high-powered art dealer François (Daniel Auteuil) is challenged to produce an actual friend in only ten days, or lose a valued vase. His search sets off a witty, yet thoughtful look at the meaning of friendship from prolific French director Patrice Leconte. An IFC Films Release.

* The Optimists (Optimisti) directed by Goran Paskaljevic, written by Vladimir Paskaljevic and Goran Paskaljevic. (Serbia) North American Premiere. One of Central Europe's leading filmmakers follows his unforgettable A Midwinter Night's Dream (TFF 2005) with this new film whose five episodes conjure up a world where people have trouble distinguishing truth from illusions. Each segment reflects the motto of Voltaire's Candide: Optimism is insisting everything is good, when everything is bad.

* Pete Seeger: The Power of Song, a documentary directed by Jim Brown. (U.S.A.) World Premiere. Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen are two of many who attest to Seeger's importance in this compelling documentary that is more than a simple biography. Using new interviews, archival footage and home movies, Brown presents a social history through the life of one of this country's most compelling forces for change and, arguably, the most significant folk artist of our time.

* The Power of The Game, a documentary directed by Michael Apted. (U.S.A) World Premiere. Six stories intertwine in this dramatic and moving examination of the social impact of soccer across the world. Juxtaposing thrilling footage from games leading to and throughout the 2006 World Cup, Apted highlights stories of triumph over adversity from around the globe and skillfully conveys the remarkable transformative power of this sport. In English, German, Farsi, French and Spanish.

* Purple Violets, directed and written by Ed Burns. (U.S.A.) World Premiere. Aspiring novelist Patti Petalson's (Selma Blair) chance encounter with her ex Brian (Patrick Wilson) turns her life upside down in this charming romance. Burns shows a new maturity both behind and in front of the lens as he also pairs with Debra Messing to round-out the foursome of college friends reuniting after years of estrangement.

* Razzle Dazzle, directed by Ken Jacobs. (U.S.A.) World Premiere. A frequently returning TFF filmmaker presents the world premiere of his new experimental narrative opus. Razzle Dazzle confirms Jacobs' mastery of digital filmmaking in which he treats the image as a painterly canvas, exploring the depths of cubism and abstract expressionism from source material comprising turn-of-the-century stereopticon slides and an early Edison film.

* The Road to St. Diego (El Camino de San Diego), directed and written by Carlos Sorin. (Argentina) North American Premiere. A young Argentine backwoodsman learns that soccer star Diego Maradona is ailing in a Buenos Aires hospital, and resolves to bring him a tree root he's uncovered--which he's certain looks just like his idol. Tracing a pilgrimage filled with humor, Sorin spins a delightfully offbeat tale about the roles that fate, religion and idolatry can play in life.

* Steep, a documentary directed by Mark Obenhaus. (U.S.A.) World Premiere.

Whether it's jumping out of a helicopter hovering above the powdery slopes of Alaska's mountain ranges, or trying to outrun an avalanche in the French Alps, Steep traces the legacy of extreme skiing from its early pioneers to the death-defying daredevils of today.

* Take the Bridge, directed by Sergio M. Castilla. (Chile, U.S.A.) World Premiere. Four young strangers meet after their failed suicide attempts land each of them in the hospital on the same day. United by circumstance, they may yet discover a reason to live. This fresh, original take on city life pays tribute to the vitality and energy of the Dominican community in Washington Heights. In English and Spanish.

* This Is England, directed and written by Shane Meadows. (U.K.) U.S. Premiere. It's the summer of 1983 in northern England. Punks, Mods and Skinheads are on the rise, but employment is not. Eleven-year-old Shaun has lost his father but seems to find a surrogate family in a band of friendly skinheads. When they're joined by the older, overtly racist Con, who's just out of prison, the tale takes a much darker turn. An IFC First Take Release.

* Tuya's Marriage (Tu Ya De Hun Shi), directed by Wang Quan'an, written by Lu Wei and Wang Quan'an. (China) North American Premiere. A strong-willed shepherdess on the Mongolian steppe, Tuya must face some harsh truths about the future. In need of an able provider, she reluctantly divorces her ailing husband and considers proposals from a string of quirky suitors. This warm, witty tale, featuring stunning cinematography, won the top prize at the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival.

* You Kill Me, directed by John Dahl, written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. (U.S.A.) World Premiere. In this smart, darkly funny drama by John Dahl (The Last Seduction) about addiction and recovery, Ben Kingsley delivers a bravura performance as Frank, an alcoholic contract killer forced to go through a twelve-step program and become a funeral home assistant. Also starring Téa Leoni and Luke Wilson. An IFC Films Release.

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