The kicks off The Tribeca Film Festival starting with the new documentary by Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams.
The 2019 slate of movies from up-and-coming filmmakers and established directors tackle many hot-button issues that run through our news feed including homophobia, gender discrimination, gun violence, and racism.
The festival was founded by Robert De Niro and producer Jane Rosenthal to encourage people to return to downtown
Manhattan after the impact of the 9/11 attacks.
Of the more than 100 features that will debut 40% are directed by women, 29% by people of color and 13% by LGBTQ filmmakers.
Now in its 18th year, Tribeca has grown to include television series, shorts, gaming, and virtual reality. But what makes the festival buzz-worthy are indie films. Here are just a few to keep an eye on.
Devil's Pie
Directed by Carine Bijlsma
Written and directed by Carine Bijlsma and produced by Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker, this documentary renders an intimate look into the enigma of Michael "D" Angelo Archer. Disillusioned with his status as a sex symbol and struggling with alcoholism, the two-time Grammy winner disappeared just as he was on the cusp of superstardom.
Peppered with appearances of close friends, longtime collaborators, performances on the road, interviews and never-before-seen footage, the documentary paints a larger than life image of the elusive singer D'Angelo's he mounts a comeback while confronting his personal demons.
Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men.
Directed by Sacha Jenkins
From the hard knocks of life at the Park Hill projects in Staten Island to worldwide domination, legendary hip-hop filmmaker Sacha Jenkins shows the Wu-Tang Clanin their own words from the mouth of the preeminent group’s founding members; RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna. The hour-long film moves between intimate interviews and previously unseen footage (from the members’ personal collections as well as unaired media footage) to bring to life the rags-to-riches come up of the group that changed hip hop forever.
Gay Chorus Deep South
At a time of roiling political divisions, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus embarked on a tour of the Deep South, hoping that their love of music will foster tolerance and understanding. This documentary from David Charles Rodrigues follows the singers as they perform in churches, community centers, and concert halls and provides an uplifting message at a time when fear and prejudice seem to be on the rise.
What's My Name: Muhammad Ali. Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Executive produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, award-winning director Antoine Fuqua’s expansive two-part documentary is the first of its kind to delve into the American legend’s profound career and life.
At nearly three hours long, the documentary pieces together archival footage and never-before-seen material of the heavyweight boxing champion to show Muhammad Ali like we’ve never seen before, capturing the social upheaval the sports figure faced after his controversial name change to the punch heard around the world.
GOLDIE Directed by Sam de Jong
Instagram influencer-turned-model and Fenty muse Slick Woods stars in this drama as street smart, 18-year-old Goldie trying to hit big by becoming a dancer. Goldie is saddled with taking care of her two younger sisters after her mother ends up in jail, but she doesn’t let that slow her roll.
Hijinks and double-crossing ensue as the teen bounces from couch to couch while she hustles to achieve her dream of making it like a superstar. With a rags-to-riches story set in the Bronx.
THE REMIX: HIP-HOP X FASHION
Directors: Lisa Cortes & Farah X
Hip-hop and fashion go way back, kickstarting multiple fashion trends that have been absorbed into the pop culture zeitgeist since Run DMC rapped about Adidas. But few films have explored why that is or given a platform to the pioneers of urban fashion in the same vein we’ve seen for high fashion greats like Yves Saint Laurent. Enter The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion.
The documentary takes us back to where it all began: in the streets. Fashion insiders Misa Hylton, April Walker, Dapper Dan, and Kerby Jean-Raymond weigh in on the cultural impact and evolution of streetwear.
BURNING CANE.
Directed by Phillip Youmans
Wendell Pierce produces and stars in this Southern drama as a troubled preacher leading an equally troubled congregation. Set amidst the cane fields of rural Louisiana, Burning Cane follows a deeply religious mother struggling to hold onto her faith that becomes marred by a tenuous relationship with her unemployed son.
SEE YOU YESTERDAY
Executive produced by Spike Lee, this sci-fi short follows Brooklyn teenage science prodigies and best friends, Claudette “C.J.” Walker and Sebastian Thomas, who attempt to undo fate. The duo builds a makeshift time machine in their garage to travel back in time and stop C.J.'s brother, Calvin, from being wrongfully killed by a police officer. As we all know, it's hard to change the past – at least without repercussions.
THE WEEKEND
Directed by Stella Meghie
Saturday Night Live alumna Sasheer Zamata stars in this romantic comedy as the sharp-witted Zadie. Aptly named after SZA's hit song, Zadie and her ex-boyfriend Bradford go on a weekend getaway at her mother’s bed and breakfast along with her former flame’s new girlfriend, Margo.
The trio faces a three-day trip filled with jealousy, arguments, and tension that becomes further complicated when another guest staying at the bed and breakfast makes himself a part of the squad.
GULLY
Director: Nabil Elderkin
Written by Marcus Guillory
Starring Jacob Latimore, Terrence Howard, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Robin Givens, Gullyfollows three best friends trying to make sense of the world in a dystopic Los Angeles. Disaffected by the world around them, drug and partying fuels their days until an unexpected discovery upends their lives and sets them on the road for revenge.
INNA DA YARD
Directed by Peter Webber
They’ve sung with the likes of Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliffin but outside reggae circles, few know their names. In this film, Ken Boothe, Winston McAnuff, Kiddus I and Cedric Myron — music legends in Jamaica — revisit their staple songs and lay bare the sound and soul of Jamaica in an unplugged album titled “Inna de Yard” ahead of an international tour to share their new sound.
The film follows their journey, from recording 13 tracks in four days in the backyards of Kingston to the musicians shared memories of their collaborations with Bob Marley and other reggae legends. At the heart of the film is a focus on the ongoing relevance of reggae and its social values as to revitalize an older generation while passing on the Soul of Jamaica to younger listeners.
17 BLOCKS
Director: Davy Rothbart
Written by Jennifer Tiexiera
Shot over a 20-year period, this 96-minute documentary follows the Sanford family, who grew up 17 blocks from the White House. Caught on home video camera, the film is a raw look into a family surviving in a city plagued by poverty, addiction, and gun violence.
ST. LOUIS SUPERMAN
Directors: Smriti Mundhra and Sami Khan
This 25-minute short follows St. Louis rapper and activist Bruce Franks Jr. in the aftermath of his historic win for a seat in Missouri’s mostly white, Republican House of Representatives. Stirred by the death of Michael Brown, the documentary follows Franks during his first year in office.
Despite its short length, the impactful short covers a lot of ground from the point of view of a local community trying to overcome political obstacles. The majority of the film follows Franks Jr. trying to pass a critical bill that could change his community.
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