The 11th annual Tribeca Film Festival kicks off this evening, bringing more than 150 films from every corner of the globe to downtown Manhattan over the course of the next 11 days. Launched by Robert De Niro (and pals) in order to help revitalize New York City in the wake of 9/11, the Tribeca Film Festival has since struggled to maintain an identity as we’ve moved forward from the tragedy that initially provided its purpose. A massive cornucopia of movies large and small that isn’t curated so much as it’s contained, TFF seemed to think that a festival could be as big as its wallet, ignoring the fact that these things take years to cultivate. A heavy corporate presence and a notoriously substandard lineup have hindered the fest from becoming an invaluable event on the cinematic calendar – it’s as expansive as the Toronto International Film Festival, with just as much to watch but precious little worth seeing.
Be that as it may, the folks behind the festival have remained admirably determined to make it a true New York City institution. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when things began to change, but most repeat attendees would agree that TFF recently turned a corner. With every passing year, TFF is more seamlessly woven into the fabric of this city, and with every passing year it becomes more of a viable place from which to launch a major film (it helps that Tribeca Film has become a serious player in the industry, and that fest premieres like “War Witch” have earned meaningful acclaim). In 11 short years, TFF has evolved from a statement to a joke to an increasingly indispensable event, and the apparent strength of this year’s (remarkably diverse) lineup suggests that things are only getting better.
Still, with approximately three billion movies playing in the next 11 days, it can be tough to know what to see. So, after scouring the line-up and hearing as many informed opinions as possible, I present to you Film.com’s 20 Most Anticipated Films of the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival. It’s gonna be a good one.
ALMOST CHRISTMAS (Spotlight)
Directed by Phil Morrison
Historically, it’s not always the best sign when a movie loaded with familiar faces makes its world premiere at Tribeca, the conventional wisdom suggesting that both Sundance and SXSW have passed on the chance to debut it. Nevertheless, as TFF continues to grow in esteem and proves itself as a capable launching ground for major works (“War Witch” comes to mind), the alarm bulls are growing quieter. As far as “Almost Christmas” is concerned, such fears are allayed even further by the fact that director Phil Morrison was responsible for the wise indie charmer “Junebug.”
“Almost Christmas’ tells the story of two heavily bearded French Canadian schemers (Paul Rudd as Rene and Paul Giamatti as Dennis) who travel to New York City with a surefire plan to get rich by selling Christmas trees. Complicating matters is the fact that Rene recently stole Dennis’ wife (played by the indomitable Sally Hawkins). A brittle buddy comedy with a compulsively watchable cast, “Almost Christmas” should enjoy wide exposure so long as it’s even moderately entertaining.
ADULT WORLD (Spotlight)
Directed by Scott Coffey
You had me at “Emma Roberts is an aspiring poet who gets a part-time job working at a sex shop.” A world premiere from polymath Scott Coffey (who played Wilkins in “Mulholland Dr.” and made his directorial debut with “Ellie Parker” back in 2005), “Adult World” seems like a sly black comedy that could definitely find an audience, particularly with John Cusack finally having some fun, again, here playing a reclusive writer for whom Roberts is hoping to intern.
BEFORE MIDNIGHT (Spotlight)
Directed by Richard Linklater
This might be a bit of a cheat (I’ve already seen it twice), but I’m more excited to revisit the third chapter of the cinema’s greatest evolving romance than I am to see almost any other film at the fest for the first time. I’ve been almost pathologically militant about people revealing any details about the film’s plot or the circumstances in which it unfolds, but I’m convinced that “Before Midnight” is Richard Linklater’s masterpiece, a genuinely perfect thing that stands toe-to-toe with the likes of “Certified Copy” and “Journey to Italy.” As excited as I am for additional opportunities to see the movie, I’m even more jazzed about the Tribeca Talk that the festival is hosting on April 22, during which Linklater will moderate a panel with collaborators Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.
BEFORE SNOWFALL (World Narrative Competition)
Directed by Hisham Zaman
A Kurdish film by way of Germany, Norway and Iraq, Hisham Zaman’s “Before Snowfall” is a severe drama that examines the the moral crises involved in the practice of honor killings. Beginning in Kurdistan, where a young boy watches his older sister abscond from an arranged marriage, and heading towards Istanbul, where the boy is forced to make amends for his sibling’s perceived slight, “Before Snowfall” is a portrait of a life-defining tradition as it’s stretched across borders and generations.
Variety’s review wasn’t especially kind, but the unfortunately urgent subject matter should warrant a look.
BIG MEN (Documentary Competition)
Directed by Rachel Boynton
“Our Brand is Crisis” established Rachel Boynton as one of the world’s foremost cinematic muckrakers, and her raised profile has allowed her access to stories that might otherwise be impossible for her to capture on camera. Leveraging her past success, Boynton’s new film (which is enjoying its world premiere at Tribeca) lifts the lid on the massive oil companies that fuel Africa, investigating the greed that drives their profits and the extensive toll that it has levied against the continent and its people.
Executive produced by Brad Pitt, “Big Men” could be one of the documentaries that we’re talking about for the rest of the year.
THE BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN (Narrative Competition)
Directed by Felix van Groeningen
Felix van Groeningen’s “The Misfortunates” premiered to rave reviews in Cannes at 2009, but unfortunately it never picked up much traction on these shores, and remains a woefully under-seen gem. Now, van Groeningen returns to prove once again that the Dardenne brothers aren’t the final word in Belgian cinema, “The Broken Circle Breakdown” offering a foot-stomping blast of raw heartbreak.
After receiving strong reviews from the Berlin Film Festival, this hip contemporary story of a musician and a tattoo artist trying to save their faltering marriage comes to Tribeca with a sizable head of steam (I’m tempted to think of it as “Bluegrass Valentine”). Allegedly broad, effective and enjoyable from start to finish, “The Broken Circle Breakdown” could be one of the festival’s breakout hits.
A CASE OF YOU (Spotlight)
Directed by Kat Coiro
The multitalented Kat Coiro was at Tribeca last year with her sensuously sad monochromatic drama “While We Were Here,” which is still awaiting the attention she deserves. Apparently not one to rest on her laurels, Coiro is already back with her third feature, “A Case of You,” a romantic comedy about a writer (Justin Long) who tries to woo the barista of his dreams (Evan Rachel Wood) by creating a fake social media profile (in other words, he Catfishes her?). Boasting a mess of cameos from the likes of Peter Dinklage and Sam Rockwell, “A Case of You” has as much breakout potential as any film at the festival, and the early buzz is trending towards the positive.
CUTIE AND THE BOXER (Viewpoints)
Directed by Zachary Heinzerling
A unique portrait of the modern muse (to say the least) and the extent to which a relationship between artists is always subservient to the art it inspires, “Cutie and the Boxer” is a candid documentary about 80-year-old “boxing” painter Ushio Shinohara, who the film finds hoping to reclaim the zeitgeist with his latest exhibition. Ushio’s long-suffering wife Noriko is not only his reluctant assistant, but also his inspiration, their marriage completely dominated by the massive paintings that distill and preserve its beauty.
Early reports indicate that Zachary Heinzerling’s first feature-length film is one of the fest’s best.
THE ENGLISH TEACHER (Spotlight)
Directed by Craig Zisk
Judging by his IMDB page, Craig Zisk has directed an episode of every TV in the history of TV shows (give or take). Most importantly, he recently stepped behind the camera for an episode of “New Girl,” which – as far as I’m concerned – makes him one of the most important artists currently living. His debut feature certainly has a pedigree worthy of its experience, as it stars Julianne Moore as the eponymous educator whose dull life is ruffled by the return of a former student and his deadbeat dad.
Billed as “an insightful comedy about self-discovery,” “The English Teacher” also reunites “Mirror Mirror” co-stars Nathan Lane and Lily Collins. On a slightly more troubling note, the film also stars the Kiss of Death himself, Greg Kinnear. However it turned out, “The English Teacher” is already available to rent on iTunes, so feel free to see for yourself whether or not the film deserves a pass.
HAUTE CUISINE (Spotlight)
Directed by Christian Vincent
A bon mot for foodies, Christian Vincent’s “Haute Cuisine” premiered to rather tasty (ohmygodhedidnot) reviews at last year’s Venice Film Festival. Based on a true story, “Haute Cuisine” is a warm and effervescent comedy about the cook (Catherine Frot) who was plucked from obscurity and hand-picked to work as the personal chef for French president François Mitterrand (who served from 1981-1995). Reportedly a parade of mouth-watering dishes the likes of which the movies haven’t seen since “Big Night” or “Babette’s Feast” before that, Vincent’s film strikes me like the kind of film that could earn major traction with niche audiences. The Weinstein Company seems to agree, as they’ve picked it up for a release later this year.
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Categories: No CategoriesTags: 2013 Tribeca Film Festival, Before Midnight, Emma roberts, Julianne moore, Julie Delpy, Justin long, Paul giamatti, Paul rudd, Preview, Richard linklater, Some Velvet Morning, Tribeca film festival
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