The Tribeca Film festival will open on April 17 with over 100 films in the festival and many stars ready to line up on the red carpet. But, with so many films, it is hard to pick which movies to watch. The following list is a selection of 10 films that Latinos Post writers recommend based on what has already been screened and what is most anticipated at the festival.
Ali Blue Eyes-World Narrative Competition
Director Claudio Giovannesi's second feature tells the story of Stefano and Nader, two teenagers who share their time between a robbery at the supermarket and the mornings at the disco. But as they are put through various tests their friendship is destined to crack. After winning various awards at the Rome Film Festival including the Special Jury Prize, and having garnered rave reviews, this is one of the top contenders to win the narrative Competition and one that should not be missed.
Before Midnight-Spotlight
Having made its world premiere at the Sundance Film festival and premiered at the Berlin, "Before Midnight" has become one of the most talked about films in the Festival circuit. Additionally it has emerged as a major Oscar contender. Starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, the film continues the story of Jesse and Celine, almost two decades after their first meeting on the train bound for Vienna.
Bluebird- World Narrative Competition
Directed by first time filmmaker Lance Edmands and starring Amy Morton and John Slattery, the film tells the story of school bus driver Lesley who completes her route, but her final inspection abruptly ends when a bluebird comes into view. What happens next shakes her small Maine logging town, proving that even the slightest actions have enormous consequences. The film has its world premiere on April 18th.
Floating Skyscrapers-Viewpoints
Tomas Wasilewski's second feature has been described as the first LGBT film in Poland. It is a poignant story that revolves around two men who fall into an intoxicating love despite the opposition from others. Wasilewski has described it as a film of self discovery and states that he was inspired by Steve McQueen's "Shame," Lars Von Trier's "Melancholia," and Pedro Almodovar's "All About My Mother."
Harmony Lesson-Viewpoints
Director Emir Baigazin's first film will definitely stir conversation with its brutal and harsh images> However it is sure to resonate with audiences. When it premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February it immediately became the top contender for the Golden Bear. However it did not win but still took second prize. Latinos Post writer Francisco Salazar described the film as "a brutal and frightening cinematic experiences that will definitely provoke conversation throughout the festival."
Michael H. Profession: Director-World Documentary Competition
The film by Yves Montmayeur is a close study into director Michael Haneke's process and films. It will give fans and audiences a chance to take a look behind the scenes at what the director says about filmmaking and how he treats actors. The synopsis of the film is: Over the past twenty-five years, director Michael Haneke has established himself as a towering figure in modern cinema whose rigorous focus on the craft of filmmaking has produced works of profound artistry. This career-spanning documentary (gives unprecedented access and) covers the body of Haneke's work, offering insight into his creative process through on-set footage and interviews with the man himself and collaborators including Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert and Juliette Binoche.
The Rocket-World Narrative Competition
Directed by Kim Mordaunt, the film tells the story a boy who is believed to bring bad luck to everyone around him. After a calamity-filled journey with his family and two new friends, he must prove he's not bad luck. He builds a giant rocket to enter the most exciting and dangerous competition of the year: the Rocket Festival. The film which also premiered at the Berlin Festival has been described as "an exceptional film with stellar performances and tremendous filmmaking."
Sunlight Jr.- World Narrative Competition
Starring Naomi Watts and Matt Dillion, the film tells the story of a Florida couple that deals with an unexpected pregnancy while holding minimum wage jobs. Directed by Laurie Collyer, the film marks the helmers first film since her Golden Globe nominated feature "SherryBaby."
What Richard Did-Viewpoints
What Richard Did follows Richard Karlsen, golden-boy athlete and undisputed alpha-male of his privileged set of South Dublin teenagers, through the summer between the end of school and the beginning of university. The world is bright and everything seems possible, until in one summer night Richard does something that destroys it all and shatters the lives of the people closest to him. Featuring an extraordinary performance by Jack Reynor (Transformers 4) the film has been described as "a Visceral, Transformative Portrait of Burdensome Remorse"
Whitewash-Spotlight
Directed by Emauel Hoss-Desmarais, Whitewash takes place in the brutality of winter. Starring Thomas Haden Church, his character Bruce is lost after his wife dies and he loses his job. He is merely trying to survive a harsh Canadian winter when he meets Paul and only too late realizes the newcomer is more than he appears. When conflict leads to a death, Bruce finds himself even more isolated in the forests of Quebec, grappling with guilt and creating a prison from which he cannot escape.
The festival runs from April 17th-28th