Music Reigns Supreme at This Year’s Tribeca Film Festival
This year’s Tribeca Film Festival will be taking place April 15-26. The festival, which is known for showcasing a diverse selection of independent films, will be heavily featuring releases with rock n’ roll themes. Here are a few that will be spotlighted.
Of the many rock themed movies premiering, there are two documentaries that are really getting some attention. These include Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road and the Ronnie Wood documentary Somebody Up There Likes Me.
The Brian Wilson film captures the last twenty years of the Beach Boys genius’s life. The film was directed by Brent Wilson (no relation) and Rolling Stones editor in chief Jason Fine and features footage of the two cruising around the streets of Los Angeles.
Wilson explains, “Over the years Jason and I have had a lot of fun times just relaxing and listening to music, talking at the deli and cruising down to Malibu for sushi, so we got into that groove to make this movie. I hope it shows people the love I feel and the hope I have to share love through my music.”
The film also includes footage of the rock star on the road and recording in the studio as well as interview clips from Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Jim James, Nick Jonas, Taylor Hawkins, Jakob Dylan and more.
The Ronnie Wood film will follow the Rolling Stones rhythm guitarist though his life’s journey, from the start of the British Invasion to playing in The Faces, the Jeff Beck Group and, of course, the legendary Rolling Stones. The film is directed by Mike Figgis and includes appearances by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Rod Stewart and Charlie Watts.
Other music and rock n’ roll themed films that will be at the festival include The Go-Go’s, a documentary of the all-female new wave band directed by Alison Ellwood. Don’t Try to Understand: A Year in the Life of Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons and Ice Cold will also be premiering. The film is about rappers and their love of their jewelry and it features Migos, Lil Yachty, J Balvin, Slick Rick and more.
Truth to Power, a film about System of a Down singer Serj Tankain and Armenia’s political revolution will also be featured at the festival.
Ricky Powell: The Individualist is another film set to make a world premier. The documentary follows the photographer’s career and tour with the Beastie Boys.
The festival will kick off with the premier of Jimmy Carter Rock n Roll President which will be shown at the Beacon Theatre on April 15. The documentary spotlights how music has inspired the former president’s life.
Willie Nelson will perform after the Rock n’ Roll President movie premiers. The Go-Go’s, DMX and Tankian will also be performing following the premiers of their respective films.
Passes for the festival are on sale now on the Tribeca Film Festival web site. Packages go on sale on March 8 and single passes will be available starting March 17. It promises to be a memorable event for movie and music fans everywhere.
Photo credit: New York By Rail.com
