By Alison Gregor
Films from around the world, 150 feature films
The clapper board is about to sound. The film crew guy is about to shout “Action!” And the director will soon begin his magic in Tribeca.
Do they still use those old black-and-white clapper boards in Hollywood? It’s hard to say, but you can find out that and other film arcana at the Tribeca Film Festival, which will begin this weekend, Sat. May 1 and run through next weekend, Sun. May 9.
It’s the third year of the Lower Manhattan festival, the brainchild of Tribeca resident Robert De Niro, his partner Jane Rosenthal, and her husband Craig Hatkoff. It will feature more than 150 feature films and documentaries and 100 short films along with premieres from major film studios.
It also will showcase an array of discussion panels with film experts, special fund-raising film events, and an awards ceremony to be televised live. And, of course, celebrities, celebrities, celebrities. For nine days, Tribeca will be the star-studded tiara of a jewel-draped Manhattan with anticipated appearances by Martin Scorsese, Sharon Stone, Norman Lear, Peter Jennings and Billy Crudup, among others.
This special section will try to capture the excitement with stories on event movers and shakers; the Family Festival; a round-up of film panels; a look at the festival’s new screening room and drive-in showings; a piece on New York films, and more.
“New York, and in particular Tribeca, is at the crossroads of world cinema,” said Peter Scarlet, the festival’s director. “I think we have a remarkably diverse and strong program this year.”
Scarlet used his experiences from last year (his first as festival director) to further enhance this year’s programming.
“People came up to me last year and said…‘thank you for showing films like this – we wouldn’t have a chance to see them in New York,’” he said.
Clearly people are finding his selection of films intriguing.
About 350,000 people attended last year bringing nearly $50 million to the downtown area, according to film festival statistics. That was quite a boon to a neighborhood plagued by the aftermath of Sept. 11.
In fact, back in 2002, the festival organizers stepped up their plans to found the festival to benefit the struggling neighborhood.
By all accounts, it seems to be a success. Both film-lovers and filmmakers are responding with enthusiasm with film submissions totaling about 3,200 this year, a 25 percent increase over last year. There are films from more than 40 countries, including two from Iraq and two about Afghanistan. And closer to home, the prestigious New York Film Critics Circle has agreed to judge the two new sections on New York feature films and documentaries.
The New York documentary section will feature a film by well-known photographer Bruce Weber, a collage that manages to incorporate his five purebred dogs with home movies of director Luchino Visconti, Audrey Hepburn and Ava Gardner.
Another highlight of the festival will include a tribute to veteran film and television director Garry Marshall, which will include a world premiere May 2 of his latest film, “Raising Helen,” with Kate Hudson, John Corbett and Joan Cusack.
There will also be a film by acclaimed director Jim Jarmusch, called “Coffee and Cigarettes” which was more than a decade in the making. Two new documentaries will help raise money for New York City institutions: one on the New York Fire Department and another, Martin Scorsese’s “Lady by the Sea” about the Statute of Liberty. It’s being presented by festival sponsor American Express.
The popular Family Festival, to be held May 1-2 and 8-9, promises to keep Tribeca families entranced with a screening of “A New York Minute,” starring Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, on May 4. Other movies that day include “Captain Sabertooth” and “The Blue Butterfly.”
The family festival includes a street fair on May 8 with performers, arts & crafts, face painting, games, storytelling, puppet shows and workshops. A Scholastic Book fair features fictional characters for children to meet.
“If you have a family, and you live in Tribeca, and you’re despairing what to take your kids to during the year, at least there are nine days this spring when that won’t be a problem,” Scarlet said.
Karen Barwick, who has two young sons, said the family festival, which she has attended the past two years, is one of the best in New York. Her children love the Scholastic Book tent and the table where they make laminated “movie passes” with their pictures.
“Just being a New York City mom, I do go to a lot of street fairs that are all around the city, and this one is just so much better,” said Barwick, who also co-owns a Tribeca toy store. “It’s really well-done with jugglers and performers and balloon makers.”
That view is shared by local businesses, and the Tribeca Organization, formed to help small businesses in the neighborhood ride out the aftermath of Sept. 11. Some stores are changing their hours in anticipation of the festival’s commercial rewards. The retail section of Oser Bikini Bar at 148C Duane St., which specializes in vintage rattan and surfing-related items, is typically open by appointment only. But owner Aileen Oser has decided to keep normal retail hours during the film festival.
“I think the festival’s terrific,” she said. “In the past, we had a coffee bar, which we’re re-opening now, and we’re showing surf movies up on the wall. I think it’s definitely in keeping with the Tribeca Film Festival.”
Other Tribeca businesses also are planning something special for the film festival, whether it be a sale or event.
“I’m working on maybe trying to do some event to support the festival and make it more of a community thing,” said Kate Obst, manager of Tribeca Issey Miyake at 119 Hudson, a Japanese clothing store.
“It’s kind of still in the works,” she said mysteriously when asked about the event.
Ann Benedetto, owner of A Uno Tribeca at 123 West Broadway, a store that sells imported clothing, agreed with most business owners that the festival brings much needed foot traffic and exposure to Tribeca.
“We find a lot more people who don’t live in the area come into the area,” she said. “There’s a lot of browsing between shows if they’re going to different theaters or before dinner or after dinner, so it does increase traffic – and we appreciate it.”
Car traffic is another issue altogether, along with parking. Fortunately, many filmgoers arrive by public transportation, according to festival organizers. Still traffic police will be out in force, perhaps even more than usual, so Benedetto said she will restock her quarters supply for customers who may run out.
“It’s not usually a short period of time to try on things, so we like to have change available for customers,” she said.
So sit back and enjoy the festival, and don’t worry about the parking, until they shout “It’s a rap!”
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