TV Archives – CULTURE MIX

“Morimoto’s Sushi Master” features renowned chef and restateur Masaharu Morimoto as head judge of a cooking competition centered on the world’s most popular cuisine: sushi. Hosted by Lyrica Okano (“Marvel’s Runaways”), the six-episode series highlights the skill, ingredients, delicacy and talent needed to perfect the art of sushi-making.

Masaharu Morimoto, Lyrica Okano, Kenji López-Alt and Dakota Weiss in “Morimoto’s Sushi Master” (Photo courtesy of The Roku Channel)

True Crime Entertainment: What’s New This Week

The following content is generally available worldwide, except where otherwise noted. All TV shows listed are for networks and streaming services based in the United States. All movies listed are those released in U.S. cinemas. This schedule is for content and events premiering this week and does not include content that has already been made available.

May 29 – June 4, 2023

TV/Streaming Services

All times listed are Eastern Time/Pacific Time, unless otherwise noted.

The three-episode docuseries “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace” premieres on Monday, May 29, on Max and Discovery+ at 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT and on Investigation Discovery at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Monday, May 29

“The Curious Case of Natalia Grace” (Three episode docuseries)
Monday, May 29, 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT, Max and Discovery+

“Fatal Attraction”
“An Unthinkable End” (Episode 1335)
Monday, May 29, 8 p.m., TV One

“White House Plumbers”
“True Believers” (Episode 105) **Series Finale**
Monday, May 29, 9 p.m., HBO

“The Curious Case of Natalia Grace”
“Orphan or Imposter?” (Episode 101) **Series Premiere**
Monday, May 29, 9 p.m., Investigation Discovery

“Payback”
“Cycle of Violence” (Episode 202)
Monday, May 29, 10 p.m., TV One

Tuesday, May 30

“The Curious Case of Natalia Grace”
“Victim or Villain?” (Episode 102)
Tuesday, May 30, 9 p.m., Investigation Discovery

“Frontline”
“After Uvalde: Guns, Grief & Texas Politics”
Tuesday, May 30, 9 p.m., PBS

Wednesday, May 31

“Dateline”
“Deadly Liaisons”
Wednesday, May 31, 9 p.m., Oxygen

“To Catch a Smuggler”
“Bananas and Blow” (Episode 504)
Wednesday, May 31, 9 p.m., National Geographic

“The Curious Case of Natalia Grace”
“Barnett vs. Barnett” (Episode 103) **Series Finale**
Wednesday, May 31, 9 p.m., Investigation Discovery

“I Survived a Crime”
“A Lifetime of Grief” (Episode 2604)
Wednesday, May 31, 10 p.m., A&E

“Drug Lords: The Takedown”
“Made in America” (Episode 106)
Wednesday, May 31, 10 p.m., National Geographic

“Matriarch of Murder?” (TV Special)
Wednesday, May 31, 11 p.m., Investigation Discovery

Thursday, June 1

“A Time to Kill”
“Highway to Hell” (Episode 708)
Thursday, June 1, 9 p.m., Investigation Discovery

“Murder in the Big Apple”
“Friends, Lovers, Killers” (Episode 104)
Thursday, June 1, 10 p.m., Investigation Discovery

Friday, June 2

“Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” (Four episode-docuseries)
Friday, June 2, 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT, Prime Video

“Cops”
TBA
Friday, June 2, 6 p.m., Fox Nation

“On Patrol: Live”
TBA
Friday, June 2, 9 p.m., Reelz

“Dateline”
TBA
Friday, June 2, 9 p.m., NBC

“The Real Murders of Orange County”
TBA (Episode 302)
Friday, June 2, 9 p.m., Oxygen

Saturday, June 3

“On Patrol: First Shift”
TBA
Saturday, June 3, 8 p.m., Reelz

“On Patrol: Live”
TBA
Saturday, June 3, 9 p.m., Reelz

“Accident, Suicide or Murder”
“Cutting Ties” (Episode 419)
Saturday, June 3, 8 p.m., Oxygen

“To Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific”
“Pill Peddlers” (Episode 711)
Saturday, June 3, 9 p.m., National Geographic

“To Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific”
“Christmas Crocodile” (Episode 712)
Saturday, June 3, 9:30 p.m., National Geographic

“Sex and Murder”
(Episode 101) **Series Premiere**
Saturday, June 3, 10 p.m., Investgation Discovery

“To Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific”
“Secret Stash: Popped for Pills”
Saturday, June 3, 10 p.m., National Geographic

Sunday, June 4

“Snapped”
“TBA” (Episode 3216)
Sunday, June 4, 6 p.m., Oxygen

“Killer Relationship With Faith Jenkins”
“Forbidden Love” (Episode 202)
Sunday, June 4, 7 p.m., Oxygen

“American Monster”
“Day Three After Murder” (Episode 912)
Sunday, June 4, 9 p.m., Investigation Discovery

“Married to Evil”
“Killer Kin” (Episode 102)
Sunday, June 4, 10 p.m., Investigation Discovery

Movies in Theaters or on Home Video

No new true crime movies premiering in theaters or on home video this week.

Radio/Podcasts

No new true crime podcasts premiering this week.

Events

Events listed here are not considered endorsements by this website. All ticket buyers with questions or concerns about the event should contact the event promoter or ticket seller directly.

All start times listed are local time, unless otherwise noted..

No new true crime events this week.

Review: ‘Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,’ starring Michael J. Fox

May 14, 2023

by Carla Hay

“Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie”

Directed by Davis Guggenheim

Culture Representation: The documentary film “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” features an all-white group of people discussing the life and career of retired actor Michael J. Fox.

Culture Clash: Fox has dealt with major health issues in his life, including Parkinson’s disease and alcoholism.

Culture Audience: Besides appealing to the obvious fan base of Michael J. Fox fans, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” will appeal primarily to people who are interested in celebrity documentaries and documentaries about health issues.

An archival photo of Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan in “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” (Photo courtesy of Apple TV+)

Inspiring and with superb film editing, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” is a must-see documentary for anyone who wants to get a personal look at how Michael J. Fox refused to make his Parkinson’s disease into a tragedy but instead turned it into a triumph. The movie could have easily been a complete nostalgia trip, but the movie’s narrative cuts back and forth from the past to when the documentary was filmed, mostly in 2021 and 2022. It’s a visually striking contrast of Fox’s life when he was an award-winning, working actor to his current life of being a retired actor who continues to be an activist for Parkinson’s disease awareness and research. What hasn’t changed is that Fox still has a charming mix of confidence and self-deprecating wit.

Directed by Davis Guggenheim and narrated by Fox, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Story” doesn’t play coy about Fox living with Parkinson’s disease. The movie (which has several re-enactments) begins in Florida 1990, with a recreation of Fox waking up in a hotel room “with a ferocious hangover” and seeing the first signs that he had this disease: He saw one of his pinky fingers trembling uncontrollably. His bodyguard also had to prop him up when Fox tried to walk to the elevator. (Danny Irizarry, whose face is not shown in the movie, portrays Fox in the documentary’s re-enactments.)

At first, Fox assumed that his loss of muscle control was due to the heavy partying he had done the night before with actor Woody Harrelson. But as the world now knows, Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, but he didn’t go public about it until 1998. One of the most emotionally moving parts of the documentary is how Fox describes hiding this disease was in many ways just as damaging to his psyche as the disease was damaging to his body.

“Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. There isn’t really anything new in “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” that he hasn’t already revealed in his memoirs (2002’s “Lucky Man: A Memoir by Michael J. Fox” and 2020’s “No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality”) or in interviews that he’s given before this documentary was made. But there never before has been a documentary like this made about Fox with Fox’s participation. Instead of just being a boring compilaton of archival clips and interviews, the documentary vividly brings Fox’s story to cinematic life with the way the movie uses clips from his on-screen roles to cleverly match the emotions and situations that Fox describes in his narration.

By now, most people who know why Fox is famous are already aware of his career highlights. Born in 1961 in the Canadian city of Edmonton, Alberta, he rose to fame in the 1980s, with starring roles in the 1982 to 1989 comedy TV series “Family Ties” (for which he won three Primetime Emmy Awards) and his breakthrough movie role in the 1985 sci-fi time-traveling comedy blockbuster “Back to the Future.” Many people also know about several of Fox’s other movies (such as 1985’s “Teen Wolf,” 1987’s “The Secret to My Success” and the “Stuart Little” movies), as well and his TV sitcom comeback in “Spin City,” which he starred in from 1996 to 2000. Fox won his fourth Primetime Emmy Award for “Spin City.” He won his fifth Primetime Emmy Award in 2009 for being a guest actor on the drama series “Rescue Me.”

Many of Fox’s fans already know the story of how he started acting while he was a child growing up in the Vancouver suburb of Burnaby. As someone who was always shorter than most of his peers, Fox learned at an early age to use comedy as a way to make people like him—or at least back off a little from bullying or insulting him. In the documentary, Fox describes his teenage years as being an academically dismal student and a “serial fender bender.” He also had a rocky relationship with his retired military father, whom Fox describes as a pragmatist with a quick temper.

Fox decided to drop out of high school at age 17 to pursue an acting career full-time in the Los Angeles area. In the documentary, Fox says that he was surprised that his strict father didn’t put up much of fuss over this decision. Fox remembers his father telling him this analogy: “If you’re going to be a lumberjack, you better go to the goddamn forest.”

Like many struggling actors in the Los Angeles area, Fox was living in near-poverty and was able to book some jobs, but they weren’t enough to pay the bills. His big break as conservative teen Alex P. Keaton on “Family Ties” came about because actor Matthew Broderick wasn’t available for the role, and Fox was able to win over a skeptical David Gordon Green, the showrunner of “Family Ties.” In the documentary, Fox describes the first time he made people laugh in his “Family Ties” audition was a high that was like no other: “No drink, no drug, not woman could touch that moment.”

Fox’s starring role as time-traveling teen Marty McFly in “Back to the Future” also came about because he wasn’t the first choice: Eric Stoltz was originally cast in the role and had started filming the movie when “Back to the Future” director Robert Zemeckis fired Stoltz for not being a good fit for the movie’s comedy. Just as Fox described in many other interviews and in his memoirs, for about three months, Fox kept a grueling schedule where he worked on “Family Ties” and “Back to the Future” at the same time. “Back to the Future” made him a household name worldwide.

Also duly noted in the documentary is the love story between Fox and Tracy Pollan, a theater-trained actress who played Alex P. Keaton’s girlfriend on “Family Ties.” Life imitated art. Fox and Pollan fell in love, and they got married in 1988. In the documentary, Fox says one of the reasons why he fell in love with Pollan was because she wasn’t impressed by his stardom and was honest with him, even if it might hurt his feelings.

Fox and Pollan have four children: son Sam (born in 1989); twin daughters Aquinnah and Schuyler (born in 1995); and daughter Esmé (born November 3, 2001). All four of the kids and Pollan are in the documentary with Fox. They are shown joking around with each other and being a loving family.

“Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” doesn’t clutter up the movie with “experts” or “talking heads” discussing Fox. Occasionally, director Guggenheim can be heard talking to Fox off-camera. One of the questions that Guggenheim asks Fox is: “Before [you had] Parkinson’s, what did it mean to be still?” Fox replies, “I don’t know. I don’t remember being still.”

The documentary frequently juxtaposes Fox’s career highs with current footage that shows the contrast of what his life is like now: He has difficulty walking and is in constant physical therapy. Falling down and hurting himself is a fact of life for him. One of the early scenes in the movie shows him taking a hard tumble on a sidewalk. In another scene, he has to have makeup applied to his fractured left cheekbone because of another fall that isn’t shown in the movie. There’s a montage of clips showing the tricks he used to do on camera to hide his shaking hands when his Parkinson’s disease was a secret from the public.

Fox also gets candid about becoming an alcoholic after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but he says he got sober in 1992. His father’s sudden death of a heart attack in 1990 also shook him to the core. Fox says it was like crossing another painful threshold in adulthood. He also admits there was a period of time from the late 1980s to the early 1990s when he became a workaholic in movies because he was under the delusion that keeping busy with work would make his Parkinson’s disease go away. His workaholic lifestyle and making movies far away from his home were taking a toll on his family life, which is why he decided to go back to doing a TV series with “Spin City.”

The Michael J. Fox Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to Parkinson’s disease resources and research, is mentioned as one of the most significant accomplishments of Fox’s life. The foundation has raised more than $2 billion, according to the documentary. Fox has also been an outspoken activist who has testified in front of congressional committees and campaigned for more government funding for Parkinson’s disease.

Despite all the information in “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” that has already been revealed in other media, there’s no denying that seeing Fox open up in a movie about his life is illumninating in ways that can’t be done in a book, news article or a short interview. What emerges in the documentary is a portrait of someone who is not afraid to reflect on his life (including his past mistakes and failings) but doesn’t want to be stuck in the past. And most importantly, the movie is a positive example of how someone with a disease that weakens the body can gain emotional strength and help others.

Apple Studios released “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” in select U.S. cinemas and on Apple TV+ on May 12, 2023.

Review: ‘1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed,’ a documentary directed by W. Kamau Bell about mixed-race children and their family members

May 14, 2023

by Carla Hay

“1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed”

Directed by W. Kamau Bell

Culture Representation: Taking place in the San Francisco Bay Area, the documentary film “1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed” features a racially diverse group of middle-class family members discussing what it’s like to be in multiracial families.

Culture Clash: Mixed-race children experience issues such as racism and pressure to identify with one race over another.

Culture Audience: “1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed” will appeal primarily to people who want to see a documentary about multiracial families, although the movie is admittedly limited to the director W. Kamau Bell’s circle of friends and family members.

Interviewees in “1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed.” Pictured in top row, from left to right; father Bongo, daughter Samaya and mother Joti; siblings Myles and Georgio; mother Pica, daughter Kanani and father Anibal. Middle row, pictured from left to right: father Bryant, daughter Mila and mother Jidan; uncle Greg and niece Kaylin; paternal grandmother Janet, granddaughter Juno, granddaughter Sami and maternal grandmother Chris. Bottom row, from left to right: father Paolo, daughter Presley and mother Jenn; siblings Khalil, Anisa and Ibrahim; friends Carter and Nola. (Photo collage courtesy of HBO)

The insightful documentary “1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed” has wonderfully thoughtful groups of multiracial people and some of their families candidly sharing their stories. “1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed” director/executive producer W. Kamau Bell, who has biracial children, briefly narrates the movie and can be heard off-camera asking some of the interview questions. Bell tells viewers up front that he mostly interviewed members of family and his social circle in the politically liberal San Francisco Bay Area. All of the interviewees, except for Bell’s family members, do not have their last names revealed in the documentary. John Legend, who is also a father of multiracial children, is one of the other executive producers of the documentary.

The biggest drawback to this one-hour documentary is that there could have been more variety in the socioeconomic statuses and residencies of the interviewees. The people who are interviewed clearly have the privilege of being educated and living in an area where there are numerous interracial families. However, these advantages don’t mean that their stories are less valid or less meaningful, or that they don’t experience racism and other ignorance that all multiracial families experience at one time or another.

W. Kamau Bell (who is African American) and his wife Melissa (who is white), who have been married since 2009, have three daughters: Sami, Juno and Asha. Their eldest daughter Sami (who was 10 years old when she was interviewed for the documentary) and middle daughter Juno (who was 7 years old) have obviously been taught well about what to say about living life in a multiracial family. Like all of the kids in the documentary, they are intelligent, articulate and empathetic when it comes to race and social issues.

Juno says she wasn’t aware of how many people expect her to identify as only one race until a girl at her school incorrectly told Juno that Juno is white. Juno said she felt sad that one of her races wasn’t acknowledged. It’s a challenge that all the mixed-race interviewees say that they’ve experienced at some point in their lives: people expecting multiracial people to prefer or identify with one race over another. And those expectations don’t always come from outsiders. They often come from within a family or from multiracial people themselves.

The good news for multiracial families that is there is now more awareness and tolerance for people’s mixed-race identities, compared to previous decades, when it comes to checking racial identity boxes on documents. In the past, the box would often just say “other” for multiracial people. Now, the box is more likely to say “mixed-race” or “multiracial.”

Myles, an 11-year-old interviewee whose father is African American and whose mother is Filipina, has a brother named Georgio, who is 22 years older than Myles. Georgio and Myles, who both love to play basketball, are interviewed separately and together in the film. Georgio says that when he was Myles’ age, there weren’t as many resources and information for mixed-race people as there are now. “I’m glad that space is there,” Georgio comments about this cultural shift in American society that makes more room for multiracial people.

Georgio also says that where a mixed-race child goes to school can make a big difference in that person’s self-esteem and views of the world. Georgio remembers that when he was in elementary school, he was one of only a few kids in the school who had being black as part of their racial identities, so he identified more as Filipino, because he felt he would be more accepted that way. Georgio’s middle school had many more black students than his elementary school did, but Georgio says he wasn’t fully accepted by black people at the middle school because the black people thought Georgio wasn’t “black enough.” Georgio says he found acceptance and comfort by being on the school’s basketball team, but the racism he experienced still had an effect on him.

One of the best things about “1000% Me” is that it acknowledges the harsh reality that people of color are often judged in terms of a warped racial hierarchy, where certain non-white races are considered “better” than others. An example is a story told by Kaylin, a 16-year-old girl who identifies as black, white and Korean. Her parents are also mixed-race.

Kaylin’s mother has African American as part of her racial identity. Kaylin confesses that her mother won’t like it that Kaylin is sharing this family secret in the documentary, but she says that when her mother filled out the racial identity part of Kaylin’s school application, her mother only identified Kaylin as white and Asian, not as black. Kaylin’s mother is not interviewed in the documentary, but Kaylin’s guidance counselor uncle Greg is interviewed, because he and Kaylin have a close relationship. Greg says his white mother never liked to talk about race.

Kaylin says she felt very hurt at the time she found out that that her own mother was denying that Kaylin is partially black. But now, Kaylin says she understands why her mother did that: Because of black people’s history of enslavement and other oppression in America, Kaylin thinks her mother wanted to protect Kaylin from the racists who think black people are the lowest of all the races. It’s a pathetically racist mindset to rank one race as better than another, but it’s unfortunately true, if you look a how many people don’t have a problem interacting with any race except black people.

And oftentimes, white supremacy is internalized by people of color who want to look as white as possible in order to be accepted. Paolo (who is a Filipino immigrant) and his white American wife Jenn met through their mutual passion for motorcycle riding. They have a daughter named Presley (named after Elvis Presley), who loves to sing (she rides with her father on his karaoke motorcycle), play bass guitar and play volleyball. All three family members are interviewed in the documentary.

Paolo says that when he was growing up in the Philippines, he was taught not to get too tan because he was told that it was desirable to have the lightest skin tone possible. When he moved to America as a child, he only wanted to be friends with white people, because he thought it would make his life easier. Paolo says that it wasn’t until after Donald Trump was elected president of the U.S. that Paolo started to embrace his Filipino identity. Paolo comments that this awakening was a reaction to Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies, which disproportionately targeted non-white immigrants.

Speaking of immigrants in America, the documentary also addresses the issues of multiracial children who not only have more than one cultural identity but are also the children of non-English-speaking immigrants and therefore speak more than one language. Such is the case with 11-year-old Kanani. Her father Anibal is a Latino and indigenous immigrant originally from Costa Rica. Kanani’s mother Pica is a white American who was raised in the San Diego area.

Kanani and her parents, who are all interviewed in the documentary, talk about how Kanani is being raised with a strong sense of her Costa Rican heritage. Kanani says she goes to visit her father’s side of the family in Costa Rica at least twice a year, and she participates in traditional Costa Rican customs. Kanani’s parents also made the decision to teach her to speak only Spanish before she was old enough to go to school. Kanani’s parents figured that Kanani could learn English when she reached kindergarten age.

Even though the United States does not have an official language, Pica describes getting a rude awakening about the hostility that people can get in America if they don’t speak English. She said it happened when Kanani was pre-school age, and some kids around the same age got into a dispute with Kanani. One of the other kid’s mothers told Pica that the dispute wouldn’t have happened if Kanani knew how to speak English. Pica gets teary and emotional when she remembers this experience, while admitting that because she grew up a white person in America, she wasn’t fully aware that kids who aren’t white could experience this type of racism at such an early age.

Some interracial couples give their children names that are combination of both parents’ cultural heritages. A 7-year-old girl named Sumaya and her parents Bongo (who is originally from Guinea) and her mother Joti (who is originally from India) was given a name that is a mixture of these two cultures. Bongo and Joti also have another daughter, and the spouses made the unusual decision to give the two daughters different surnames. Sumaya has Boti’s last name, while the other daughter has Joti’s maiden last name.

Meanwhile, 10-year-old Mila’s full first name is Funmilayo. She was named after Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a Nigerian activist/educator. Mila’s middle name is Chow-Mei Mia’s father Bryant is an African American who grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. Mila’s mother Jidan is a Chinese American who grew up in Berkely, California. All three family members are interviewed in the movie.

Three siblings with an African American father and a Pakistani mother are interviewed in the documentary: Anisa (11 years old) and her brothers Ibrahim (13 years old) and Khalil (15 years old). All three siblings are being raised as Muslim. Anisa says she’s proud to be the only Muslim in her school class and that she enjoys wearing traditional Muslim clothing (such as a hijab) in public. Anisa says the only thing that bothers her about her family is that her brothers sometimes pick on her because she’s smaller than she is and because she’s a girl.

Another multiracial kid who’s very confident about her racial identity is Mila, who refuses to choose one race over another. Mila’s mother Jidan gets emotional when remembering how she and Bryant got into a big argument when Jidan was younger because Bryant didn’t want Jidan to go to school with mismatched socks, while Jidean didn’t think it was that big of a deal that the socks were mismatched. Bryant had to explain to Jidan that he didn’t want people at the school to think that Jidan was a black girl who wasn’t getting proper care at home.

It’s a prejudice that Bryant said he learned from experience growing up in the Deep South that could lead to bigger problems for African American kids and their parents. Jidan says it pained her to find out that something as simple as wearing mismatched socks to school could have different repercussions for black kids, compared to kids of other races. Now that Mila is older, Bryant says he’s relaxed his views on what types of socks that Mila can wear.

An interesting part of the documentary is when W. Kamau Bell’s mother Janet and Melissa Bell’s mother Chris are interviewed together about what it was like growing up in racially segregated America and what it’s like to be grandmothers of mixed-race children. A segment in the documentary shows granddaughters Sami and Juno sitting in between their grandmothers on couch. Sami explains to Juno for the first time how in their grandmother’s youth, it was legal for white people to be kept separate from all other races and to have more rights than other races. Juno is shown looking shocked that her grandmothers and other people had to live this way in America.

A mixed-race man named Roy, who says he was born in 1941, also recalls this shameful era in America. He says back then, people didn’t know what to call his racial identity except “mulatto” (which is a word he disliked), or he was simply identified as “black” or “Negro,” since he obviously wasn’t completely white.

“1000% Me” also includes mixed-race people who are adopted by white people. In the case of best friends Carter and Nola (both 13-year-old girls), they were each adopted by white lesbian couples. Carter, who is black and Latina, is W. Kamau Bell’s goddaughter. Nola is white and black. Carter says that there are racial issues that her white mothers might not fully understand, so she’s grateful that she can sometimes get support and advice from her adopted 22-year-old African American sister Olivia, who is briefly shown in the movie with Carter and Nola. As Nola says in the documentary about being a mixed-race person: “Being multiple things doesn’t make you any less of those things.”

Mixed-race people have always existed, but it’s taken a surprisingly long time for there to be a comprehensive documentary film about it. Census data suggest that the number of mixed-race people will continue to grow in the United States. “1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed” is an admirable start to helping open up the conversation even more about mixed-race people.

Erica, who identifies as black and Japanese, is a therapist interviewed in the documentary. She has this to say about race relations in America: “We have a lot of work to do. We live in a deeply racist society. … There’s a lot of danger in not talking about race.” In other words, ignoring the problem will only make it worse. “1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed” is a worthy step in the right direction to helping being a solution to the problem.

HBO and HBO Max premiered “1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed” on May 2, 2023.

Review: ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter,’ starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson, Andy Garcia and Don Johnson

May 8, 2023

by Carla Hay

“Book Club: The Next Chapter”

Directed by Bill Holderman

Culture Representation: Taking place in Italy and briefly in the Los Angeles area in 2020 and 2021, the comedy film “Book Club: The Next Chapter” (a sequel to 2018’s “Book Club”) features a predominantly white cast of characters (with a few black people and Latinos) representing the working-class, middle-class and wealthy.

Culture Clash: Four elderly American women, who are best friends, travel to Italy to have a bachelorette party trip for one of the women who’s getting married, but they experience complications along the way.

Culture Audience: “Book Club: The Next Chapter” will appeal primarily to people who are fans of the movie’s stars, the first “Book Club” movie and comedies about how senior citizens experience love, friendships and romance.

Don Johnson in “Book Club: The Next Chapter” (Photo by Riccardo Ghilardi/Fifth Season LLC/Focus Features)

“Book Club: The Next Chapter” is a comedy sequel where the book club exists in name only. Instead of reading books, the four women who are the longtime best friends at the center of the movie are reading attitudes about love and marriage when they go from their homes in the Los Angeles area to Italy for a bachelorette party trip. “Book Club: The Next Chapter” is a sequel to 2018’s “Book Club.” This breezy sequel puts more emphasis on the four best friends spending time together as a group. The movie doubles down on the sexual double entendres that are sometimes amusing, sometimes tacky. “Book Club: The Next Chapter” has its heart in the right place though and should be entertaining for anyone who is a fan of any of the movie’s headliners.

“Book Club” and “Book Club: The Next Chapter” are both directed by Bill Holderman and written by Holderman and Erin Simms. It’s very helpful to see or know about what happened in “Book Club,” in order to fully enjoy and understand “Book Club: The Next Chapter.” The love relationship issues that each of the four main characters had in the first “Book Club” movie are not fully explained in the beginning of “Book Club: The Next Chapter,” which takes place in 2020 and 2021.

In the first “Book Club” movie, the four main characters are also the four members of a book club that they’ve had since 1974. (Erica Jong’s feminist novel “Fear of Flying” was the book club’s first selection.) As part of the book club, the women read E.L. James’ erotic “Fifty Shades” book series, which inspires them to spice up their love lives. In “Book Club: The Next Chapter,” the focus is on a bachelorette party trip to Italy for the woman in the group who has never been married. The expected hijinks ensue in Italy, including stolen luggage, language barriers, and one of the women finding a possible love interest in Italy.

The four women who are at the center of the story are as follows:

Diane Whittaker (played by Diane Keaton), the most neurotic and nervous of the four friends, is a widowed mother of two adult daughters and is the narrator of the “Book Club” movies. In the first “Book Club” movie, Diane met and fell in love with an airline pilot named Mitchell (played by Andy Garcia), who treats her with kindness and respect. In the first “Book Club” movie, Diane was hesitant to date Mitchell because she was still grieving over the death of her husband. But in Book Club: The Next Chapter,” Diane and Mitchell are still going strong in a happy relationship and are now living together.

Vivian O’Donnell (played by Jane Fonda), the most strong-willed and assertive of the four friends, is a high-powered hotel mogul, who is admittedly commitment-phobic because she’s afraid of losing her independence. She’s never been married and has no children. The love of Vivian’s life is a now-retired music producer named Arthur (played by Don Johnson), a charismatic suitor, who proposed marriage Vivian back in the late 1970s, but she declined the offer. In “Book Club” (mild spoiler alert), Arthur came back into Vivian’s life, and they rekindled their romance, but had a few predictable obstacles along the way. In the beginning of “Book Club: The Next Chapter,” Vivian tells her three best friends that she and Arthur are now engaged to be married. The four friends decide to go to Italy for a bachelorette party for Vivian.

Sharon Meyers (played by Candice Bergen), the most sarcastic and logical of the four friends, is a retired federal judge and a divorcée. Sharon got divorced from the father of her adult son sometime around the year 2000. In the first “Book Club” movie, Sharon was bitter because her ex-husband got engaged to a much younger woman, and Sharon’s son got engaged to a woman whom Sharon had never met. But in the first “Book Club” movie, Sharon decided to get back into the dating scene, and she eventually made peace with her ex-husband, whom she had dumped because Sharon thinks he’s intellectually inferior to her. In “Book Club: The Next Chapter,” Sharon is newly retired and is the only woman of the four friends who’s not in a committed relationship and isn’t dating anyone special.

Carol Colby (played by Mary Steenburgen), the most nurturing and sensitive of the four friends, is a restaurateur who has been in a longtime marriage to her retired husband Bruce (played by Craig T. Nelson), who can be emotionally distant but who is an overall loyal spouse. Bruce and Carol have three adult children together: two daughters and a son. In the first “Book Club” movie, Carol was distressed because Bruce had lost interest in having sex with her. It should come as no surprise that this issue was resolved by the end of the film. In the beginning of “Book Club: The Next Chapter,” Carol has closed her restaurant permanently, because the COVID-19 pandemic caused irreparable financial damage to the restaurant. Now a retiree, Carol has become preoccupied with worries about Bruce’s health, ever since he had a minor heart attack.

“Book Club: The Next Chapter” has several mentions and references to the COVID-19 pandemic. The movie’s opening scene, which takes place in 2020, shows the four pals speaking together in a videoconference call during the height of the quarantine lockdowns. When they finally reunite in person about a year later, they’ve all been fully vaccinated. Carol is the one who suggests taking the trip to Italy because the four friends had planned the trip years ago but kept delaying it. Carol thinks that Vivian’s engagement is the perfect reason to finally take this trip to Italy.

Carol might have another reason to want to go to Italy. Decades ago, when she was a single woman, she had a short-lived, hot romance with an Italian man named Gianni (played by Vincent Riotta), who was an aspiring chef when Carol knew him. She’s not interested in rekindling what they had, but Carol is curious to know about what Gianni looks like now and what he’s been doing with his life. What are the odds in a romantic comedy that Carol will see Gianni again?

As for Sharon, she’s keeping her options open when it comes to love and romance. And through a series of circumstances in Italy, Sharon meets a retired professor of philosophy named Ouzmane (played by Hugh Quarshie), who is charming and intelligent. In other words, he’s Sharon’s type of man. Will they or won’t they have a love connection?

“Book Club: The Next Chapter” has the expected corniness, such as the four women making jokes when they go to museums and look at statues of naked men, or mistaking a real police officer for being a male stripper. But the movie also has some serious moments, when the four pals talk about their fears of rejection and death. A catch phrase they use when they’re about to have a candid heart-to-heart conversation is “Best friend, tough love.”

Some of the platitudes are often trite though. During one of these “real talks,” Diane somewhat lectures Carol, who has become obsessively worried about leaving her husband Bruce home alone during this trip. Carol thinks that if anything goes wrong with his health again, she should be there for Bruce. Diane tells Carol: “You’re so afraid of Bruce dying, you’re afraid of living.”

Although the movie has some unrealistic-looking comedy, the main reason to watch “Book Club: The Next Chapter” is the lively banter between all four of these characters. The chemistry between Keaton, Fonda, Bergen and Steenburgen looks authentic in their portrayal of longtime friends. The direction of the movie is solid but not outstanding.

And if anything else, viewers can at least enjoy the gorgeous scenery, as the four friends travel to picturesque cities in Italy, such as Venice and Tuscany. The last third of the film has a few twists and turns, but nothing too surprising. If the purpose of “Book Club: The Next Chapter” is to show how women over the age of 65 can have vibrant and interesting lives, despite what is often inaccurately portrayed in the media, than the movie fulfills that purpose.

Focus Features will release “Book Club: The Next Chapter” in U.S. cinemas on May 12, 2023. A sneak preview of the movie was held at select U.S. cinemas on May 7, 2023.

Max debuts culinary unscripted series ‘What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel’

May 4, 2023

Zooey Deschanel discussing salad shopping in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

The following is a press release from Max (formerly known as HBO Max):

The Max Original six-episode unscripted series WHAT AM I EATING? WITH ZOOEY DESCHANEL debuts TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023 on Max. The series is produced by ATTN:, a Candle Media company.

Logline: Zooey Deschanel is on a mission to solve everyday food dilemmas by asking the tough questions we all have about what we eat. In the supermarket and in our own kitchens, Zooey explores common food mysteries and reveals the shocking truths big food manufacturers want to hide as she uncovers simple solutions to the question, “What am I eating?”

Will Lydgate explaining growing process to Sophia Roe in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Zooey Deschanel mixing ingredients with Jessie Sheehan in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Zooey Deschanel and Brandon Shahniani preparing a phosphate drink in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Zooey Deschanel at Munchies in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Paola Velez and Alex Weiser tasting rye grain in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Zooey Deschanel and Stephanie Tantillo in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Francis “River” Sullivan of Grow Good Urban Farm with Zooey Deschanel in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Kevin Curry and Tirzah Love in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

David Allen Burns and Austin Young of Fallen Fruit with Zooey Deschanel at Stoneview Nature Center in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Kevin Curry talking to Sara Hays Conner about IMF in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Zooey Deschanel and Anna McGorman in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Carlos Parisi and Lauren Cornell in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Dariany Santana, Kristopher Gean and Molly Gean in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Carlos Parisi and Cid Da Silva in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Sophia Roe and Valentine Humer in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Chef Timothy Hollingsworth of Otium Restaurant in “What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel” (Photo courtesy of Max)

Episode Descriptions:

Episode 1: “Big, Fat Lies” – Let’s face it. Fat. Is. Delicious. Turns out, it’s also nutritious, and we may have all been lied to for decades. Zooey Deschanel works with correspondents Carlos Parisi and Sophia Roe to give us the skinny on the right fats and oils we should be buying.

Episode 2: “Down To Fruit?” – Fruit can be organic, conventional, fresh or preserved, and the options are overwhelming! Zooey Deschanel joins Dariany Santana and Carlos Parisi to uncover which fruits should be our new BFFs and if non-organic is the friend we never knew we had.

Episode 3: “Cereal Thriller” – From sugar bombs to fruity circles, modern cereal has strayed far from its healthy origins. Zooey Deschanel gets some help from correspondents Carlos Parisi and Kevin Curry to discover new ways to get cereal back on the breakfast table.

Episode 4: “Stop Ghosting Greens” – In a world that thinks greens are gross, tasteless, and boring, Zooey Deschanel gets some pro tips from Dariany Santana and Kevin Curry that uncover the most delicious trends in the “greeniverse” and pinpoint the dream greens we should all be eating.

Episode 5: “No Pain, Eat Your Grain” – With diets avoiding carbs like the plague, grains have gotten a bad rap for years. Zooey Deschanel and correspondent Paola Velez flip the script as they explore ways to help us decide which grains should become our new grocery aisle buddies.

Episode 6: “Is Chocolate The Lover You’ve Been Neglecting?” – Zooey Deschanel considers eating chocolate every day as she decodes the mysteries surrounding one of the world’s most beloved sweets. Plus, correspondent Sophia Roe visits a chocolate farm to prove chocolate should be sliding into your DMs.

2023 Tony Awards: ‘Some Like It Hot’ is the top nominee

May 2, 2023

The following is a press release from the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League:

Nominations in 26 competitive categories for the American Theatre Wing’s 76th Annual Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards® were announced by star of Funny Girl Lea Michele and 2022 Tony Award-winner Myles Frost. The nominees were selected by an independent committee of 40 theatre professionals appointed by the Tony Awards Administration Committee. The 2023 Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. (The list of nominations follows.)

Marking 76 years of excellence on Broadway, The Tony Awards, hosted by Ariana DeBose, will air LIVE on Sunday, June 11, 2023 from the historic United Palace in Washington Heights, in New York City from 8:00-11:00 PM, ET/5:00-8:00 PM, PT on the CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+.

CBS and Pluto TV will present The Tony Awards: Act One, a pre-show of live, exclusive content leading into the 76th Annual Tony Awards. The celebration commences at 6:30-8:00 PM, ET/3:30-5:00 PM PT, on Pluto TV, the leading free streaming television service (FAST). Viewers can access the show on their smart TV, streaming device, mobile app or online by going to Pluto TV and clicking on the “Pluto TV Celebrity” channel (no payment, registration or sign-in required).

Legitimate theatrical productions opening in any of the 41 eligible Broadway theatres during the current season may be considered for Tony nominations. The 2022/2023 eligibility season began Thursday, May 5, 2022 and ended Thursday, April 27, 2023. The Tony Awards will be voted in 26 competitive categories by 769 designated Tony voters within the theatre community.

As previously announced, the 2023 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre will be presented to Lisa Dawn Cave, Victoria Bailey and Robert Fried. The Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award will be presented to Jerry Mitchell.

The 2022-2023 Tony Award Nominating Committee consists of: Warren Adams, Becky Ann Baker, Pun Bandhu, Brenda Braxton, Christopher Burney, Eisa Davis, Carmel Dean, Jerry Dixon, Dionne Figgins, Kamilah Forbes, Scott Frankel, M L Geiger, Jessica Hagedorn, Raja Feather Kelly, John Kilgore, Kathy Landau, Andrea Lauer, Zhailon Levingston, Jose Llana, Priscilla Lopez, John Mauceri, Jess McLeod, James C. Nicola, Antoinette Nwandu, Peter Parnell, Ralph B. Peña, Nancy Piccione, Bill Rauch, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Susan Sampliner, Dick Scanlan, Kimberly Senior, Rachel Sheinkin, Devario Simmons, Natasha Sinha, Michael Stotts, Reginald Van Lee, Michael Benjamin Washington and Ben Wexler.

The Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards are bestowed annually on theatre professionals for distinguished achievement. The Tony is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and the annual telecast is considered one of the most prestigious programs on television.

The 2023 American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. At The Broadway League, Lauren Reid is Chair and Charlotte St. Martin is President. At the American Theater Wing, Emilio Sosa is Chair and Heather A. Hitchens is President & CEO.

For the CBS broadcast, Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss/White Cherry Entertainment are Executive Producers. Weiss also serves as Director.

A limited number of tickets for the 2023 Tony Awards are currently on sale at: TonyAwards.com/tickets.

Sponsors for The Tony Awards include: Carnegie Mellon University – the first-ever, exclusive higher education partner; City National Bank – official bank of The Tony Awards; Playbill; Sofitel New York – the official hotel of The Tony Awards; United Airlines – the official airline of The Tony Awards for over 20 years; Zacapa Rum – the official partner of the Tony Awards; Baccarat – the official partner of the Tony Awards; and Ketel One Vodka – the official partner of the Tony Awards.

# # #

Nominations for the 2023 American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards®
Presented by The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League

Best Book of a Musical

& Juliet

David West Read

Kimberly Akimbo

David Lindsay-Abaire

New York, New York

David Thompson & Sharon Washington

Shucked

Robert Horn

Some Like It Hot

Matthew López & Amber Ruffin

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Almost Famous

Music: Tom Kitt
Lyrics: Cameron Crowe & Tom Kitt

Kimberly Akimbo

Music: Jeanine Tesori
Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire

KPOP

Music & Lyrics: Helen Park & Max Vernon

Shucked

Music and Lyrics: Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally

Some Like It Hot

Music: Marc Shaiman
Lyrics: Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog
Corey Hawkins, Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog
Sean Hayes, Good Night, Oscar
Stephen McKinley Henderson, Between Riverside and Crazy
Wendell Pierce, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Jessica Chastain, A Doll’s House
Jodie Comer, Prima Facie
Jessica Hecht, Summer, 1976
Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Christian Borle, Some Like It Hot
J. Harrison Ghee, Some Like It Hot
Josh Groban, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Brian d’Arcy James, Into the Woods
Ben Platt, Parade
Colton Ryan, New York, New York

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Annaleigh Ashford, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Sara Bareilles, Into the Woods
Victoria Clark, Kimberly Akimbo
Lorna Courtney, & Juliet
Micaela Diamond, Parade

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Jordan E. Cooper, Ain’t No Mo’
Samuel L. Jackson, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson
Arian Moayed, A Doll’s House
Brandon Uranowitz, Leopoldstadt
David Zayas, Cost of Living

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Nikki Crawford, Fat Ham
Crystal Lucas-Perry, Ain’t No Mo’
Miriam Silverman, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window
Katy Sullivan, Cost of Living
Kara Young, Cost of Living

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Kevin Cahoon, Shucked
Justin Cooley, Kimberly Akimbo
Kevin Del Aguila, Some Like It Hot
Jordan Donica, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot
Alex Newell, Shucked

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Julia Lester, Into the Woods
Ruthie Ann Miles, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Bonnie Milligan, Kimberly Akimbo
NaTasha Yvette Williams, Some Like It Hot
Betsy Wolfe, & Juliet

Best Scenic Design of a Play

Miriam Buether, Prima Facie
Tim Hatley & Andrzej Goulding, Life of Pi
Rachel Hauck, Good Night, Oscar
Richard Hudson, Leopoldstadt
Dane Laffrey & Lucy Mackinnon, A Christmas Carol

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Beowulf Boritt, New York, New York
Mimi Lien, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Michael Yeargan & 59 Productions, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot
Scott Pask, Shucked
Scott Pask, Some Like It Hot

Best Costume Design of a Play

Tim Hatley, Nick Barnes & Finn Caldwell, Life of Pi
Dominique Fawn Hill, Fat Ham
Brigitte Reiffenstuel, Leopoldstadt
Emilio Sosa, Ain’t No Mo’
Emilio Sosa, Good Night, Oscar

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Gregg Barnes, Some Like It Hot
Susan Hilferty, Parade
Jennifer Moeller, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot
Clint Ramos & Sophia Choi, KPOP
Paloma Young, & Juliet
Donna Zakowska, New York, New York

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Neil Austin, Leopoldstadt
Natasha Chivers, Prima Facie
Jon Clark, A Doll’s House
Bradley King, Fat Ham
Tim Lutkin, Life of Pi
Jen Schriever, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Ben Stanton, A Christmas Carol

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Ken Billington, New York, New York
Lap Chi Chu, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot
Heather Gilbert, Parade
Howard Hudson, & Juliet
Natasha Katz, Some Like It Hot
Natasha Katz, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Sound Design of a Play

Jonathan Deans & Taylor Williams, Ain’t No Mo’
Carolyn Downing, Life of Pi
Joshua D. Reid, A Christmas Carol
Ben & Max Ringham, A Doll’s House
Ben & Max Ringham, Prima Facie

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Kai Harada, New York, New York
John Shivers, Shucked
Scott Lehrer & Alex Neumann, Into the Woods
Gareth Owen, & Juliet
Nevin Steinberg, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Direction of a Play

Saheem Ali, Fat Ham
Jo Bonney, Cost of Living
Jamie Lloyd, A Doll’s House
Patrick Marber, Leopoldstadt
Stevie Walker-Webb, Ain’t No Mo’
Max Webster, Life of Pi

Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden, Parade
Lear deBessonet, Into the Woods
Casey Nicholaw, Some Like It Hot
Jack O’Brien, Shucked
Jessica Stone, Kimberly Akimbo

Best Choreography

Steven Hoggett, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Casey Nicholaw, Some Like It Hot
Susan Stroman, New York, New York
Jennifer Weber, & Juliet
Jennifer Weber, KPOP

Best Orchestrations

Bill Sherman and Dominic Fallacaro, & Juliet
John Clancy, Kimberly Akimbo
Jason Howland, Shucked
Charlie Rosen & Bryan Carter, Some Like It Hot
Daryl Waters & Sam Davis, New York, New York

Best Play

Ain’t No Mo’

Author: Jordan E. Cooper
Producers: Lee Daniels, BET: Black Entertainment Television, Len Blavatnik, Ron Burkle, Aryeh B. Bourkoff, 59th & Prairie Entertainment, RuPaul Charles, I’ll Have Another Productions, Jeremy O. Harris, Lena Waithe, Tucker Tooley Entertainment, CJ Uzomah, Ann Cox, Gina Purlia, Bob Yari, Marvin Peart, Colleen Camp, Marvet Britto, Jeremy Green, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Jillian Robbins, The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Patrick Willingham, Mandy Hackett

Between Riverside and Crazy

Author: Stephen Adly Guirgis
Producers: Second Stage Theater, Carole Rothman, Khady Kamara, Atlantic Theater Company

Cost of Living

Author: Martyna Majok
Producers: Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Barry Grove, Williamstown Theatre Festival

Fat Ham

Author: James Ijames
Producers: No Guarantees, Public Theater Productions, Rashad V. Chambers, National Black Theatre, Tim Levy, Bards on Broadway, Bob Boyett, Ghostbuster Productions, James Ijames, Cynthia Stroum, Audible, Adam Cohen, Blake Devillier, Firemused Productions/JamRock Productions, The Forstalls, Iconic Vizion/Corey Brunish, John Gore Organization, Midnight Theatricals, David Miner, Robin Gorman Newman/PickleStar Theatricals, Marc Platt, Play on Shakespeare, The Wilma Theater, Colman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo, Andy Jones, Dylan Pager, Roundabout Theatre Company, Oskar Eustis, Patrick Willingham, Mandy Hackett, Sade Lythcott, Jonathan McCrory

Leopoldstadt

Author: Tom Stoppard
Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Roy Furman, Lorne Michaels, Stephanie P. McClelland, Gavin Kalin, Delman Sloan, Eilene Davidson, Brad Edgerton, Patrick Gracey, Hunter Arnold, Burnt Umber Productions, Cue to Cue Productions, The Factor Gavin Partnership, Harris Rubin Productions, Robert Nederlander, Jr., No Guarantees, Sandy Robertson, Iris Smith, Jamie deRoy/Catherine Adler, Dodge Hall Productions/Waverly Productions, Richardo Hornos/Robert Tichio, Heni Koenigsberg/Wendy Federman, Thomas S. Perakos/Stephanie Kramer, Brian Spector/Judith Seinfeld, Richard Winkler/Alan Shorr

Best Musical

& Juliet

Producers: Max Martin & Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Jenny Petersson, Martin Dodd, Eva Price, Lukasz Gottwald, 42nd.club, Independent Presenters Network, Jack Lane, Library Company, Shellback, Shivhans Pictures, Sing Out, Louise!, Kim Szarzynski, Taylor/Riegler, Tenenbaum/Keyes, Barry Weiss, John Gore Organization

Kimberly Akimbo

Producers: David Stone, Atlantic Theater Company, James L. Nederlander, LaChanze, John Gore, Patrick Catullo, Aaron Glick

New York, New York

Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Tom Kirdahy, Wendy Federman & Heni Koenigsberg, Crossroads Live, Playing Field, Stephanie P. McClelland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Waiting in the Wings Productions, Colin Callender, Gilbert and DeeDee Garcia/Sue Vaccaro, Peter May, Rileyfan, Silverhopkins+/Hunter Johnson, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Eric Passmore, Thomas Swayne, Elliott Cornelious/SunnySpot Productions, Santino DeAngelo/Cynthia Tong, Craig Balsam, Richard Batchelder, Concord Theatricals, Creative Partners Productions, Marguerite Hoffman, Jessica R. Jenen, John Gore Organization, MGM on Stage, James L. Nederlander, Linda B. Rubin, Seriff Productions, Shivhans Pictures, 42nd.club/Beards on Broadway, AGL Productions/Brad Blume, Hunter Arnold/Red Mountain Theatre, Cue to Cue Productions/Roy Putrino, Jamie deRoy/Janet and Marvin Rosen, Edgewood/Silva Theatrical Group, Dale Franzen/Henry R. Muñoz, III, Deborah Green/Chris Mattsson, Branden Grimmett/DMQR Productions, Christen James/Gregory Carroll, NETworks Presentations/Lamar Richardson, Ron Simons/Adam Zell, Chartoff-Winkler

Shucked

Producers: Mike Bosner, Jason Owen, AEG Presents/Jay Marciano/Gary Gersh, Jeffrey A. Sine, Richard Smith, Silvia Schmid, Bob Boyett, Jeremiah J. Harris, James L. Nederlander, EST/Emily Tisch, Sony Music Entertaiment, DudaAllen, David W. Busch, Karen Fairchild, HoriPro Inc., Gordon-Helfner, John Gore Organization, Madison Wells Live, S&Co., Terry Schnuck, Jimi Westbrook, ZKM Media

Some Like It Hot

Producers: The Shubert Organization, Neil Meron, MGM on Stage, Roy Furman, Robert Greenblatt, James L. Nederlander, Kenny Leon, Hunter Arnold, John Gore Organization, The Dalgleish Library Company Group, Sheboygan Conservatory Partners, Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Bob Boyett, Cue to Cue Productions, Janet and Marvin Rosen, The Araca Group, Concord Theatricals, Marc Howard, Independent Presenters Network, Juanita Jordan, Jujamcyn Theaters, Henry R. Muñoz, III, Ostar, Mariah Carey, D.S. Moynihan

Best Revival of a Play

August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson

Producers: Brian Anthony Moreland, Sonia Friedman, Tom Kirdahy, Kandi Burruss & Todd Tucker, Hunter Arnold, Playing Field, The Factor Gavin Partnership, FBK Productions/42nd.club, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Creative Partners Productions, Harris Rubin Productions, Marguerite Steed Hoffman, Alia Jones-Harvey, Mark Gordon Pictures, Stephanie McClelland, Moore Delman, James L. Nederlander, Seriff Productions, The Shubert Organization, Salman Al-Rashid/Jamie deRoy, Brad Blume/Cliff Hopkins, Jean Doumanian /Fakston Productions, Edgewood/DMQR Productions, Jay & Cindy Gutterman/Caiola Productions, Van Kaplan/Lu-Shawn Thompson, Erik A. King/Finewomen Productions, Marc David Levine/William Frisbie, Syrinda Paige/Kevin Ryan & Diane Scott Carter, Silva Theatrical Group/Tilted, Thomas Swayne/Cynthia J. Tong, Constanza Romero-Wilson

A Doll’s House

New Version by: Amy Herzog
Producers: Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Wessex Grove, Julie Boardman, Kate Cannova, Bob Boyett, Hunter Arnold, Creative Partners Productions, Eilene Davidson Productions, GGRS, Kater Gordon, Louise L. Gund, Los Angeles Media Fund, Stephanie P. McClelland, Tilted, Jessica Chastain, Caitlin Clements/Francesca Moody Productions, Caiola Productions/Amanda Lee, Ted & Richard Liebowitz/Joeyen-Waldorf Squeri, Richard & Cecilia Attias/Thomas S. Barnes, OHenry Theatre Nerd Productions/Runyonland MMP, The Jamie Lloyd Company

The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window

Producers: Seaview, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Phil Kenny, Audible, Sony Music Masterworks, Jillian Robbins, Jeremy O. Harris, Larry Hirschhorn and Ricardo Hornos, Shields Smedes Stern Ltd., Kevin Ryan, The Shubert Organization, Willette and Manny Klausner, Marco Santarelli, Be Forward Productions, Concord Theatricals, Creative Partners Productions, Invisible Wall Productions, Salman and Moudhy Al-Rashid, TodayTix Group, Ido Gal, HarrisDonnelly, Sally Cade Holmes, Stella LaRue, LAMF Protozoa, Kati Meister and John Sorkin, Meredith Lynsey Schade, Catherine Schreiber, Dennis Trunfio, MCM Studios, 42nd.club, BAMM Productions, CarterMackTaylorWilliam, HB2M Productions, HK-Undivided Productions, MAJIKK Theatricals, Tanker Kollev Productions, Douglas Denoff, OHenry Productions, Plate Spinner Productions, Runyonland Productions, Mad Gene Media, Scrap Paper Pictures, Joi Gresham, BAM, Gina Duncan, David Binder, Elizabeth Moreau

Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog

Producers: David Stone, LaChanze, Rashad V. Chambers, Marc Platt, Debra Martin Chase, The Shubert Organization

Best Revival of a Musical

Into the Woods

Producers: Jujamcyn Theaters, Jordan Roth, New York City Center, Daryl Roth, Hunter Arnold, Concord Theatricals, Nicole Eisenberg, Jessica R. Jenen, Michael Cassel Group, Kevin Ryan, ShowTown Productions, Armstrong, Gold & Ross, Nicole Kastrinos

Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot

Producers: Lincoln Center Theater, André Bishop, Adam Siegel, Naomi Grabel

Parade

Producers: Seaview, Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Alex Levy, Kevin Ryan, Eric & Marsi Gardiner, Interscope & Immersive Records, Erica Lynn Schwartz, Creative Partners Productions, Marcia Goldberg, John Gore Organization, Cynthia Stroum, Tom Tuft, Benjamin Simpson, Nathan Vernon, Brian & Nick Ginsberg, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Roth-Manella Productions, Chutzpah Productions, 42nd.club, Ahava 72 Productions, The Andryc Brothers, The Array, At Rise Creative, Caiola Jenen Productions, Coles Achilles, deRoy Brunish Productions, Fakston Productions, Federman Batchelder, Level Forward, Pencil Factory Productions, Renard Lynch, Robin Merrie, Rubin Stuckelman, Runyonland Sussman, Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Bee Carrozzini, New York City Center

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Producers: Jeffrey Seller, Bob Boyett, Diana DiMenna & Plate Spinner Productions/Aaron Glick, Eastern Standard Time, Roy Furman, Thomas Kail, Jim Kierstead/Benjamin Leon IV, TourDForce Theatrical, Maggie Brohn, Andy Jones

Tony Nominations by Production

Some Like It Hot – 13

& Juliet – 9

New York, New York – 9

Shucked – 9

Kimberly Akimbo – 8

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – 8

Ain’t No Mo’ – 6

A Doll’s House – 6

Into the Woods – 6

Leopoldstadt – 6

Parade – 6

Cost of Living – 5

Fat Ham – 5

Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot – 5

Life of Pi – 5

Prima Facie – 4

A Christmas Carol – 3

Good Night, Oscar – 3

KPOP – 3

Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog – 3

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman – 2

August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson – 2

Between Riverside and Crazy – 2

The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window – 2

Almost Famous – 1

Ohio State Murders – 1

Summer, 1976 – 1

2023 Tribeca Film Festival: features and shorts lineup announced

April 25, 2023

Henry Golding and Lily Rabe in “Downtown Owl”

The following is a press release from the Tribeca Festival:

The 2023 Tribeca Festival, presented by OKX, today announced its lineup of feature narrative, documentary, and animated films. This year’s Festival, which takes place June 7-18, showcases the best emerging talent from across the globe alongside established household names.

The 2023 features program includes 109 feature films from 127 filmmakers across 36 countries. The lineup includes 93 world premieres, one international premiere, eight North American premieres, one U.S. premiere, and six New York premieres. There are 43 first-time directors and 29 directors returning to Tribeca with their latest projects. 41% (45) of all feature films are directed by women and, for the first time, more than half of competition feature films are directed by women at 68% (19). Additionally, 36% (39) of feature films are directed by BIPOC filmmakers, including two indigenous filmmakers.

This year’s Festival also includes a notable number of films directed by actors: world premiere of First Time Female Director by Chelsea Peretti; world premiere of Maggie Moore(s) by John Slattery; world premiere of Bucky F*cking Dent by David Duchovny; world premiere of Downtown Owl by Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater; world premiere of Eric LaRue by Michael Shannon; world premiere of Fresh Kills by Jennifer Esposito; North American premiere of The Listener by Steve Buscemi; New York premiere of Shortcomings by Randall Park; and more.

There are 53 documentary features across all categories including the world premiere of Marvel’s first original documentary Stan Lee by Tribeca alumnus David Gelb as well as world premieres from Academy Award winners and nominees including Julie Cohen, Waad al-Kateab, Morgan Neville, Sam Pollard, Rob Epstein, and Jeffrey Friedman. As an activist festival rooted in the foundational belief that art can inspire change, the 2023 Tribeca Festival showcases numerous documentary features that shine a light on the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as the silencing of artists in Iran.

For the third year, the Tribeca Festival continues its commemoration of Juneteenth through the “Expressions of Black Freedom” program, sponsored by Indeed, which includes a festival-wide celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the world premiere of All Up in the Biz, a documentary about New York hip-hop legend Biz Markie, and the world premiere of Cinnamon, directed by Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. and starring Damon Wayans and Pam Grier.

“The Tribeca Festival is a celebratory event that honors artists and uplifts attendees, and this year is no exception with a lineup of 109 feature films from 127 filmmakers. Over the course of 12 thrilling days, we invite audiences to explore the magic of storytelling as a powerful tool of democracy, activism, and social awareness,” says Tribeca Festival Co-Founder and Tribeca Enterprises CEO Jane Rosenthal. “We’re also proud to highlight the 50th anniversary of hip-hop as a culture-defining genre that originated right here in New York City, with insightful world premieres about beat-boxing legends and live performances from today’s top-charting musicians.”

The 2023 “Spotlight+” category includes a series of live events that bring the film experience to life following each premiere. A performance from She Is The Music artists, curated by Alicia Keys, will follow the world premiere of Uncharted; Sara Bareilles will give a special performance following the world premiere of Waitress, the Musical – Live on Broadway!; the one and only Gloria Gaynor will perform following the world premiere of Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive; a conversation with Peabody Award-winning news anchor Dan Rather and director Frank Marshall will follow the world premiere of Rather; Gogol Bordello will perform following the world premiere of Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story; a songwriting masterclass by Indigo Girls will follow the New York premiere of It’s Only Life After All; a musical Q&A with Marc Rebillet will follow the world premiere of Songs About Fucking; and a group of dancehall legends will perform following the world premiere of Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall.

“This year’s slate of films is a joyful celebration of everything we love about the big screen experience,” says Tribeca Festival Director and VP of Programming Cara Cusuamno. “We are bringing to New York eye-popping 3D films and rousing music docs, white-knuckle thrillers and knee-slapping comedies, independent edge and old Hollywood glamour. And as potent as the work is on-screen, we are equally excited to ‘plus up’ the moviegoing experience off-screen with an incredible lineup of live experiences in ‘Spotlight+’.”

The Tribeca Festival is expanding its “Midnight” offering with the introduction of “Escape from Tribeca,” a psychotronic sidebar presenting genre movies from across the globe, including the world premiere of India’s big-budgeted visual feast Adipurush, directed by Om Raut and starring Prabhas and Kriti Sanon. Festival-goers are also invited to a 50th anniversary screening of the global phenomenon Enter the Dragon followed by a talk with co-star Angela Mao and producer Andre Morgan about superstar performer and choreographer Bruce Lee and the production of the film.

The Tribeca Festival is also proud to announce that the second annual Human/Nature Award, a prize established to amplify a film that best exemplifies solution-oriented environmental storytelling, goes to Common Ground, directed by Rebecca and Josh Tickell, and will world premiere at the Festival.

Once again, movie fans can enjoy selections from the Tribeca Festival from the comfort of their homes immediately following the Festival, from June 19 through July 2, via the “Tribeca at Home” online platform: Tribecafilm.com.

The full feature film lineup is detailed below. For more updates on programming follow @Tribeca and #Tribeca2023 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and to purchase passes and ticket packages for the 2023 Tribeca Festival, go to tribecafilm.com/festival.

The 2023 shorts lineup includes 76 total selections – 62 shorts in competition, eight music videos, and six special screening shorts – from 91 filmmakers across 25 countries. The lineup includes 48 world premieres, three international premieres, two North American premieres, one U.S. premiere, and 22 New York premieres. Six directors return to Tribeca with their latest projects.

With a record-breaking 8,096 total submissions, the lineup’s four categories – narrative shorts, documentary shorts, animated shorts, and music videos – are curated across thematic programs highlighting love, family relationships, LGBTQ+ stories, “Expressions of Black Freedom,” Latin America, resilience, and more.

Premieres include Last Call, which is about a desperate mother needing to reconnect with her son, directed by Harry Holland and starring brother Tom Holland; Shadow Brother Sunday, Alden Ehrenreich‘s directorial debut as he plays a down-on-his-luck musician returning home on the day of his younger brother’s movie premiere to steal his computer and sell it to the paparazzi; For people in trouble, a relationship drama set against the backdrop of impending societal collapse, directed and written by Alex Lawther and starring Emma D’Arcy; the documentary short To My Father, an intimate glimpse into Troy Kotsur‘s relationship with his father and how his tragic accident shaped his life and career, directed by Sean Schiavolin; My Eyes Are Up Here, a romantic comedy starring Jillian Mercado as an international fashion model whose mission to get the morning after pill is complicated by her disability and clumsy but considerate partner, directed by Nathan Morris; and more.

Additionally, the world premiere of Misty Copeland‘s Flower will screen as a special event at Spring Studios. Flower is a poignant take on community, belonging, and intergenerational equity, directed by Lauren Finerman, in which Copeland stars and serves as producer. This film also marks the return to performance for Copeland after a multi-year hiatus. Following the screening, the premiere event will feature live performances by Copeland’s co-star Babatunji Johnson and a group of NYC hip-hop dancers choreographed by the legendary choreographers Rich + Tone Talauega, who also worked on the film, and a Q&A with Copeland and the filmmakers.

“From a staggering record number of 8,096 shorts submissions, we are thrilled to present an incredible range of storytelling in short films and music videos from around the globe,” said Ben Thompson, VP of Shorts Programming at Tribeca Festival. “Thoughtfully curated into 12 distinct programs, my co-programmer VP of Programming Sharon Badal and I hope there is something for everyone. From free-flowing music and dance to crazy late-night comedy, join us for an unforgettable journey through short films.”

Recipients of the Tribeca Festival awards for Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, and Best Animated Short qualify for consideration in the Academy Awards’ Short Films category, provided the film complies with Academy rules. Since the Tribeca Festival’s founding in 2001, 36 short films that have premiered at the Tribeca Festival have been nominated for an Academy Award and 11 have gone on to win, establishing the Festival as a launching pad for emerging filmmakers. Tribeca also grants a Student Visionary Award to a rising filmmaker with emerging talent and potential.

The Tribeca Festival is curated by Festival Director and VP of Programming Cara Cusumano, Artistic Director Frédéric Boyer; VP of Programming Sharon Badal and VP of Shorts Programming Ben Thompson; Senior Programmers Liza Domnitz, Faridah Gbadamosi, and Jarod Neece; Programmers José F. Rodriguez, Casey Baron, Jason Gutierrez, and Jonathan Penner; VP of Games and Immersive Casey Baltes and Immersive Curator Ana Brzezińska; Curator of Audio Storytelling Davy Gardner; Music Programmer Vincent Cassous; and Chief Content Officer Paula Weinstein, along with a team of associate programmers.

The short film lineup is detailed below. For the latest updates on programming follow @Tribeca and #Tribeca2023 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Purchase passes and ticket packages for the 2023 Tribeca Festival at tribecafilm.com/festival.

ABOUT THE TRIBECA FESTIVAL

The Tribeca Festival, presented by OKX, brings artists and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, music, audio storytelling, games, and XR. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is synonymous with creative expression and entertainment. Tribeca champions emerging and established voices, discovers award-winning talent, curates innovative experiences, and introduces new ideas through exclusive premieres, exhibitions, conversations, and live performances.

The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. The annual Tribeca Festival will celebrate its 22nd year from June 7–18, 2023 in New York City.

In 2019, James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems bought a majority stake in Tribeca Enterprises, bringing together Rosenthal, De Niro, and Murdoch to grow the enterprise.

ABOUT THE 2023 TRIBECA FESTIVAL PARTNERS

The 2023 Tribeca Festival is presented by OKX and with the support of our partners: AT&T, Audible, Black Women on Boards, CHANEL, City National Bank, Diageo, Expensify, Indeed, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, National CineMedia, ServiceNow, Spring Studios New York, The Wall Street Journal, Tubi, and Variety.

2023 TRIBECA FESTIVAL FEATURE FILM SELECTION

U.S. NARRATIVE COMPETITION

Discover breakout independent voices from around the country as these extraordinary world premieres compete for honors in Tribeca’s U.S. Narrative Competition.

Gayle Rankin in “Bad Things” (Photo by Grant Greenberg)

Bad Things, (United States) – World Premiere. A weekend getaway for a few girlfriends at a snowy resort becomes a psychological tailspin and bloody nightmare. Long-deceased guests and the space itself come to life in this haunting thriller. Directed and written by Stewart Thorndike. Produced by Lizzie Shapiro, Lexi Tannenholtz. With Gayle Rankin, Hari Nef, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, Rad Pereira, Jared Abrahamson, Molly Ringwald.

Cypher, (United States) – World Premiere. Documenting the astronomical rise of rapper Tierra Whack, director Chris Mourkabel captures the weird and sinister side of fame. This riveting and enigmatic pseudo-documentary will have viewers questioning everything they see. Directed and written by Chris Moukarbel. Produced by Tony Hernandez, Lilly Burns, John Hodges, Tierra Whack, Sanjay M. Sharma, Roya Rastegar, Anthony Seyler, Chris Moukarbel.

The Graduates, (United States) – World Premiere. After a tragedy, a group of friends faces an unsettling senior year. Feelings of loss, anger, fear, and aimlessness abound in the community at the center of director Hannah Peterson’s debut feature film. Directed and written by Hannah Peterson. Produced by Josh Peters, Saba Zerehi, Taylor Shung, Jessamine Burgum. With Mina Sundwall, Alex Hibbert, Yasmeen Fletcher, Ewan Manley, John Cho, Maria Dizzia, Kelly O’Sullivan.

Lost Soulz, (United States) – World Premiere. Set to a lo-fi, genre-bending soundtrack, Lost Soulz follows a young rapper as he leaves behind his surrogate family and sets out on an expedition across Texas, contemplating new and old friendships. Directed and written by Katherine Propper. Produced by Andres Figueredo Thomson, Juan Carlos Figueredo Thomson, Katherine Propper. With Sauve Sidle, Syanda Stillwell, Micro TDH, Krystall Poppin, Alexander Brackney, Malachi Mabson.

Mountains, (United States) – World Premiere. Xavier works in demolition and dreams of buying a bigger house for his family, while his adult son, caught between two cultures, struggles to find a place for himself. What results is a loving portrait of the Haitian community in Miami. Directed by Monica Sorelle, written by Monica Sorelle, Robert Colom. Produced by Robert Colom. With Atibon Nazaire, Sheila Anozier, Chris Renois.

The Secret Art of Human Flight, (United States) – World Premiere. While mourning the death of his wife and fending off an ambitious detective who thinks he killed her, Ben encounters a man who claims that he can teach him to fly. Directed by H.P. Mendoza, written by Jesse Orenshein. Produced by Grant Rosenmeyer, Tina Carbone, Benjamin Wiessner. With Grant Rosenmeyer, Paul Raci, Lucy DeVito, Nican Robinson, Reina Hardesty, Maggie Grace, Sendhil Ramamurthy.

Smoking Tigers, (United States) – World Premiere. Set in early-2000s SoCal, Smoking Tigers follows a Korean American girl as she navigates derision and growing tensions while balancing the duality of her low-income family and wealthy, elite high school environment. Directed and written by Shelly Yo. Produced by Guo Guo. With Ji Young Yoo, Jung Joon Ho, Abin Shim, Erin Yoo.

Somewhere Quiet, (United States) – World Premiere. In the ominous and tense Somewhere Quiet, a woman readjusts to normalcy after surviving a traumatic kidnapping — but her grounded sense of reality soon starts to deteriorate when she travels with her husband to his wealthy family’s isolated compound. Directed and written by Olivia West Lloyd. Produced by Taylor Ava Shung, Emma Hannaway, Eamon Downey. With Jennifer Kim, Kentucker Audley, Marin Ireland.

INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE COMPETITION

The New-York based Festival breaks its geographical boundaries with the International Narrative Competition, welcoming filmmakers from abroad to join a global platform for contemporary world cinema.

Scarlet Camila in “Boca Chica” (Photo by Micaela Cajahuaringa)

Boca Chica, (Dominican Republic) – World Premiere. A lively coming-of-age drama, Boca Chica follows twelve-year-old Desi in her pursuit of becoming a famous singer. As Desi braces to leave her hometown, she’s met with deep-seated secrets that have long tormented her family and their coastal Dominican community. Directed by Gabriella A. Moses, written by Marité Ugás, Mariana Rondón. Produced by Sterlyn Ramirez. With Scarlet Camilo, Jean Cruz, Lia Chapman, Xiomara Rodriguez.

Dead Girls Dancing, (Germany, France) – World Premiere. On a road trip across Italy, four recent high school graduates stumble upon an abandoned village. Away from the expectations of parents and teachers, they experiment with the limits of their newfound freedom. Directed and written by Anna Roller. Produced by Katharina Kolleczek, Lea Neu, Laure Parleani, Bérénice Vincent. With Luna Jordan, Noemi Liv Nicolaisen, Katharina Stark, Sara Giannelli.

The Future, (Israel) – World Premiere. Nurit, a criminal profiler, is recruited by Israel’s secret service to interrogate a young Palestinian woman who assassinated a government minister. Over the course of their meetings, Nurit realizes some uncomfortable truths. Directed and written by Noam Kaplan. Produced by Yoav Roeh, Aurit Zamir. With Reymonde Amsellem, Samar Qupty, Dar Zuzovsky, Aviva Ger, Salwa Nakkara.

Je’vida, (Finland) – World Premiere. When embittered Sámi elder Je’vida returns to her childhood home to ready it for sale, she is flooded with the memories of a life shaped by deep systemic racism and the unyielding love of her grandfather, leading to a life-changing epiphany. Directed by Katja Gauriloff, written by Katja Gauriloff, Niillas Holmberg. Produced by Joonas Berghäll, Satu Majava, Anna Nuru. With Agafia Niemenmaa, Heidi Juliana Gauriloff, Sanna-Kaisa Palo, Seidi Haarla, Erkki Gauriloff, Matleena Fofonoff.

Marinette, (France) – International Premiere. Marinette tells the story of pioneering French female soccer star Marinette Pichon. Filmmaker Virginie Verrier’s biopic traces the athlete’s battle to earn her homeland’s respect after achieving success in the United States. Directed and written by Virginie Verrier. Produced by Virginie Verrier. With Garance Mariller, Emilie Dequenne, Alban Lenoir, Fred Testot, Sylvie Testud.

Richelieu, (Canada, France, Guatemala) – World Premiere. After a bad breakup, Ariane moves home and gets a job as an interpreter for seasonal migrant workers. Witnessing workplace abuses, Ariane must decide how far she is willing to go to speak out against injustice. Directed and written by Pier-Philippe Chevigny. Produced by Geneviève Gosselin-G., Miléna Poylo, Gilles Sacuto, Alice Bloch. With Ariane Castellanos, Marc-André Grondin, Nelson Coronado, Marvin Coroy, Maria Mercedes Coroy.

Silver Haze, (Netherlands, UK) – North American Premiere. 23-year-old Franky has spent most of her life seeking justice for the fire that left her with both physical and emotional scars as a child. When Franky falls in love with Florence, it seems her wounds have begun to heal, but the past finds a way of coming back to her. Directed and written by Sacha Polak. Produced by Marleen Slot, Mike Elliott. With Vicky Knight, Esmé Creed-Miles, Charlotte Knight, Archie Brigden, Angela Bruce.

A Strange Path, (Brazil) – World Premiere. A young filmmaker returns to his hometown and attempts to reconnect with his father as the pandemic rapidly accelerates across Brazil. However, their relationship proves to be more complicated with increasingly bizarre phenomena occurring as they get closer. Directed and written by Guto Parente. Produced by Ticiana Augusto Lima. With Lucas Limeira, Carlos Francisco, Tarzia Firmino, Rita Cabaço.

DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

Experience the cinema of reality with these remarkable non-fiction premieres sure to make waves in the coming year.

Patrick Achucka and Kolei Achucka in “Between the Rains” (Photo by Andrew H. Brown)

Between the Rains, (Kenya) – World Premiere. Between the Rains is a coming-of-age documentary following a young member of a formerly nomadic northern Kenyan tribe as it deals with the environmental and psychological effects of climate change. The result is a film woven around the concepts of tradition, culture, and home. Directed by Andrew H. Brown, Moses Thuranira. Produced by Moses Thuranira, Samuel Ekomol, Andrew H. Brown.

Breaking the News, (United States) – World Premiere. Breaking the News follows the determined efforts of women and nonbinary journalists launching a news “startup” to foreground voices omitted from mainstream news. Filmmakers Hernandez, Courtney, and Hairston provide a deep look into bias and inclusion in the ever-shifting media landscape. Directed by Chelsea Hernandez, Heather Courtney, Princess A. Hairston. Produced by Diane Quon, Heather Courtney, Princess A. Hairston, Chelsea Hernandez.

The Gullspång Miracle, (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) – World Premiere. In Maria Fredriksson’s stranger-than-fiction documentary, two pious sisters buy an apartment after having witnessed a divine sign — only to realize that the seller of the apartment looks identical to their other sister, who committed suicide some thirty years before. Directed by Maria Fredriksson. Produced by Ina Holmqvist.

The Lionheart, (United States) – World Premiere. The on-track death of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon shook motorsports to its core. Ten years later, Wheldon’s sons Sebastian and Oliver follow in their father’s footsteps, working through their grief behind the wheel at 200 MPH. Directed by Laura Brownson. Produced by Chapman Way, Maclain Way, Laura Brownson.

Maestra, (United States, France, Poland, Greece) – World Premiere. Filmmaker Maggie Contreras follows women from different backgrounds as they compete in the first all-women competition for conducting. Maestra explores gender expectations with poise and warmth. Directed by Maggie Contreras. Produced by Neil Berkeley, Maggie Contreras, Melanie Miller, Lauren Lexton, Emma West.

Q, (Lebanon, United States) – World Premiere. In her exceptional debut feature, filmmaker Jude Chehab potently explores her mother Hiba’s devotion to an all-female, secretive religious order in Syria. With visually striking and haunting imagery, Chehab scrutinizes how this devotion upended their mother-daughter relationship and the dynamic of the whole family. Directed, written and produced by Jude Chehab.

Richland, (United States) – World Premiere. Richland is a sobering,meditative portrait of a nuclear company town that embraces its origins and divisive past, all while reflecting on its future. Filmmaker Irene Lusztig’s patient and inquisitive storytelling expertly navigates themes of security, violence, and community. Directed by Irene Lusztig. Produced by Irene Lusztig, Sara Archambault.

Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed, (United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand) – World Premiere. This timely exploration of Hollywood and LGBTQ+ identity examines the life of legendary actor Rock Hudson, from his public “ladies’ man” persona to his private life as a gay man. Directed by Stephen Kijak. Produced by Will Clarke, George Chignell, Carolyne Jurriaans, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter. An HBO Documentary Films release.

Rule of Two Walls, (Ukraine) – World Premiere. Rule of Two Walls explores the war in Ukraine through the lens of artists living and creating in the midst of unprecedented conflict. Visceral, poetic, and urgent, it illuminates the vital role of cultural and spiritual defiance in times of crisis. Directed by David Gutnik. Produced by Olha Beskhmelnytsina, Sam Bisbee, Stacey Reiss.

Stylebender, (New Zealand) – World Premiere. Israel Adesanya is an out-of-this-world fighter who is as complex as he is powerful. Stylebender follows the Nigerian-born, New Zealand-based MMA Champion as he grows his legend. Directed by Zoe McIntosh. Produced by Tom Blackwell.

Take Care of Maya, (United States) – World Premiere. When Jack and Beata Kowalski are wrongfully accused of child abuse after their 10-year-old daughter Maya visits the ER, a nightmare unfolds. Directed by Henry Roosevelt. Produced by Caitlin Keating. A Netflix release.

Transition, (United States) – World Premiere. Transition follows Australian filmmaker Jordan Bryon as he undergoes transition while embedded with Taliban forces. Directed by Jordan Bryon, Monica Villamizar. Produced by Monica Villamizar.

SPOTLIGHT NARRATIVE

Hannah Gross, Sophia Lillis and Michael Cera in “The Adults” (Photo by Tim Curtin)

A launching pad for the most buzzworthy new films, Tribeca’s Spotlight section brings audiences anticipated premieres from acclaimed filmmakers and star performers.

The Adults, (United States) – North American Premiere. A short trip back home reunites three siblings with a complicated past. The Adults explores the family dynamics that unfold when one of the siblings tries to assert his dominance as the best poker player in town. Directed and written by Dustin Guy Defa. Produced by Allison Rose Carter, Jon Read, Michael Cera, Julia Thompson, Hannah Dweck, Theodore Schaefer. With Michael Cera, Hannah Gross, Sophia Lillis.

Afire, (Germany) – New York Premiere. Leon and Felix travel to a summer home near the Baltic Sea hoping to dive into creative pursuits, but an unexpected guest disrupts their plans. As the sky turns orange from a nearby forest fire, it’s clear that trees aren’t the only thing burning. Directed and written by Christian Petzold. Produced by Florian Koerner von Gustorf, Michael Weber, Anton Kaiser. With Thomas Schubert, Paula Beer, Langston Uibel. A Sideshow and Janus Films Release.

The Blackening, (United States) – US Premiere. Based on the viral digital skit, The Blackening tells the story of old friends who reunite in a cabin in the woods (where have we heard that before?). The fun weekend quickly becomes a fight to survive, and the only way to make it out is to figure out which friend is the Blackest of them all. Directed by Tim Story, written by Tracy Oliver, Dewayne Perkins. Produced by Tim Story, Tracy Oliver, E. Brian Dobbins, Marcei A. Brown, Jason Clark, Sharla Sumpter Bridgett. With Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharoah, Yvonne Orji. A Lionsgate release.

Blood for Dust, (United States) – World Premiere. Jeff loses his traveling salesman job and decides to take on a risky new opportunity with Ricky, an old acquaintance. Soon, he is submerged into a dangerous underworld in this edge-of-your-seat action thriller. Directed by Rod Blackhurst, written by David Ebeltoft. Produced by Noah Lang, Mark Fasano, Nathan Klingher, Bobby Campbell, Arun Kumar, Ari Novak. With Scoot McNairy, Kit Harington, Josh Lucas, Stephen Dorff, Ethan Suplee, Nora Zehetner, Amber Rose Mason.

Bucky F*cking Dent, (United States) – World Premiere. Aspiring novelist and Yankee Stadium peanut slinger, Ted, discovers his estranged, Red Sox fanatic father is terminally ill. Wanting to mend fences and take care of the old man, Ted returns home with results as wild and unpredictable as the 1978 baseball season. Directed and written by David Duchovny. Produced by Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman, Tiffany Kuzon, David Duchovny. With David Duchovny, Logan Marshall-Green, Stephanie Beatriz.

Cinnamon, (United States) – World Premiere. Two young lovers risk it all to chase their dreams. With great performances, including a menacing Pam Grier, Cinnamon deftly brings the Blaxploitation genre to the modern day. Directed and written by Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. Produced by Oz Scott. With Damon Wayans, Hailey Kilgore, David Iacono, Jeremie Harris, Pam Grier. A Tubi release.

Cold Copy, (United States) – World Premiere. The kinetic drama Cold Copy follows an ambitious journalism student’s tactics to impress, and get into the good graces of, an esteemed yet cutthroat news reporter — even if it involves manipulating her latest story … and truth itself. Directed and written by Roxine Helberg. Produced by Justin Lothrop, Brent Stiefel, Daniel Bekerman, Roxine Helberg. With Bel Powley, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jacob Tremblay, Nesta Cooper.

Downtown Owl, (United States) – World Premiere. Based on the novel by Chuck Klosterman, Downtown Owl is a stylish and energetic adaptation that thrusts viewers into small-town Owl, North Dakota, as a motley crew of characters brace for a historic blizzard. Directed by Lily Rabe, Hamish Linklater, written by Hamish Linklater. Produced by Bettina Barrow, Lily Rabe, Hamish Linklater, Rebecca Green. With Lily Rabe, Ed Harris, Vanessa Hudgens, August Blanco Rosenstein, Jack Dylan Grazer, Arianna Jaffier, Finn Wittrock, Henry Golding.

Eric LaRue, (United States) – World Premiere. In the aftermath of a shocking crime at the hands of their son, two parents seek solace in rival religious congregations in Michael Shannon’s emotional directorial debut. Directed by Michael Shannon, written by Brett Neveu. Produced by Sarah Green, Karl Hartman, Jina Panebianco. With Judy Greer, Alexander Skarsgård, Alison Pill, Paul Sparks, Tracy Letts.

First Time Female Director, (United States) – World Premiere. Chelsea Peretti makes her directorial debut with this hilarious ensemble comedy set in a Glendale theater where a new female director struggles to fill the shoes of her male predecessor, putting her Southern rural drama in jeopardy. Directed and written by Chelsea Peretti. Produced by Deanna Barillari, Chelsea Peretti, Amy Poehler, Kate Arend, Jordan Grief. With Chelsea Peretti, Amy Poehler, Kate Berlant, Benito Skinner, Megan Stalter, Megan Mullally.

Fresh Kills, (United States) – World Premiere. After their patriarch goes to prison, the loyal women of the Larusso family must survive by following the unspoken code of the New York City mafia world in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Directed and written by Jennifer Esposito. Produced by Leslie Owen, Jennifer Esposito, Samantha Sprecher, Christine Crokos. With Emily Baden, Odessa A’zion, Jennifer Esposito, Dominick Lombardozzi, Annabella Sciorra, Nicholas Cirillo.

The Good Half, (United States) – World Premiere. An emotionally distant writer returns home for his mother’s funeral in this tender family dramedy. The Good Half offers an honest and nuanced approach to grief, regret, and healing. Directed by Robert Schwartzman, written by Brett Ryland. Produced by Russell Wayne Groves. With Nick Jonas, Brittany Snow, Matt Walsh, David Arquette, Alexandra Shipp, Elisabeth Shue.

He Went That Way, (United States) – World Premiere. A fateful meeting in 1964 along Route 66 pairs a 19-year-old serial killer with a celebrity animal handler shepherding an American TV darling — his chimpanzee, Spanky. Directed by Jeffrey Darling, written by Evan M. Wiener. Produced by Marc Benardout, Hugh Broder, James Harris, Jeremy Kotin, Mark Lane. With Jacob Elordi, Zachary Quinto.

I.S.S., (United States) – World Premiere. Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station as nuclear war begins on Earth. Reeling from these events, astronauts and cosmonauts receive similar orders: take control of the station at any cost. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, written by Nick Shafir. Produced by Pete Shilaimon, Mickey Liddell. With Chris Messina, Ariana DeBose, Pilou Asbæk, John Gallagher Jr., Costa Ronin, Maria Mashkova.

John Early: Now More Than Ever, (United States) – World Premiere. A comedy special by way of The Last Waltz, New York’s alt-comedy godfather John Early performs his silly, surreal, spontaneous stand-up set in front of a live audience, a full band … and his parents. Directed by Emily Allan, Leah Hennessey. Produced by John Early, Dave Kneebone, Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Janel Kranking. An HBO Original Release.

LaRoy, (United States, France) – World Premiere. After discovering his wife’s affair, Ray Jepsen plans to kill himself, but fate intervenes. Through a bizarre turn of events, he is mistaken for a low-rent hired killer and decides to become one. Directed and written by Shane Atkinson. Produced by Caddy Vanasirikul, Sébastien Aubert, Jérémie Guiraud. With John Magaro, Steve Zahn, Dylan Baker, Megan Stevenson, Matthew Del Negro, Brad Leland.

The Lesson, (UK) – World Premiere. A young novelist eager to make a name for himself begins tutoring the son of one of the most influential writers in the world. Good intentions soon give way to suspicion as darker motivations surface and the lines of master and protégé are blurred. Directed by Alice Troughton, written by Alex MacKeith. Produced by Camille Gatin, Cassandra Sigsgaard, Judy Tossell, Fabien Westerhoff. With Richard E. Grant, Julie Delpy, Daryl McCormack, Stephen McMillan, Crispin Letts. A Bleecker Street release.

The Line, (United States) – World Premiere. Coming-of-age feature The Line explores the moral ambiguity of loyalty to tradition, as seen through a college sophomore in the throes of fraternity culture. Directed by Ethan Berger, written by Ethan Berger, Alex Russek. Produced by Alexandre Dauman, Jack Parker, Adam Paulsen, Lije Sarki. With Alex Wolff, Lewis Pullman, Halle Bailey, Austin Abrams, Angus Cloud, Scoot McNairy, John Malkovich.

The Listener, (United States) – North American Premiere. An understated drama about a night in the life of a mental health helpline volunteer, The Listener is a stirring testament to the power of empathy. Directed by Steve Buscemi, written by Alessandra Camon. Produced by Wren Arthur, Steve Buscemi, Oren Moverman, Lauren Hantz, Tessa Thompson. With Tessa Thompson.

Maggie Moore(s), (United States) – World Premiere. A small-town sheriff is baffled when two women with the same name get murdered days apart. Things quickly ratchet up in this comedy that reunites leading Mad Men alumni. Directed by John Slattery, written by Paul Bernbaum. Produced by John Slattery, Vincent Newman, Dan Reardon, Santosh Govindaraju, Nancy Leopardi, Ross Kohn. With Jon Hamm, Tina Fey, Micah Stock, Nick Mohammed, Happy Anderson, Mary Holland. A Screen Media release.

The Miracle Club, (Ireland, UK) – World Premiere. Three close friends who have never left the outskirts of Dublin (much less Ireland) get the journey of a lifetime – a visit to Lourdes, the picturesque French town and place of miracles. Directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan, written by Joshua D. Maurer, Timothy Prager, Jimmy Smallhorne. Produced by Joshua D. Maurer, Alixandre Witlin, Chris Curling, Larry Bass, Aaron Farrell, John Gleeson, Osín O’Neill. With Laura Linney, Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates, Agnes O’Casey, Stephen Rea. A Sony Pictures Classics release.

Our Son, (United States) – World Premiere. Fed up with the state of his relationship, Gabriel files for divorce from his partner of thirteen years, Nicky. Thus begins their complex journey to find themselves and support their son along the way. Directed by Bill Oliver, written by Peter Nickowitz, Bill Oliver. Produced by Fernando Loureiro, Eric Binns, Guilherme Coelho, Jennifer 8. Lee, Christopher Lin. With Billy Porter, Luke Evans, Robin Weigert, Andrew Rannells, Isaac Powell, Phylicia Rashad.

The Perfect Find, (United States) – World Premiere. Looking for a fresh start, a forty-year-old returns to the workforce, where she must navigate a challenging workplace, a demanding boss, and a lusty secret romance. directed by Numa Perrier, written by Leigh Davenport. Produced by Glendon Palmer, Gabrielle Union, Jeff Morrone, Codie Elaine Oliver, Tommy Oliver. With Gabrielle Union, Keith Powers, Aisha Hinds, DB Woodside, Janet Hubert, Alani “La La” Anthony, Gina Torres. A Netflix release.

Shortcomings, (United States) – New York Premiere. A biting satire following the romantic journeys of its trio of protagonists, led by an appealingly misanthropic Justin H. Min, Shortcomings is a charming, witty and hilarious directorial debut from Randall Park. Directed by Randall Park, written by Adrian Tomine. Produced by Hieu Ho, Randall Park, Michael Golamco, Margot Hand, Jennifer Berman, Howard Cohen, Eric d’Arbeloff. With Justin H. Min, Sherry Cola, Ally Maki, Debby Ryan, Tavi Gevinson, Sonoya Mizuno, Jacob Batalon, Timothy Simons. A Sony Pictures Classics Release.

SPOTLIGHT DOCUMENTARY

Both onscreen and behind the camera, Spotlight Documentary films represent the most noteworthy names in nonfiction premiering high profile new work.

A re-enactment scene in “All Up in the Biz” (Photo by Ian Reid)

All Up in the Biz, (United States) – World Premiere. In All Up in the Biz, director Sacha Jenkins creates a collage of celebrity interviews, rare film, reenactments, and playful animation to share how Biz Markie left his mark on the history of hip-hop. Directed by Sacha Jenkins. Produced by Andre Wilkins, Djali Brown-Cepeda.

American Son, (United States) – World Premiere. Author Jay Caspian Kang’s astute, incisive directorial debut tells the story of Asian American tennis prodigy Michael Chang, the youngest player to win a men’s Grand Slam tournament. Directed by Jay Caspian Kang. Produced by Laura Dodd, Cora Atkinson. An ESPN Films release.

Anthem, (United States) – World Premiere. What would it sound like to have a national anthem that actually reflects America? Anthem follows composer Kris Bowers and producer DJ Dahi on a road trip across the country to find out.Directed by Peter Nicks. Produced by Peter Nicks, Kris Bowers, Sean Havey, Chris L. Jenkins, Ryan Coogler. An Onyx Collective/Hulu release.

BS High, (United States) – World Premiere. After a nationally televised high school football game between top-ranked IMG Academy and unknown Bishop Sycamore ended with an IMG blowout win, it’s discovered that Bishop Sycamore isn’t at all what it seems. Directed by Martin Desmond Roe, Travon Free. Produced by Jack Turner, Spencer Paysinger, Todd Schulman, Constance Schwartz-Morini, Adam McKay, Michael Strahan, Jay Peterson, Todd Lubin. An HBO Sports Documentaries release.

Comedy of War: Laughter in Ukraine, (United States) – World Premiere. Four Ukrainian stand-up comics tour their homeland, bringing laughter and joy as a form of resistance and recovery amid wartime. This heartfelt documentary beautifully portrays the enduring human spirit and comedy’s healing power. Directed by Christopher Walters. Produced by Krista Liney.

Common Ground, (United States) – World Premiere. Sobering yet hopeful, Common Ground exposes the interconnectedness of American farming policy, politics, and illness. Follow the solution-driven plight of Regenerative Farmers as they make a case for soil health across the continent and beyond. Directed by Rebecca Tickell, Josh Tickell. Produced by Rebecca Tickell, Josh Tickell, Eric Dillon. Recipient of the 2023 Human/Nature Award.

Every Body, (United States) – World Premiere. Three intersex people challenge a heteronormative system of secrecy and non-consensual surgery. Every Body is Oscar-nominated documentarian Julie Cohen’s impassioned battle cry for the rights and dignity of intersex children and adults in the United States. Directed by Julie Cohen. Produced by Tommy Nguyen, Molly O’Brien. A Focus Features release.

Happy Clothes: A Film About Patricia Field, (United States) – World Premiere. With idiosyncratic style and an eye toward the future of fashion, Patricia Field has always been shaping culture. Happy Clothes: A Film About Patricia Field brings us into the mind of the one-of-a-kind visionary and queer icon. Directed by Michael Selditch. Produced by Donald Zuckerman, Samuel J. Paul, Michael Selditch, Lydia Tenaglia, Christopher Collins, Luisa Law, Tricia Weber Youssi, Ryan Price, Lori Zuckerman.

Invisible Beauty, (United States) – New York Premiere. This documentary about the life of model and activist Bethann Hardison is both a fascinating life story and an irrefutable argument for the importance of diversity and inclusion. Directed by Bethann Hardison, Frédéric Tcheng. Produced by Lisa Cortés.

It’s Basic, (United States) – World Premiere. A compelling look at Universal Basic Income pilot programs in U.S. cities, It’s Basic follows those spearheading the movement to combat inequality and poverty. Directed by Marc Levin. Produced by Michael Tubbs, Daphne Pinkerson, Auri Akerele, Elizabeth Sehring.

The League, (United States) – World Premiere. Baseball isn’t the game we know and love without the contribution of Black Americans. Director Sam Pollard explores the incredible history of the Negro Leagues, its impact on the sport of baseball, and the players that still resonate through history to this day. Directed by Sam Pollard. Produced by Dave Sirulnick, Jen Isaacson, Robin Espinola, Byron Motley, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Tariq Trotter. A Magnolia Pictures release.

Milli Vanilli, (United States) – World Premiere. Filmmaker Luke Korem looks back on the origins and eventual fallout of a one-hit-wonder. Milli Vanilli scrutinizes the dreams of singers Rob & Fab, who fell prey to greedy tactics, causing their downfall. Directed by Luke Korem. Produced by Luke Korem, Bradley Jackson.

Minted, (United States, Canada, Cuba, Netherlands, India, Nigeria) – World Premiere. Director Nicholas Bruckman brings a fascinating look at the intersection of art, commerce, and digital ownership through the rise and crash of the NFT market. Directed by Nicholas Bruckman. Produced by Shawn Hazelett, Rahilla Zafar.

Open Heart, (United States) – World Premiere. Open Heart is an intimate profile of New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist’s struggles to return to hockey after heart surgery. Directed by Jonathan Hock. Produced by Philip Aromando, Erin Leyden, Larry Robbins.

Poisoned: The Danger in Our Food, (United States) – World Premiere. Foodborne pathogens kill thousands of people in the U.S. every year. The urgent documentary Poisoned: The Danger in Our Food is a call to action for the officials who have the power to mitigate this danger. Directed by Stephanie Soechtig. Produced by Ross Girard, Ross Dinerstein, Rebecca Evans. A Netflix release.

Rise – the Siya Kolisi Story, (South Africa) – World Premiere. Chronicling the legendary story of the first Black captain of the South Africa National Rugby Union Team, Rise – the Siya Kolisi Story shows a rebellious young star as he becomes a leader, and ultimately a cultural icon. Directed by Tebogo Malope. Produced by Jon Day.

Ron Delsener Presents, (United States) – World Premiere. Ron Delsener was the most influential concert promoter in New York. In addition to looking back at his career, this documentary shows that the now 86-year-old Delsener still has a spring in his step. Directed by Jake Sumner. Produced by Jake Sumner, James A. Smith, Margaret Loeb.

The Saint of Second Chances, (United States) – World Premiere. The Saint of Second Chances explores the legendary Major League Baseball promoter and owner, Bill Veeck. From “Disco Demolition” to fireworks in the outfield, Veeck’s stunts are credited with forever making watching baseball more fun. Directed by Morgan Neville, Jeff Malmberg. Produced by Danny Breen, Morgan Neville, Jon Berg. A Netflix release.

The Space Race, (United States) – World Premiere. Highlighting the experiences of the first Black astronauts through decades of archival footage and interviews, The Space Race is a reflective illumination on the burden of breaking barriers. Directed by Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, Lisa Cortés. Produced by Keero Birla.

Stan Lee, (United States) – World Premiere. Tracing his life from his upbringing in New York as Stanley Lieber to the rise of Marvel Comics, Stan Lee tells the story of Stan Lee’s life, career, and legacy using his own words and personal archival material. Directed by David Gelb. Produced by David Gelb, Jason Sterman and Brian McGinn. A Disney+ release.

Sunday Best, (United States) – World Premiere. An affectionate documentary about the career of pioneering television host Ed Sullivan, Sunday Best pays particular attention to Sullivan’s platforming of Black musicians during the civil rights era. Directed by Sacha Jenkins. Produced by Rafael Marmor, Margo Precht Speciale, Christopher Leggett, Peter Bittenbender, Mark Monroe.

Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music, (United States) – World Premiere. This riotous concert film documents New York theater legend Taylor Mac’s joyous, challenging, and ostentatiously queer 24-hour musical performance. Featuring virtuoso musicians, innovative costumes, and the American myth as told by sailor’s ditties, disco, and sugary pop alike, Mac’s cathartic celebration is not to be missed. Directed by Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman. Produced by Joel Stillerman, Linda Brumbach, Alisa Regas, Taylor Mac, Mari Rivera. An HBO Documentary Films Release.

This Is Not Financial Advice, (United States) – World Premiere. Retail investors, including “Dogecoin Millionaire” Glauber Contessoto, navigate the burgeoning, lucrative, and volatile world of cryptocurrency. Directed by Chris Temple, Zach Ingrasci. Produced by Jenna Kelly, Carrie Weprin, Martine Phelan-Roberts.

Untitled Nicky Nodjoumi, (United States) – World Premiere. In this hybrid political thriller and verité portrait documentary, Sara Nodjoumi, working with co-director and husband, Till Schauder, makes her directorial debut with this personal film, diving into the mystery surrounding the disappearance of more than 100 “treasonous” paintings by her father, seminal Iranian modern artist Nickzad Nodjoumi. Directed by Sara Nodjoumi, Till Schauder. Produced by Sara Nodjoumi, Till Schauder. An HBO Documentary release.

We Dare to Dream, (UK) – World Premiere. An inspirational, intimate story of resilience and freedom, We Dare To Dream follows athletes on their journey to become part of the refugee Olympic team in Tokyo 2020. Directed by Waad al-Kateab. Produced by Joanna Natasegara.

Your Fat Friend, (United States, UK) – World Premiere. Popular anonymous blogger Aubrey Gordon spent five years writing about the realities of living as a self-described “very fat person.” Now, she is about to face the public for the very first time. Directed and produced by Jeanie Finlay.

SPOTLIGHT+

Tribeca’s unique Spotlight+ events bring the film experience off the screen with live events, performances, and conversations after each screening.

“Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall” (Photo by Dutty Vannier)

Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall, (United States, Jamaica) – World Premiere. New York City is the Fifteenth Parish in this documentary about the city’s role in the evolution of Dancehall, with legends like Shaggy and Sean Paul on hand to help tell the story. Directed by Ben DiGiacomo, Dutty Vanier. Produced by Amy DiGiacomo, Jay Will, Ben DiGiacomo, Ramfis Myrthil, AJ Leon.

After the Movie: Performance by Dancehall legends.

Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive, (United States) – World Premiere. After 40 years, the singer of “I Will Survive” makes her comeback with a new gospel album. This poignant documentary chronicles Gloria Gaynor’s struggles with ageism and financial ruin on the journey to have her voice heard once more. directed by Betsy Schechter. Produced by Betsy Schechter.

After the Movie: A performance by the one and only Gloria Gaynor.

It’s Only Life After All, (United States) – New York Premiere. A revealing exploration of the beloved duo The Indigo Girls — from their serendipitous meeting at Emory University to their worldwide acclaim — It’s Only Life After All beautifully demonstrates how the musical pair has always remained authentic to their roots as artists, activists, and friends. Directed by Alexandria Bombach. Produced by Kathlyn Horan, Jess Devaney, Anya Rous, Alexandria Bombach.

After the Movie: Songwriting Masterclass by Indigo Girls.

Rather, (United States) – World Premiere. Rather is a long overdue tribute to an icon of journalism, a late-in-life Twitter superstar, father, husband, and voice of reason, compassion and brilliance—Dan Rather. Directed by Frank Marshall. Produced by Frank Marshall, Jenifer Westphal, Joe Plummer, Jeff Hasler, Ethan Goldman, Aly Parker.

After the Movie: A conversation with Peabody Award-winning news anchor Dan Rather and director Frank Marshall.

Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story, (United States) – World Premiere. Following the Russian invasion of his native Ukraine, Eugene Hütz recalls the influence Ukrainian and Roma culture had on him in this globe-spanning history of his punk band Gogol Bordello. Directed by Nate Pommer. Produced by Shawn Killebre.

After the Movie: A performance by Gogol Bordello.

Songs About Fucking, (United States) – World Premiere. Songs About Fucking introduces the artist, showman, and robe-clad raconteur Marc Rebillet as he embarks on one of the first live music tours after COVID-19 lockdown. Directed by James Gallagher. Produced by Lizzie Shapiro, Andrew Swett, Gus Deardoff.

After the Movie: A musical Q&A with Marc Rebillet.

Uncharted, (United States) – World Premiere. Filmmaker Beth Aala goes behind the scenes of Alicia Keys’ “She Is The Music” songwriting camp in this revealing look at the music business. Through the experiences of young Black and Brown women, we are shown how hard it is to succeed in a world granting very little access and opportunity for them. Directed and produced by Beth Aala. Executive Produced by Abby Greensfelder.

After the Movie: A performance from She Is The Music artists, curated by Alicia Keys.

Waitress, the Musical – Live on Broadway!, (United States) – World Premiere. The hit Broadway musical about a small-town pie baker with big dreams gets the silver screen treatment. Directed by Brett Sullivan, music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, book by Jessie Nelson. Produced by Michael Roiff, Barry Weissler, Fran Weissler, Sara Bareilles, Jessie Nelson, Paul Morphos. With Sara Bareilles, Charity Angél Dawson, Caitlin Houlahan, Drew Gehling, Dakin Matthews.

After the Movie: A special performance from Sara Bareilles.

VIEWPOINTS

Tribeca’s home for distinct points of view and bold directorial visions, Viewpoints discovers the most boundary-pushing, rule-breaking new voices in independent film.

Apolonia Sokol in “Apolona, Apolonia” (Photo by Lea Glob)

Apolonia, Apolonia, (Denmark, Poland) – North American Premiere. The striking character-driven documentary Apolonia, Apolonia dives into the exhilarating lifestyle of a young French painter. Filmmaker Lea Glob’s intimate exploration of Apolonia Sokol’s creative pursuits and setbacks results in poignant and deeply-felt storytelling. Directed by Lea Glob. Produced by Sidsel Siersted.

Asog, (Philippines, Canada) – World Premiere. This unique narrative incorporating documentary elements follows Rey, a 40-year-old non-binary teacher and typhoon survivor, on a roadtrip to fame. With surreal comedy and social portrait realism, filmmaker Seán‌ Devlin explores climate change, LGBTQ+ issues, and the impact of colonialism on contemporary Philippines. Directed by Seán Devlin, written by Seán Devlin, Jaya, Arnel Pablo. Produced by Amanda Ernst. With Jaya, Arnel Pablo, Ricky Gacho Jr.

Break the Game, (United States) – World Premiere. Record-breaking gamer Narcissa Wright grapples with her toxic obsession for attention and her space in the streaming community after coming out as transgender, all while attempting to set a new world record for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Directed and produced by Jane M. Wagner.

Catching Dust, (UK, Spain) – World Premiere. A young couple living through turmoil at a commune in the heart of Big Bend gets a visit from New York transplants seeking a new lease on life. Tensions boil over and egos come to a head, leaving everyone frayed and on the edge of disaster. Directed and written by Stuart Gatt. Produced by Mark David, Jon Katz, Edward R. Pressman, Stuart Gatt. With Erin Moriarty, Jai Courtney, Dina Shihabi, Ryan Corr.

Chasing Chasing Amy, (United States) – World Premiere. A filmmaker goes on a journey of self-discovery while making a documentary on the development and creation of Kevin Smith’s controversial LGBTQ+ film, Chasing Amy. Directed by Sav Rodgers. Produced by Alex Schmider, Carrie Radigan, Lela Meadow-Conner, Matthew Mills, Sav Rodgers.

Deep Sea, (China, Netherlands) – North American Premiere. The visually-remarkable coming-of-age animated film Deep Sea thrusts a young girl down to a dreamlike aquatic world where she encounters bizarre creatures and fights to reconnect with her mother. Employing sumptuous watercolor and 3D animation, Tian’s film is a feast for the eyes and heart. Directed and written by Xiaopeng Tian. Produced by Qiao Yi. With Wang Tingwen, Su Xin, Teng Kuixing, Yang Ting, Ji Jing, Fang Taochen.

Hey Viktor!, (Canada) – World Premiere. Twenty-five long years after his time in the limelight, former child actor Cody Lightning tries to revive his fortunes with a self-produced sequel to Smoke Signals in this smart, irreverent new comedy. Directed by Cody Lightning, written by Cody Lightning, Samuel Miller. Produced by Samuel Miller, Blackhorse Lowe, Joshua Jackson, Kyle Thomas, Sara Corry, Blake McWilliam. With Cody Lightning, Hannah Cheesman, Simon Baker, Adam Beach, Gary Farmer, Irene Bedard, Colin Mochrie.

Kim’s Video, (United States) – New York Premiere. For decades, Kim’s Video was a gold mine of extraordinary films until its collection vanished into Italy amid a mysterious sale. Now, take a deep dive into the unbelievable true story of the New York video store and cultural landmark beloved by cinephiles. Directed by David Redmon, Ashley Sabin. Produced by Francesco Galavotti, David Redmon, Ashley Sabin, Dale Smith, Deborah Smith, Rebecca Tabasky.

The Last Night of Amore, (Italy) – North American Premiere. Lieutenant Franco Amore is about to retire after 35 years dedicated to the Italian State Police, until a tempting offer arrives on his last day on the job. Writer-director Andrea Di Stefano delivers a contemporary mafia tale involving greed, corruption, and, of course, family affairs. Directed and written by Andrea Di Stefano. Produced by Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Gabriele Moratti, Marco Colombo, Marco Cohen, Benedetto Habib, Fabrizio Donvito, Daniel Campos Pavoncelli. With Pierfrancesco Favino, Linda Caridi.

Melody of Love, (Ethiopia, Belgium, Argentina, Germany) – World Premiere. Ethiopian jazz guitarist Michael is called upon by his mother to leave Addis Ababa and join her in Brussels, stoking his deep resentment toward European entitlement in this rich, evocative meditation on the internalized weight of colonialism. Directed and written by Edmundo Bejarano. Produced by Carlos Vargas. With Elijah Akalu.

Öte, (Turkey) – World Premiere. Öte follows Lela, a Black woman from New York City traveling alone through Turkey. In no rush to reach her destination, Lela is happily sidetracked by the chance encounters her journey provides. Directed and written by Edmundo Bejarano. Produced by Carlos Vargas. With Iman Artwell-Freeman, Eren Acili, Gülsüm Ölgen, Ziya Sundançikmaz.

Playland, (United States) – North American Premiere. Haunting, whimsical, and exquisitely realized, Playland pays tribute to a long-lost Boston gay bar and the beautiful queer souls who gave it life. Directed and written by Georden West. Produced by Russell Sheaffer, Hannah McSwiggen, Danielle Cooper.

MIDNIGHT

Surprising, shocking, frightening, and thrilling, Tribeca Midnight is the destination for the best in horror and more for late night audiences.

Laura Galán in “One Night With Adela” (Photo by Diego Trenas)

One Night with Adela, (Spain) – World Premiere. After her night shift ends, Adela goes on a drug-fueled, violent rampage of furious revenge on those who ruined her in this remarkably paced, audacious debut. Directed and written by Hugo Ruiz. Produced by Roberto Valentín Carrera, Pedro Azón Ramón y Cajal, Israel Luengo Arana, Hugo Ruiz, Fausto Arias Figuerola-Ferretti, Tote Trenas. With Laura Galán, Gemma Nierga, Jimmy Barnatán, Rosalía Omil, Raudel Raul, Fernando Moraleda.

Perpetrator, (United States, France) – North American Premiere. Teenager Jonny gains supernatural abilities through a mystical transformation, just as girls from her new school go missing. Jonny takes the investigation into her own hands in this coming-of-age, feminist horror-noir. Directed and written by Jennifer Reeder. Produced by Derek Bishé, Gregory Chambet. With Kiah McKirnan, Alicia Silverstone, Christopher Lowell, Melanie Liburd, Ireon Roach. A Shudder release.

The Seeding, (United States) – World Premiere. When a hiker gets lost in the desert, a gang of feral children propelled by haunting legacies traps him in a sadistic battle for survival with a frightening endgame. Directed and written by Barnaby Clay. Produced by Brian R. Etting. With Scott Haze, Kate Lyn Sheil.

You’ll Never Find Me, (Australia) – World Premiere. During a rampaging storm, a shaken young woman arrives at a stranger’s door in an RV park seeking shelter. They both question motives and desires as things escalate to a deadly, bizarre showdown. Directed by Josiah Allen, Indianna Bell, written by Indianna Bell. Produced by Josiah Allen, Indianna Bell, Jordan Cowan, Christine Williams. With Jordan Cowan, Brendan Rock.

ESCAPE FROM TRIBECA

Our Psychotronic Sidebar presenting genre movies from around the globe, giveaways, and special events sure to please even the rowdiest movie lovers.

Adipurush, (India) – World Premiere. Reimagining the epic Indian poem “Ramayana,” the big-budgeted visual feast Adipurush tells the tale of a prince on a mission to rescue his wife from a ten-headed demon overlord. Directed by Om Raut, written by Om Raut, Manoj Muntashir Shukla. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishna Kumar, Om Raut, Prasad Sutar, Rajesh Nair. With Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan, Kriti Sanon, Sunny Singh.

Enter the Clones of Bruce, (United States) – World Premiere. Get ready to play a game of death … and another … and another. The wild documentary Enter the Clones of Bruce dives into the Bruce Lee exploitation craze, otherwise known as Bruceploitation. Directed by David Gregory. Produced by David Gregory, Carl Daft, Frank Djeng, Vivian Wong, Michael Worth. A Severin Films release.

Enter the Dragon, (Hong Kong, United States). One of the most influential crowd pleasers of all time, Enter the Dragon became a global phenomenon along with its beloved star, the legendary Bruce Lee. Join us for this 50th Anniversary screening and celebrate the legacy of this superstar performer and choreographer. Exciting, hilarious and jaw dropping. Directed by Robert Clouse, written by Michael Allin. Produced by Paul Heller, Andre Morgan, Fred Weintraub.

After the Movie: Co-star Angela Mao and Producer Andre Morgan will speak about Bruce Lee and the production of the film, and the Andersons Martial Arts Academy will lead a performance and an audience participation ceremony in honor of his passing 50 years ago.

Final Cut, (France) – New York Premiere. In this clever and raucous “requel” of the Japanese cult hit One Cut of the Dead, a French film crew hilariously struggles to pull off an ambitious, livestreamed, single-take filming of the alien zombie apocalypse. Directed and written by Michel Hazanavicius. Produced by Michel Hazanavicius, Alain de la Mata, Noémie Devide, Brahim Chioua, Vincent Maraval, John Penotti. With Bérénice Bejo, Romain Duris. A Kino Lorber release.

Suitable Flesh, (United States) – World Premiere. After murdering her young patient, a once-esteemed psychiatrist helplessly watches her life spiral into a nightmarish maelstrom of supernatural hysteria and gruesome deaths, all linked to a seemingly unstoppable ancient curse. Directed by Joe Lynch, written by Dennis Paoli. Produced by Barbara Crampton, Bob Portal, Joe Wicker, Inderpal Singh. With Heather Graham, Judah Lewis, Bruce Davison, Johnathon Schaech, Barbara Crampton, Jonah Ray.

2023 TRIBECA FESTIVAL SHORT FILM SELECTION

NARRATIVE SHORTS

Paolo Vargas in “Angelo” (Photo by Alex Plumb”

Angelo, (Bolivia) – New York Premiere. Directed and written by Alex Plumb.

Bellybutton, (United States) – New York Premiere. Directed and written by Hilary Eden.

Blackwool, (Scotland) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Eubha Akilada.

Blood, (Australia) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Vathana Suganya Suppiah.

Brenda and Billy (and the Pothos Plant), (United States) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Dave Solomon.

Burrow, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Leaf Lieber.

Cuarto de Hora, (France, Chile) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Nemo Arancibia.

Daddy Issues, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Matt Campanella and Stephanie Chloé Hepner. Written by Matt Campanella.

Dead Cat, (Canada) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Annie-Claude Caron and Danick Audet.

Ecstasy, (Mexico, United States) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Carolina Costa.

Everybody Dies…Sometimes, (United Kingdom) – International Premiere. Directed and written by Charlotte Hamblin.

Fairytales, (Mexico) – World Premiere. Directed by Daniela Soria. Written by Daniela Soria and Mar Flores.

Feliz Navidad, (Italy) – International Premiere. Directed and written by Greta Scarano.

Ferns, (Chile) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Paz Ramírez.

Fish Out of Water, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Francesca Scorsese. Written by Francesca Scorsese, Megan LuLu Taylor, Savannah Braswell.

Flower, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Lauren Finerman.

For people in trouble, (United Kingdom) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Alex Lawther.

A Fox In The Night, (United Kingdom) – New York Premiere. Directed and written by Keeran Anwar Blessie.

Hafekasi, (Australia) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Annelise Hickey.

HEARTBEAT, (Switzerland) – North American Premiere. Directed by Michèle Flury. Written by Michèle Flury and Martha Benedict.

Il Fait Beau, (Netherlands) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Leonardo Cariglino.

In Passing, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Hillia Aho.

Konpa, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Al’Ikens Plancher.

The K-Town Killer, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Healin Kweon and Vahan Bedelian.

Last Call, (United Kingdom) – World Premiere. Directed by Harry Holland.

Let Liv, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Erica Rose. Written by Olivia Levine.

Mars, (United Kingdom) – North American Premiere. Directed by Abel Rubinstein. Written by Chris Bush.

My Eyes Are Up Here, (United Kingdom) – New York Premiere. Directed by Nathan Morris. Written by Arthur Meek.

Nuit Blonde, (Canada) – United States Premiere. Directed and written by Gabrielle Demers.

Proof of Concept, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Ellie Sachs.

Rustling, (New Zealand) – New York Premiere. Directed and written by Tom Furniss.

Schettinimous, (Argentina) – International Premiere. Directed by Tomás Terzano. Written by Tomás Terzano and Macarena Rubio.

Sealed Off, (China, Macau, United States) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Tianyu Jiang.

Shadow Brother Sunday, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Alden Ehrenreich.

Somewhere In Between, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Kyle Vorbach.

The Sperm Bank, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Margaux Susi. Written by Rob Scerbo and Jeremy Culhane.

Spinning, (Mexico) – New York Premiere. Directed by Isabel Vaca and Arturo Mendicuti. Written by Mara Vaca

Thaw, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Alex Bush

They Grow Up So Fast, (United States) – New York Premiere. Directed and written by John F. Beach.

Tits, (Norway) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Eivind Landsvik.

Upsidedown, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed and written by Razan Ghalayini.

Voice Activated, (Australia) – New York Premiere. Directed by Steve Anthopoulos.

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

Ayenda, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Marie Margolius.

Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson.

Cam’s Mementos, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Cam Archer.

Cruzan Cowboys, (United States, US Virgin Islands) – World Premiere. Directed by Douglas Wesley Segars.

Deciding Vote, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Jeremy Workman and Robert Lyons.

Dragon Boys, (United Kingdom, Ghana) – World Premiere. Directed by Tom Ringsby.

Goodbye, Morganza, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Devon Blackwell.

In the Shadow of Palms, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Mischa Meyer.

Letter to Rosie, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Ariel Danziger.

Merman, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Sterling Hampton IV.

Miss Brown, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Christina Burchard.

Over The Wall, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Krystal Tingle.

The Right to Joy, (United States) – New York Premiere. Directed by Tim Kressin.

Savi the Cat, (United States) – New York Premiere. Directed by Bryan Tucker and Netsanet Tjirongo.

Then Comes the Body, (Nigeria, United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Jacob Krupnick.

To My Father, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Sean Schiavolin.

What Next?, (France) – World Premiere. Directed by Cécile Rogue.

The Winterkeeper, (United Kingdom) – World Premiere. Directed by Laurence Topham and David Levene.

ANIMATED SHORTS

Vishavjit Singh in “American Sikh” (Image courtesy of Studio Showoff)

American Sikh, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by Ryan Westra and Vishavjit Singh. Written by Ryan Westra.

Corvine, (Canada) – New York Premiere. Directed and written by Sean McCarron.

A Cow in the Sky, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by C. Fraser Press and Darren Press. Written by C. Fraser Press.

The Night Doctrine, (United States, Afghanistan) – World Premiere. Directed by Mauricio Rodriguez Pons and Almuneda Toral.

Regular Rabbit, (Ireland) – New York Premiere. Directed and written by Eoin Duffy.

Restless Is the Night, (United States) – New York Premiere. Directed by Yuehan Tan and Xiaoxue Meng.

Starling, (United States) – World Premiere. Directed by and written by Mitra Shahidi.

Witchfairy, (Belgium, Bulgaria) – New York Premiere. Directed by David Van de Weyer. Written by Brigitte Minne.

MUSIC VIDEOS

Aina Malvik in “Anoana” (Photo by Øystein Moe)

Anoana, (Norway) – New York Premiere. Directed by Line Klungseth Johansen. Written by Line Klungseth Johansen and Øystein Moe.

Bugs, (United States) – New York Premiere. Performed by The Vindys. Directed by Peter-John Campbell.

I Guess I’m Changing, (United Kingdom) – New York Premiere. Performed by Someone. Directed by David Spearing. Written by Tessa Rose Jackson.

The Light, (United States) – New York Premiere. Performed by Lunarcode. Directed and written by Vincenzo Carubia.

Special, (United States) – New York Premiere. Performed by Lizzo. Directed by Christian Breslauer.

To The Desert, (Israel) – New York Premiere. Performed by Dana Ivgy. Directed by Asaf Yecheskel. Written by Dana Ivgy.

Wait in the Truck, (United States) – New York Premiere. Performed by Hardy. Directed by Justin Clough. Written by Michael Hardy and Justin Clough.

Wild Child, (United States) – New York Premiere. Performed by The Black Keys. Directed by Bryan Schlam.

Harry Belafonte, groundbreaking entertainer and activist, dead at 96

April 25, 2023

by Carla Hay

Harry Belafonte in “Is That Black Enough for You?!?” (Photo courtesy of Netflix)

Harry Belafonte, a legendary entertainer and activist, died of congestive heart failure at his New York City home on April 25, 2023. He was 96. According to the Associated Press, Belafonte’s publicist said that Belafonte’s wife Pamela Frank Belafonte was by his side at the time of his death.

Belafonte was born in New York City on March 1, 1927. His birth name was Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. His parents were Jamaican immigrants. Harold George Bellanfanti Sr. was a chef. His mother Melvine Bellanfanti was a housekeeper. From 1932 to 1940, Belafonte lived in Jamaica with one of his grandmothers, which is why Belafonte had a slight but noticeable Jamaican accent when he spoke.

In the 1950s, his first claim to fame in the entertainment business was as a singer. His most well-known hits were “Matilda,” “Banana Boat Song” and “Jamaica Farewell.” Belafonte, along with his longtime friend Sidney Poitier, were among the first black men to have starring roles in major motion pictures. Belafonte’s breakthrough movie role was in 1954’s “Carmen Jones.” Some of his other famous films included 1974’s “Uptown Saturday Night” and 2018’s “BlacKkKlansman.”

He stepped away from acting in the 1960s to focus on his music career and civil rights activism. His last movie appearance was being interviewed in the 2022 Netflix documentary “Is That Black Enough for You?!?,” which chronicled African American-oriented movies from 1968 to 1978. Belafonte also made several appearances on television, most notably winning a Primetime Emmy Award (Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series) in 1960, for the 1959 TV special “Tonight With Belafonte.” He was the first black person to win an Emmy Award.

Belafonte and Poitier were outspoken activists in the U.S. civil rights movement. The two friends would have occasional periods of estrangement because of their different opinions on civil rights movement strategies. Belafonte said in many interviews over the years that he believed in more progressive political ideals, while Poitier was more conservative. Other causes that Belafonte supported in his life included anti-war efforts, feminism and LGBTQ rights. Belafonte was also a prominent humanitarian who supported the African American Students Foundation, the TransAfrica Forum and the Institute for Policy Studies, among many other groups aimed at helping those who are disadvantaged.

Belafonte received several accolades in his life, including three Grammy Awards, one Emmy Award and one Tony Award. In 1989, he was feted at the Kennedy Center Honors. In 1994, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts. In 2014, he received the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. In 2022, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and became the oldest living person to be inducted.

Belafonte was married three times and had four children. He and first wife, Marguerite Byrd, were married from 1948 to 1957, with the marriage ending in divorce. They had two daughters: Adrienne and Shari. Belafonte’s marriage to second wife Julie Robinson (a former dancer) lasted from 1957 to 2004. Their children David and Gina were born from that marriage, which also ended in divorce. Belafonte’s widow, Pamela (a former photographer), married him in 2008.