In a waterfront celebration a stone’s throw from where the World Trade Center towers stood, the 10th annual Tribeca Film Festival opened with music and a movie Wednesday.
Tribeca has made flashy, populist festivities a central component over the years, so Elton John was a good fit. First, Cameron Crowe’s documentary on the collaboration between John and Leon Russell, “The Union,” screened. It was followed by a short performance by John.
“I’m honored. I’m frightened,” said John, introducing the film he had yet to see himself.
The event was held outdoors and for free at the World Financial Plaza downtown, where the hole in the skyline is still deeply felt and the rebuilding construction is prominent. The locale was fitting, since it was the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that initially drove Robert De Niro, producer Jane Rosenthal and her husband, the entrepreneur Craig Hatkoff, to found the festival with the aim of revitalizing its namesake neighborhood and downtown Manhattan.
“The Tribeca Film Festival started nine years ago with a flash of inspiration and a surge of passion,” said Rosenthal. “I could have never have imagined that we would find ourselves here today nearly a decade later.”
The festival trotted out other attractions too, including a performance of “Walk Like an Egyptian” by the Bangles with the PS22 elementary school choir, remarks from comedian Denis Leary and an introduction from Martin Scorsese.
“For me, movies and music have been inseparable. They always have been and they always will be,” said Scorsese. “And I know that the same holds true for Cameron Crowe.”
“The Union” documents the studio sessions between John and his idol, Russell, a famed singer, songwriter and piano player who was a ubiquitous session player early in his career and has been a sometimes-forgotten legend from the earlier days of rock ‘n’ roll.
Crowe, whose films include “Almost Famous” and “Say Anything,” captures the two musicians working with producer T Bone Burnett and John’s longtime lyricist, Bernie Taupin, as well as numerous guest musicians. Though Russell is apprehensive at the start of the collaboration — which would result in the album “The Union” — the 69-year-old is gradually stirred (subtly since he hides behind a cloud of white hair and beard) and enlivened by the work.
Russell, who underwent serious brain surgery during the film, wasn’t in attendance Wednesday but instead sent a video to thank Tribeca. Crowe, on location for another film, also sent a video message. (Crowe is represented for commercials and branded content by Moxie Pictures.)
Opening with “The Union” sets the table for a Tribeca littered with music-related films. Among those in the lineup are documentaries on Kings of Leon (“Talihina Sky”), Ozzy Osbourne (“God Bless Ozzy Osbourne”), the Swell Season (“The Swell Season”) and Carol Channing (“Carol Channing: Larger Than Life”).
As the cool air floated off the Hudson River on Wednesday night, the conditions weren’t ideal for music playing. Between “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man,” John confessed his hands were “ice.”
The coming music documentaries — and many other films — should be cozier in movie theaters throughout the festival’s run, through May 1.
Disney Pledges $15 million In L.A. Fire Aid As More Celebs Learn They’ve Lost Their Homes
The Pacific Palisades wildfires torched the home of "This Is Us" star Milo Ventimiglia, perhaps most poignantly destroying the father-to-be's newly installed crib.
CBS cameras caught the actor walking through his charred house for the first time, standing in what was once his kitchen and looking at a neighborhood in ruin. "Your heart just breaks."
He and his pregnant wife, Jarah Mariano, evacuated Tuesday with their dog and they watched on security cameras as the flames ripped through the house, destroying everything, including a new crib.
"There's a kind of shock moment where you're going, 'Oh, this is real. This is happening.' What good is it to continue watching?' And then at a certain point we just turned it off, like 'What good is it to continue watching?'"
Firefighters sought to make gains Friday during a respite in the heavy winds that fanned the flames as numerous groups pledged aid to help victims and rebuild, including a $15 million donation pledge from the Walt Disney Co.
More stars learn their homes are gone
While seeing the remains of his home, Ventimiglia was struck by a connection to his "This Is Us" character, Jack Pearson, who died after inhaling smoke in a house fire. "It's not lost on me life imitating art."
Mandy Moore, who played Ventimiglia's wife on "This Is Us," nearly lost her home in the Eaton fire, which scorched large areas of the Altadena neighborhood. She said Thursday that part of her house is standing but is unlivable, and her husband lost his music studio and all his instruments.
Mel Gibson's home is "completely gone," his publicist Alan Nierob confirmed Friday. The Oscar winner revealed the loss of his home earlier Friday while appearing on Joe Rogan's... Read More