That's right ... I disappear for two months and then come back with what some might think is a slightly self-serving post promoing the work gig. But really, this is not self-serving; this is you-serving. Or something. But I want to share with you a really special program that we're introducing this year at Tribeca -- two actually that are a bit similar called Conversations in Cinema and Behind the Screens.
Obviously, Tribeca has once again taken over my days, nights, and every moment in between. First there was all the programming, then all the scheduling, then all the managing of various areas, and now here we are, late at night finishing my final preparations for our first full day of movie magic. Like the rest of the programmers here, I'm really excited about this year's lineup, and one film in particular is a personal fave because I am wholly responsible for it being in the festival
I saw a work-in-progress presentation of Under Our Skin at last year's IFP Market. The film is a documentary about Lyme disease, and I don't believe I'm exaggerating when I say that it is one of the most important films you could see this year, not just because of the hidden near-epidemic that is Lyme disease in this country, but because of all the health industry implications and machinations explored in the film. There are plenty of opportunities to see the film at Tribeca, but there is only one Behind the Screens screening.
In an effort to allow festival-goers to have an even deeper experience with some of our films, we've created this new series. It may not be utterly revolutionary, but it is brand new to Tribeca. Following a film screening, rather than our usual 10-15 minute informal Q&A session, we will present a longer, more in-depth moderated conversation with the filmmakers. In the case of Under Our Skin, its Behind the Screens event will be on Sun 4/27 at 6:30 PM at the DGA Theater on 57th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. The discussion after the screening will be moderated by Robert Bazell, the Chief Health and Science correspondent for NBC news. He will be talking to the film's director Andy Abraham Wilson; a medical and Lyme disease expert who appears in the film, Dr. Richard Horowitz; and noted author and former Lyme patient Amy Tan. Tickets are still available, and I encourage you to check out this event. It should be a fascinating, informative and educational evening, and the film itself is really great
Another Behind the Screens event which should be interesting for very different reasons is the May 1 screening of Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha, the latest work from indie film icon Melvin Van Peebles. Van Peebles and producer/director/actor Warrington Hudlin will talk after that screening, and it should prove to be an illuminating look into the creative mind of one of independent cinema's most influential figures.
Also tonight, the day before it's opening, we're showing Errol Morris' new documentary about Abu Ghraib, Standard Operating Procedure. As part of our other new film and discussion series, after this screening (tonight at 6:30 PM at the DGA), "Jarhead" author Tony Swofford will talk with Morris about the film.
We have a lot of great films showing at Tribeca this year, and I hope you'll check some out. When my schedule slows down in a couple weeks, I look forward to returning to this space and talking about some of my favorite films from the festival, and, as always, I'd love to hear from people about the films they saw or even just the experience they had. Tribeca continues to grow, and I think this year we've actually made some great strides, especially ones that have been beneficial for our general audiences and the nearly 3000 people who donate their time to volunteer. Hopefully you've noticed. Either way, please feel free to reach out and let me know.
Meanwhile ... it's back to work for me .....