Tribeca 2010: The What and the Why

By Guest Contributor Brian Whisenant:

It’s never easy trying to navigate a film festival, but trying to predict which ones might have Oscar potential makes it much more challenging and fun. Oscar’s relationship with Tribeca, at least on the surface, boils down to “Taxi to the Dark Side.” It was a surprise when it won at Tribeca and a surprise (to me, at least) when it unseated both “Sicko” and “No End in Sight” for the Academy Award.

Every year I look at the list of films for my own pleasure, all the while selling tickets (did I mention that I am one of the box office managers?) to the likes of “Bart Got a Room” and “City Island.” I am asked every day: “What has sold out?” And “Where is the buzz?” For years, I would answer, “So and so” is sold out. (Customer gets angry.) I tell them that “most of the films that sell out immediately get a release date” (while in the back of my mind I also think: to mediocre reviews. “In the Loop” being the major Tribeca early sell out exception). But, who cares! For that extra 4 bucks they can see it before everyone else. Right?

That’s when they finally ask what I would see if I wasn’t slaving away behind the glass window. And this year, I can actually say, “these are the films I want to see. And I’m actually going to see them.”

I feel as if enough has been said about Alex Gibney’s trifecta, (“My Trip to Al-Qaeda,” “Freakonomics” and “The Untitled Eliot Spitzer Film”) so I will move on. Staying with docs, I’m a bit excited about “Climate of Change,” narrated by Oscar winner Tilda Swinton, from the producers of “An Inconvenient Truth.” How can the Academy ignore 13 year old Indian environmental activists? I’m also excited about “Earth Made of Glass,” made by Deborah Scranton (who directed TFF’s best doc, “War Tapes”). This film looks at France’s hidden role in the 1994 Rawandan genocide. While much has been made of young women in polygamist camps, “Sons of Perdition” takes a look at how it affects a group of teenage boys. This film seems quite timely…but with a twist.

As far as I can remember a few music docs have made Oscar’s short list in the past, but none have made the final cut, at least in the last few years for sure. Could “Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage” be the one? I’m also wondering if after “The September Issue” and “Valentino: The Last Emperor” were left out in the cold, similar films (at least in my mind) “Joan Rivers – A Piece of Work” and “Vidal Sasoon the Movie” stand a chance.

I never really think much about acting nods coming from Tribeca films, but I was struck by “Get Low,” directed by Live Action short winner Aaron Schneider The film stars Robert Duval, Sissy Spacek, and non winner (should be winner!) Bill Murray. It’s pretty difficult to ignore that group.

Finally there are two films that have a connection to one of my favorite Oscar winners, “Once.” The first of those films is “Snap,” brought to us by the producers of “Once.” This is one of my most anticipated films of the fest. Who doesn’t love a psychological, multigenerational drama. We also have “Zonad,” from the the director of “Once,” John Carney (with Kieran Carney). I’m guessing that this comedy about a (maybe) visitor from outer space might simply be a follow up that carries with it very little pressure.

Until I see these films I can only guess if they will actually have what it takes to snag Oscar’s interest. Since there are always surprises, I’m going to see all of these as well as any other I can make the time for. As soon as I think I know something, I will let you in on it. And in a few months, I’m sure I will be proven wrong. (And the Oscar goes to….”Zonad?”)