By our count, there’s well over 100 feature length movies playing between April 20 and May 1 at the Tribeca Film Festival. That’s plenty to keep track of, especially considering you’re probably one of the many not even lucky enough to be in New York at this time of year. Our list below may still of use to you, though: these are the 10 movies we’re most anticipating to see, and the ones we believe will have the most impact both at the festival and beyond.
In the closing days of apartheid South Africa, four combat photographers risked life and limb to document its bloody twilight. This is the story that proves chaos exists in front of and behind the lens, starring Ryan Philippe, Malin Akerman, and Taylor Kitsch. Bang Bang Club opens in limited release this Friday everywhere.
Think double rainbow has pushed the boundaries of all rainbow-based visual narratives? Then prepare to have your nerves and perceptions of reality totally shattered by Beyond the Black Rainbow, a fierce sci-fi parable about a woman’s struggle to escape from a labyrinth. Alternative universe 1983 never looked so Kubrickian!
After a long absence from the mainstream following American History X, director Tony Kaye comes to Tribeca this year with a star-studded drama in Detachment. Adrien Brody is a disaffected substitute teacher whose life philosophies are turned upside down when he comes in contact with the teachers and students of the failing new school to which he’s been assigned. The impressive cast includes Christina Hendricks, Marcia Gay Harden, James Caan, and Lucy Liu, among others.
The story of a man who sells everything to get it all back. Will Ferrell stars in this adaptation of a Raymond Carver story, taking a softly dramatic turn reminiscent of Stranger Than Fiction as his character loses his job, gets his stuff kicked out of the house, and spends the next few days holding a rather meaningful garage sale. Everything Must Go will see limited release outside of the festival on May 13.
Hong Kong icon Tsui Hark‘s Detective Dee is already being hailed as the fun Sherlock Holmes-esque romp that Guy Ritchie wishes he made. Andy Lau stars as a disgraced detective hired to solve some strange deaths that threaten to delay the inauguration of a new empress.
A rather sordid tale of a good doctor and one dirty deed. Orlando Bloom stars as the titular character, whose success with a young, beautiful patient gives him confidence. But when he finds himself falling for her, he starts thinking of ways to sabotage her treatment and keep her in the hospital and close to him.
What’s that? You say you’ve never gotten to participate in a good old fashioned orgy? Then live vicariously through this comedy about friends, all old high school chums, who attempt to throw one sexy shindig in the midst of their their 30s. The ensemble cast includes SNL regulars Jason Sudeikis and Will Forte, as well as Lake Bell, Lucy Punch, Lindsay Sloane, Martin Starr… and Don Johnson?
Over the course of one day, suspicions and temptations creep into a seven-year married couple. Is the husband cheating with a beautiful co-worker? Can the wife possibly retaliate when an old love resurfaces? Keira Knightley and Sam Worthington bring confidence and maturity to their role as the central married couple in crisis. Last Night will open in limited release across the nation on May 6.
Time Magazine is already raving/warning that beverages should not be taken into the theater for this movie, lest it should come right out the nose and maybe even onto the patron in front of you. Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon star as fictionalized accounts of themselves as they travel the English countryside, discussing food, sex, and the finer points of a delectable Michael Caine impression.
Few will claim originality points for The Troll Hunter. But what this Scandanavian found footage creature feature has going for is its European sensibility, fusing breathless action scenes with horror, sharp cinematography, and droll deadpan humor. Magnet will release this future cult classic later in the year.
For a full list of the movies, check out our Tribeca Film Festival hub. We’ll also be updating the hub daily with news, red carpet photos, and celebrity spotlights!
