VISIONS OF HISTORY & TRUTH: Artists in Action After 9/11
We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.
-John F. Kennedy
Moderated By: Brian Lehrer ( The Brian Lehrer Show – WNYC)
Featuring: Lloyd Levin (Producer, United 93), David Alan Basche (actor, United 93), Ann Hoog (Curator, September 11th Documentary Project, Library of Congress), Paula Grant Berry (World Trade Center family member)
In response to the events of September 11th, many artists chose to act in the way they knew best – through their craft. Challenged by tragedy, they drew a line of their own and offered photographs, paintings, poetry, theater and film that contribute to the memory of that day. Our panelists represent those whose work will soothe and provoke, comfort and confront and forever be a part of the story—the history—of September 11, 2001.
TRIBECA TALKS: J.J. Abrams
Moderated by: David D’Arcy
J.J. Abrams, the creator behind cult television hits Alias and Lost, is a self-professed fan of the gaming industry. His super-stylized, glossy and fast paced shows have become a favorite to a generation raised on Doom and MTV. As he prepares for the wide release of his feature film directorial debut MI3, Abrams joins us to talk about taking on the Mission Impossible franchise and why his success just might make him the poster boy for allowing your kids a little more time with their X Boxes.
TRIBECA TALKS: Morgan Freeman
Featuring: Morgan Freeman, Lori McCreary (CEO, Revelations), and James Ackerman (CEO, ClickStar)
A ClickStar is born… Not content to bask in the glow of his Oscar or rest honorably on his laurels, Morgan Freeman, through his production company Revelations Entertainment, has partnered with chipmaker Intel to herald the forthcoming revolution in online distribution for film. Join us for a special Tribeca Talks event as Mr. Freeman discusses his craft, his calling, and his latest venture into the future of digital distribution with Clickstar. Mr. Freeman will be joined by Revelations business partner and CEO Lori McCreary and ClickStar CEO James Ackerman.
TRIBECA TALKS: T BONE BURNETT
Featuring: T Bone Burnett and Vanity Fair‘s Lisa Robinson
T Bone Burnett has made a habit of broadening the rock, country and blues sensibility of music fans by working with artists from Bob Dylan to Reese Witherspoon. His most notable recent films — the Grammy winning O Brother Where Are Thou and the Oscar winning Walk the Line — re-introduced America to its musical canon. Join us for a special panel discussion with the man behind these spectacular soundtracks.
TOGA, TOGA, TOGA!
What the Industry Learned at Faber College
Featuring: Harold Ramis, Todd Phillips ( Old School, Roadtrip), and Jeff Garlin ( Curb Your Enthusiasm, I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With)
Through films such as Animal House, Caddyshack and Groundhog Day, Harold Ramis has influenced a cottage industry of subversive comedies that takes aim at the American mainstream with a cast of rebels and outsiders. Join us for a conversation with Ramis and his heirs in American comedy film as they discuss smart comedy, big ideas and sticking it to the man.
DOWNLOADING AT A SCREEN NEAR YOU
Featuring: Steven Soderbergh, Todd Wagner, and Dan Glickman.
Moderated by The Hollywood Reporter‘s Georg Szalai.
Some argue that legal downloads saved the music industry, so could the same hold true for the film industry? Director Stephen Soderbergh, 2929 Entertainment’s Todd Wagner & MPAA Chairman & CEO Dan Glickman join us for a conversation about the changing distribution platforms that are revolutionizing the movie industry faster than you can say Multiplex.
BREAKING THE BAND
Featuring: Alexandra Patsavas and Josh Schwartz
What Oprah does for books, Alexandra Patsavas and the other music junkies at the collective think tank known as the Chop Shop do for indie bands. Get an inside look at Patsavas’ collaborative, hit-making process with The O.C.‘s creator Josh Schwartz as they take you from listening to weekly packages of up to 500 CDs to the big moment when a song hits TV…and inevitably becomes a hit. Up next for the duo? The big screen.
ADELANTE MUJERES: Latina Women at the Helm
Featuring: Rosie Perez, Mia Maestro, and Zoe Saldana ( Crossroads, Pirates of the Caribbean)
Latin women have become prolific in American culture,
ascending to the top of the pop charts, box office and the Nielsen ratings. As their influence grows and expectations increase, how will Latin women balance the expectations of their ethnic culture with the demands of the marketplace? Rosie Perez ( Just Like the Son, Fearless) Mia Maestro ( Poseidon, Alias) and others join us to discuss.
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Presents
THE BIOLOGY OF KING KONG
Featuring: Joe Leterri, Roger Fouts, Amy Vedder, and Robert Krulwich
Peter Jackson’s special-effects extravaganza presents one of the most realistic movie monsters in cinematic history, but could a giant gorilla like Kong really exist? Well, yes. But feeding him could prove a bit challenging. 2006 Academy Award winner Joe Leterri (Special Effects, King Kong), world renown animal behaviorist Roger Fouts, biologist Amy Vedder and others discuss creating authentic creatures for the big screen with ABC News correspondent and NPR contributor Robert Krulwich.
WHAT WOULD JESUS…DIRECT?
Featuring: Cuba Gooding Jr. ( Jerry Maguire, As Good as It Gets); Jonathan Bock, President, Grace Hill Media; Michael Flaherty, President Walden Media ( Chronicles of Narnia, Because of Winn-Dixie); Ralph Winter, Producer ( X-Men, Fantastic Four)
The religious product market is an $8 billion a year business, so it’s no wonder that following the blockbuster success of Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ, Hollywood began to mine the Christian market for some new ideas with hopes that the faithful would follow. And they have. In a movement that mixes spirituality with economics, studios are embracing a future of filmmaking that includes having a little faith…in faith.
Doc@Tribeca
PROFESSIONAL AMATEURS: Mocking the Truth
Moderated by: Jim Kelly (Managing Editor, TIME magazine)
Featuring: Michael McKean ( This is Spinal Tap) Lewis Lapham ( Harper’s Magazine) Jeff Goldblum ( Pittsburgh, The Fly), Bob Balaban ( Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind), Ed Helms ( The Daily Show)
Straddling the line between truth and fiction, mockumentaries often reveal more about their subject than the films that claim to document them. It’s funny because it’s so true. As reality television and documentaries dominate American popular culture, they ripen for satire and social commentary. From celebrity to dog shows to politics…nothing is safe from ridicule.
Doc@Tribeca
TRULY EMBEDDED: Candid Cameras & the Secret Lives of Soldiers
Moderated by: Christopher Isham (ABC News)
Featuring: Deborah Scranton ( The War Tapes), Anthony Swofford ( Jarhead), and Aparisim “Bobby” Ghosh ( TIME magazine, Sr. Correspondent – Iraq)
Since the time of Homer, artists have struggled with how to describe the indescribable experience of war. In modern times, proximity, both physical and personal, to war has been hindered by the tools of storytelling. But new, ultra-mobile and barely noticeable cameras are making it possible to put soldiers both in front of and behind the lens to capture images and sounds of unprecedented vitality. How do their narratives—several of which are illuminated in 2006 Festival films—alter our perception of war, and what will be the long-term results of these new perspectives?
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