In 2002, Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff founded the Tribeca Film Festival. This was a direct response to the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001. Initially planned as a way to revitalize Lower Manhattan after the attacks, the festival quickly took on a life of its own. The inaugural festival was attended by more than 150,000 people and shook up the ‘old school’ way that film festivals such as Sundance, the Venice Film Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), conducted their business. Tribeca was a festival put on by New Yorkers and catered to New Yorkers.
Over two decades later, the Tribeca Festival is as strong as ever and is now a fully immersive experience that anyone can take part in. No longer are casual fans kept at arm’s length. This is in part to both in-person and virtual programming. Film lovers both in and out of New York City can now enjoy the over one-hundred features that this year’s lineup has rolled out. With Cannes over and done with and TIFF, Venice, and Telluride still several months away, Tribeca has become THE Summer film festival to be at. Cinema Scholars is proud to present you coverage of this year’s festival for the second year in a row.
First up, our five most anticipated films:
Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive
The legendary Gloria Gaynor in a scene from “Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive” (2023). Photo courtesy of Falco, Inc.
Gloria Gaynor, the Disco Queen (along with Donna Summer) of the 1970s, became the legend that she is with such classic songs as “I Will Survive” and “I Am What I Am.” In the forty-five years since Gaynor reigned supreme, she’s struggled with health issues, an abusive ex-husband, and financial mismanagement. Now, at seventy-nine years old, through sheer force of will and indomitable faith, Gaynor has rebounded with the release of her Grammy-winning album, Testimony, released in 2019.
Betsy Schechter’s moving documentary, Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive, pulls back the curtain into what makes Gloria Gaynor tick and how she came to be the legend that she is. Her film also compassionately details Gaynor’s battles with both ageism and coming back from the brink of financial ruin, culminating in a triumphant Grammy win for Best Roots Gospel album. Gaynor will be presenting the film to the Tribeca audience on June 7, 2023, at the Indeed Theater at Spring Studios, 50 Varick Street, NY, NY. She’ll also be performing after the film!
Stan Lee
The legend himself in a clip from “Stan Lee” (2023). Photo courtesy of Disney+
Tribeca will be set to present the world premiere of Marvel Studios’ first documentary, Stan Lee. The subject matter couldn’t be more fitting as Mr. Lee is undoubtedly its father. Since 1972, serving as Marvel’s editor-in-chief, Lee built the universe that billions of people have come to know and love. Ushering in such comic book and film legends as Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk, the X-Men and so many more. Lee went on to become Marvel’s editorial director and publisher in 1972. Lee remained chairman emeritus of Marvel Entertainment, until his death in 2018.
Director David Gelb presents a compelling documentary of this iconic comic book publisher that presents the viewer with never-before-seen footage of the legendary Lee as well as personal voice recordings of Lee, reflecting on his career. Gelb presents the ups, downs, and controversies of Lee’s career warts and all. Also interviewed are some of Lee’s closest colleagues, such as “Fabulous Flo” Steinberg, the independent comic book legend that created Big Apple Comix. Stan Leewill have its world premiere at the SVA Theater, located at 333 West 23rd Street, NY, NY on June 10, 2023.
Suitable Flesh
Heather Graham in a scene from “Suitable Flesh” (2023). Photo courtesy of RLJE Films.
Premiering under Tribeca’s always enjoyable “Midnight” category, veteran independent filmmaker Joe Lynch presents the supernatural horror film, Suitable Flesh, starring Heather Graham as a successful psychiatrist who winds up in a psych ward after the murder of one of her patients. Lynch’s film is an unhinged tale of sexual insanity and murderous rage. The film co-stars horror-legend Barbara Crampton, who we were lucky enough to interview last year for her film, Alone With You, which you can read, here.
Joe Lynch presents his latest film as a homage to the films of horror filmmaker Stuart Gordon (From Beyond, Re-Animator). This means the viewer is in for plenty of body horror and just the right amount of screams, perversion, and erotica. It also helps that Re-Animator scribe Dennis Paoli wrote the film’s screenplay. Fittingly based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, fans of the genre will be in for a late-night treat. The world premiere of Suitable Flesh will be held at the SVA Theater, located at 333 West 23rd Street, NY, NY on June 11, 2023, @ 10 pm. In addition, there will be a post-screening Q&A after the World Premiere, moderated by the Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies’ NYC branch director Claire Donner.
The Good Half
Nick Jonas, Matt Walsh, Brittany Snow, and Elizabeth Shue in a scene from “The Good Half” (2023). Photo courtesy of Falco, Inc.
Sometimes it’s hard to forget that Nick Jonas, on top of everything else he has going on, is a talented actor. These talents will be on full display at the 2023 Tribeca Festival when his new film The Good Half has its world premiere. Jonas stars as Renn, an emotionally distant writer, who returns to his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio to attend his mother’s funeral. After years of avoiding conflict (and his family), Renn must come to terms with his high-strung sister (Brittany Snow), his good-intentioned father (Matt Walsh), and his not-to-be-trusted stepfather (David Arquette). Renn also starts a relationship with an enigmatic stranger (Alexandra Shipp) who helps Renn to confront his inner demons as well as his outer turmoil.
The Good Half is having its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Festival. The film is also being featured as an official selection in Tribeca’s Spotlight Narrative category. Directed by Robert Schwartzman (Dreamland, the Unicorn, and The Argument) and written and produced by Brett Ryland, The Good Half puts forth a first-rate ensemble cast. The film will have its first screening on June 8, 2023, at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, located at 199 Chambers Street, NY, NY. The film is being distributed domestically by Falco, Ink.
Bucky F*cking Dent
David Duchovny in a scene from “Bucky F*cking Dent” (2023).
After taking almost two decades off from behind the camera, TV, and film star David Duchovny (X-Files, Californication) is back with his latest project, Bucky F*cking Dent. The film follows Ted (Logan Marshall-Green), a food vendor at Yankee Stadium who is writing a novel in his spare time. When Ted discovers that his estranged father, Marty (David Duchovny), is dying from cancer, Ted comes home to take care of him, making his final days comfortable. The problem is that Marty is a die-hard Red Sox fan, and the team keeps losing, thus worsening his health. Ted, along with some friendly locals who want to help Marty, decide to ‘manufacture’ a winning streak, thereby improving Marty’s condition. The problem, however, is Bucky F*cking Dent.
Bucky Dent, shortstop for the New York Yankees in the 1970s-1980s, hit a sore spot with many Boston Red Sox fans. His legendary three-run home run over the ‘Green Monster’ of Fenway Park in Boston knocked the Red Sox out of the playoffs. Moreover, the Yankees went on to win the 1978 World Series. Fans have never recovered. Along with directing and acting, Duchovny wrote the screenplay, based on his own novel. In addition, the auteur provides his own original music. Pamela Adlon and Evan Handler, who co-starred with Duchovny on HBO’s Californication, reunite for the film. Jason Beghe, Daphne Rubin-Vega, and Stephanie Beatriz also co-star. Bucky F*cking Dent will have its world premiere at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, located at 199 Chambers Street, NY, NY on June 10, 2023.
The Tribeca Festival kicks off on June 7, 2023, and runs through June 18, 2023. Check back in with us as we’ll be providing continuing coverage of this year’s festival!
