Tribeca is here again, and so are Josh and Allison to put some fabulous titles on your radar! Don’t miss any of these eight movies; judging by the wide range of genres, there will be something for everyone. Check out our picks after the jump!
#AMFAD: ALL MY FRIENDS ARE DEAD
From demented creator Marcus Dunstan—director of the insanely good The Collector duology and co-writer of countless Saw entries—comes a stylish slasher with its finger on the pulse of Gen Z. As the 20th anniversary of the horrible Karmapalooza Music Festival massacre approaches, the fest has been resurrected for a new event, hopefully this time free from the still-at-large machinations of the Seven Deadly Sins Killer (SDSK). A group of young adult stereotypes ready to party their collective asses off blow a tire on their van, setting the gears into motion for one killer weekend. One by one, the friends fall prey to a mysterious killer in a freaky digitally-rendered black mask that taunts them at every corner of their kitschy Airbnb cabin in the woods. As usual, Dunstan injects his signature dark humor into flashy, creative murders framed after the sins that splatter the screen with gory practical effects. A slick, razor-edged slasher whodunnit, #AMFAD: All My Friends Are Dead guts typical festival genre offerings with panache.
ADULT BEST FRIENDS
For cynical Delaney (Delaney Buffett, who also wrote and directs in her film debut) and her BFF Katie (Katie Corwin, co-writer), their bond has endured since a 7th grade kissing party. When Katie becomes engaged to her hunky boyfriend John (Mason Gooding, Scream VI, Love, Victor), how can she possibly break the news to Delaney without snarky negativity being flung her way? As the topic becomes larger and larger, Katie pitches ‘Katie and Delaney’s Beach Adventure.’ Maybe finding out while they’re out having fun together will help things go down just a little bit smoother. Delaney and Katie have a genuine connection offscreen that bleeds into every onscreen interaction, making Adult Best Friends unironically tons of fun. Adulthood is hard, but maintaining a lifelong best friendship is even harder!
Black Table
(Written by Allison Brown) Take a seat at the Black Table with co-directors John Antonio James and Bill Mack. In this riveting political documentary at the crossroads following the recent repeal of affirmative action in higher education, an invaluable question is posed by a subject: “what if a moment is a collection of stories?” The filmmakers use just this, a series of anecdotes, photography, and archival video to take the audience under their wing in experiencing this fleeting time in history. A literal table, realistically several pushed together, in the Commons Dining Hall at 1990s Yale University becomes a metaphorical mecca for disjoined Black students looking for community and belonging. Those interested in bettering their understanding of others will find this one truly educational.
DARKEST MIRIAM
Are you a fan of the strange quirk of Charlie Kaufman? Boy, do we have the movie for you! Darkest Miriam spends time getting us acclimated into the weird library world of Miriam (Britt Lower, Sisters, Mr. Roosevelt), then pays off its slow burn with layered charm. We follow Miriam seemingly at a low point in her life, teetering somewhere between hopelessly depressed and coasting aimlessly. Her greatest outlet comes from her day to day duties as a branch librarian. Observing the various regulars, tending to people’s needs, cleaning up after particularly messy customers, fetching dentures someone left behind, filing incident reports whenever necessary… it is all in a day’s work for Miriam. A mysterious note and a cute foreigner will change Miriam’s world forever. Character-driven dramedy at its finest, Darkest Miriam speaks to loners everywhere.
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
This unique feature traces the origins of queer standup comedy, following the line of progression that needed to happen for a historic night of comedy at the Greek Theatre in May of 2022. Featuring twenty-two LGBT+ performers, the mere fact that this quantity of out individuals came together is a marvel. A variety of talking-head interviews and informative blurbs about many of the comics who performed at the theatre are peppered throughout. Informing and educating the youth whilst scratching the surface of the important subjects involved is definitely a commendable cause. Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution may scratch that LGBT-doc itch, remaining a strong offering from this year’s Tribeca.
Restless
(Written by Allison Brown) Have you ever had an unbearable neighbor? Nicky (Lyndsey Marshal) sure can relate in anxiety-inducing selection, Restless. Despite being overworked in her nursing job and losing sleep from ceaseless partying next door, she is initially optimistic, deciding to look for the best in Deano (Aston McAuley). When conflict escalates, it truly builds to levels outside the realm of normalcy. Writer/director Jed Hart’s impresses in his debut feature, as he skillfully manipulates light and sound to put one in the headspace of our rapidly crumbling lead. Classical music aficionados will assuredly find easter eggs in the symphonic score. Slowly lose your mind along with Nicky in this heart-pumping, comedic thriller!
Treasure
(Written by Allison Brown) Inspired by a true story, take a trip to Poland with father-daughter duo Ruth (Lena Dunham) and Edek (Stephen Fry) to track their familial origins in one of the best Jewish titles of the year, Treasure. A shockingly emotional performance brings Dunham back to a solid mark of credibility, paired with her incredible chemistry with Fry. Educational at its best, director Julia von Heinz shines a light on the property that was stolen from holocaust survivors during extradition to concentration camps. Women with complicated parental relationships will relate to this quiet, meditative post-Holocaust film. Catch it at the festival before Bleecker Street brings it to theaters on June 14th!
WINTER SPRING SUMMER OR FALL
Ah, young love. It is in the air no matter the season, coloring the atmosphere with hopeful resilience and the promise that this world, even for a short time, may get just a little less lonely. In Winter Spring Summer or Fall, the feature debut of writer/director Tiffany Paulson, the simplicity of young love should be enough to deliver another breezy rom-com seasoned with coming-of-age sweetness. Paulson is no stranger to the art of the romantic comedy, either: both Holidate and About Fate were scripted by the actress-turned-creator. Rising star Jenna Ortega and her adorable Wednesday co-star, Percy Hynes White, make for quite the picture-perfect pairing in full-on charmer Winter Spring Summer or Fall. Rom-com fans, come one, come all, for this cutesy new favorite.
To buy tickets for the screenings at Tribeca, please head over to each film’s page. For full information on the festival and even more titles, head over to the website to read more!