Tribeca Fest 2024: Genesis P-Orridge, Kneecap, Linda Perry, Harry Belafonte, Alien Weaponry, Sister Nancy, more
The 23rd edition of NYC’s Tribeca Festival runs June 5-16 with 103 feature films from 114 filmmakers across 48 countries, and screened all over the city. There are also talks, live music performances and panel discussions tied to some of the films. Festival passes and Tribeca memberships are on sale now, and tickets for individual films go on sale April 30.
As usual there are a lot of music-related films, including documentaries on Genesis P-Orridge, Liza Minnelli, Carl Craig, Avicii, the Montreux Jazz Festival, Linda Perry, Harry Belafonte, New Zealand metal band Alien Weaponry, dancehall star Sister Nancy, Ani DiFranco, Steve Van Zandt, and more. Tribeca also has the NYC premiere of Kneecap movie. Here are those highlights and more:
- Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara, (New Zealand) – World Premiere. Meet Alien Weaponry, a thrash metal band that sings in the Maori language, as they figure out how to navigate the music industry, culture, family, tour, and each other. Directed by Kent Belcher. Produced by Nigel McCulloch.
- Avicii – I’m Tim, (Sweden, United States) – World Premiere. Before there was Avicii, there was just Tim. For the first time through his own words, witness the journey of a shy but prodigious musical talent who would soon become one of the defining artists of his generation. Directed by Henrik Burman. Produced by Björn Tjärnberg.
- Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story, (Canada) – World Premiere. For decades the iconic track “Bam Bam” has been a sampled darling within the music industry, creating many new stars along the way. But what do we know of its legendary creator? From Kingston to the world, witness the transcendent stylings and legacy of Sister Nancy. Directed by Alison Duke. Produced by Alison Duke, Ngardy Conteh George.After the Movie: Special performance by Sister Nancy with DJ Gravy.
- Desire: The Carl Craig Story, (Switzerland, UK) – World Premiere. At once a portrait of techno producer Carl Craig and a love letter to his city of Detroit, Desire: The Carl Craig Story lays out the vast backdrop of artists and venues who played a part in the rise of Craig’s massive, genre-defying career. Directed by Jean-Cosme Delaloye. Produced by Dan Wechsler, Andreas Roald. After the Movie: Post premiere musical selection by Carl Craig.
- Following Harry, (United States) – World Premiere. Featuring Harry Belafonte, Aja Monet, Aloe Blacc, and Jesse Williams, Following Harry explores the life and legacy of cultural and civil rights icon Harry Belafonte through the stories of those artists and activists carrying on his life’s work dedicated to social justice. Directed by Susanne Rostock. Produced by Frankie Nasso, Edward Zeng, Susanne Rostock. After the Movie: The presentation of the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award with special guests.
- I’m Your Venus, (United States) – World Premiere. A moving and timely documentary following the unsolved murder of Venus Xtravaganza, star of the legendary Paris Is Burning as Venus’ two families — biological and ballroom — come together to seek answers and celebrate her legacy. Directed by Kimberly Reed. Produced by Jamie Schutz, Steven Cantor, Mike Stafford.
- Kneecap, (Ireland) – New York Premiere. The band themselves, Kneecap, star in this raucous, sly award-winning musical set in post-Troubles Belfast when the rap trio erupted as a defiant champion of the Irish language and potent symbol of Ireland’s disenfranchised youth. Directed and written by Rich Peppiatt. Produced by Trevor Birney, Jack Tarling. With Naoise Ó Cairealláin, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Jj Ó Dochartaigh, Michael Fassbender. A Sony Pictures Classics Release.
- Linda Perry: Let It Die Here, (United States) – World Premiere. Award-winning filmmaker Don Hardy explores the life of pioneering songwriter and producer Linda Perry in this intimate and revealing journey. It’s a story of the strength and resilience of a gifted artist, daughter and mother who is finally able to embark on a search to find her own voice. Directed by Don Hardy. Produced by Don Hardy, Shawn Dailey. After the Movie: Special performance by Linda Perry.
- LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, (United States) – World Premiere. Rich with archival gems and Liza Minnelli’s own point of view, Bruce David Klein’s luminous documentary celebrates a young entertainer full of boundless raw talent and the deep, creative relationships with her mentors and influences. Directed by Bruce David Klein. Produced by Bruce David Klein, Alexander J. Goldstein, Robert Rich.
- Luther: Never Too Much, (United States) – New York Premiere. Dawn Porter offers an in-depth look into the life and career of Luther Vandross as he overcomes personal and professional challenges to become one of the greatest vocalists of all time. Directed by Dawn Porter.
- New Wave, (United States) – World Premiere. With depth and emotional resonance, Elizabeth Ai’s lively first feature is both an endearingly nostalgic exploration of the defiant Vietnamese new wave music scene, as well as a vulnerable and personal look at the filmmaker and her community’s revisiting of their unexamined past. Directed by Elizabeth Ai. Produced by Elizabeth Ai, Rachel Sine.
- Rebel Country, (UK, United States) – World Premiere. Country music is changing — or maybe it’s returning to its roots. This musical documentary traces the troubled history and inclusive future of the genre with performances from today’s most talented iconoclasts, including Blanco Brown, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, and BRELAND. Directed and produced by Francis Whately. After the Movie: A special appearance by platinum selling country music artist BRELAND.
- S/He Is Still Her/e – The Official Genesis P-Orridge Doc, (United States) – World Premiere. An introduction, conversation and perhaps goodbye to Genesis P-Orridge, who left an astounding and provocative legacy on the worlds of music, art, performance, religion and the occult. A larger-than-life personality that must be experienced to be grasped, Genesis opens up portals to a way of living that transforms and transcends. Directed by David Charles Rodrigues. Produced by David Charles Rodrigues, Bud Johnston.
- Satisfied, (United States) – World Premiere. An intimate look at the actress Renée Elise Goldsberry; a woman’s struggle to have a family and balance a career, against the backdrop of the hit musical Hamilton. Directed by Chris Bolan, Melissa Haizlip. Produced by Steven Cantor, Jamie Schutz, Chris Bolan. After the Movie: A performance by Renée Elise Goldsberry and special guests.
- Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple, (United States) – World Premiere. Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple traces Van Zandt’s career as a musician, activist and actor from the clubs of Asbury Park, NJ, to stadiums around the world, to the Bada Bing Club. Directed by Bill Teck. Produced by David Fisher, Robert Cotto, Bill Teck. An HBO Documentary Films Release.
- They All Came Out to Montreux, (UK) – World Premiere. Utilizing a wealth of archival footage featuring Prince, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis and more, They All Came Out to Montreux is an affectionate story about how Claude Nobs turned his Swiss town into the home for one of the world’s biggest jazz festivals. Directed by Oliver Murray. Produced by Bill Lord.
- 1-800-ON-HER-OWN, (United States) – World Premiere. Ani DiFranco was an unmistakable talent that shook the ‘90s alternative music scene. In this vulnerable look at her life today, she struggles to balance artistry with the demands of family. Directed by Dana Flor. Produced by Amy Hobby.
There’s lots more at Tribeca 2024, including Jazzy with Lily Gladstone; Daddio starring Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn; Firebrand starring Alicia Vikander and Jude Law; Brats, directed by Andrew McCarthy, with Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, Rob Lowe, Molly Ringwald, and Lea Thompson; Sacramento, directed by Michael Angarano, starring Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart, and Maya Erskine; Winter Spring Summer or Fall starring Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White; and Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story with Liza Minelli. Comedic stars are in Group Therapy, including Neil Patrick Harris, Mike Birbiglia, and Tig Notaro; All That We Love stars Margaret Cho and Jesse Tyler Ferguson; and Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution features Lily Tomlin, Wanda Sykes, Rosie O’Donnell, Hannah Gadsby, and Joel Kim Booster.
Check out the full Tribeca 2024 lineup here.