8 Under-the-Radar Films to See at the Tribeca Film Festival Inline
Photo: Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival1/8All Eyes and Ears
Director Vanessa Hope had wanted to make a film about the relationship between China and the U.S. for at least ten years. When former Utah governor Jon Huntsman was appointed United States Ambassador to China in 2009—bringing his entire family, including his adopted Chinese daughter—Hope knew that the time was right. All Eyes and Ears follows Huntsman and his family during his time as ambassador and uniquely places Huntsman’s daughter in the role of the narrator. “Born in China, raised in America, and only fourteen, Gracie embodies the emotional heart of the story,” Hope wrote in her director’s statement. “She is able to treat the Chinese and American points of view respectfully because she straddles both worlds.”
Photo: Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival2/8Grandma
What do you get when you mix The Guilt Trip and Little Miss Sunshine? It might look something like Paul Weitz’s Grandma. While mourning the loss of her longtime partner, Elle Reid (Lily Tomlin) gets an unexpected visit from her granddaughter (Julia Garner), who’s in need of a ride—and $600. In a vintage Dodge, the pair set off on a madcap adventure in the hopes of securing the cash. Marcia Gay Harden, Laverne Cox, Judy Greer, and Sam Elliott round out the cast.
Photo: Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival3/8A Ballerina’s Tale
In September 2013, George Nelson launched a Kickstarter to fund his newest project: a documentary on Misty Copeland, the first African-American soloist at New York City’s American Ballet Theater in two decades. After 657 backers and $54,251 in pledged donations, A Ballerina’s Tale is getting its big-screen premiere at Tribeca Film Festival. For the lucky attendees: In addition to a post-screening conversation with Copeland, her protégées will put on a special performance.
Photo: Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival4/8A Courtship
**Amy Kohn’**s directorial debut follows Kelly, a thirtysomething woman who found God later in life, as she navigates the conservative Christian ritual of courtship. With an adopted spiritual family, Kelly has left her romantic future to her parents and the will of God. “I hope that this film will open up people to the idea that dialogue is possible between people even of very different faiths,” Kohn said of her film. “There is always common ground.”
Photo: Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival5/8Requiem for the American Dream
If you’re looking to add some substance to your cocktail conversation, look no further than Requiem for the American Dream, in which intellectual giant Noam Chomsky unpacks the social stratification of the “Two Americas.”
