QUICK TAKES - April 18, 2009
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The Tribeca Film Festival opens Wednesday, dampened by a U.S. recession that cut the movie slate by nearly a third, but organizers chose more upbeat films in a bid to cheer moviegoers.
While the festival in New York City traditionally screens films focusing on difficult global issues, founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal said a special effort was made to lift the mood.
“In challenging times, people like to go to the movies, and we have tried to program lighter fare so people can have a few more laughs,” Rosenthal said in an interview.
The festival will show 85 feature films from 32 countries. They were chosen from more than 2,200 submissions. Woody Allen opens the festival with the world premiere of his comedy “Whatever Works,” starring Larry David. The event closes with another comedy, “My Life in Ruins,” starring Nia Vardalos and Richard Dreyfuss.
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Reuters
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