Tribeca Film Festival 2010 Wrap Up

The Village East Cinemas on 12 Street and Second Avenue provided seven of the screening venues for the Tribeca Film Festival 2010. Photo by Seth Shire

Trying to encapsulate the Tribeca Film Festival of 2010 brings to mind the story of the three blind men describing an elephant.  The man at the trunk has one description. The man at the tail has another point of view while the blind man at the side has still a different evaluation of the pachyderm.  The festival, which ran from April 21 – May 2, screened over one hundred films and hosted panel discussions in 12 venues including the Village East Cinemas on Second Avenue, the Chelsea Clearview Cinemas and SVA theatre, both on 23^rd Street, the Borough of Manhattan Community College on Chambers Street and the Union Square Barnes & Noble.  That it was too much for any one person to see, both in terms of scheduling and stamina, goes without saying.  So based on what I saw, along with my review of “Brilliant Love” below, here is what I thought of the elephant that came to our neighborhood for 11 days.

“Brilliant Love” at 2010 Tribeca Film Festival

Tribeca Film Festival 2010 April 21 - May 2

From England, “Brilliant Love,” is a narrative about an amateur photographer, Manchester, whose erotic photographs of his girlfriend, Noon, catapult him into success in the world of modern art.  However Noon does not learn that she is the subject of Manchester’s first gallery show until she arrives at the event. Talk about an awkward moment.

“Brilliant Love” is about sexuality and is very frank in its depiction of it.  Unlike many American films that want to be about sexuality but ultimately only go the length of their R-rated leashes, “Brilliant Love” is refreshing in its depiction of the frankness and playfulness of its two main characters.  Should the film ever be released in this country it will no doubt have to undergo MPAA mandated cuts (which would hurt it) or go out unrated (which would limit its audience).