The 2021 Tribeca Festival announced today the World Premiere of its Closing Night film will be at the New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on Saturday, June 19 as part of Tribeca’s 12-day celebration to re-open New York and also bringing back live entertainment to the city.
The film is an untitled Pilot Boy Production documentary that is produced by Dave Chappelle and directed by Oscar and Emmy-winning filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar (American Factory). What we know about so far is it takes a glimpse into the challenges facing a rural village in Ohio during the early days of the pandemic, along with emotions erupting across the nation following the Black Lives Matter movement, and the leadership of the town’s youth who started weekly marches and rallies.
Chappelle says “premiering the film at Tribeca and closing out the festival at Radio City Music Hall is a big honor”. “Our film is about courage and resilience, something New Yorkers can relate to.”
Since the death of George Floyd spiked the nation back in 2020, closed in by the closure of businesses and unable to perform around the country. The film follows Chappelle as he provides the community with two things that were desperately needed during difficult times which includes economic and comic relief. It started as an experimental socially distance live comedy show in a neighbors cornfield but grew into an unforgettable summer with Chappelle’s neighbors, friends and fellow comedians.
Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Festival Co-Founder and CEO, Jane Rosenthal said the documentary is extraordinary but most fitting to close the night at Radio City Music Hall and 20th Festival. Also, they’re huge fans of Dave’s ability to everyone laugh and see his unique talent to bring people together during the grand re-opening.
Pilot Boy Production’s already unveiled two image of the untitled during production, The first image shows the creators sitting on the grass next two the actor. The second is a full-shot of a person in front of the stage with a big audience.
Both Reichert and Bogner mention how the film came to be when Chappelle first pitch the idea and by sharing the issue during the pandemic and racial injustice would bring a historic moment especially making it an important chapter of their career.
“Dave is our neighbor. We see him in the grocery store, and on the street. When Dave came to us with the idea, we were immediately struck by the challenge to tell the story of our part of the world during the pandemic and the national reckoning on racial injustice,” said Reichert. “This was a historic moment and we really wanted to chronicle this place and this time, it just felt right.”
Bognar says, “Dave and his friends entrusted our team of amazing young filmmakers from Ohio with intimate moments which enabled us to create a moving portrait of artists’ as they navigated a time of fear and isolation.”
Cara Cusumano who is the festival’s Director and Vice President of Programming mentioned that she was surprised when the two directors first approached the festival about their film, and it would be incredible to collaborate.
“I can’t wait for audiences on Closing Night to finally come together for the full big-screen theatrical experience with this moving and quintessential film,” said Cusumano.
While the Festival is in partnership with Radio City Music Hall, they just announced that their venue will open its doors for the first time after year. There are requirements to consider which guests need to be fully-vaccinated and provide proof upon entry of having received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or their single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. It cannot be no later than June 5, 2021. For children under the age of 16, may provide proof of a negative antigen COVID-19 test, negative PCR COVID-19 test or full vaccination and also may only attend with a fully vaccinated adult.
James Dolan who’s executive chairman and CEO of MSG Entertainment said he is thrilled to get back to doing what they love, including with Tribeca and Dave Chappelle as their partner.
“Radio City is a special place, and we can’t wait to open our doors to fans of live entertainment who we know are eager to gather and help jumpstart the return of New York.”
To get tickets, you can checkout radiocity.com/faqs or Ticketmaster.com which will be available at 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday. May 28. Other additional information about the event’s complete list of programming and passes you check their social media @Tribeca or website at tribecafilm.com/festival,
The 2021 Tribeca Festival will be begin on June 19.
