Originally, I’d planned on taking in another two volunteer screenings, to give myself 15 flicks in all. Then my friend’s father died in Boston, so I traveled north for a funeral. Therefore, this entry serves as the festival wrap-up.
On an organizational level, this year’s model was more successful than the 2007 version: fewer movies (120 vs. 160), cheaper tickets (as little as $8, as opposed to as much as $25), more centralized setting (mostly the Village East and the AMC Village VII, which are around the corner from each other, rather than trips to the Upper West Side). I know it’s silly the TRIBECA Film Festival barely took place in Tribeca, but the only large theater in the area, the Regal at Battery Park, wouldn’t give up its screens for 12 days.
The quality of the films seemed better this year. While I myself had only three movies to which I would give high marks – Kassim the Dream (which grew on me over the week), Pray the Devil Back to Hell and most notably Fighter – I at least marginally liked almost everything I saw. Last year, I think I disliked all the features and many of the documentaries. When I asked Tribeca employees and critics what they enjoyed, a consensus emerged, one reflected in the awards. Once again, documentaries ruled; I think Tribeca gets caught up in star power when it comes to features.
As I hinted in a couple of previous posts, volunteer organization could be better. Schedule us in blocks, have us work outside the box office on the day tickets go on sale (I stood in line for four hours because my fellow customers were clueless when they would get inside), make sure we have something to do, don’t overbook us. I’d consider working for the festival in 2009, but honestly, I don’t want to give up my volunteer perks of vouchers and surprise screenings!
Why was I more cranky and drained this year? I’m not 100% sure. I’ve seen more than a dozen films each of the prior two years, so it’s not that. It might be that keeping up the blog was hard work! It also might be that the weather was lousy and that I couldn’t have the entire week off from work.
Still, I love Tribeca. It really is one of the highlights of my year.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment