March 08, 2019 at 01:54AM
An image from the feature film "A Day in the Life of America," a crowdsourced documentary directed by actor Jared Leto and featuring footage from all 50 United States. The film will screen as part of the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. (Image by Renan Ozturk/Tribeca Film Festival)
When the Tribeca Film Festival kicks off its 2019 edition in April, it'll do so in New York, of course -- but it'll also boast a distinctly Louisiana flavor. Festival organizers unveiled the full festival lineup this week, and a number of locally linked projects are in that number.
Here's a rundown of five films either from Louisiana filmmakers or set in Louisiana -- or both -- that will be part of this year's Tribeca Film Festival, with summaries provided by Tribeca:
"Burning Cane"
Wendel Pierce stars in director Phillip Youmans' Louisiana-shot feature film "Burning Cane." (Photo by Phillip Youmans/Tribeca Film Festival)
"Burning Cane"
The local links: One of the more local of the films on this list, "Burning Cane" is set in Louisiana, was written and directed by New Orleans native Phillip Youmans, and stars local actor Wendell Pierce, who also produced.
The synopsis: "Set among the cane fields of rural Louisiana, 'Burning Cane' follows a deeply religious mother struggling to reconcile her convictions of faith with the love she has for her troubled son."
The details: Youmans' film will make its world premiere at Tribeca, screening in competition in the U.S. Narrative section. In addition to Pierce, it stars Karen Kaia Livers, Dominique McClellan and Braelyn Kelly.
"Lost Bayou"
Teri Wyble stars in director Brian C. Miller Richard's Louisiana-set feature "Lost Bayou." (Photo by Natalie Kingston/Tribeca Film Festival)
"Lost Bayou"
The local links: Another deeply local film on this list, "Lost Bayou" is set and was shot in South Louisiana; it's directed by New Orleans native Brian C. Miller Richard, based on a script written by local Hunter Burke with Nick Lavin; and it was produced by Richard, Burke and locals Kenneth Reynolds, Russell Blanchard and Murray Anthony Roth.
The synopsis: "In this hauntingly evocative Southern gothic (drama), a struggling addict returns home to the Louisiana bayou to reconnect with her father, only to discover he's hiding a troubling secret aboard his houseboat."
The details: Also making its world premiere at Tribeca 2019, it will be screening as part of the festival's Viewpoints section. Stars Teri Wyble, Dane Rhodes, Deneen Tyler, Hunter Burke, Terence Rosemore and Jackson Beals.
"A Woman's Work: The NFL's Cheerleader Problem"
An image from the documentary "A Woman's Work: The NFL's Cheerleader Problem." (Photo by Samanta Helou-Hernandez/Tribeca Film Festival)
"A Woman's Work: The NFL's Cheerleader Problem"
The local links: The film includes an interview with Bailey Davis, a former New Orleans Saints cheerleader who filed a discrimination lawsuit against the team after she was fired for violating strict rules of behavior that apply to Saints cheerleaders but not to players. It also includes work of local filmmaker Zac Manuel, who earns an "additional cinematography" credit.
The synopsis: "Football and feminism collide in this documentary that follows former NFL cheerleaders battling the league to end wage theft and illegal employment practices that have persisted for 50 years."
The details: "A Woman's Work" will make its world premiere at Tribeca, screening in competition as part of the Documentary section. Also playing as part of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival. Directed by Yu Gu and written by Elizabeth Ai.
"A Kid from Coney Island"
Stephon Marbury, center, in an image from the documentary "A Kid From Coney Island," directed by Coodie and Chike. (Photo by Andy Chan/Tribeca Film Festival)
"A Kid from Coney Island"
The local link: It was written and directed by the filmmaking team known as Coodie and Chike, which includes New Orleans native Chike Ozah, who went to St. Martin's Episcopal School.
The synopsis: "From the streets of Coney Island to the NBA, the story of basketball star Stephon Marbury reveals that often life is about the journey, not the destination -- and the unexpected places your dreams may take you."
The details: "A Kid From Coney Island" will make its world premiere at Tribeca, screening as part of the spotlight documentary section and as part of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival. Produced by actor Forest Whitaker with Nina Yang Bongiovi and Jason Samuels.
An image from the feature film "A Day in the Life of America," a crowdsourced documentary directed by actor Jared Leto and featuring footage from all 50 United States. The film will screen as part of the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. (Image by Renan Ozturk/Tribeca Film Festival)
When the Tribeca Film Festival kicks off its 2019 edition in April, it'll do so in New York, of course -- but it'll also boast a distinctly Louisiana flavor. Festival organizers unveiled the full festival lineup this week, and a number of locally linked projects are in that number.
Here's a rundown of five films either from Louisiana filmmakers or set in Louisiana -- or both -- that will be part of this year's Tribeca Film Festival, with summaries provided by Tribeca:
"Burning Cane"
Wendel Pierce stars in director Phillip Youmans' Louisiana-shot feature film "Burning Cane." (Photo by Phillip Youmans/Tribeca Film Festival)
"Burning Cane"
The local links: One of the more local of the films on this list, "Burning Cane" is set in Louisiana, was written and directed by New Orleans native Phillip Youmans, and stars local actor Wendell Pierce, who also produced.
The synopsis: "Set among the cane fields of rural Louisiana, 'Burning Cane' follows a deeply religious mother struggling to reconcile her convictions of faith with the love she has for her troubled son."
The details: Youmans' film will make its world premiere at Tribeca, screening in competition in the U.S. Narrative section. In addition to Pierce, it stars Karen Kaia Livers, Dominique McClellan and Braelyn Kelly.
"Lost Bayou"
Teri Wyble stars in director Brian C. Miller Richard's Louisiana-set feature "Lost Bayou." (Photo by Natalie Kingston/Tribeca Film Festival)
"Lost Bayou"
The local links: Another deeply local film on this list, "Lost Bayou" is set and was shot in South Louisiana; it's directed by New Orleans native Brian C. Miller Richard, based on a script written by local Hunter Burke with Nick Lavin; and it was produced by Richard, Burke and locals Kenneth Reynolds, Russell Blanchard and Murray Anthony Roth.
The synopsis: "In this hauntingly evocative Southern gothic (drama), a struggling addict returns home to the Louisiana bayou to reconnect with her father, only to discover he's hiding a troubling secret aboard his houseboat."
The details: Also making its world premiere at Tribeca 2019, it will be screening as part of the festival's Viewpoints section. Stars Teri Wyble, Dane Rhodes, Deneen Tyler, Hunter Burke, Terence Rosemore and Jackson Beals.
"A Woman's Work: The NFL's Cheerleader Problem"
An image from the documentary "A Woman's Work: The NFL's Cheerleader Problem." (Photo by Samanta Helou-Hernandez/Tribeca Film Festival)
"A Woman's Work: The NFL's Cheerleader Problem"
The local links: The film includes an interview with Bailey Davis, a former New Orleans Saints cheerleader who filed a discrimination lawsuit against the team after she was fired for violating strict rules of behavior that apply to Saints cheerleaders but not to players. It also includes work of local filmmaker Zac Manuel, who earns an "additional cinematography" credit.
The synopsis: "Football and feminism collide in this documentary that follows former NFL cheerleaders battling the league to end wage theft and illegal employment practices that have persisted for 50 years."
The details: "A Woman's Work" will make its world premiere at Tribeca, screening in competition as part of the Documentary section. Also playing as part of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival. Directed by Yu Gu and written by Elizabeth Ai.
"A Kid from Coney Island"
Stephon Marbury, center, in an image from the documentary "A Kid From Coney Island," directed by Coodie and Chike. (Photo by Andy Chan/Tribeca Film Festival)
"A Kid from Coney Island"
The local link: It was written and directed by the filmmaking team known as Coodie and Chike, which includes New Orleans native Chike Ozah, who went to St. Martin's Episcopal School.
The synopsis: "From the streets of Coney Island to the NBA, the story of basketball star Stephon Marbury reveals that often life is about the journey, not the destination -- and the unexpected places your dreams may take you."
The details: "A Kid From Coney Island" will make its world premiere at Tribeca, screening as part of the spotlight documentary section and as part of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival. Produced by actor Forest Whitaker with Nina Yang Bongiovi and Jason Samuels.