top of page
Search
  • Writer's pictureElena Moscatt - Click On This Creator
    • Apr 27, 2019
    • 3 min read

Tribeca Film Festival Opens up with "The Apollo"


TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2019 KICKS OFF OPENING NIGHT AT THE APOLLO THEATER

Angela Bassett, Smokey Robinson, Keegan-Michael Key, Questlove, Phoebe Robinson, and more attend the premiere of HBO Documentary “The Apollo”

"The Apollo" - 2019 Tribeca Film Festival NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 24: Roger Ross Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Apollo Theater Jonelle Procope, Smokey Robinson and Co-founder, CEO, and executive chair of Tribeca Enterprises Jane Rosenthal attend the "The Apollo" screening during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at The Apollo Theater on April 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

April 24, 2019

The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, opened for the first-time ever at The Apollo Theater this evening with the premiere of HBO Documentary Films’ The Apollo.

The film chronicles the 85-year history and legacy of the famed New York City landmark, The Apollo Theater. Directed by Academy and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams, the documentary showcases archival footage, music, comedy and dance performances plus behind-the-scenes moments with the theater’s staff as well as interviews with artists including Patti LaBelle, Pharrell Williams, Smokey Robinson, and Jamie Foxx. The stage production of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “Between the World and Me” frames the film and the way in which The Apollo explores the current struggle of black lives in America and the role that art plays in that struggle.

During the opening remarks De Niro said, “In these disturbing times, when the administration is promoting divisiveness and racism, we’re making a statement by being here tonight that we reject it,” he said. “No, you don’t! Not in this house, not on this stage!”

This premiere event marks the first time Tribeca has hosted an opening night at the Apollo, continuing the annual Festival’s expansion from its roots from downtown New York City.

Following the premiere, singer Alice Smith performed two songs including a cover of "I Put A Spell On You" to an enthusiastic audience and the Festival opening continued at Tavern on the Green.

Who attended:

  • Tribeca co-founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal

  • EVP of Tribeca Enterprises Paula Weinstein

  • Tribeca Film Festival Director Of Programming Cara Cusumano

  • Director/Producer Roger Ross Williams

  • Executive Producers Nigel Sinclair, Nicholas Ferrall, Julie Goldman, Dan Cogan, Jenny Raskin, Geralyn Dreyfous, Lauren Embrey, Ken Pelletier, Jason and Yvonne Lee

  • Producers Lisa Cortés, Jeanne Elfant Festa, Cassidy Hartmann

  • Film Subjects Angela Bassett, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Smokey Robinson

Additional Guests Included:

Author Jonathan Ames, Actress Kim Cattrall, Designer Dapper Dan, Actress Dominique Fishback, Actor Keegan-Michael Key, Actor David Krumholtz, Actress Kathy Najimy, Actress Piper Perabo, Musician Questlove, Actress Lily Rabe, Comedian-Actress Phoebe Robinson, Actor Ido Samuel, Chef Alexander Smalls, Singer Alice Smith, Television Personality Bevy Smith, Actor Jaime Lincoln Smith, Actress Susan Kelechi Watson, Singer BeBe Winans, and Actress DeWanda Wise.

2019 Tribeca Film Festival Opening Night Screening Of "The Apollo" NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 24: Actor Robert De Niro (L) and director/producer Roger Ross Williams attend the screening of "The Apollo" on the opening night of the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at The Apollo Theater on April 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)

2019 Tribeca Film Festival Opening Night Screening Of "The Apollo" NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 24: Actor Robert De Niro (L) and director/producer Roger Ross Williams attend the screening of "The Apollo" on the opening night of the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at The Apollo Theater on April 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)

For more information on the "The Apollo" Documentary: Click On This:

And more info on the Apollo Theatre - here: https://www.apollotheater.org/

Also you still have time to see The Apollo plus more films at The Tribeca Film Festival! The festival continues until May 5th! For the complete schedule - Click On This:

554 views0 comments
bottom of page