The Tribeca Film Festival, which kicks off tonight in downtown New York City, is one of the high points of the year for East Coast film fans. The Daily News has a lineup of what to see on each day of the festival. Here's what's on the docket through Sunday:
WEDNESDAY, April 20
This year's opening-night celebration is designed to emphasize the inclusive spirit that's made TFF such a communal festival. The premiere of Cameron Crowe's Elton John documentary, "The Union," is free to everyone (based on capacity, so arrive early). Best of all, the movie will be followed by a concert with Sir Elton himself.
THURSDAY, April 21
Anyone who has watched Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon trading Michael Caine impressions on You- Tube will consider "The Trip" a must . The friends reunite with "Tristram Shandy" director Michael Winterbottom for a comic romp that devilishly blends fact and fiction.
Bonus event: Tribeca's outdoor "drivein" movies are always great fun — and always free. The series kicks off with the original "Fame," about students at New York's High School for the Performing Arts.
FRIDAY, April 22
Lance Daly's "Kisses" impressed arthouse audiences last year, so there are big hopes for his follow up, the psychological thriller "The Good Doctor." Since big stars often do their best work in smaller films, we're also excited to see how Orlando Bloom fares as a medical resident who develops a highly suspect relationship with a new patient.
Bonus event: The second "drive-in" night features the documentary "When the Drum Is Beating," about Haiti's legendary band Septentrional. A performance from the group will follow.
SATURDAY, April 23
One of the joys of any film festival is the chance to catch small, character-driven works that may not get wider release. Among the most intriguing here is Mateo Gil's Western "Blackthorn," starring Sam Shepard as Butch Cassidy.
Bonus event: Part of the 10thanniversary celebration is a series of "Tribeca Talks" with great directors. Naturally, the festival will offer an evening with co-founder Robert De Niro, interviewed by news anchor Brian Williams.
Tickets, schedules and venue directions are available at tribecafilm.com.
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