Tribeca Kicks Off with Political Glitz

By Katey Rich

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal, and New York Governor David Paterson greet the press.

In New York, movies aren't something that's just left to the filmmakers and studio execs. New York's identity has been shaped by cinema perhaps more than any other city, and those in charge of the city's fortunes have a vested interest in keeping the cameras rolling. That's what brought Mayor Michael Bloomberg and newly minted Governor David Paterson to the Borough of Manhattan Community College yesterday for the opening press conference of the Tribeca Film Festival. They didn't walk the red carpet-- we'll leave that to Bloomberg after his role in the upcoming Sex and the City-- but they did add a strange kind of celebrity glitz to the early morning gathering.

"The governor and I really are total failures�at the governor's mansion in California, they've got someone who's actually been in lots of movies!" Bloomberg said, before taking a moment to brag about his recent appearance on "30 Rock." "If you think I don't care about movies, you couldn't be more wrong�that's my next career!" Paterson, a new face for most in the audience, also got in on the open mic stand-up vibe. The governor, who is legally blind, reminded the movie freaks in the house that he, too, shares our passion. "If I sit in the front row I can pretty much watch the movie. The problem is trying to get someone to sit in the front row with me."

Paterson also had some exciting news for filmmakers, announcing that New York State would boost its tax credits for film productions from 10% to 30%, thanks to new competition from other states and Canada, who have introduced competitive tax breaks as well. "New York is a city of winning people, and as of today New York will be winning again." Paterson also made room for a slight jab at Robert De Niro, the Tribeca co-founder who was away filming a new movie in Connecticut, one of the states that has recently introduced hefty tax breaks. "I wonder what the film is about. It must be something really interesting�like the Long Island Sound," he said, with hearty laughs from the room full of New Yorkers.

In addition to the political luminaries, some film industry superstars were on hand as well. Most notable were Jane Rosenthal, the co-founder of the festival, and Doug Liman, the Bourne Identity director who said he's been attending the festival ever since it began-- he's now a juror for the awards selection. "As a Tribeca resident, while the rest of us were really walking around in a state of shock, it's really amazing and inspiring that Jane and Bob and their partners managed to bring our neighborhood together, bring the world to our neighborhood." Liman then announced his fellow jurors for the six awards categories, names as varied as star chef Mario Batali, Superbad director Greg Mottola, and rock icon David Bowie. It's as if the festival is trying to shout, "Hey, where else but New York can you find this kind of variety?"

Rosenthal also introduced John Hayes, the Chief Marketing Officer for American Express, who announced that the credit card company would continue sponsoring Tribeca for another five years.

Bloomberg, Rosenthal and festival artistic director Peter Scarlet wrapped up the conference by answering audience questions. The best answer probably came from Bloomberg, who responded to a question about the international selections at the festival by reminding us all of New York's roots. "New York was built by immigrants. [That's] New York's vitality, its strength, and the reason that our economy, while we're going to have some problems, is better than other places. This is just another way to pull people together."

While the festival may pull people together, it yanks them apart as well, sending them all over the city to far-flung screening rooms and press conferences. It's all in good fun, though, as the film addicts with eyes as big as saucers can tell you. I'll be checking in periodically from the festival with reviews, interviews and maybe some photos (these are the best I could do from my seat in the auditorium, but not too bad, right?) It's springtime in New York, but for the next week, I'll be spending most of my time at the movies.