Jimmy Carter Doc & Willie Nelson Live Performance to Highlight 2020 Tribeca Film Festival Opening Night
With it being an election year, it’s fitting the Tribeca Film Festival is going presidential with its opening night gala. The 19th edition of Robert De Niro’s post-9/11 community builder will kick off Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at the Beacon Theatre with the world premiere of Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President. Willie Nelson, Paul Shaffer, and more will perform following the documentary. Passes for the festival, which runs April 15-26, are on sale now.
Tribeca opener explores role music played in Carter’s presidential campaign
Before the Strokes stumped for Sanders, Hillary’s campaign organized the “Love Trumps Hate” concert series, and The National opened for Obama, a little-known peanut farmer-turned-politician from Georgia was getting a helping hand from the Allman Brothers. In Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President, award-winning filmmaker Mary Wharton (Sam Cooke: Legend, Phish: IT) explores the role Carter’s love of popular music played in him winning the presidency back in 1976. Carter’s appreciation of music allowed him to develop close friendships with the likes of Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and the Allman Brothers. In fact, his bond was so strong with the Allman Brothers that they traveled all over the country, fundraising for his campaign.
Wharton styled the film like a rockumentary. It features interviews with Carter alongside rare archival performances by Nelson, Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Buffett, Paul Simon, and more. In the film clip below, Carter mixes and mingles with Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, Bono, and Muddy Waters.
In speaking about the project, the 95-year-old former president said in a statement, “The film accurately captures my love for all musicians and the importance music has played in my personal and professional life. I remain hopeful and believe that music can serve to bring us together as a nation.”
Tribeca’s premiere of Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President comes in the middle of primary season. It should serve as a good reminder of the qualities we used to look for in our elected officials.
This will mark the eighth consecutive year the festival opens with a documentary. In 2019, the fete launched with Roger Ross Williams’ The Apollo, a film about the unique history and contemporary legacy of the theater.
2020 Tribeca Film Festival Announces Expansion to Hoboken
Accompanying the opening night news, Tribeca announced that the festival is expanding across the Hudson River to Hoboken, New Jersey. This turns the festival into a two-state affair. The city will host films, talks, Hoboken exclusives, and more during the festival’s 12-day run. Additional details to follow.
You can pick up your Tribeca passes and ticket packages now at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival website. Single tickets go on sale March 17, 2020.
Photo credit: Jimmy Carter and Willie Nelson, White House Staff Photographer, Courtesy of Jimmy Carter Library