Tribeca Shorts Review: Tapestry
Why Tribeca Shorts? Short films at a film festival are one of life’s best rollercoasters. You get a chance to sit in the dark with other people and take a quick sprint through life in someone else’s shoes. It is a chance to have a glimpse into another world framed through the lens of the filmmaker’s truth. These are one of the unique pleasures of attending a well curated shorts program at a film festival. The “Tapestry” shorts program at Tribeca Film Festival is no exception and I cannot recommend it enough. If you missed it at the festival you still have a chance to see these films via Tribeca At Home from the comfort of your couch.
What Tribeca Shorts films are showing in “Tapestry”?
The Right to Joy
(20 minutes)
“After surviving a near fatal cougar attack while cycling, Izzy Sederbaum overcame anxiety and anti-trans hate by rediscovering the joy of biking and promoting diversity and inclusion in the sport.”
This beautiful short film from REI Co-Op Studios, directed by Tim Kressin and Jay Melena features the story of cycling advocate Izzy Sederbaum and it starts out setting a very tense and nervous tone straight away as you hear Izzy start to tell his story. The feeling translated through his words lead you to understand his connection to cycling as a trans masculine man who has found a real mind/body connection to cycling that is vivid and engaging. Anti-trans messaging in the wake of his attack left him internalizing if he “belonged” in the woods/outdoors. Physical injuries, self-doubt, and overwhelming fear and anxiety push him in and out of his comfort zone to confront and embrace his natural place in the great outdoors. This leads to leading the charge for a non-binary category in the sport. What could have been a very isolating moment encouraged an inclusive movement and this story will make you smile and cry at the same time.
“…A level of liberation you can find with bikes.” -Izzy Sederbaum
To My Father
(23 minutes)
“My Dad, My Hero, depicts Deaf actor Troy Kotsur’s journey to winning an Oscar and his father’s inspiring influence on him, despite a tragic accident.”
I am having trouble finding the written words to describe this lovely film, while Troy communicates so clearly the emotions he wants you to feel. That may be why he has an Oscar though! His story, while telling us the story of his journey so far as a deaf man in this world, is communicated with emotion and details that make you feel as if you were there in those moments with him. His emotions are palpable as he talks about his father, Police Chief Len Kotsur. The visuals are well used in staged flashbacks, and the story bounces back and forth, from past to present. After a tragic car accident leaves his father fighting to survive, Len continues to demonstrate his belief that everything happens.
“Don’t ignore your spark, let your spark follow you wherever you go. Listen to your gut. Listen to your heart.“ -Leonard “Len” Kotsur
Deciding Vote
(19 minutes)
“50 years ago, assemblyman George Michaels cast a single vote on New York’s abortion bill that changed the course of American history but destroyed his political career in the process.”
The film begins with archival footage of the moment that George Michael’s cast the vote that ended his political career. A moment that changed the lives of of women in the United States in an instant. As much as this film gives a glimpse into this moment in history, when New York made abortion legal prior to Roe V Wade, it is relevant in a way that rings eerily true today. This should be required viewing for anyone looking to enter the political landscape in today’s polarized political climate. Assemblyman Michaels is a role model for what it takes to show courage and to do what is right by the people in representing them selflessly and without fear of the repercussions. He made a difference. I am so thankful for him and to know his story of courage.
“What’s the use in getting elected, or reelected, if you don’t stand for something?” -George Michaels
What is Tribeca At Home?
Tribeca At Home is available from June 19 – July 2 through Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV and web browsers on iOS and Android devices. There are many ticket options available depending on what and how much Independent film you wish to consume! Click here to check it out!
Also Check out my review of Hey Vikor!, another film playing at Tribeca At Home!
