The Tribeca Film Festival, sponsored by AT&T, hosted a screening for the film Summer
The film is part of the Heineken Audience Award, and the winning entry will receive a cash prize of $25,000. The brewer also hosted the official after party for the event, Heineken Green Room Sessions. After a brief question and answer session, patrons were able to mingle with the cast and crew from the film over tasty bites while enjoying a choice of Heineken or Heineken Light on draft or in a bottle, as well as Heineken Dark and Amstel Light. Appetizers included chicken spring rolls, mini-burgers, chicken wings, and potato chips so tasty I had far too many.
Tukel, who directed his first film in 1997 called House of Pancakes, used a different approach with his seventh film. A micro manager in the past, he decided to allow the film, shot in New York City, to come about in a more natural way this time around. Tukel was pleased with the results, as was the audience. I asked Tukel about the main character he plays and if he was loosely based on anyone. “It’s very autobiographical based on my fears,” he responded. Some of those fears include growing older, as the main character is 40 years old, but often lies about his age. “I look 35 when I dye my hair” Erik says after a date that has gone awry. “I’m a 41-year old at a crossroads between selfishness and selflessness,” Tukel said, a crossroads that many of us will encounter in our life.
The character of Erik becomes critical of actor/director Tyler Perry in the film, who states a negative opinion about his work without having viewed any of his films. I asked Tukel about that scene. “Tyler Perry is a genius. He employs black actors in non-stereotypical roles.” Tukel specifically highlights Perry because of the hypocrisy based on his success, and the jealousy that is a result.
Summer of Blood, which also stars Anna Margaret Hollyman as Jody, Erik’s primary love interest, is a film that should do well at the Tribeca Film Festival. I definitely recommend seeing it, as it will be screened once more on Thursday, April 24. I suggest you purchase tickets to the screening, and after, perhaps you can enjoy a cold one at the Heineken Green Room Sessions as well.
Photos: Getty
2 comments
Film Festivals are great for new people to get great opportunities, and of course, networking!
[…] was the place to be as Heineken hosted the Official After-Party for the critically-acclaimed film X/Y, bringing together the […]
Comments are closed.