Talking Tribeca: ZZZZZZZ

I’ve had the pleasure of screening some feature-length and short selections from this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, which takes place April 17th-28th.

ZZZZZZZ
Directed by Tarik Karam
Festival Screenings

There’s a quality about New York City at any time of the day or night, and that’s what makes Tribeca, a homegrown New York City film festival, the perfect showcase for this 5-minute short. Its protagonists, Henry and Lucy, are seen in assorted shots sown together wandering the streets of New York while sleepwalking, taking in the art, the sights, the foods, and everything else. It’s an effective love letter to a city which, by nature, is filled with all kinds of people, and often by those who aren’t really there. This dreamlike film is anchored by the fact that it can be seen as a metaphor for those sleepwalking during the day, while it’s just as compelling as a humorous and charming depiction of the actual phenomenon. The performers respond ably to the call to be alert yet not truly present while they roam the streets, and it’s easier to sympathize with the looks on their faces than with many other cinematic protagonists. This film is fleeting, but the experience it provides shouldn’t have trouble putting a smile on the face of its viewers, even just for a moment. This short is showing as part of the Unlimited Ride program.

See it or skip it? See it if you like New York City! It’s short and enjoyable.