Elton John

ICYMI: Elton John to Kick Off Tribeca Film Fest With Free Show

By Elizabeth Bougerol

| Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 | Updated 5:54 PM EDT

ICYMI: Elton John to Kick Off Tribeca Film Fest With Free Show

Decca

Elton John and Leon Russell

The Tribeca Film Festival turns 10 this year, and in what its organizers are calling “a sincere thank-you to the New York City community for its ongoing support,” it will kick off on April 20 with a free outdoor screening, the premiere of Cameron Crowe’s new film The Union, followed by a free performance from one of its subjects: Elton John.

When John teamed up with longtime idol Leon Russell to make 2010’s rootsy album The Union (produced by the grand poobah of such things, the legendary T-Bone Burnett), lifelong music junkie Cameron Crowe decided to film their collaborative process. The resulting documentary provides an intimate look at the collaboration, from writing through recording, and the April 20 screening will be its world premiere.

The screening will take place at the North Cove at the World Financial Plaza.

In a statement, Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal said, “It’s a special opportunity to open our 10th Festival in this distinct and unique way—not only are we inviting the community to join us for the world premiere of Cameron Crowe’s film The Union, but to have Elton, whose music transcends generations, perform after is an extraordinary gift to our Festival and more specifically the downtown community.”

The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival will run April 20 through May 1, 2011; its full slate of feature film screenings will be revealed starting March 7.