One World Cinema

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The stars were out last night in Lower Manhattan in more way than one!  The gods shined down on the opening night of the 10th Anniversary of “The Tribeca Film Festival 20'11'", as it did not rain, the wind was not howling, the temperatures were about average for this time of the year, and star-studded guests like Mayor Bloomberg, Dennis Leary, Martin Scorsese, and Elton John entertained the general public.

For those who were unable to attend, or for those who would like to relive the magic, please see the links below from the miraculous opening night from the festival that started a decade ago with the hopes of bringing business back downtown after the tragic events of 9/'11'.

Sir Elton John explained in the opening night Cameron Crowe documentary, “The Union”, “that sometimes in order to move forward, you have to go backwards”, how Leon Russell is the secret source behind a lot of records including, Bobby Vee, Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, and The Crystals, and that Leon was the piano player who made the largest impact on him,  stating, “writing the album, “The Union”, together has made my songwriting better”.

“The piano does not move, so I had to do handstands on it, everything possible  to make love to the instrument, because you just can’t pick up a piano unless you are Tarzan”, explains the humble keyboard legend, Elton John.  “You can’t expect to be on the top fo the charts when you are 70, and I would rather be struck by lightning, then make a Christmas record.”

Leon Russell expressed his  love for “true songs”, while Stevie Nicks shared with Leon his impact on her and how 5 years before Fleetwood Mac even started, she was in a band called “Fritz”, she met Leon and it changed her life.

Article and videography by Sharon Abella

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