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Published on February 27th, 2017 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

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2017 Tribeca Film Festival to premiere ‘Clive Davis: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives’

2017 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL (@Tribeca) TO OPEN WITH WORLD PREMIERE OF CLIVE DAVIS: THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19

Many claim to have an ear or feel for talent however, there are the great and then we have the elite…that’s Clive Davis. A film adaptation of his autobiography, we get to see “The man with the golden ears” through a new lens and I for one, am glad to have this inside looking out opportunity to learn something about this cat other than the obvious…he’s a genius. ~ JD

The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, will open the 16th edition with the world premiere of the feature length documentary Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives at Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. The premiere will be followed by a special concert featuring performances by Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, Earth, Wind & Fire, and more, taking opening night beyond the screen to honor the legendary music executive and producer. The Tribeca Film Festival runs April 19 to April 30.

Film screening to be followed by special concert featuring performances by Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, Earth, Wind & Fire, and more in celebration of the music icon.

Aretha Franklin and Clive Davis making music

 

Earth Wind & Fire

 

Jennifer Hudson

Based on Davis’ 2013 bestselling autobiography, the film chronicles the historic influence of “The Man with the Golden Ears,” who rose from humble beginnings, and in a compelling and riveting journey, became one of the music industry’s most iconic figures. Directed by Chris Perkel, the film is produced by Michael Bernstein of Scott Free Productions, with Ridley Scott and Mary Lisio executive producing alongside IM Global’s Stuart Ford, David Schulhof, and Deborah Zipser. Leading independent film and television studio IM Global provided financing for the film.

Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives is a fascinating exploration of his remarkable story and the impact that a great producer can have on artists and music,” said Jane Rosenthal, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of the Tribeca Film Festival. “We are excited to have this powerful film premiere on our opening night.”

“The Tribeca Film Festival has a wonderful tradition of artists supporting artists, so honoring Clive Davis and his unwavering commitment to music and creativity is the perfect way to open our 16th annual festival,” said Tribeca’s Paula Weinstein. “With special live performances by some of the most talented artists of our time, it will be an unforgettable night to celebrate the arts and Clive.”

“Directing this film provided a wonderful challenge because Clive Davis stands at the center of a culture-defining array of talent that has shaped the last half century of contemporary music. His is an inspiring story that’s sure to leave you with a smile on your face, a tug at your heart and a playlist of hits forever stuck in your head,” said director Chris Perkel.

The film is an inspiring story of courage, resilience, talent, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. These qualities drove Davis – a child of early 20th Century working-class Brooklyn who lost both parents while a teenager – to full academic scholarships to NYU and Harvard Law School and a brief but impactful stint as a white-shoe lawyer.  His unrelenting drive to be the best and a twist of fate led Davis to assume the presidency of Columbia Records at just 35 years of age. It was only after the discovery of Janis Joplin at the Monterey Pop Festival, and Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, Santana and Aerosmith shortly thereafter, that it became dramatically evident that he had a previously unexplored natural gift that would command a career that has created the soundtrack for three generations of American culture.

The film examines how Davis rocketed to the top of the bare-knuckles music industry, repeatedly building major record labels (Columbia, Arista, J), at times becoming the subject of great controversy while overcoming enormous professional and personal challenges and tragedies.

Davis has signed, influenced and driven the careers of many of the most important music artists of the 20th and 21st Centuries.  In addition to those already mentioned, these include: Simon & Garfunkel, Bruce Springsteen, Earth Wind & Fire, Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Patti Smith, The Kinks, The Grateful Dead, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Rod Stewart, Sean “Puffy” Combs, and, of course, Whitney Houston, whose explosive professional career is dramatically captured in a never-before-told story that will move and enthrall audiences. The Soundtrack of Our Lives features interviews with many of these iconic artists. His storied annual Pre-Grammy Gala, which just turned 40, is always the hottest ticket of the year, drawing the biggest stars across music, film, television, and politics as well as business leaders and glitterati from around the world. For the first time, there will be an inside look in the documentary at the musical and social heights reached by this legendary Gala.

 

IM Global is handling all international distribution rights and WME is handling domestic sales.

The 2017 Tribeca Film Festival will announce its feature film slate at the beginning of March.

About Tribeca Film Festival past opening nights:

Since its inception 16 years ago, TFF has opened with a range of films, both narrative and documentary, that celebrate cinema and storytelling: 2016 – First Monday in May(Documentary); 2015 – Live from New York! (Documentary) with live performance from Ludacris; 2014 – Nas: Time is Illmatic (Documentary) with live performance from Nas; 2013 – Mistaken for Strangers (Documentary) with live performance from The National ; 2012 –The Five-Year Engagement (Narrative); 2011 – The Union (Documentary) with live Elton John performance; 2010 – Shrek Forever After (Narrative); 2009 – Whatever Works (Narrative); 2008 – Baby Mama (Narrative); 2007 – SOS (Shorts program); 2006 – United 93 (Narrative); 2005 – The Interpreter (Narrative); 2004 – Raising Helen (Narrative); 2003 – Down with Love (Narrative); 2002 – About a Boy (Narrative)

About the Tribeca Film Festival
The Tribeca Film Festival brings together visionaries across industries and diverse audiences to celebrate the power of storytelling. A platform for independent filmmaking, creative expression and immersive entertainment, Tribeca supports emerging and established voices, discovers award-winning filmmakers, curates innovative and interactive experiences, and introduces new technology and ideas through panels, premieres, exhibitions, and live performances.

Founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in 2001, following the attacks on the World Trade Center, Tribeca has evolved from an annual event to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan to a gathering place for filmmakers, artists, innovators, and the global creative community. Through programs that embrace storytelling in all of its expansive forms—film, TV, online work, VR/AR, and music—TFF reimagines the cinematic experience and explores how art can unite communities.

Behind the scenes:

2017 Partners

As Presenting Sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival, AT&T is committed to supporting the Festival and the art of filmmaking through access and innovation, while expanding opportunities to diverse creators around the globe.  As one of the largest communications and entertainment companies, AT&T helps millions connect to their passions – no matter where they are.

The Tribeca Film Festival is pleased to announce its 2017 Signature Partners: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Bai Beverages, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), CHANEL, EFFEN® Vodka, ESPN, IWC Schaffhausen, The Lincoln Motor Company, National CineMedia, New York Magazine, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Nexxus New York Salon Care, Spring Studios New York, and United Airlines.

IM Global

IM GLOBAL was founded by Chief Executive Officer Stuart Ford in 2007. The prolific independent studio operates one of the world’s leading international film, television and music production, sales and distribution platforms. In June 20 16, Los Angeles based Tang Media Partners (“TMP”) assumed a controlling ownership position in IM Global to help accelerate the company’s growth initiatives.  Simultaneously, TMP arranged a new, expanded television production joint venture among IM Global, TMP, and Tencent Holdings. The IM Global television JV included an innovative first-of-its-kind programming investment fund arranged by TMP.  IM Global has offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Munich, Mumbai, Mexico City, Beijing and Shanghai.

Ridley Scott And Associates

Founded by Ridley and Tony Scott in 1968, RSA Films has, for more than 40 years, been one of the world’s leading commercial production companies. Headed by President Jules Daly, RSA has created a legacy of excellence in commercials, music videos, features, television, branded content, VR and beyond that has expanded over the years to sister companies Scott Free, Hey Wonderful, Black Dog Films and 3AM. Headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in New York, London, Hong Kong and Shanghai, RSA has a roster of over 70 directors, including Ava DuVernay, Sam Mendes, Paul Feig, Jake Scott and Terence Neale. RSA has received numerous Cannes Lions, EMMY, BAFTA, AICP, CLIO, MTV and MVPA Awards since its inception. rsafilms.com

Join the conversation

Twitter: @Tribeca

Instagram: @tribeca

Facebook:  facebook.com/Tribeca

Snapchat: TribecaFilmFest

Hashtag: #Tribeca2017

 

(All photos and video courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival and used with permission)


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Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.


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