On Wednesday, at the opening of the Tribeca Film Festival, Robert De Niro made a veiled attack on Donald Trump. The Oscar winner used his time at the podium to talk about the mission of the Tribeca Film Festival, which was created after the September 11th attacks to draw attention to the part of the city devastated by the terrorist attacks.
«"We've always recognized the power of storytelling to bring people together," De Niro said.
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This guiding principle has become "especially important," De Niro said, because "monstrous leaders... are trying to divide us for their own immoral, cruel, and corrupt ends.".
And while he didn't mention the president by name, De Niro, a frequent Trump critic, told the crowd at the Beacon Theatre, "You know who I'm talking about.".
The Tribeca Film Festival, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, kicked off with the premiere of Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson's new documentary, "Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That's the Weight of the World)." The film follows the band and its frontman, Maurice White, on their rise to the top of the charts, demonstrating their influence on everyone from Stevie Wonder to Flea to the Obamas (all of whom appear in the film).
«"I try to stay calm and not give in to toxicity," Thompson said when introducing the film. "This [film] allowed me to tell a metaphysical story about how nine people tricked us into thinking positively.".
Jane Rosenthal, who co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival with De Niro, shared her thoughts on his legacy and remarkable resilience.
«"I thought we were just doing this once to bring people back to Lower Manhattan, and I can't believe 25 years later we're still here," she said.
After the film screened in front of a packed house, Thompson and the surviving band members took the stage to perform Earth, Wind & Fire hits such as "September" and "Shining Star.".
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