FORM-Idea

This summer marked the return of New York’s Tribeca Film Festival — the younger, edgier sibling of Sundance on the West Coast. Tribeca remains one of my favorite festivals of the year, consistently offering bold storytelling and fresh perspectives. Below is my roundup of this year’s standout selections from the festival’s online lineup.

Comedy of War: Laughter in Ukraine offers a unique and moving perspective on the ongoing war in Ukraine — that of four comedians touring the country, bringing laughter to people living through unimaginable hardship. Through candid conversations and performances, the film paints a portrait of a nation marked by resilience, even amid chaos.

The group — one woman and three men — deliver sharp, poignant humor to audiences across the war-torn landscape, often to military units. Their performances are met with laughter, relief, and gratitude, underscoring the vital role comedy plays in sustaining morale. These scenes, where soldiers’ faces light up in response to their routines, are among the film’s most powerful moments.

The timing of the documentary’s release — in the wake of the Wagner Group’s failed coup attempt and Vladimir Putin’s conspicuously swift departure from Moscow — only reinforces the film’s central theme: that life, even at its bleakest, can still be absurdly, defiantly funny.

One of the comedians, who grew up in a Russian-speaking region of Ukraine, describes his personal struggle to now speak only Ukrainian — a symbolic act of resistance. He recounts waking from dreams in Russian, then having stern “talks” with his subconscious, an anecdote both humorous and poignant.

But the documentary does not shy away from the grim realities of war. During a visit to a historic library recently destroyed by Russian bombing — a site with no military value — one of the comedians notes that its destruction was a clear attempt to erase Ukrainian culture.

Ultimately, Comedy of War is a deeply human film. It reminds us that even in the darkest times, people will reach for joy, for connection — and for laughter. That, too, is a form of resistance (trailer).

Rise – The Siya Kolisi Story is a compelling documentary that charts the remarkable journey of Siya Kolisi, the first Black captain of South Africa’s national rugby union team. While some believe leaders are born, this film argues they are forged — shaped by the hardships, trauma, and defining circumstances of their lives. For Kolisi, adversity was a constant companion from a young age.

One of the film’s most heart-wrenching moments recounts a young Siya helplessly watching his beloved grandmother die in front of him. Scenes like this, paired with the enduring scars of South Africa’s apartheid legacy, underscore how Kolisi’s story is not just one of personal triumph, but also of social and historical significance. Despite the formal end of apartheid decades ago, its shadow still looms large. Millions of South Africans continue to grow up in deep poverty — a world Kolisi knows intimately.

His story took a pivotal turn when his academic potential was recognized and he was awarded a scholarship to a prestigious private school. There, he discovered his extraordinary talent for rugby — a sport long seen as a symbol of apartheid, historically dominated by white players. His skill quickly set him apart, and he soon became one of the most promising young athletes in the country.

Yet, as the documentary highlights, Kolisi’s life at school was a stark contrast to the harsh reality he faced at home. He openly reflects on the temptations and struggles that could have derailed his journey — from the lure of drugs to a period of problematic drinking. And yet, against the odds, he managed to walk the near-impossible path from township poverty to national glory.

Kolisi’s rise to become the first Black captain of the Springboks — and to lead them to a World Cup victory — is more than a sports story. It’s a testament to the strength of character shaped by hardship, the power of opportunity, and the enduring fight for transformation in South Africa.

Öte, directed by Malik Isasis and Esra Saydam, is a quietly captivating feature that follows the journey of an African American backpacker traveling through Turkey. Centered around Lela, a vibrant and thoughtful woman in her thirties, the film stands out not just for its scenic landscapes or cross-cultural exploration, but for placing a young Black female protagonist at the heart of the story — something still all too rare in contemporary cinema.

Lela’s journey is both physical and emotional, filled with moments of humor, discomfort, and connection. One particularly memorable scene features a hilariously awkward one-night stand with a white American man who can’t stop announcing, mid-act, that he’s “never been with a Black girl before.” Lela swiftly shuts down the moment with perfect comic timing, reminding him that talking during sex isn’t exactly helpful.

Her path eventually crosses with that of a Turkish man grappling with the aftermath of his failed marriage. Rather than the usual romantic clichés, their connection is built on conversation — two people from different worlds who discover an unexpected intimacy simply through talking. A beautifully understated scene of the two lying under the stars, sharing thoughts and silence, captures the film’s quiet magic.

Öte is ultimately about the serendipity of human connection — about how, just maybe, the right person can appear when you’re least expecting them. It’s a refreshing, soulful film that lingers long after the credits roll (trailer).

Blackwool, a short film directed by Ava Akilade, is a standout — and one of my personal favorites. The story follows a Black teenage girl on her first day at school in an all-white Scottish town, where an encounter with the class bully becomes an unexpected catalyst for self-discovery and strength.

What unfolds is a powerful and poetic exploration of identity, belonging, and the quiet resilience required to stand tall in the face of prejudice. Akilade crafts a narrative that is both intimate and universal, showing how moments of confrontation can also become moments of transformation.

Blackwool is a moving testament to the strength it takes not just to survive, but to thrive — even when the world around you seems determined to make you feel invisible.

The Tribeca Film Festival is a true celebration of global film culture. It reminds us that, despite the many things that divide us, our shared love of cinema remains a powerful, unifying force.