Monty Python is Coming to the Tribeca Film Festival
The Tribeca Film Festival is dedicating part of this year’s event to the work of the legendary comedy troupe, Monty Python.
The highlight of TFF’s tribute is a 40th anniversary celebration of the film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The 1975 comedy will be screened in a special presentation on Friday, April 24th with Python’s John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin all in attendance at the Beacon Theatre.
In anticipation of the 40th anniversary screening, Michael Palin said, “The Pythons are looking forward very much to the Tribeca Film Festival and the chance to meet anyone who can remember why we made Monty Python and The Holy Grail. All we know is that it was a documentary about coconuts that rather lost its way. If anyone at Tribeca can explain why we made it and didn’t call it Braveheart then our visit to New York will not have been wasted.”
The Holy Grail’s co-director Terry Gilliam said, “It’s amazing how lack of money saved us from mediocrity. We couldn’t afford real horses”. While Eric Idle added, “I often had the feeling the movie might make a good Broadway musical….”
The Tribeca Film Festival will also host the international debut of the documentary feature, Monty Python – The Meaning of Live on Saturday, April 25th. The doc goes behind-the-scenes as the Pythons prepared for their 2014 reunion shows at The O2 arena in London. Directed by Roger Graef and James Rogan, the film also looks at the history of Monty Python and its members and how their comedy reached worldwide popularity.
Plus there will be special screenings of other classic Monty Python films including Monty Python’s Life of Brian on Saturday, April 25th and Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life on Sunday, April 26th. Each screening will by followed be a Q&A with members of Monty Python.
Tickets go on sale for the 40th anniversary celebration of Monty Python and the Holy Grail on Monday, March 23rd. The Tribeca Film Festival runs April 15th through April 26th in New York City. For tickets and a complete schedule of events and films, go to TribecaFilm.com.
