As the late-night weekly sketch-comedy show institution, Saturday Night Live, celebrates it’s 40th Anniversary, an all-access documentary on the show is set to open the 14th Annual Tribeca Film Festival with Live from New York!
Directed by Bao Nguyen, the documentary will explore the SNL’s impact and influence on the American zeitgeist for the past 40 years. From the show’s early, ground-breaking years powered by Lorne Michaels and his cast of unknowns (and future superstars) through its evolution into a comedy institution. “After 40 years, the timing just felt right,” said Michaels.
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The film also features priceless archival footage spliced with exclusive interviews with SNL legends, guest hosts, and crew who influenced or were influenced by the show. One of those guest hosts is the founder of the Tribeca Film Festival, Robert De Niro. He has served both as a guest and host of the iconic show. Who can forget his epic first monologue in 2002?
“The selection of Live from New York! to open the 14th Tribeca Film Festival is personally gratifying to me on several levels. Having hosted SNL three times, and guested on several occasions, I speak from a first-hand experience about “SNL’s” rightful place in our culture as well as a welcome addition to our Festival,” said De Niro.