TRIBECA '07 DISPATCH | Tribeca Fest Thinks Globally With Gore and Climate Crisis in Opening Night Spotlight

“For me whats so wonderful about the SOS films is that they can show us everyday gestures that can help change the world,” explained Jane Rosenthal at Wednesday’s press conference.

Unveiled at the opening night event were Chel White‘s “The Wind,” Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady‘s “One Less Car,” Malcolm Venville‘s “Global Warming,” Matt Mahurin‘s “H2 Uh-O,” D-Fuse‘s “Deforestation,” Sophie Muller‘s “Sunny Day,” Marcos Prado‘s “Waste,” The Foster Brothers’ “Africa, Speaking wth Earth and Sky,” and Rob Reiner‘s “Spinal Tap,” revisting the lads from “This Is Spinal Tap.” Among the other filmmakers set to participate in the SOS series of short films are Jonathan Glazer, Kevin MacDonald, Abel Ferrara, Amy Berg, Ari Sandel and British production company Aardman Animation.

“Somehow, we do have to penetrate that shell of denial,” Gore said Wednesday night, capping the opening night event with a speech. Throughout the day, he and other speakers noted that awareness of the global climate crisis will soon reach a “tipping point,” leading to widespread support for measures to halt global warming.

Tribeca’s move to join the push for awareness of global warming comes as New York’s Mayor Bloomberg touts a controversial new plan unveiled just days ago during an Earth Day address considering the future of the city. The Mayor is advocating for a number of significant measures aimed at creating “the world’s first environmentally sustainably city.” Gore praised the decision on Wednesday, publicly backing Bloomberg’s goal of charging many motorists $8 to drive throughout Manhattan.

Late in Wednesday’s press conference, The Hollywood Reporter‘s Gregg Goldstein asked Al Gore whether the growing attention being given to global warming might result in a backlash against the famous people lending their support to the cause. Gore, Bloomberg and Reiner all weighed in to counter such a notion.

iW Video Link: On the opening day of Tribeca: Al Gore, Mayor Bloomberg, Rob Reiner and others talk about global warming and address the issue of a potential backlash against artists who support global warming awareness programs like Live Earth and SOS. Clips from Wednesday’s press conference are available on an iW Video segment (via YouTube).

“This is important enough for people to stand up and express themselves regardless of the consequences,” Gore said, “More and more people are going to applaud and reward artists who put themselves out there.”

The backlash question clearly resonated with Al Gore who referenced it once again during remarks at the Wednesday night festival opening film and music event, saying that when he heard the question he thought of musician Jon Bon Jovi, whom he introduced for a three-song set. Gore praised Bon Jovi for fearlessly taking a stand on issues. After performing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” his own “Living On a Prayer,” and The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” Bon Jovi also referenced the question about a backlash, saying, “We people have the power to make a difference. End of story.”