The 17th edition of the Tribeca Film Festival will kick off with a portrait of Gilda Radner. The comedian is the subject of “Love, Gilda,” the fest’s opening film. Directed and produced by Lisa D’Apolito, the documentary features readings from the Emmy and Grammy winner’s personal diaries and includes interviews with Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, and Cecily Strong, among others.
Radner was one of seven original cast members on “Saturday Night Live.” Her most beloved characters included Roseanne Roseannadanna, Emily Litella, and Lisa Loopner. She died at the age of 42 from ovarian cancer.
“Love, Gilda” marks D’Apolito’s feature debut.
“As a Festival that has always supported women’s voices and is largely run by women, we are incredibly proud to celebrate the inimitable voice of Gilda during the opening night of our Festival,” said Jane Rosenthal, Co-Founder and CEO of the Tribeca Film Festival. “Gilda Radner was a powerful comedic force of nature who opened doors and thrilled audiences while becoming one of the most prolific comedians of a generation. Her cutting edge humor was only second to her dedicated leadership in cancer care with her eponymous Gilda’s Club.”
“I am so grateful to premiere ‘Love, Gilda’ at the Tribeca Film Festival and be to be able to share Gilda Radner’s story,” D’Apolito told us. “Gilda has such a unique legacy and I hope that audiences leave the theater as inspired by her as I am.”
The doc will make its world premiere at the fest on April 18. Tribeca runs from April 18 to 29 in New York.
