Hundreds of music and film obsessives took over Brooklyn Academy of Music for the inaugural Playback Watch Party on Nov. 6-7.
Director and producer Nicholas Ma and businesswoman Clara Wu Tsai created the festival. Brooklyn legend Spike Lee served as the host.
“Spike and I set out to create a film festival that reflected the incredible energy, curiosity and creativity of Brooklyn,” said Wu Tsai. “We hope that those who join us take away a sense of pride in Brooklyn and are inspired to create, enjoy and share art."
As promised, Saturday was a true watch party. Lafayette Street was bustling with dancers, rollerbladers, double dutch experts, artists, and musicians.
Ma added that Playback is unique because it focuses on bringing some of the greatest films to the borough, rather than the newest ones. The lineup comprised seven classic films over two days: "Crooklyn," "The Battle of Algiers," "City of God," "The King of Comedy," "Soul to Soul," "Divorce Italian Style," "Salaam Bombay!," and "Love & Basketball." This year’s picks were curated by actor John Turturro, musician Questlove and activist and author Bryan Stevenson.
Friday began on a joyful note in the Howard Gilman Opera House, with a Brooklyn United drum line and a surprise performance by a gospel choir. Spike Lee was joined by Ma, Wu Tsai, and Ellie the Elephant to introduce the essential Brooklyn watch, "Crooklyn." The film was followed by a cast reunion, including several members of the Lee family who co-wrote and produced the film.
Actor Delroy Lindo revealed on stage that he spent time with Lee’s family in rural Alabama to study for the part, which Lee found out alongside the audience.
One attendee, Liliana Wolde, who was visiting from the UK, said that she came for the father-son DJ duo Saint James Joy and ended up feet away from Spike Lee himself. Even without the star-studded guest list, Wolde was impressed by the vibrant energy of the crowd.
“I’m a DJ myself, so I’m learning what gets a crowd moving,” Wolde said. “People are really drawn to the gospel music, the funk. There’s a real sense of collective effervescence here.”
Inside the theater, the curators hosted talkbacks throughout the day. Questlove chatted with comedian Wyatt Cenac about the connection between Kanye West and King of Comedy protagonist Richard Pupkin.
Mira Nair and Bryan Stevenson discussed stories of children on the margins of society.
“It's been such a great day. I love seeing people engage with these narratives that have meant so much to me and my work,” Stevenson told BK Reader. “I think there are elements that just kind of hit you differently each time you see the stories. And that's the power of great art. We keep getting something out of it.”
The watch party was a celebration of art, culture, and most of all, the borough of Brooklyn. The weekend saw X number of people and a variety of talent from around the borough.
“My hope is that it's the kind of festival when you stand up in the audience, you look around, and you say, yeah, this is all of the borough,” said Ma. “This isn't just a gentrified Fort Greene experience. This isn't just the story of Bay Ridge or East New York or Brooklyn Heights. This is a place where we see all of those different neighborhoods in Brooklyn come together.”
