Ben Stiller and David O. Russell recently shared some fascinating stories about their experiences working with the legendary Robert De Niro, affectionately referred to as “De Niro-isms.” These anecdotes were part of the celebrations for De Niro’s 80th birthday, which will be marked by a grand tribute at the annual Tribeca Festival in June 2024.
The festival, running from June 5 to 16, will feature the inaugural De Niro Con, a three-day event from June 14 to 16, dedicated to celebrating the Oscar-winning actor’s illustrious career. Esteemed directors like Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and David O. Russell will participate in panel discussions, revisiting their collaborations with De Niro. Additionally, former co-stars such as Christopher Walken and Billy Crystal will join the festivities.
De Niro Con, powered by Webex Events, will offer fans an exclusive app to enhance their experience. The programming includes screenings of 13 classic De Niro films, including the 50th anniversary of “Mean Streets.” There will also be live conversations with long-time collaborators, a career-spanning exhibit titled “De Niro Is an Icon: An Exhibit & Immersive Film,” featuring over 300 curated items from De Niro’s personal archive, and the world premiere of the immersive short film “De Niro, New York,” produced by Little Cinema.
Jane Rosenthal, Tribeca co-founder and CEO, expressed her excitement about the event, stating, “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate 80 years of Robert De Niro, my dear friend and co-conspirator for the past 35 years, than by throwing a big bash for his fellow New Yorkers.” She highlighted the significance of conversations with legends like Scorsese, Tarantino, and Russell, making it a historic weekend to honor De Niro’s immense talent.
Billy Crystal, one of De Niro’s closest friends, also shared his enthusiasm, saying, “Robert De Niro is an acting icon. He is one of my closest friends, and working with him was one of the great experiences of my career. I’m really excited to honor him and his fantastic career this June.”
The event will kick off with the world premiere of “The Original One Man Show,” a film adaptation of Chazz Palminteri’s autobiographical stage play “A Bronx Tale.” De Niro played a pivotal role in bringing this play to the big screen, giving Palminteri the opportunity he had long awaited.
Quentin Tarantino and De Niro will engage in a conversation following the screening of “Jackie Brown,” a film that showcases De Niro’s versatility. Billy Crystal and De Niro will also discuss their collaboration in the comedy “Analyze This,” moderated by Whoopi Goldberg.
David O. Russell will join De Niro for a discussion after the screening of “Silver Linings Playbook,” a film that earned De Niro an Academy Award nomination. Martin Scorsese and De Niro will reflect on their iconic film “Mean Streets” in a conversation moderated by Nas.
The festival will also feature screenings of other De Niro classics such as “The Godfather Part II,” “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” and “Taxi Driver.” Each screening will be followed by insightful discussions with collaborators and industry experts.
In addition to the film screenings, De Niro Con will offer a variety of fan experiences. The Rupert Pupkin Hall of Fan Experiences will allow fans to immerse themselves in De Niro’s iconic roles, from Travis Bickle’s bedroom in “Taxi Driver” to Jack Byrnes’ polygraph test in “Meet the Parents.”
The event will also include panels on topics such as the making of “De Niro, New York,” De Niro’s impact on the restaurant industry with Drew Nieporent, and the art of costume design with Aude Bronson-Howard and Monica Ruiz Ziegler.
Fans will have the opportunity to participate in a De Niro-themed trivia night, a book signing with author Jay Glennie, and a comedy show titled “Bobby’s World,” featuring New York’s strangest comedians.
The De Niro Hero Sandwich Competition will see local sandwich shops competing for the title of Best De Niro Hero, with attendees and a panel of judges selecting the winners.
The celebrations will culminate with a conversation between De Niro and JR, discussing their collaborations on art, family, and film.
Ben Stiller and David O. Russell’s stories about De Niro-isms add a personal touch to the festivities, highlighting the actor’s unique quirks and dedication to his craft. These anecdotes, along with the extensive programming of De Niro Con, promise to make the event a memorable tribute to one of cinema’s greatest icons.
