Tribeca 2025 Opens with Emotional Ovation for 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes'
Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris
A STARs CAME OUT TO OPEN TO THIS YEAR’S TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL, HBO’S NEW DOCUMENTARY Served AS THE FESTIVAL’S OPENING NIGHT CENTERPIECE HONORING THE NEW YORK ICON AND LEGENDARY PIANO MAN, Mr. BILLY JOEL
The 2025 Tribeca Festival lit up New York City with a powerful opening night, welcoming guests to the world premiere of HBO’s Billy Joel: And So It Goes. The documentary, which paints an emotional and honest portrait of the Piano Man himself, set the tone for a festival grounded in music, memory, and cinematic mastery.
Directed by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, with executive producers Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, the film delves into the musical and personal journey of Billy Joel, chronicling his highs, lows, and lyrical genius. Audiences at The Beacon Theatre were treated to a rich tapestry of rare footage, intimate interviews, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the life of a man whose music has become a cultural cornerstone.
(L-R) Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Tiffany Chen, Jane Rosenthal Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris
The evening began with a heartfelt welcome from Tribeca co-founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal, setting a tone of reverence, nostalgia, and joy. Standing in front of a packed Beacon Theatre audience, De Niro—ever the New Yorker—greeted the crowd with a grin and said he was "in a New York state of mind," drawing laughter, cheers, and the kind of knowing smile that only Billy Joel lyrics can inspire. It was more than an icebreaker; it was a reminder that Joel’s music has become inseparable from the identity of the city itself.
Rosenthal took the moment to reflect on the emotional weight and cultural power of Joel’s legacy. "This film captures not just the music, but the man behind it—the soul of New York," she said, her voice firm yet tender. Her remarks underscored the festival’s broader commitment to spotlighting voices that have helped shape both the city’s cultural identity and the national creative consciousness. She spoke not only as a festival founder, but as a native daughter of New York, expressing genuine admiration for Joel’s capacity to soundtrack moments of both personal intimacy and collective history.
Following their remarks, directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin stepped forward, greeted by warm applause. With grace and gratitude, they acknowledged the emotional depth of their journey making the documentary and how it had become more than just a film project—it had turned into a spiritual collaboration with Joel’s legacy. They shared anecdotes about poring over archival footage, interviewing friends and family, and tracing the arc of Joel’s career from piano bars to packed stadiums. As they closed their speech, their parting words echoed through the theater like a refrain: “Billy, we love you just the way you are.” The room responded with rapt attention and quiet reverence—an early sign that the film was about to strike a very personal chord with everyone present.
(L-R) Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris
The blue carpet glistened with musical and cinematic royalty, pulsing with the energy of generations who had grown up on Billy Joel's music. Among the most celebrated appearances were Joel’s longtime bandmates—Richie Cannata, Liberty DeVitto, and Russell Javors—whose decades-long camaraderie was on full display. Their presence wasn’t just a nostalgic callback; it was a moving symbol of loyalty and enduring collaboration. For fans and fellow musicians alike, seeing them reunited served as a powerful reminder that behind every legendary solo artist is a tribe of creatives who help shape the sound and spirit of a generation.
The three laughed, embraced, and reflected on the years spent touring, recording, and evolving alongside Joel—years that forged not only iconic music but unbreakable bonds. Their easy rapport reminded onlookers of what it means to build something lasting—not just in melody, but in friendship. It was a full-circle moment for the bandmates, standing not on stage, but at the center of a celebration that recognized the full spectrum of Joel’s legacy—his words, his notes, and the people who brought them to life.
(L-R) Russel Javors, Liberty DeVitto, Richie Cannata Photo Credit_Dimitrios Kambouris
(L-R) Steve Zahn, Rick Gomez Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris
Hollywood wasn’t far behind, with the entertainment industry showing up in full force to honor a night that merged music and cinema in unforgettable ways. Acclaimed actors Steve Zahn and Rick Gomez brought their signature charisma to the blue carpet, exchanging laughs with fellow attendees and offering warm reflections on Joel’s influence in shaping not just musical memory, but cultural consciousness. Mira Sorvino, ever-gracious and glowing, floated between conversations with industry peers and journalists, emphasizing how Tribeca's commitment to legacy and artistry makes it unlike any other festival in the world.
Each of them shared moments with fans and friends alike, building an atmosphere that felt part reunion, part reverie. There was talk of Joel’s impact beyond the stage—how his storytelling influenced acting performances and screenwriting alike. The shared admiration threaded through conversations, as film and music blurred their boundaries on opening night. In the lounge before the film, a few guests recalled their first concert memories of Billy Joel, laughing at how those nights stayed with them longer than most movie premieres.
It wasn’t just another celebrity appearance—it was a communal tribute to the power of artistic endurance and emotional resonance. With every handshake and smile exchanged, the energy reaffirmed Tribeca’s mission: to bring people together through stories that matter.
Mira Sorvino Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris
The film itself is a masterclass in documentary storytelling, tracing Billy Joel’s extraordinary path from a working-class upbringing in Long Island to his transformation into a global icon. More than just a career retrospective, the documentary serves as a deep meditation on creativity, perseverance, and identity. Archival footage dating back to Joel’s earliest days as a scrappy young piano player is blended seamlessly with career-defining moments—Carnegie Hall, Shea Stadium, the Grammys—offering a visceral journey through decades of triumph and reinvention. But what truly elevates the film is its emotional candor. Rather than paint a polished portrait, directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin delve into the contradictions of Joel’s personality, illuminating the struggles with mental health, the pain of artistic burnout, and the quiet resilience behind his public persona.
The atmosphere inside The Beacon was charged with anticipation as the film began to unspool. For the next 90 minutes, the theater became a collective vessel of emotion. When the first chords of "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" hit, there were audible gasps; when archival footage of Joel in the studio played, the crowd leaned forward in reverence. Some moments drew hearty laughter—Joel’s biting wit and unfiltered honesty remain unmatched—while others prompted tears, particularly when the singer reflected on lost friendships, personal missteps, and the weight of his legacy. The documentary didn’t merely play—it pulsed through the room. With each anecdote, each piano note, the audience was reminded why Billy Joel isn’t just a musician—he’s a mirror to the soul of New York and a timeless voice in the American soundtrack.
Whoopi Goldberg Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris
Tom Hanks Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris
Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris
Executive producers from HBO—including Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller—were also in attendance, walking the carpet with a visible sense of pride and purpose. Throughout the evening, the duo mingled with filmmakers, cast members, and press, reflecting on HBO’s ongoing dedication to storytelling that not only entertains but enlightens. As champions of some of the network’s most prestigious and emotionally resonant documentaries, their presence served as a quiet but potent reminder of the power of visionary producers in shaping cultural legacy.
Observers noted their thoughtful engagement with other creatives on-site, suggesting a deep investment not just in the film’s outcome, but in the people behind it. It was a full-circle moment for both Abraham and Heller, whose consistent backing of music-centered storytelling has helped turn HBO into a destination for documentary excellence. Their attendance at Tribeca reaffirmed that support—and their belief that Billy Joel’s story is one worth telling, and worth telling well.
Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris
As the crowd rose for a standing ovation, one thing became clear: Billy Joel: And So It Goes isn’t just a documentary—it’s a love letter. A cinematic ballad to a man whose songs have helped us navigate heartbreak, joy, and everything in between. Although Billy Joel himself was unable to attend, his presence was felt in every note, every frame, and every shared memory reverberating through The Beacon Theatre.
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The film stands as a powerful opening salvo for the 2025 Tribeca Festival—a year that promises a lineup rich in cultural introspection, genre reinvention, and star-studded spectacle. With upcoming premieres ranging from experimental indie darlings to long-awaited studio features, the festival’s curation is poised to celebrate not just the future of cinema, but its living history. The emotional resonance of opening night sets a high bar for what’s to come: films that inspire, challenge, and move us. In honoring Billy Joel, Tribeca has reaffirmed its role not just as a film festival, but as a cultural pulse point for storytelling in all its forms.
