The Tribeca Film Festival is one of the greatest events that New York Ciy has to look forward to in the springtime once April rolls around. Founded by Robert De Niro in 2002, Tribeca Film Festival is one of the most well-respected film festivals not only in America, but in the world. The film festival brings in thousands of people annually to view some of the greatest independent films and documentaries on the big screen. Set in the neighborhood of Tribeca and all over lower Manhattan, some of the greatest films and events are held here.
This year AT&T came together with TFF to give away free tickets to screenings during the month of April for a promotion. One of them was a documentary called “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead,” filmed by Justin Krook. The documentary was based on international DJ/producer Steve Aoki and his life upkeeping his legacy.
The moment I saw people lined up to get tickets and a red carpet laid out in front of the theater my film junkie self starting to overwhelm with joy. The documentary was shot in different locations, the film taking you to one big party across the world from Las Vegas, New York, Ibiza, Tokyo and of course Belgium where one of EDM’s biggest music festivals, Tomorrowland, is held. It took me on a whirlwind ride on my nostalgia rave self back in middle school with music from Bloody Beetroots playing in the background.
The documentary takes you on a rollercoaster ride, showing how California native Aoki, 38, helped contribute EDM to where it is today. “He is definitely a milestone to where EDM is today,” said artist Diplo. It has always been a dream of mine to see Steve Aoki perform and in a way watching him on the screen performing on the closing stage of Tomorrowland, in a way I kind of did.
It all started with Aoki leaving home to attend college at University of California, Santa Barbara, where he entered the punk rock scene that lead him to become a producer and promoter to bands such as The Kills and Jimmy Eats World. After finishing college, Aoki decides to move to LA where his record label, Dim Mak, lives. The motivation he had after gaining no financial support from his father helped him persevere.
Special guests appeared in the documentary such as some of Electric Daisy Carnival’s main stage producers like Tiesto, Diplo and Will. I. Am, who are all close friends with Aoki. The main focus and driving force of the film, however, was Aoki’s father, Rocky Aoki, who is the owner of Benihana restaurants.
With the whole theater packed, you can just imagine how many up and coming artists, music producers and DJ’s were sitting down and looking up at all of the struggle and inspiration that helped bring Aoki’s dad’s legacy to fulfillment, even if it meant not joining the restaurant business.
Whether you are not a fan of electronic dance music or not, be sure to catch “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead,” to see how a little boy and his love for music changes the world one beat at a time.
