 |
The Tribeca Film Festival has announced Redbelt - a drama written and directed by David Mamet - will have its world premiere at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival.
Redbelt - which stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Emily Mortimer, Alice Braga and Tim Allen - will also serve as the Gala premiere of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival.
Tribeca Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal said: "Mamet has a brilliant voice. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the premiere of his latest film Redbelt at this year's festival."
Redbelt tells the story of Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor), the chief instructor at the Southside Jiu-jitsu Academy. Although a talented fighter, he refuses to compete in professional bouts, claiming: "Competition weakens the fighter." Instead, he trains dedicated students in the art of self-defense: bodyguards, cops, and soldiers.
At his brother-in-law’s club one evening, Mike saves famous action star Chet Frank (Tim Allen) from a severe beating. His defense of Frank leads to a job in the film industry, but other events conspire to force Mike to participate in a prize fight. An American samurai film set in the world of mixed martial arts, David Mamet’s Redbelt is a story about the limits of a single man’s integrity.
Mamet added: "I am a fan of both the fight film and the samurai film. Redbelt is my homage to both. I hope you enjoy it."
The film will be released in New York and LA on May 2 and nationally on May 9. A UK release date has not yet been set.
Read our full festival coverage
