Film
Juliette Lewis Is a Rock Goddess at Tribeca Fest
Juliette Lewis turned Tribeca Film Festival into a rock show for the "Hard Lovin' Woman" premiere.
The Tribeca Film Festival this year has been highlighting some of its programmed activities outside of movie screenings. There are technical discussions (sound! storytelling!), director talks, panels, workshops and interactive exhibits exploring (what else?) the world of VR.
Then there was the rock show that Juliette Lewis put on with her band (which includes Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk and H2O guitarist Todd Morse) after a sold-out screening of the documentary she made with Michael Rapaport, "Hard Lovin' Woman."
Juliette Lewis and Michael Rapaport at Tribeca
© Brian Nevins/Red Bull Content Pool
The 30-minute short, which begins airing on Red Bull TV April 23, spotlights Lewis' second career as a rock 'n' roll artist. Unbeknownst to most, Lewis quit Hollywood at the height of her film career to devote herself entirely to her first love: music — rock 'n' roll music. Down and dirty rock 'n' roll.
"Hard Lovin' Woman" premieres at Tribeca Film Fest
© Brian Nevins/Red Bull Content Pool
For several years in the mid-2000s, Lewis and her band, the Licks, wrote songs, cut albums and toured the world, gaining indie success. In 2006, they opened for the Foo Fighters in front of 100,000 at Hyde Park in London. Lewis the Rock Goddess, is the subject of "Hard Lovin' Woman," which premiered last Friday night at Tribeca.
Juliette Lewis
© Brian Nevins/Red Bull Content Pool
After the show, Lewis and her new band — the Licks broke up in 2009, though Morse is a holdover — took the stage. Lewis appeared in an Evel Knievel jumpsuit. Before the show, Sal Masekela, one of the executive producers on "Hard Lovin' Woman," told me to expect an intensity beyond Janis Joplin.
Juliette Lewis drew a sold-out crowd at Tribeca
© Brian Nevins/Red Bull Content Pool
Lewis more than delivered. During the performance, she explored every bit of the stage, which was set up below the movie screen. She sang old songs and new; according to Nylon, she has an EP planned for later this year. On one side of the room was a bank of floor-to-ceiling windows that revealed the nighttime Manhattan skyline — Hollywood meets Woodstock meets Woody Allen, or something like that.
Juliette Lewis
© Brian Nevins/Red Bull Content Pool
A big part of "Hard Lovin' Woman" is revealing the sacrifices Lewis made to pursue music. She is not an actor moonlighting as a rock star, as Dave Grohl emphasizes in the film. And her dedication was evident on stage in New York. Juliette Lewis is the real deal. Her voice has been seasoned by years on the road. Her presence (a mix of Joplin, Iggy Pop and Jagger) emanates from the music. During the performance and after it, audience members were won over.
Juliette Lewis
© Brian Nevins/Red Bull Content Pool