Tribeca: ‘Can a Song Save Your Life?,’ Retitled ‘Begin Again,’ to Close Film Festival

The Tribeca Film Festival has slotted John Carney’s music-themed comedy Begin Again as its closing night film.

The film — formerly titled Can a Song Save Your Life? — stars Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld and Adam Levine and will screen April 26 at BMCC Tribeca PAC. The 13th annual Tribeca Film Festival runs April 16-27.

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From writer-director and Tribeca alum Carney,   Begin Again chronicles what happens when lost souls meet and make beautiful music together. Gretta (Knightley) and her longtime boyfriend Dave (Levine) are college sweethearts and songwriting partners who decamp for New York when he lands a deal with a major label. But the trappings of his newfound fame soon tempt Dave to stray, and a reeling, lovelorn Gretta is left on her own. Her world takes a turn for the better when Dan (Ruffalo), a disgraced record label exec, stumbles upon her performing on an East Village stage and is immediately captivated by her raw talent. From this chance encounter emerges an enchanting portrait of a mutually transformative collaboration, set to the soundtrack of a summer in New York City.

The film will be released by The Weinstein Co. in July.

“This beautiful music-infused New York story encompasses the spirit of Tribeca, where music, film and performance play such a key part of this year’s program,” said Jane Rosenthal, CEO and co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival. “To be able to work with our neighbor and dear friend Harvey Weinstein and The Weinstein Co. to bring this film to U.S. audiences for the first time is a bonus for our entire community.”

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The film made a splash at the Toronto Film Festival in September, when it sold to The Weinstein Co. Exclusive Media continues to handle international sales on the film.

“Begin Again is a true New York story about the magical opportunities that can be found under this great city’s bright lights,” Carney said. “That said, I can’t think of a better place to have its U.S. premiere than the Tribeca Film Festival.”

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Twitter: @TatianaSiegel27