The 2025 Tribeca Festival kicked off with the world premiere of the highly anticipated HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So it Goes.
Billy Joel: And So it Goes is an expansive portrait of Billy Joel’s life and music, exploring the love, loss, and personal struggles that fuel his songwriting. With unprecedented access to never-before-seen performances, home movies, personal photographs, and extensive, in-depth one-on-one interviews, the documentary intimately explores Joel’s life and work, whose music has endured across generations.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
Susan Lacy, director and producer, said, “For those who think they know Joel’s story, as well as those who are not as familiar, I believe this two-part film is both a revelation and a surprise. I was drawn to his story as someone who knew little at the outset, and was astounded at how autobiographical his songs are and how complex his story is. We are gratified that Bill trusted us with his story, which we have told as honestly as possible, diving into territory which has not been explored before.”
Co-directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, Executive Producers Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, and Joel’s longtime band members Richie Cannata, Liberty DeVitto, and Russell Javors attended the event. Whoopi Goldberg, Mariska Hargitay, Steve Zahn, Caroline Aaron, Elizabeth Weber, and Tribeca jury members Mira Sorvino and Asher Grodman were also present.
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Just before the screening, Tribeca Festival co-founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal took the stage to welcome the packed house of Joel fans to opening night, before teeing up Lacy and Levin to introduce the film. The remarks featured well-wishes to Joel and several references to his iconic songs, as De Niro confirmed he’s “in a New York state of mind,” and Lacy and Levin concluded with a heartfelt message to Joel: “We love you just the way you are.”
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Billy Joel: And So it Goes premiered at The Beacon Theatre, New York on June 4.
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