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The National Hit the Road Less Traveled in Tribeca Opener ‘Mistaken for Strangers’

the national, tribeca film festival, matt berninger

The National returns this May when the Brooklynites b/w Cincinnati release their sixth album. But just before they follows up 2010’s excellent High Violet, a documentary centered around the band will open this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.

On April 17, TFF will premiere Mistaken for Strangers, a feature directed by first-time filmmaker Tom Berninger, little bro to frontman Matt Berninger. According to a press release, the doc focuses on Berninger’s “personal journey” as he accompanies his brother’s band on tour, traveling from Berlin to Paris to Los Angeles to a 2010 Madison, Wisconsin rally for President Obama. The festival’s website describes the movie as “the story of two very different brothers — one a struggling artist, the other the lead singer of the National.”

Mistaken for Strangers promises “unforeseen drama” stemming from tension between members of the famously introverted band. Tribeca insists this is “not your typical road documentary.”

Following the April 17 screening, the National will give a performance that will most likely include the song that inspired Mistaken for Strangers‘ title. Watch the official video for that track, off 2007’s Boxer, down below.

Berninger also filmed brief profiles of the group’s five gents, which can be watched via the National’s website.