From “Taxi Driver” to “Raging Bull,” De Niro’s New York comes alive in an immersive, film installation at Mercer Labs.
Mercer Labs and Tribeca Studios teamed up to present Robert De Niro, New York, a unique immersive film experience celebrating the actor and Tribeca Film Festival co-founder. Playing at Mercer Labs in downtown Manhattan, the experience allows visitors to step inside the world of De Niro’s films and encounter his decades-long career from a new perspective.
The installation condenses over 40 of his films into a 20-minute multi-sensory journey. Designed and directed by Sam Gill and Luke Neher, and produced by Tribeca Studios and Little Cinema, the film utilizes scale to transform traditional film scenes into something personal.
More than two dozen synchronized projectors (equivalent of 26 cinemas), floor-to-ceiling screens, and a 360-degree spatial audio system power the film. It’s a pleasantly overwhelming experience.
Iconic quotes echo across the room, footsteps and ambient city sounds pulse all around, and visual elements shift continuously. The experience immerses visitors in the pulsing red tones of “Goodfellas,” black-and-white action of “Raging Bull,” and the gritty energy of “Taxi Driver.”
Benches and swings placed throughout the ample space let the audience engage with the film from different angles. They are encouraged to follow the sounds and sights as they move across the room. No two viewings are exactly alike.
From the start, the 500 clips seem unrelated, but as the narrative progresses, it becomes apparent that they blend to form a cohesive story – De Niro’s growth as a man and an artist in New York City.
The installation is a tribute to NYC as much as it is a tribute to De Niro. The city ties together many of his most iconic roles, including his roles in “The Godfather Part II,” “Mean Streets,” and “Taxi Driver.” De Niro also co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival to help revitalize the downtown neighborhoods following the 9/11 attacks. As a lifelong New Yorker, De Niro’s relationship with the city runs deep, and this installation mirrors that.
Robert De Niro, New York at Mercer Labs with Tribeca series. Thursdays through Sundays, from June 19 to July 13, 7–11 PM, at Mercer Labs in Lower Manhattan.
