Well, it is that time of year! Time for another Sundance film festival. I hadn't really planned on it, but I was able to come out for another festival, and I am glad to be back here once again. It is definitely something different to do for a few months. And of course, it is lovely to see my best friend again after another long separation.
I shall attempt to do a few reviews of the films I see as I go along. Starting out with the first 7 films and 5 shorts I have seen thus far. :)
Up first (drum roll please....) -
Emanuel and the Truth About Fishes
Meet the artist - a clip with the director
Part of the US Dramatic Competition, they showed this film to staff and volunteers two days before the festival started. I didn't really have any desire to see it, but since it was a free screening and I was physically capable of going, I went. And, unsurprisingly, I am very glad I did. While yes, as my one friend said, it is very stereotypical of an indie film, with just the right combination of quirkiness and slightly off-beat kilter, I still enjoyed it. I thought the lead young girl was very good, and I was pleasantly surprised by Jessica Biel's performance in it. I found it funny at times, disturbing at times, and very moving at times. It made me think about things in a different way. Can't really say more than that without giving things away. But overall I thought it was a good, enjoyable film.
Valentine Road
Director introducing the film
Part of the US Documentary Competition, this was the other film they showed to staff and volunteers on Tuesday night before the festival even started. So far, I think it is my favorite film I've seen this year, although one that I saw today might tie with it. If you watched the little introduction video above, then you know what the film is about. I knew going into it that it would upset me, but I had no idea just how much. Marta, the director, does a great job in that video of describing my feelings during and after the film. While the crime was absolutely horrific, I also have serious issues with the treatment of the kid who pulled the trigger. This film definitely makes you think, and brings a lot of various issues in our society to the surface. What enraged me the most was the way the situation was handled by the school and the attitudes of so many of the people interviewed. I spent a vast majority of the film crying - either from sadness, anger, or a combination thereof. And honestly, that is why it is one of my favorites thus far. Something that causes such a reaction in me, and makes me think about a variety of topics, is, in my opinion, a fantastic piece of art that should be seen by as many people as possible. Ok, I will stop rambling now. I will just close by saying that I hope this film becomes available for as many people as possible to see.
After Tiller
Meet the Directors
Yet another film that is part of the US Documentary Competition. And another excellent documentary, about a very difficult subject, which I thought did a fantastic job at showing the motivations and attitudes behind the doctors, as well as the women who seek these late term abortions. A lot of interesting issues brought up, and a lot of people who I consider very brave and inspiring. Would definitely recommend this be seen as well. My only wish is that I had been able to see a regular screening of it instead of the Press and Industry screening, because I think the Q&A panel afterwards would have been phenomenal (all the doctors were here apparently). Still, am grateful to have been able to see the film.
Shorts Program 1
Whiplash
This short film is described thus: "An aspiring drummer enters an elite conservatory’s top jazz orchestra." I enjoyed this short a lot. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me think about music and conductors in a way I hadn't necessarily done before. An excellent start to the shorts program.
Jonah
"When two young men photograph a gigantic fish leaping from the sea,
their small town becomes a tourist attraction in this story about the
old and the new." This short was... interesting. There were aspects of it that I really enjoyed, and I thought that the style of it was extremely interesting. However, if I am being truly honest, I should also mention that I'm not entirely sure I understood everything that happened in it, or every message the director and writer were trying to make. That being said, still enjoyable.
Scrubber
"A mysterious and disturbing suburban narrative about a listless young
mother who is torn between family duty and self-serving fantasies." I was not a huge fan of this one. Still interesting, but also largely confusing, at least to me. Had some lovely moments though.
K.I.T.
"A guilt-ridden, but well-intentioned, yuppie goes to great lengths to prove she is a decent person." My favorite of the five shorts in this program. I thought it was hilarious and brought up some interesting aspects of our society. I hope, somehow, you guys can see this.
A Story for the Modlins
"The tale of Elmer Modlin, who, after appearing in Rosemary’s Baby, fled
with his family to a far-off country and shut himself away in a dark
apartment for 30 years." An interesting topic for a film, to be sure. It was ok. I don't know that I can judge it completely fairly as it was the last one of the program, and thus started around 1am and I was so incredibly tired. But, interesting people, to be sure.
Pussy Riot- A Punk Prayer
Written description of the film
Part of the World Documentary Competition. Interesting story, very interesting girls, a scary example of the legal system in Russia. Very glad I got to see it, but as with After Tiller, slightly bummed not to have seen a normal screening of it because the Q&A panel was probably quite great. One of the three girls is out of jail and here. It would've been really interesting to hear from her in person. Ah well.
Fill the Void
Written description of the film
One of the Spotlight films of the festival, meaning it has been screened previously (I know that it was shown at least at Tribecca in the spring). For me, it was a very interesting film, mostly as it served to show me a culture I know very little about. It was not at all what I expected, and I liked it quite a lot, although I was very very tired when I saw it, so I may have enjoyed it more if I had been more awake.
Fire in the Blood
Description and link to trailer
Part of the World Documentary Competition. This may tie with Valentine Road for my favorite thing I have seen thus far. Another very compelling and upsetting story. One that makes me what to join in and help fight to change the way things currently work. Sometimes the extreme backwardness of our practices completely horrify me. How can we justify choosing profit over lives? Unacceptable. Watching people rise up and fight back and inspire change (even if it was short-lasted) was inspiring. The one man from the film was there for the Q&A, all the way from Uganda, which was really awesome as well. Also glad that I watched "How to Survive a Plague" from last years' Sundance before seeing this one, as I feel they sort of go hand-in-hand.
Salma
Description and trailer
Yet another film that is part of the World Documentary Competition. So glad I got to see it. The film was great - it is insane the way women are treated in some parts of the world - and Salma herself is very inspiring. The screening I went to was the very first one, so it was the world premire, and before it started the directed said a few words, wherein she told us that she gave Salma the opportunity to watch the film before coming to Sundance, but she refused and said she would rather have her first viewing experience be along-side the audience. I thought that was pretty cool. the Q&A afterwards was phenomenal. She is a truly remarkable woman, and the director also seems really cool. So lovely to see strong independent women.
And that is everything I have seen thus far. Tomorrow is my day off so I shall be seeing a number of films and will probably try to write about those in the coming days. :) So far, my Sundance 2013 experience is off to a good start!
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