Sundance Film Festival 2015 Has Another Successful Year
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
This past week, film and music lovers focused their attention on the area of Utah which is home to the annual Sundance Film Festival, Park City. Emerging talent blossomed, memorable films debuted for the very first time, and there is that distinct possibility that many of these films are Oscar material in the near future.
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Winding down as the last couple of days unfold, the Sundance Film Festival is perhaps one of the largest independent film festivals in the United States. This year, the event runs from January 22, 2015 through February 1, 2015, marking its 34th year of presenting impressive films, outstanding music and intriguing interactive sessions. Each year the festival becomes even more riveting than the previous year. Living by the mission statement of discovering and developing independent artists, the Sundance Institute continually inspires and motivates fresh and ambitious talent so films can perpetually captivate a very wide audience. Portions of the film industry are guided by the vision of the Sundance Institute. A story is driven by an individual, an authentic voice can awaken new ideas that have the power to delight and entertain, push creative boundaries, spark new levels of empathy and understanding, and even lead to social change. The Institute supports independent storytellers and advances the impact of their work in the world for the pleasure of others.
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As most everyone that follows the Sundance Film Festival knows, the founder and creator is Robert Redford, a two-time Academy award winner, well-known actor, director, producer, environmentalist and philanthropist. Standing behind Redford and serving on the Board of Trustees is an individual that is just as passionate about film as he is about fashion. That man is Kenneth Cole.
Over the period of time that the festival takes over Park City, there is something to satisfy all preferences. Films fall into the categories of U.S. Documentaries, World Documentaries, New Frontiers, Midnight, Dramatic, Shorts and even Sundance Kids. Also taking place are interactive panel discussions which have featured George Lucas, Robert Redford and Leonard Maltin this year as well as Toni Collette and others. Q&A sessions have taken place before and after films with directors, producers and even some of the actors. Cinema Cafe’ is a great time to sit down and chat with some of the filmmakers and artists in an informal setting over coffee. Many film buffs spent an afternoon exploring the art of moviemaking. Even music and song is incorporated into many of the events that take place over the course of the festival.
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There have been a few films that have gotten film critics talking. One of the 2015 Sundance selections is the thriller, “It Follows” by David Robert Mitchell. This is one of the midnight films and has made its way through 2014 Cannes & Toronto Film Festivals with very positive feedback and a big thumbs up. It is the tale of a 19 year-old girl and a horrific vision that follows her after a brief sexual encounter. Mika Monroe is outstanding in her performance in the lead role.
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On January 25th, HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO drew widespread attention as the film made its world debut. HBO Documentary Films also acquired U.S. Television Rights, giving the film double exposure as it also debuts on HBO TV later in the year. What could be finer than dancing into adulthood? It is produced and directed by Alexandra Shiva (Stagedoor, Bombay Eunuch). Remember that first kiss, that first dance. These are the rites of passage of American youth that hold the promise of magic, romance and initiation into adulthood. For kids from all walks of life, these first steps toward intimacy are at once exciting and terrifying. For some teenagers and young adults on the autism spectrum, the transition can be nothing less than paralyzing. In HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO, director Alexandra Shiva follows a group of young people in Columbus, Ohio, with an array of developmental challenges as they prepare for an iconic event – a spring formal dance. They spend 12 weeks confronting and practicing their social skills as they prepare for the big event, to be hosted at a local disco. Working with their trusted psychologist, they deconstruct fear and larger-than-life social anxiety one step at a time by picking dates, dresses, and, ultimately, a King and Queen of the Prom. HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO is a story of the universal human need to grow, connect and belong as uniquely dramatized by individuals facing the deepest struggle toward social survival.
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For those with an interest in the lighter side of life, MISERY LOVES COMEDY had to be the perfect film to see. Just prior to the film debuting, Tribeca Film announced that it was in the process of acquiring North American rights to Kevin Pollak’s directorial debut movie, which world premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. The film, a Heretic Films and NewAley Pictures production, is written by Pollak and John Varhous, and produced by Becky Newhall, Burton Ritchie and Barry Katz. Ben Galecki, Ashton Newhall, Liz Davidson and Jess Ravich are the executive producers. Tribeca is targeting a 2015 spring release. Such entertainment greats as Tom Hanks, Jimmy Fallon, Amy Schumer, Judd Apatow, Jon Favreau, Lisa Kudrow, Larry David, Steve Coogan, Jim Gaffigan, and Whoopi Goldberg are among over 60 famous funny people featured in this hilarious twist on the age-old truth: misery loves company. Director Kevin Pollak shares in-depth, candid interviews with some of the most revered comedy greats who each share their unique path and a life devoted to making strangers laugh. With arresting anecdotes and insights from the comedy underbelly that reveal the paradox of a performer’s desire to connect with audiences, MISERY LOVES COMEDY is the definitive master class on the art of humor that details a comedian’s rare ability to help us understand life as only they can.
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One of the most moving films of this year’s festival is MONTAGE OF HECK , a documentary about the troubled musical artist, Kurt Cobain. The most touching part of the film has to be Cobain’s acoustic cover of the Beatles’ “And I Love Her” and close to a half-hour of Cobain recordings, both singing and speaking. This film was made over a period of eight years and after film goers see the film, they will have a great appreciation for the true person behind the music, Kurt Cobain.
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You never know just who is going to show up at the festival and this year the headliners have been James Franco, Jonah Hill, Robert Redford, Felicity Jones, Emma Thompson, Nick Nolte, Joseph Fiennes, Ed Asner, and Tom Cavanagh.
Accomplished Canadian musician, Patrick Watson, is the subject of the “immersive media experience” Strangers with Patrick Watson, taking an intimate look at his life, work, and what keeps him creative.
If you enjoyed Jason Sudeikis on Saturday Night Live, you are sure to enjoy his latest starring role in the premiere of SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
When the lights go up after the last film is shown on the final day of the Sundance Film Festival, that does not mean that the event comes to an end. There are many additional events that go on all throughout the year such as the Sundance Film Forward Tour.
As the Sundance Film Festival becomes an annual tradition, the Institute staff of 150 employees works from offices in Park City, Los Angeles, and New York City to provide 24 residential labs, grants exceeding $2.5 million, and ongoing mentorships that support more than 350 artists each year.
As Robert Redford so brilliantly summed it up, “Storytellers broaden our minds: engage, provoke, inspire, and ultimately, connect us.”
Courtesy of Sundance Film Festival
