First of all, I need to get something off my chest. I LOVE movies. All types of movies. For me, watching film is my favorite way to relax and let my mind wander into the abyss and get entrenched into a story…And hopefully learn something new at the end of the day. Movies offer me a rich form of storytelling that I cant find in books or other forms of media. That all said, I had to the opportunity to go out West and check out the 2020 Sundance Film Festival!
The 2020 Sundance Film Festival happens every January in Utah (specifically Salt Lake City, Park City and Sundance). Its one of the biggest, most iconic film festivals in the world having launched many movies into prominence such as “The Blair Witch Project”, “Napolean Dynamite”, “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Reservoir Dogs” to name a few. Around 1980, Actor Robert Redford purchases the land around Provo Canyon and this becomes the center for indie filmmaking. Here the Sundance Institute is formed that reasserts the importance of craft, story, and the human being in the art and business of making movies. The film industry eventually takes notice and starts to premier indie films at Sundance. So let’s set the stage, shall we? Think of this-You’re a filmmaker. You’re going to the biggest (film) party in town with celebrities, media and influencers that have the opportunity to screen your movie and catapult you to a freakin Oscar! Alright, I’m exaggerating a little but the impact word of mouth and a bunch of heads catching your film means ALOT! These films are all looking to get distribution whether that’s from bigger production companies like Blumhouse, Universal, Paramount or even thorough streaming services like Netflix, Hulu etc. You want your film to be seen. And its hard! Sundance gets thousands of submissions for films every year and only picks around two hundred for the festival.
For my Sundance journey, I saw eight films in around two and a half days. Not a lot of time by any means but by the end of the trip, I understood why Sundance is such an awesome and unique experience. Some of the biggest films at Sundance this year included Taylor Swift’s “Miss Americana”, “Zola”, “Palm Springs”, “Boys State” among many others! Even the theaters were unique-almost like college lecture halls. Just something I noticed..The vibe around Utah is so different too during Sundance. It’s feels like its important because it is! Everybody is there to see films and it’s a great hub for creation and identity.
So what did I see at Sundance? Well, lots of different types of stuff! Everything from documentaries, “Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen” which offered an eye-opening look at transgender depictions in film and television, revealing how Hollywood simultaneously reflects and manufactures our deepest anxieties about gender. After viewing the film, I got a better understanding of how trans people were treated in Hollywood throughout the past 50 years as well as the challenges these people had to go through in order to make films in Hollywood often being ostracized for their appearances. Another great doc I got to check out was “Happy Happy Joy Joy-The Ren & Stimpy Story”. Great, in-depth look into the 90’s Nickelodeon show that often stretched the limits of censorship with cartoons and kids shows.
Two other standout movies I got to see are from my favorite genre-horror! “Run Sweetheart Run” (Blumhouse) and “His House” (Netflix) directed by Shana Feste and Remi Weekes really impressed me with their stories and landscapes. “Run Sweetheart Run” is about a girl who goes on a date with this guy that quickly goes to hell..literally! The film kept me really engaged and it was a fun ride. Strong performances by Ella Balinska and Pilou Asbaek made it one of the best films I saw at Sundance. “His House” focuses on married refugees who get asylum in the UK and move into a new home. Unbeknownst to them, they’re not alone! Ghosts of their past slowly start to come back and guilt resides with the main characters. This was a film I didn’t know much about and it ended up being my favorite film at Sundance-Be on the lookout for these films later this year! You won’t be disappointed!
Overall, I had a tremendous time at my first Sundance Film Festival. I got to see films that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise and thats the beauty of it all, honestly. Exposing myself to new films, experiences and life. Thank you, Sundance! I hope to be back!
-D