Indie Cinema's Biggest Event
Let's Go to Sundance!
Greetings, fellow film enthusiasts! After an exhilarating time at TIFF, I found myself succumbing to a severe case of festival fever, and there seems to be no remedy in sight!
From January 17 – 22, I’ll be in Park City, UT, immersing myself in one of the most iconic events in the cinematic universe: the Sundance Film Festival! Established in 1978, this festival has been the launching pad for numerous careers and unforgettable movies, including the critically acclaimed CODA, which clinched the Best Picture Oscar. Drawing nearly 50,000 attendees at its peak over the two-week run in Park City and nearby Salt Lake City, it’s a unique blend of celebrities mingling with visitors, all bundled up as they navigate from one venue to another.
Not entirely sure what to expect from this cinematic adventure, but one thing’s for sure – it’s going to be an experience! With 82 films from 26 countries gracing the festival, the challenge is real in narrowing down what to see. Thankfully, armed with my press credentials, I’ll be queuing up for anything that catches my eye. I’ve meticulously combed through the official Sundance website to bring you the hottest picks that I’ll be eagerly anticipating.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right into the Sundance Film Festival excitement! 🎬✨
Presence
A family moves into a suburban house and becomes convinced they’re not alone.
Why: If you were to look up a filmmaker who best defined the spirit of Sundance and its lasting success, Steven Soderbergh would be a fairly good example. Soderbergh premiered his 1989 breakout hit sex, lies, and videotape at Sundance, and the rest is cinematic history.
Even though he supposedly “retired’ from directing, Soderbergh can’t seem to stop making films, and I’m dying to watch him try on the haunted house genre and see what scares he can drum up.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
Never-before-seen home movies and extraordinary personal archives reveal how Christopher Reeve went from unknown actor to iconic movie star as the ultimate screen superhero. He learned the true meaning of heroism as an activist after suffering a tragic accident that left him quadriplegic and dependent on a ventilator to breathe.
Why: Christopher Reeve was the best Superman. Sorry to all of you Reeves, Routh, Cavill, or (ha) Cain fans out there but no one fully embodied the Man of Steel better. The classically trained actor was capable of playing more than a comic book superhero, which makes his story all the more tragic. I’ve always had the impression Reeve was popular in Hollywood circles and this documentary should attract a starry crowd.
Love Lies Bleeding
Reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Las Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.
Why: If Soderbergh is the director most identified with Sundance, then Kristen Stewart might be the actor who best represents the power of independent filmmaking. Stewart is appearing in two high-profile films in 2024: Love Me, starring recent Emmy winner Steven Yeun, and this bonkers-looking thriller premiering as part of the Midnights programming block of Sundance. Just knowing it’s from A24 should indicate it’s going to be unpredictable and in-your-face (if the trailer didn’t already make that perfectly clear), and Stewart’s onscreen romance with bodybuilder Katy O’Brian is making this one hot ticket sure to melt some of the snow currently building up in Utah.
A Different Man
Aspiring actor Edward undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance. But his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare, as he loses out on the role he was born to play and becomes obsessed with reclaiming what was lost.
Why: While not a huge Sebastian Stan, um, stan, I admit that the premise around A Different Man is catchy and feels like a perfect fit for the fest. Co-starring The Worst Person in the World‘s Renate Reinsve (also appearing in another film further down my list), the screening I’m hoping to attend is the last one I can squeeze in before hopping on a plane back to MN. Wish me luck!
Freaky Tales
In 1987 Oakland, a mysterious force guides The Town’s underdogs in four interconnected tales: Teen punks defend their turf against Nazi skinheads, a rap duo battles for hip-hop immortality, a weary henchman gets a shot at redemption, and an NBA All-Star settles the score. Basically another day in the Bay.
Why: I think we can safely call Freaky Tales the movie that everyone attending Sundance ’24 has on their must-see list. Directed by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck (at the fest with Half Nelson before Marvel snapped them up for Captain Marvel) and starring Pedo Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, and the late Angus Cloud, walking into the festival with a secured ticket to this is like bringing your pink Stanley cup to a Starbucks for a refill.
Ghostlight
When a construction worker unexpectedly joins a local theater’s production of Romeo and Juliet, the drama onstage starts to mirror his own life.
Why: Winner of the 2019 SXSW Special Jury Prize for Breakthrough Voice, Saint Frances was a fall festival gem that I couldn’t stop recommending to people for its strong writing, moving plot, and dynamite lead performance from its writer, Kelly O’Sullivan. The director of that film (and O’Sullivan’s partner), Alex Thompson, followed that up with the slick slow-burn thriller Rounding, which Tribeca audiences saw first. Now, both O’Sullivan and Thompson are premiering their latest collaboration at Sundance, and, based on their proven track record, how could I not be excited to see what they have dreamed up next? Bonus for any film that centers around amateur theater.
Handling the Undead
On a hot summer day in Oslo, the newly dead awaken. Three families faced with loss try to figure out what this resurrection means and if their loved ones really are back
Why: In 2022, The Worst Person in the World and its star, Renate Reinsve, took Cannes by storm and became one of the most talked about titles to come out of the fest. Not only did the film’s critical success land Reinsve on the Hollywood radar, but its widespread popularity continued to elevate the international feature to a more commercial level, reaching a wider audience than before. In her second feature of Sundance ’24, Reinsve is in an ensemble living in a world where the dead have returned to life. Looking to be more than a brain-chomping zombie film, it could be a uniquely sensitive look at the emotional toll a life after death takes on all involved. As someone routinely exhausted by zombie features, I’ll make an exception for this.
Little Death
A middle-aged filmmaker on the verge of a breakthrough. Two kids in search of a lost backpack. A small dog a long way from home.
Why: Film-wise, I’ve always thought that David Schwimmer was the one member of the Friends ensemble that never got a chance to take a real swing at it. Appearing in dopey comedies that felt like agent choices rather than good career movies, Schwimmer started on the stage and had always demonstrated a range when given the opportunity in television after his mega-popular show closed. This selection sounds like a nice showcase, a Los Angeles-set criss-cross of stories that converge in surprising ways. It’s got a great supporting cast, which is reason enough for me to be eager to investigate further.
My Old Ass
The summer before college, bright-yet-irreverent Elliott comes face-to-face with her older self during a mushroom trip. The encounter spurs a funny and heartfelt journey of self-discovery and first love as Elliott prepares to leave her childhood home.
Why: If a rising director is on every watchlist right now, it’s Megan Park. Responsible for the critically acclaimed feature The Fallout in 2021, Park follows up that teen drama with this high-concept comedy. What is you could meet your older self and find out what life has been like? Conversely, what if you could talk to your younger self and steer them clear of your same pitfalls? These are always risky because if you can’t get audience buy-in on your flight of fancy, you’re dead in the water for 90 minutes. While she’s had her fair share of disappointingly facile decisions in film choices, when co-star Aubrey Plaza locks in and drops her schtick, an actress demanding to be noticed emerges. (Honestly, this film had me at Plaza because hope springs eternal that she’ll find an Oscar-winning role someday soon)
Will & Harper
When Will Ferrell finds out his close friend of 30 years is coming out as a trans woman, the two decide to embark on a cross-country road trip to process this new stage of their relationship in an intimate portrait of friendship, transition, and America.
Why: It’s only fair to say that, based on my schedule, there is no way I’ll be able to see this documentary starring comic actor Will Ferrell and his friend, Harper. (It doesn’t premiere until after I’m literally on the plane going home) That’s a bummer because, based on the description, I feel this one has major potential to open up new avenues of communication between friends, families, and communities. I’ll be keeping my ear to the ground to get a feel for how audiences respond to it and be wondering how Ferrell fares when he’s not onstage but just being himself. And I’m looking forward to meeting Harper and hearing her story.
I’m also looking forward to Sasquatch Sunset, EVERY LITTLE THING, Dìdi (弟弟), In A Violent Nature, The Mother of All Lies, The Outrun, Daughters, Ponyboi, Thelma, Stress Positions, Veni Vidi Vici, Winner, and Your Monster
For the full list and more details on these exciting films, head over to the official Sundance website. With the Writers and SAG strike over, the 2024 festival is gearing up to be a real party, and these 10 films are just the tip of the iceberg to an unforgettable experience.
Don’t miss out on the magic – get ready for a film-filled adventure at the Sundance Film Festival! Follow along with me!
