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The 2008 Sundance Film Festival lineup, or 13 reasons to visit Utah in January

I have a really long to-do list in a notebook somewhere. I call it my things-to-do-before-I-croak list. It includes stuff like places I want to see, books I want to read and things I'd like to accomplish. Thanks to AfterEllen.com, I can sort of cross off one of those items. No. 67: Get published. Sure, the Internet wasn't what I had in mind when I added that particular item to my list, but it counts in my world.

Another thing on my to-do list is attend the Sundance Film Festival. If I could manage to squeeze in the time off and barter my way to Utah, I'd make 2008 the year to get that one crossed off the list. The complete list of films screening at next year's festival was released over the course of the past couple of weeks. Not only do some of the films sound intriguing, but the list of who's in those films should make the red carpet a true treat. In last week's Best. Lesbian. Week. Ever. we told you about one reason to head for the Utah mountains, a reason named Saffron Burrows. Here are a few more reasons to make the trek.

One of the people I would expect to see strutting about town is Lena Headey. Not only would I love to drool over her in person, but I'd also like to see the movie she's in that's screening at Park City at Midnight. It's called The Broken and tells the tale of a woman who sees herself drive by in her own car while on a busy London street. She follows the mystery double into "a living nightmare." Lena Headey in what sounds like an eerie psychological thriller? Count me in.

Kirsten Dunst will likely be there as well, along with Winona Ryder. Dunst directed one of the short films being screened in competition. The film is called Welcome and stars Ryder, who's got not one but two films on the Sundance screening list.

The Year of Getting to Know Us, a film about a man afraid of commitment and starring Jimmy Fallon, is getting its world premiere at Sundance. What's so special about a movie telling such a tale? The cast also boasts Lucy Liu, that's what.

For some really bizarre fare, I'd like to check out the short film submitted for competition by Isabella Rossellini. The film is called Green Porno. According to the Sundance website, it's "a series about the sex lives of bugs, insects, and various creatures. The films are a comical, but insightful study of the curious ways 'bugs' make love." Um, OK then.

Second on my list of must-sees, right behind The Broken, would be Assassination of a High School President. The film is described as classic film noir and revolves around the class president, a high school journalist, drugs and stolen test scores. All this is set in a Catholic high school and features a cast that includes Mischa Barton and Kathryn Morris. Amen.

I don't know what it is about her, but I have been fascinated by Melissa Leo since her days in Homicide: Life on the Street. Turns out she'll probably be prowling the Utah streets this coming January. Her film about a desperate mom forced into smuggling illegal immigrants into the U.S. via Canada, Frozen River, is screening in competition.

For you theater buffs out there, the new big-screen adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun is getting its world premiere too. And the cast includes the one and only Phylicia Rashad, who remains as beautiful as ever.

Sunshine Cleaning, a tale of two sisters who start a biohazard removal company that does crime scene cleanups, is looking to clean up during the dramatic competition. The film stars Amy Adams and Emily Blunt.

And if all of that is still not enough for you, there's a biopic in the documentary competition about the brilliance that is Patti Smith. Yes, Virginia. There is a Santa Claus.

Whew. So many things to see, so little time. And really, that's only the tip of the iceberg. There are gay films, lesbian films, Eliza Dushku in a film about wine called Bottle Shock, and an animated tale of sex told exclusively from a woman's perspective, called Teat Beat of Sex. Check out the official festival site for even more details, and be sure to check this week's edition of Best. Lesbian. Week. Ever. for more interesting Sundance tidbits. The festival runs January 17–27, 2008.

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  • tlwalsh's picture

    I've always wanted to go to

    I've always wanted to go to one of these major film festivals. The only thing better than being able to attend one and see a lot of great films would be to attend as a writer/director whose film is being screened. Alas, i don't think it's too likely. I'll just have to continue to live vicariously through others.

    On the down side of attending- something i just thought of- is that i can imagine there's quite a bit of artstier-than-thou folks strutting around.  It would be like walking throuh a coffee shop that's across the street from an art school.  Or maybe that's just my pessimism trying to break through my normally cheerful disposition.  

    MIrrenFan's picture

    Ditto

    I can only imagine what that must feel like.  Especially for the first time.  Was Diablo Cody there last year?  Or was Juno too late for that?  On my "happier" days I think about what it would be like to be there screening my first film in a few years.  And then I move on to Venice and Cannes.  I mean, why stop at Sundance?  If you're going to be a hit, go all the way.  On my not-so-happy days, I just stare at the screen and run a scene through my head and go, "yeah right."

     

    baidhi's picture

    Native at Sundance

    Go to the festival! Its jam packed with sometimes geeky but also often star-studded insights into film. I'm a native Utahn (yes, that's the correct term). While still in high school - before Sundance was a film festival (1980) I became involved with what was then a theater production workshop. Then in college I became a volunteer for the film festival. It's changed a ton since its humble beginnings, but is still an amazing, vibrant, breath of fresh air for art as embodied in film. So it is with great sadness for me personally to learn the diminishment queer offerings this year. Still, I try to go back every three years or so. Make sure you stop by the Queer Lounge – it’s always a great place to grab a cup of coffee and run into LGBT folks and their friends. Also, if you find the Park City rates unapproachable- some of the festival takes place in Salt Lake you can stay in the city and easily go up to Park City for special events. I wish I were going this year, but then again, if there's a marked absence of films for the girls, maybe I'll wait for next year!

    Hey_You's picture

    native utahn

    im completely envious...ive lived here in utah my whole life...just a short drive from park city and have never attended the festival...

    hey utahn might sound like a funny name...and i might not pronounce the "t" in mountain...but at least when i was in elementary and had to draw the state...it was easier than no other

    Nea's picture

    Sundance.

    It's probably my greatest dream in life to someday attend the Sundance Film Festival. Then I could really just die happy.
    jennifer from pittsburgh's picture

    Green Porno

    Insect sex is a total marvel. Many employ intraspecific predation, which translates to sexual cannibalism where the female feasts on the male either during copulation or directly after. You can see how this bizarre evolutionary trend might lend itself to dark humor. Or maybe it's just me ;)
    MontyCello's picture

    I just want to see

    I just want to see the snail orgy that Isabella has described on Conan.
    the S O V's picture

    damn kathy morris is sexy

    damn kathy morris is sexy
    tarrabbit's picture

    Kirsten's Sundance short film

    there are some huge celebs in films at this supposed independent film festival - seems to be the way things are shaping up at what use to be the discovery of new talent.

    however, one of the saddest things is how few women filmmakers have been represented this year. for example, out of the 80 or so short films, only 4 are directed by a woman (yikes) and 1 is a movie star in her own right.

    before Sundance's announcement, you could actually watch the kirsten dunst short film online because it was up for all to view - paid for by Glamour magazine for Clinique's new marketing campaign.

    after seeing it my question was > out of the 5,000 shorts submitted to Sundance, hers was better than 4,920 others? or was it simply for the two names?

    i can confidently say, it was for the two names.

    AlyssaMilanoLover's picture

    Lena Heady

    Wait a minute here... are you telling me that there will be not one but TWO Lena Headeys in The Broken? Count me in!
    Stoned Soul's picture

    I was at Sundance

    I went to Sundance a few years back while working at a magazine that was covering the event. It was really fun. Of course you have to walk around in the snow and take buses to the different showings. The parties were awesome. It was quite an experience.
    Ediana's picture

    Sunshine Cleaning

    I may have put this in the wrong spot originally (under Best Week Ever) but Emily Blunt's character in Sunshine Cleaning is apparently a young lesbian who falls deeply in love with a character played by Mary Lynn Rajskub.  She also has one intriguing haircut (a funky looking mullet). 
    starlettels's picture

    One day

    Yea, being that I am going to school to be an actor I would love to make an appearance one day at Sundance, hopefully to promote a new film I will have done. I think the whole film fest scene would be fun, and I agree with Mirrenfan....why stop at Sundance you have to hit Cannes and Venice as well!
    baidhi's picture

    Sundance for Utahns

    Fellow Utahn... You simply MUST go. The festival is designed to be easier for locals than anyone else - Utahns get to buy tickets first - before anyone but the actual film-makers. All you need is a Utah driver's licence. That should make you feel like an insider - PLUS the films cost the same as the movies in the cineplex theaters in general release. Make yourself take the time and see some movies! Just read the program guide first and chose what you think will be of interest. Again, enjoy!
    Hey_You's picture

    you say i must...so i will

    you say i must...so i will (at least i will try)
    Halle B's picture

    Melissa Leo

    Sundance is on my list too.

    :-)

    I heard Melissa Leo speak at a film screening a couple of years ago and she's great. I am so happy she is finding so much work these days, because she said after "Homicide" she wasn't getting offered parts for several years. She's a really down to earth in person and I think she brings that quality to her TV and film roles.


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