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The 2008 Sundance Film Festival lineup, or 13 reasons to visit Utah in JanuaryI 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.
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. Submitted by on December 14, 2007 - 9:40am. |
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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.
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."
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!
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
Sundance.
Green Porno
I just want to see
damn kathy morris is sexy
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.
Lena Heady
I was at Sundance
Sunshine Cleaning
One day
Sundance for Utahns
you say i must...so i will
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.