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On The Scene: Sundance 2010

As of this writing, I’m on a plane somewhere over the Midwest, having just departed Park City, Utah, site of the world’s biggest and baddest “independent” film festival – Sundance. I just left the scene from opening weekend, where I spent my time scoping out the sights, sounds and, of course, the films of Sundance 2010.

Thursday, January 21

I arrived in Park City, my official Sundance 2010 fleece in tow, and prepared myself for what was to come. I’d heard so many things about the festival – that the usually funky town of Park City becomes a rubber-necking heaven as real celebrities (and z-list wannabes) come out, entourages and all, while everyone else grabs for their cameras and/or causes car accidents. Driving through, I kept my eyes peeled for celesbians great and small.

Celesbians, and of course, anyone involved in the making of The Runaways, the buzz-tastic biopic of the 1970s-80s girl band that gave the world Cherie Currie and Joan Jett. Whispers of Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart (the actresses portraying the famed pair) sightings were wafting in the air.

I couldn’t stop staring at the utterly gorgeous scenery. Park City is also known for its mountains, and hence excellent skiing and snowboarding. I was literally riding in the car with my face pressed up against the windows, alternating between scanning for celebs and gazing dumbfounded at the mountains on all sides. I practically had “Sundance virgin” written all over my face.

Friday, January 22

Early on, I was able to catch the premiere of Bran Nue Dae, a film that features bisexual singer/songwriter Missy Higgins in her first silver screen role. It was fantastic – a musical that manages to poke fun at just about everything Australian and in which Higgins plays a hippy girl going cross-country with her dippy German boyfriend. (Look for a review on AfterEllen.com soon.)

Next up, I was able to cross into even more indie territory and scope out a Slamdance feature, The Four Faced Liar, directed by Jacob Chase. Slamdance is sort of like its competitor, Sundance, but with a harder, funkier edge. It’s a haven for tiny films with small budgets, young filmmakers, and hipsters in flannel shirts.

The Four Faced Liar and its preceding short, Saturday Morning Blues, directed by Yvonne Michelle Shirley, were decidedly lesbian-centric, and the filmmakers, casts and crews hung out in the theater with the audience. There’s nothing quite like watching a movie and then later learning that the film’s music producer and lead actors were sitting right next to you the whole time.

Saturday Morning Blues is a very low-key drama about two young African-American girls on a lazy Saturday morning. It’s subtle and graceful, portraying a young woman in love with her best friend. Sonya still has one foot in childhood, but her party animal friend clearly does not, and she brags about the boys she has sex with. It’s a satisfying, melancholy little slice of baby-dyke drama.

The Four Faced Liar certainly had its share of lesbian drama, with a storyline that followed five young New Yorkers and their intimate adventures. It features writer/co-producer/star Marja Lewis Ryan as Bridget, a commitment-phobic lesbian who falls for a straight-and narrow lit major, Molly (played by Emily Peck). (Look for a full review on AfterEllen.com soon).

After the filmmaker Q & A, I left the warm, inviting glow of flannel and skinny jeans and returned to the full-on craziness of the Sundance box office to see if I could weasel my way into tickets for the big Runaways premiere on Sunday. So far, I had been striking out, but hey, miracles can happen. Plus, my friend and I had given away Pepperminta tickets to folks waiting in line earlier in the day, so good karma was bound to come around.

Saturday, January 23

On Saturday, I basically spent my time people watching, anxiously eyeing the ticket releases for Sunday and relaxing until the big event of the night – the Joan Jett and the Blackhearts concert at Harry O’s on Main Street.

If all you know of Joan Jett is “I Love Rock and Roll,” then you’d better get yourself over to iTunes and start downloading, stat. She’s a rightful guitar legend, with an absolutely infectious style and a penchant for awesome outfits. She also happens to rock a live show like no one else.

She did not disappoint. From the moment she strutted out to the surprise appearance of Cherie Currie, Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart onstage, to the smashing encore, she rocked hard.

Wearing a glittery jumpsuit that showed off her rock-toned arms, she danced across the stage, joked with the audience and gave everyone in the room a very, very good time. At one point, she asked for more lights on the stage. “What?” she said coyly into the mic. “I’m cold, this is my jacket!”

I had expected a few shout-outs for The Runaways folks, but their onstage appearance drove the crowd crazy. Just about everyone busted out their requisite iPhones for a few pictures, despite the overly-trigger happy bouncers floating around discouraging any amateur photography.

The young stars popped out for a moment, all smiles and sweatshirts, while Jett gave props to writer/director Floria Sigismondi in the audience. Currie (author of the autobiography on which the flick is based) smiled and stood watch. Just as soon as the impromptu photo-op was over, the kids scurried backstage and Joan Jett kept on rocking, just the way it should have been.

Sunday, January 24

After a rousing four a.m. wakeup and a solid try at the box office, there was still no luck for The Runaways. It was becoming a running joke of the trip, actually – and honestly, after seeing the real thing (Joan Jett!), I doubted that the film could do her justice.

I was trying not to be bitter.

My Sundance weekend was winding down to an end, so I decided to try something completely new – downhill skiing. I only fell twice, which I also blamed on the box office. (I was still trying not to be bitter.)

I have to say that Sundance 2010 lived up to all the ruckus and hype I’d been hearing about for years. It was a real trip to hear folks chat up the parties they got into while riding a crowded bus, or to overhear the wheeling and dealing regarding which films will be bought for widespread distribution. It just might have been more interesting than actually watching the movies.

But for a film junkie, particularly a lesbian film junkie, it’s still heaven. Sundance was even gayer than usual this year, with solid films for both men and women of the queer persuasion. I’m already planning my trip for 2011, with one goal – to make some very close friends in the box office next year. I’ll start sending chocolates in September.

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