Here we are, the glorious Sundance Film Festival 09′ in Park City Utah has come to an end! Man, it has been one awesome / exhausting trip. I just want to start by saying I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity to go on such an enriching journey that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Ever since I can remember, which is pretty much back to my terrible twos, I can remember having a deep interest which blossomed into full on love for film. I have always been the person who gets overly emotional during a film and will start tearing up or straight out bawling. Or I will be on the floor laughing uncontrollably, preferrably the latter. Although, I do like a good cry every now and then, it’s therapeutic.

I have been lucky to indulge in this interest and study film at Eckerd, taking some extremely interesting and fun courses where I have actually worked on the making of short films. I hope to pursue a career which can be like a creative outlet for me, like tv and film!

I made various connections both business wise and friend wise! I climbed the never ending staircase to heaven (our beautiful condo, situated perfectly on Empire Avenue, looking over mainstreet.) I walked wide-eyed up the infamous main street, taking in all the people and places. I shmoozed with the rich and famous, (mostly extremely friendly and talented filmmakers I met at slamdance) which was an experience in it of itself. I feel as though I soaked up as much as I could, although I do wish I took the time to watch a few more movies, since the whole point of the trip was watching film! I have taken away a new understanding and appreciation of independent films and I definitely hope to be able to attend the Sundance Film Festival again, and bombard my brain with more films that will leave me questioning and anticipating more.

I also want to note the great experience I had volunteering at Slamdance, Slamdance might be (according to some) a smaller festival formed by the “reject” films from Sundance, but to me it is right up there with Sundance if not cooler! All the people I met / worked with were super friendly and made my time there quite pleasant. I also saw most of the films that Real Ideas Studio worked on with Slamdance in the aspiring filmmakers film competition, all of these films were quite good and inspiring! 

Here is a quick review of all the films I saw and what they were each about: (more…)

Ashley Judd as HELEN

 
Ashley Judd performs brilliantly in the extremely dramatic and touching film, HELEN. Written and directed by Sandra Nettelbeck, Helen examines a woman who seemingly has the “perfect life” (a successful teacher, married, has a beautiful daughter) but is actually struggling with serious mental illness that is deteriorating her mentally  as well as physically. We watch Helen being eaten away from inside out by her bipolar disorder and depression. We also witness the powerful and inspiring bond that arises between her and another woman through their struggles. The breakdown Helen undergoes is extraordinarily realistic as well as heart wrenching.

Talk about, depressing, dark and emotion driven, this film is not for the faint of heart. The cinematography compliments the story to a T. The muted and monochrome like colors juxtaposed with Helen’s descent into mental illness are genius. 

What I really liked about this film was that it was not your cliche film what with predictability and a happy ending. I loved the elusiveness that existed within the story and how there was not always easy answers or any answers at all, and things didn’t always work themselves out. I also loved the message of never giving up no matter how hard it is and even when you want to give up more than anything. I am  a big believer in the saying, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger,” and this message definitely emanates from the film. (more…)

Main Street

There is a little bit of everything for everyone in Park City, that is during the Sundance Film Festival.  Where It is common for companies to take over various places on Main Street just for the festival. Main Street is a charming and unique street that although has some length to it is worth walking. During NON-festival hours the street is home to many a lovely restaurants, clothing shops, and various art galleries, etc. But when the big ol’ festival comes to town many of these little art galleries get turned into well, something a bit… louder.  Some one has to talk about and critique the nightlife! so I will take on that responsibility and let everyone know that the nightlife in my personal opinion is worth commenting on.

Queer Lounge Entrance

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Last night as I laid down to try and fall asleep, thoughts and images raced through my head uncontrollably, one after the other. These thoughts and images were of the film I had just seen which was The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle. Talk about use of imagination, this film is the most offbeat, colorful and surreal film I have seen thus far at Sundance. 

David Russo

Director David Russo creates a masterpiece that is just as quirky as him and that is sure to be branded into ones mind forever. There is no doubt this film might weird some people out but as long as one has an open mind when going into it you will definitely get something quite positive out of it. 

Starring Marshall Allman, Natasha Lyonne, Tygh Runyan, Tania Raymonde, Matt Smith and Vince Vieluf, little dizzle is filled with fresh young talent that light up the screen with much intensity. As the film explores strange subject matters it proves to show that almost any idea can be developed successfully is given the correct amount of determination and willingness to explore. Even ideas about impregnated men and blue fish. (more…)

Since arriving at Sundance it has been a whirlwind of activity, one thing after another. There is barely time to catch ones breath, let alone sleep! There is a plethora of things to do, people to see and of course exhilirating films to view.

Out of the few films I have seen so far one sticks out most prominantely and that is Sin Nombre, which means without name. This was by far one of the best films I have encountered throughout my journey here. Directed by Cary Fukunaga, Sin Nombre is a truly authentic and moving film that captures a subject that is rarely seen on the big screen. (more…)

 

 

The Evil Dead

Put the children to bed (if you got them), turn off all the lights, and get ready to be immersed into a gory masterpiece, for its day that is. The Evil Dead which was originally made in 1981, came together over several years since the funds needed decreased for a bit of time but then were revived. The film was shot mostly at an abandoned cottage in Tennesee. Then later some of the filming took place in the directors garage in Michigan.

The film is visually stimulating what with unique camera angles and movements, interesting plays on light, guts and gore. All of this adds to the bone-chilling mise-en-scene that the film exhibits. Sam Raimi directed The Evil Dead and it stares Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Hal delrich, Betsy Baker and Sarah York. These actors whom I have never heard of before brought the screen to life with their blood curdling screams and their expressive faces that reflected the terror. Although at times their acting was a bit shaky it worked out okay because it added a touch of comedy to this unsettling film.   (more…)

Kimberly Peirce

Emotionally charged works that illuminate some of the most controversial issues of society are typical of stories written and directed by multifaceted rising director Kimberly Peirce. Peirce was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on September 8th, 1967 and lived in a trailer park for some time. After attending high school in Miami, FL she went on to study at the University of Chicago and there she majored in English and Japanese Literature. Following this she proceeded to go to Japan to work as a photographer as well as a model. Her notable debut, which established her reputation as a fearless and intriguing director was Boy’s Don’t Cry, which took her nine years to make. Her most recent Stop Loss, which was a Paramount Pictures production.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Peirce went on to get her MFA in film at the prestigious Columbia University in New York City. While at Columbia Peirce was working on a thesis about a female soldier in the American Civil War when she suddenly dropped the idea because she didn’t “personally connect to it enough.” But sparks flew and brilliance was concieved when Peirce read an article in the Villiage Voice about a person named Brandon Teena, a transman who was raped and killed in Falls City, Nebraska and Boy’s Don’t Cry was born.

Peirce notes that she “falls in love with characters as she brings them to life,” She says, “When I was eight years old I did animation and I loved bringing characters to life- they were like little friends to me, little human beings.” She certainly fell in love with the characters in BDC. She especially fell in love with Brandon Teena. The controversial film uncovers gender and sexuality issues that are generally brushed under the rug so to speak far too much within our society. Based on actual events the film follows the life of Brandon Teena a transgendered teen who preferred life as a male until it was discovered he was born biologically female. Her research and love for the film brought her to Nebraska where she talked to the real people she was writing about and she even sat in on the trials of the two homicidal suspects in the case which helped fuel her passion for the film.

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