I would have done the full Q&A, but my camera was low on juice so I went with the ending applause and the introductions of the cast members of the world premiere of Mike Cahill’s “Another Earth”. This screening got a rare standing ovation at Eccles Theatre (which sits around 1100-1200 people). I think it is pretty clear the director, actors, and everyone who worked on the film are a little overwhelmed.
Receiving a standing ovation at Sundance is a pretty big deal. In fact, receiving a standing ovation at Eccles Theater (which seats about a 1,000 plus) is about as epic as it gets for a filmmaker. The goofy, brilliant, and lovable Mike Cahill wowed the audience with his first feature film Another Earth.
Another Earth offers a unique blend of drama and science fiction. On the night that a twin planet earth is discovered, John Burroughs (William Mapother), loses his family when the recently M.I.T. accepted Rhoda (Brit Marling), slams into his car. Four years later, after John wakes from his coma, and Rhoda is released from prison, their story begins to unravel.
Brit Marling
Here at Sundance, in one day (yesterday), I saw two different films starring, co-written, and produced by indie up and comer Brit Marling. The first, Another Earth, I saw at noon at the Eccles Theater and the second, sound of my voice, I saw later in the evening at the significantly smaller Yarrow Theater. I really enjoyed both films and the rest of both audiences seemed to as well (Another Earth received a standing ovation from packed theater of well over a thousand people). Although the two films covered very different subject matters and bore the artistic styles of two different directors, the link between the two of Brit Marling’s unique style of storytelling was evident. She definitely has a beautiful and intriguing way of crafting an enthralling story in which you never know what will happen next, in which you’re never quite sure which side you believe, and where even the ending can be interpreted in various different ways. (more…)