At the start of every film shown at Sundance they show a short clip with various directors sharing funny stories about Sundance (OK funny the first time, not so much after the 15th time…). So here is our own version…
Ben Hamburger should be credited as the editor of this clip.
The Sundance Film Festival has been a learning experience for me in many ways, good and bad. I got to meet many of the celebrities that I had only seen in movies or heard about. Many of them were nice and down-to-earth individuals, who would engage in conversations and would answer any questions that one could have about their movie or performance. However, I also met some who were really snobbish and would completely ignore people who were just willing to talk to them or ask them any sort of questions. This gave me a better outlook on the lives of these individuals and how extreme their personalities could be, just like normal people. I also had the opportunity to interact with some upcoming directors and filmmakers, such as Kanji Nakajima (Clone Returns Home) and Ross Katz (Taking Chance), who had made an impact on me with their respective movies. I heard about the difficulties and experiences that they had in making these independent movies, and was able to experience a different side to cinema that is often overshadowed by mainstream movies.
Park City during Sundance Film Festival
It’s cold, it’s crowded, and it’s fantastic: welcome to the Sundance Film Festival. From catching shuttles to meeting celebs, I have had a very different and wonderful experience in Park City. The independent film industry has its own share of celebrities and it really surprised me to see some of the big stars attending their premieres to packed cinema houses. I got to see Kevin Bacon from literally two feet away and shook hands with Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, aside from meeting some of the upcoming independent filmmakers. What I observed was that they were just normal people, like us, who were good – if not great – at their professions. During many Q and A sessions, I would see them joke around with one another just like we would with our classmates or friends. Getting over my initial hype of meeting stars, I met some people who worked behind the scenes for many hours, in order to bring this unique film festival to the world. I was able to meet volunteers at bus stations, staff members at theaters, and even strike up an occasional conversation with the person behind the snack stand at some theater. Not only were they excited about the film festival and had their experiences to share, they all really wanted to be here at Sundance. I have never seen such enthusiasm before and it definitely rubbed of on me, making me even more excited to be attending the festival.
Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor are great as a couple
I Love You Philip Morris was my must-see movie at this Sundance Film Festival because it explored the extreme boundaries of love and had my favorite two actors in roles that I would have never envisioned them in. While waiting in the ticket-holder line at Eccles Theater, almost two hours before the movie began, I encountered people who were fearful of the movie’s theme. Many of them had doubts whether Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor could pull of their respective roles. After entering the theater and finding out that the first five rows were reserved for the press and the production team, I was disappointed but was soon rewarded with a glimpse of both Carrey and McGregor. As the audience settled in to watch the world premiere of I Love You Philip Morris, the expectations were high and the atmosphere was full of anticipation. Least to say, the movie quelled all fears and was beyond my expectations. It was entertaining, exciting and even shocking at times. Glenn Ficarra and John Requa present a unique and true love story, complete with well-timed humor and great emotional sequences.
My first experience with the Sundance Film Festival has allowed me to interact with many different people who have varied views on the festival and independent cinema. One such encounter happened when I was waiting in line, at the Racquet Club Theater, to get into the Shorts IV program. I was at the very front of the line and struck up a conversation with Aurora, a Sundance visitor and volunteer, and we spoke for a long time. Given the opportunity, I decided to record the ‘interview’ and asked Aurora a few questions about her Sundance experience and how it had been for her. I was surprised and amazed at some of the experiences that she had to share, which displayed her enthusiasm for independent cinema and her choice for volunteering at the festival. I hope to meet more individuals who are able to expand my understanding of independent cinema, and the festival, through their knowledge. I have uploaded the interview below and I hope you enjoy watching it!
Every once in a while you come across a movie that stays with you for a very long time because of the story. Taking Chance is just such a movie: it hits home and it hits hard. Based on the real life experience of Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl (Kevin Bacon), the story revolves around Strobl taking the remains of Chance Phelps, a young Marine killed in Iraq, back to his family. Given that this is Ross Katz’s first directorial feature, it is all the more unique that he manages to convey with such ease a simple story about coming home that provides the audience with an unforgettable experience. (more…)
Harmony Korine
Harmony Korine’s father (Sol Korine) may have been a documentary filmmaker but that did not deter Korine from establishing his unique filmmaking style. I had not heard of Korine before, nor seen any of his films, and yet I have come to admire the man who is able to convey human emotions and stories in way that I have never experienced before. Born in California on the fourth of January 1973, Korine was raised partly in Tennessee and partly in New York. He watched several movies by independent filmmakers such as Jean-Luc Godard and John Cassavetes. He aspired to become a screenwriter and joined the Tisch School of Arts (New York University) for a degree in Dramatic Writing but dropped out after a year. He was then discovered by Larry Clark, the director of Kids, who asked Korine to pen the script for the movie.
With the release of Kids in 1995 and the success that came with it, Korine was able to make his first feature titled Gummo. He would later pen the script for Clark’s controversial movie, Ken Park. Gummo was one of Korine’s movies that I was able to watch, Julien Donkey-Boy (1999) being the other one. Gummo dealt with the social issues in the town of Xenia (Ohio) that was ripped apart by a tornado, prior to the filming of the movie. Julien Donkey-Boy, on the other hand, dealt with the plight of a schizophrenic child (Julien) and the sadistic abuse of his father. Korine would later create his third full feature, titled Mr. Lonely, which dealt with the daily life of a Michael Jackson impersonator. Korine has also made a few short films, a television series, and directed some music videos as well.
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Todd Haynes’ Safe depicts the story of Carol (Julianne Moore), a housewife whose bourgeois lifestyle slowly begins to disintegrate around her. Beginning with typical ‘picket fence’ image, Haynes gradually begins to show the effects of Carol’s monotonous lifestyle on her health, attributing it to a medical condition known as the “twentieth century illness” or “chemical sensitivity.” Carol eventually seeks solace in the Wrenwood retreat but still feels out of place and isolated. Finding little peace at Wrenwood, Carol eventually moves into a secluded pod and is completely cut off from the world. The gradual meltdown of Carol’s lifestyle and the slow isolation of her existence is difficult to watch but Haynes captures this brilliantly.
Although Martin Scorsese is better known for his versatility as a mainstream cinema filmmaker, he began his career creating several independent films. Mean Streets, one of his earlier films, provides the viewer with an insight into the creativity of this brilliant Italian-American filmmaker and sets the benchmark for his future crime/gang related films such as Goodfellas, Gangs of New York, and The Departed. Even though Mean Streets carries many concepts and emotions that are displayed in these future films of Scorsese, the film has its own unique look and feel. I had heard of Mean Streets before but wasn’t prepared for the experience that Kevin Thomas labels as “an unqualified triumph.”
The story is set in Little Italy - New York - where Charlie (Harvey Keitel) is a young Italian-American who is getting ready to go legit and take over a restaurant, thanks to his mob boss uncle Giovanni (Cesare Danova), and has everything one could ask for. His closest friend is Johnny Boy (Robert De Niro) who owes money all over town and eventually brings about Charlie’s downfall. Charlie stands up for Johnny and vouches for him because of something that Johnny did for him in the past. Charlie often goes to church and believes that “you don’t make up for your sins in church, you do it on the streets.” Unknown to Johnny and the others, Charlie is secretly dating Johnny’s epileptic cousin Teresa (Amy Robinson), who wants him to take their relationship public and move in with her. Johnny eventually runs into trouble with a local loan shark Michael (Richard Romanus) and it is then when things slowly begin to get out of hand, making Charlie choose between his future and his friendship/love, leading to a fitting climax.