In its 26th year, the Sundance Film Festival founded by Robert Redford, and scheduled to run from January 17-27 in Park City, UT, brings with it some of the best films in categories ranging from independent documentaries, short films, feature premieres, dramatic, world cinema, American spectrum, animation, and even online films. Each year Label Networks covers the festival in January, including latest fashion trends from Park City, but we start off with a quick peak in December when the movies are finally announced with a line-up of what we believe will have an impact on global youth culture--either because of the content of the movie itself, production techniques, or the actors in the films.
Out of 3,624 feature film submissions, the final selection for January will include 87 world premieres, 14 North American premieres, 12 U.S.premieres from 25 countries, with 55 first-time filmmakers. Here’s our take on movies that we predict will have an influence in trends in street and youth culture in ‘08:
American Son, directed by Neil Abramson, featuring Nick Cannon, Melonie Diaz, Matt O’Leary. Before being deployed for active duty, a young Marine takes a 4-day Thanksgiving leave to return home to Bakersfield, CA. There he meets a young woman, tries to connect with old friends, and confronts his volatile home life.
BeKind Rewind, directed by Michel Gondry, featuring Jack Black, Mos Def, Mia Farrow, and Danny Glover. When a man whose body accidentally becomes magnetized unintentionally erases every tape in his friends’ video store, the pair set out to remake the lost films, including Back to the Future, The Lion King, and Robocop.
Assassination of a High School President, directed by Brett Simon, featuring Reece Thompson, Bruce Willis, Mischa Barton. A rookie journalist for the school paper unravels a mysterious plot involving the class president, drugs, and a ring of stolen test scores in this noir caper set at a quirky Catholic High School.
The Deal, directed by Steven Schachter, featuring William H. Macy, Meg Ryan, and LL Cool J. A long-time Hollywood producer on the verge of suicide cons a major studio into financing a $100-million film based on a non-existent script, starring a black action star who has converted to Judaism.
The Great Buck Howard, directed by Sean McGinly, featuring Colin Hanks, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt, Tom Hanks, Steve Zahn. When a law school dropout answers an advertisement to be a personal assistant he unknowingly signs on to work for a belligerent has-been magician struggling to resurrect his career.
Towelhead, directed by Alan Ball, featuring Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, and Tony Collette. The life of a 13-year-old Arab-American girl is illuminated as she navigates her way through the confusing and frightening path of adolescence and sexual awakening.
U2 3D, directed by Catherine Owens, featuring the band U2. A 3D presentation of U2’s global “Vertigo” tour, shot at 7 different shows, this production employs the greatest number of 3D cameras ever used for a single project.
Anvil! The True Story of Anvil, directed by Sacha Gervasi, featuring Robb Reiner and Lips. At 14, best friends Robb Reiner and Lips made a pact to rock together forever. Their band Anvil, hailed as the “demi-gods of Canadian meta,” influenced a musical generation that includes Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, despite never hitting the big time. Following a calamitous European tour, Lips and Robb, now in their fifties, set off to record their 13th album in one last attempt to fulfill their boyhood dreams.
The Black List, directed by Timothy Green-Sanders. Journalist Elvis Mitchell interviews 20 African American leaders, ranging from athletes and academics to politicians, social activists, and artists, providing a series of living portraits—a unique glimpse into the zeitgeist of black America—and redefining traditional notions of a “blacklist.”
Made in America, directed by Stacy Peralta. With a first-person look at the notorious Crips and Bloods, this film examines the conditions that have led to decades of devastating gang violence among young African Americans growing up in South Los Angeles.
Adventures of Power, directed by Ari Gold, featuring Adrian Grenier, Jane Lynch, and Jimmy Jean-Louis. In his quest to become the world’s greatest air-drummer, a small-town dreamer must overcome obstacles and ridicule to save the day.
George A. Romero’s Diary of the Dead, directed by George A. Romero, featuring Quentin Tarantino, Stephen King, Wes Craven, Nick Alachiotis, Matt Birman, George Buza. When a group of film students making an indie horror film find themselves trapped in a world being consumed by flesh-eating zombies, they cleverly switch gears and use the camera to document the world crumbling around them.
Slingshot Hip-Hop, directed by Jackie Reem Salloum. The voice of a new generation rocks and rhymes as Palestinian rappers form alternative voices of resistance within the Israeli-Palestinian struggle.
American Teen, directed by Nanette Burstein. This irreverent cinema verite chronicles 4 seniors at an Indiana high school and yields a surprising snapshot of Midwestern life.
Fields of Fuel, directed by Josh Tickell. America is addicted to oil and it’s time for an intervention. Enter Josh Tickell, a man with a plan and a Veggie Van, who is taking on big oil, big government, and big soy to find solutions in places few people have looked.
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, directed by Alex Gibbney, featuring Hunter S. Thompson. Fueled by a raging libido, Wild Turkey, and superhuman doses of drugs, Thompson was a true “freelance,” goring sacred cows with impunity, hilarity, and a steel-eyed conviction for writing wrongs. Focusing on the good doctor’s heyday, 1965-1975, the film includes clips of never-before-seen home movies, audiotapes, and passages from unpublished manuscripts.
The Drummer, directed by Kenneth Bi, featuring Jaycee Chan, Tony Leung Ka Fai. A young man transforms from a reckless youth and gangster into a mature adult through the inspiration of Zen drumming.
Sundance sponsors this year include Entertainment Weekly, Volkswagen, HP, Adobe, American Express, Delta, DIRECTV, Microsoft, 360 Vodka, Blockbuster, L’Oreal, The New York Times, Ray-Ban, Sony Electronics, Stella Artois, Turning Leaf Vineyards, Utah Film Commission, and Zone Perfect Nutrition Bars.
Stay tuned for more previews and on-site reports from ParkCityin January.
