| Andy Eyck has been programming films in Calgary for over 15 years (Calgary Underground Film Festival, Movies that Matter, Action Films and Calgary International Film Festival to name a few). This was his fourth year attending the Sundance Film Festival. Sundance has consistently programmed some of the most important and provocative films being made today. Eyck saw over 40 films at this year’s festival and decided to write a travel diary about his experience.
JANUARY 19th
Arrive Salt Lake City. 10 minute walk down to festival headquarters. Take bus to ticket centre and pick up reserved film tickets. Town is not too busy yet.
Sundance will include 120 feature and documentary films as well as 75 short films. Over 1,100 volunteers and close to 40,000 people will attend.
Next off to Slamdance headquarters to pick up festival pass. Slamdance is the illegitimate child of Sundance, a festival begun as an upstart and now entirely legitimate in its own right.
First film of my visit is going to be the opening night film of Slamdance. It is the new Larry Clark (Kids, Bully, Ken Park) film, Wassup Rockers. This is a film focused on East L.A. Latino rocker skateboarders and their trip through the wilds of Beverly Hills.
Waiting in line and film is over 45 minutes late getting started. Finally allowed to enter theatre. Clark starts speaking and announces that one projector has broken down. There will be an interruption between each film reel – six of these. Tells audience he is very disappointed and that this will affect the flow of his film. Asks audience if they still wish to view his film. Everyone agrees and film begins. Clark demands an additional screening take place. Film is great and it’s interesting to see Clark in person – a somewhat ornery and prickly guy, but obviously with a lot of skill and unique style.
Have been up for 40 hours. Time to get some sleep and get ready for my eight day film marathon.
JANUARY 20
Sundance starts early. First films begin daily at 8:30 a.m.
Decide to try and make the replay of last nights, opening film, Friends With Money, starring Jennifer Aniston. Arrive a half-hour early, but no luck getting a ticket. Not too disappointed.
Shuttle bus to another theatre. The transportation system is free and very well organized to transport film-goers between eight different venues.
Next film is The Ground Truth: After the Killing Ends. I don’t have a ticket for this one so decide to stand outside the theatre. Just my luck, a taxi driver comes by and yells out his window, asking if anyone is looking for tickets. Decides to give me two tickets for $10 and tells me to find a date.
This is one intense documentary about soldiers returning from Iraq and the mental and physical scars for which there is little help provided. Following the film the director and four of the returning soldiers profiled as well as the parents of a soldier who committed suicide upon his return all come to the front to participate in a question and answer session. It is at moments like this that Sundance brings one as close to an issue as possible.
Now it is off to a midnight screening of Destricted. Seven filmmakers were asked to make short films on any aspect of pornography. This takes place to varying degrees of success. I sit next to Clark who has a short film in this compilation. His turns out to be the best. A documentary that profiles some teenage boys and female porn stars and builds to a literal climax.
JANUARY 21
Next film is B.I.K.E. This is an exploration of the anti-establishment Black Label Bicycle Club of New York and the tall-bike subculture that has grown around it. Many of the bike riders have come to Park City for the screening. On my way out of the theatre, I see the police have already pulled over some of them.
Well, now it’s off for a beer and burger to get ready for the Beastie Boys.
Awesome, I Fuckin Shot That is the midnight film du jour. The Beastie Boys passed out 40 video cameras at a recent concert at Madison Square Gardens in New York City and edited all the footage into a unique concert film.
The Boys are there for the screening and do a question and answer session afterwards. I hear the best comeback quote of the festival. They are asked who their film is made for. They answer that it is for "Anyone who drinks bottled water!"
JANUARY 22
I return to Slamdance for Abduction: The Megumi Yakota Story. This is a film that will continue to stay in my mind. The devastating story of a 13-year-old Japanese girl abducted by North Korean agents while walking home from school in Japan. The film is directed by two Canadians,, Chris Sheridan and Patty Kim. This screening is full of Japanese media. The father of another girl who was also abducted is present for the screening.
Decide to do another midnight film, appropriately entitled Wise Awake. This is a self-reflective documentary by well-known filmmaker Alan Berliner about his inability to sleep. I am trying hard to stay awake myself, but drift off intermittently.
JANUARY 23
Up early to catch an 8:30 a.m. screening of Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man, a beautifully shot portrait and musical tribute to the Canadian legend. Film is directed by Australian Lian Lunson who seems to be very well connected. Film includes many other Canadians, including Martha and Rufus Wainright in addition to U2 and Nick Cave.
Next up is Small Town Gay Bar, a wonderful portrait of gay life in small town America. Film is produced by Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy) and directed by Canadian Malcolm Ingram. Kevin Smith does a very funny introduction and then this great story of perseverance and individual strength is screened. Canadians seem to really be making a presence at Sundance this year.
I attend one of the incredible panels that Sundance offers. This was entitled Where is the Media? which featured, among others, Stephen Gaghan (director of Syriana and screenwriter of Traffic), Matt Cooper (Time Magazine), Jehane Noujaim (director of Control Room), John Podesta (former chief of staff to Bill Clinton), and Eric Alterman (media critic and author of When Presidents Lie). A powerhouse panel and a fascinating discussion.
Left the last film early for Neil Young. New concert film, Neil Young: Heart of Gold, directed by Jonathan Demme (Stop Making Sense, The Silence of the Lambs). A gem of a film, introduced by Young and Demme. Audience cheers after every song.
Decide to call it a night before midnight. Five hour sleeps can’t last indefinitely!
JANUARY 24
Next was one of very few disappointments, Love is the Drug. Really no more than an R-rated episode of The O.C. One of those submissions that makes you wonder how it made the cut.
JANUARY 25
First film today is An Inconvenient Truth, probably the most important film of the festival. I was not prepared for the emotional impact of a film on global warming based around a lecture given by former vice president Al Gore. It is a stunning call to action that will stay with me long after the festival has concluded. Al Gore is in attendance and brings his passion and knowledge to a special question and answer.
JANUARY 26
Up-and-at-it early again for Unfolding Florence, a quirky documentary about an Australian maverick and eccentric, Florence Broadhurst, who became best known for her wallpaper designs and unsolved murder in 1977. Film is directed by Aussie director Gillian Armstrong (My Brilliant Career, Oscar and Lucinda).
Next up, two hard-hitting political documentaries American Blackout, on the manipulative and questionable tactics used by the Republicans during the last two American elections and An Unreasonable Man, on the life and career of Ralph Nader, who has become public enemy number one for some Democrats for his third-party presidential candidacy.
.JANUARY 27
Little Miss Sunshine was the financial winner of the festival. This dysfunctional family comedy sold for more than 10 million. Was it worth it? Too soon to tell. The story contained a lot of laughs, but little depth.
Get to bed around 3 a.m. I have seen close to 40 films in total. It has been an intense and rewarding experience. I am feeling exhausted and energized at the same time. It never ceases to amaze me how many stories there are to be told and how many different ways there are of telling them. Will depart tomorrow. Sundance alternately feels like the Shangri-La and the Disneyland of film. I cannot wait to return next year. |
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