Magic of film at Sundance and beyond
My personal reactions to some films at Sundance ‘24.
As all good things, the Sundance film fest in Park City, UT had also come to an end. Much happened in two weeks (behind-the-scenes blog here), and this post sheds some light on the films I have experienced during that time.
‘Experienced’, because ‘watching’ these films would only be a fraction of the sensory systems involved.
‘Some light’, because there’s much to read on the official Sundance website, other sources, the internet - so this blog is purely subjective, with no intent to undermine or over-pester any film or idea in particular.
So here it is, raw and unfiltered product of my now-recovered from a wild Sundance week brain. Proceed with caution and ideally, beverage of choice!
With the utmost respect to the copyright owners, I’m not using any images of the films - neither official collateral or screenshots - and instead, include my own photos, or those taken by fellow attendees.
In-person
As per design, In-Person is probably the most impactful way to experience films at a film festival. With temperatures low and energy levels - high, the anticipation, waiting in line, and networking with the fellow film lovers has its own thrill.
And it would work fantastically if I had a festival pass with its predetermined 10 film tickets: choose and watch, easy as pie.
But as the adventure unfolded, I ended up going to the fest without the pass (more in the blog below), and am glad it worked out this way! As the universe would have it, I still saw 10 films total, and one short at the end.
Here are the In-Person films with my short impressions.
1️⃣ How to have sex
NOT the film I was initially compelled to see! Based on the previews and the synopsis, I imagined the film to be more light-hearted, teen-dramedy even. Perhaps, with some partying, recklessness, and questionable choices. But all these assumptions went out of the window as soon as our group got extra tickets and decided to visit this premiere at the PC library.
Yes, the film had started with a teenage life setting. Yes, there was partying and adolescent foolishness involved. By midpoint, though, this film took a much darker turn - questioning the whole point of growing up, being vulnerable, and exploring adult relationships - so it was a breath of fresh air. I had goosebumps worrying about main character’s wellbeing at the end of the second act. The acting among this ensemble cast and supporting characters was superb, where each person was so believable. Without spoiling anything, the film ended on a more positive note and addressed questions of consent and staying true to yourself, as well as setting boundaries with both the people you know and the ones yet to be known.
OG rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2️⃣ Freaky tales
This WAS on my list with much anticipation! Whether it’s the unconventional concept, a proximity to Oakland, or the premise of mysterious forces - I was thrilled to get a single film ticket on the premiere night. But in this case, my expectations weren’t really met, with an aftertaste of confusion.
Without spoiling the plot, I have to say the 4 stories stitched into a feature did feel like 4 separate storylines, even if there was some overlap between the characters. For me, this film didn’t carry enough emotional weight to root for the characters. Most of them were distant, except for one person in Chapter 3 who left this world way too soon… And the music mashup (punk rock and rap, all interlaced) was probably the most confusing. Overall, I wouldn’t watch this film again and don’t feel like it’s contributed to my experience.
OG rating: ⭐⭐
3️⃣ Exhibiting forgiveness
With this, not having expectations or even tracking this film on my Watchlist paid off beautifully: I came with low awareness of the subject matter, and walked away with a deep empathy for the characters and the cinematic promise as a whole. When one of my roommates offered a ticket on an evening I had flexibility, this was an easy Yes. On the way to the theater, we talked about other events we’ve been to that day, and once arrived, we immersed fully into the film.
The story line and structural components of the film were designed elegantly; an artistic touch of Titus Kaphar front and center. The opening and closing images were so effective! And the story unfolded beautifully. Family dramas are touching that way. The only thing missing for me was a scene with one of the main character’s brother, who appeared quickly in the beginning and never was mentioned afterwards. Perhaps, the scene was deleted, or didn’t fit into the runtime. Overall, the film felt like a heartfelt letter to unresolved issues.
OG rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4️⃣ The washer
Ok, not a Sundance film per se - but!! It was during the Sundance week and by Slamdance, another indie darling in the industry. Slamdance screens multiple Euro films each year - with their own flavor of indie - and yet, it wasn’t on my radar until 2 days before the premiere night.
But how? - By the unspoken rules of Sundance and meeting people, of course! While walking to my condo one fine afternoon, I gently slipped on a mushy snow and had a micro chat with a fellow walker, wearing cool Dr. Martens. My Docs were unscathed, too, and we agreed these boots are perfect for Park City.
At the next turn, we met again - and now, hearing my new Docs-wearing friends speaking German, I had to ask if they were indeed from Germany. Then, all the gates of Hel (in the best possible way) have cracked open. We chatted about music, the festival, films seen and anticipated, and by the end, exchanged contact info and Nils the Director (very kindly) gifted me a ticket to the Washer premier. Oh, and there was a party the next day where conversations with Simon the Composer continued, and now we have collaboration plans 🔥
The Washer was… magically surreal, experimental, vulnerable, and deliciously European. With all the masterminds here in the US and Hollywood especially, there’s that special unique flavor of dark only available on the other side of the world. And we haven’t gotten to the Nordics, yet 😉
Besides the plot and themes of time travel and existential crises, there was much said and shown between the lines. For me, this film was about obsession, addiction, not willing to let go, toxic relationships with self and others, and in a way, self-harm. There were such juicy elements exploring all this. Per our conversation with Nils following the premiere, these assumptions weren’t far off, and they like it that way. It was a beautiful journey to the other side of “normal”, and the film has rightfully won the award of excellence!
OG rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Online
And just like that, the first week of the festival was gone. Of course, there were events, parties, and workshops and yet, all films after Jan 22 in my book would have to be seen online.
Perfect.
After such an impactful in-person week and a few days in between, the 4 days for online screenings between Jan 25-28 were ideal to experience the films that stood out to me.
5️⃣ Realm of Satan
No expectations here. (it works best in life too: fewer heartbreaks and disappointments). I kind of knew what the narrative is all about, and was actually in for more thought-provoking, audience-shocking visuals. The film didn’t really deliver those. Maybe, it was just me - having watched numerous extreme metal videos - and I’m ok with that.
Realm of Satan was primarily silent, besides some chanting and rituals; created in the ‘shape’ of a ritual. The ending - both the symbolic and the musical - stood out the most to me with its graphic composition.
OG rating: ⭐⭐⭐
6️⃣ Skywalkers: A love story
With raving reviews and excited press coverage, this documentary was one of a kind. Filmed with 50/50 English and Russian, it has a unique take on global citizenship and travel.
What specifically stood out to me is the director’s ability to portray the facts, without adding the weight of their personal opinion or interpretation of the facts. Most of the news anchors and journalists should really take note on this one 😆
The film’s period spans across a few years, and none of the events in the world during and after the pandemic go unnoticed. But, since those events are not the focus of the film, they remain at peace. The story concentrates around two love birds who set out to build their nest far from home, and nowhere in particular.
OG rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
7️⃣ Eternal You
Before getting into the festival, Eternal You was on top of my list. Its premise - using AI as a digital avatar to live forever - was at the crossroads of what I’m currently reading, watching, and writing. (My project is a satyrical drama about the afterlife, with AI in and out of focus). And yet, the film’s effect on me was not that prominent.
The composition is great. For a documentary and not a narrative, the creators did convey the facts clearly and had decent sources. What I was personally looking for was some kind of emotional connection to the content, and this only happened once or twice with a depiction of a grieving mother. The film does raise good questions on what it means to be ethical in this “creation” process, and whether AI is just another form of escapism or a modern-day religion. We’re all looking for answers to existential questions 😉
OG rating: ⭐⭐⭐
8️⃣ Dìdi (弟弟)
Also not initially on my list, Dìdi has captivated my attention in phases. The film’s premise spoke to me indirectly, knowing that themes of family traditions opposed to the world around us are truly universal, regardless of place and time.
Another reason was the Dìdi opening party in Park City. Even if I haven’t seen the film at that point yet, I was drawn to the tastefully-decorated venue lit by paper lanterns. Even if it took 2+ hours to get into this party (the line was endless and the place - majorly overbooked), the wait was worth it. Inside, the band from Dìdi was performing live and, while it’s not my kind of music, the energy was great and everyone was seemingly having fun. Plus, the drinks were complimentary - probably, another reason for long lines and happy moods.
The film itself brought many smiles, heartaches, and genuine empathy for the characters - even if some moments were raw and unfiltered. Such is our life.
OG rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
9️⃣ Handling the undead
Definitely was ON my list. I’ve always been drawn to Nordic cinematography, and saved both Norwegian films for the last day of the online screenings. So much to process here.
As a fictional story, this could really go in any direction. But, knowing this film is based on the book by John Ajvide Lindqvist - the author of the Let the right one in - the expectations did exist, and were pretty high. And justly so. The entire mood, the film’s progression, and the atmosphere were so incredibly engaging. Here, even with three stories woven into the fabric of the film, there was a cohesive through-line, and each story seemed to complement the next.
Without any spoilers, this is not a traditional zombie story. There’s so much elegance, balance, and beauty in each character’s actions and emotions. The topics of grief and loss are portrayed beautifully, and we feel pulled in within seconds. This is one of the films I’d watch again, added to my all-time favorites.
OG rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1️⃣0️⃣ A New Kind of Wilderness
Another Norwegian gem, this was a documentary on what it means to live on your own terms, even if the majority doesn’t agree. Gave me strong vibes of Captain Fantastic, if this was fiction. But, it wasn’t. The film is based on the blog by Maria Vatne, Wild and Free.
Filled with the existential questions, of course, this film was touching and delicate and real and deep. Knowing that each person was mainly being themselves, without acting or taking on someone else’s life, made it especially poignant. At the end of the screening, the cast - aka real family portrayed in this film - were up on stage for Q&A. Powerful.
OG rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bonus: Short film, Object 879
Having spent most of the last Sundance weekend watching films, there was barely enough any time left for shorts. To make a pass at my Shorts pass 😂, I squeezed in one - a documentary about the alien remains found in the Ural mountains. With multiple versions of what had actually happened, the director left the final interpretation up to the audience. Short, and to the point.
And that’s a wrap! Definitely not my finest literary moment here, though I felt these stories and impressions had to be shared. Thanks for making it this far!
Dance of the Sun to the music of flurries
Reflections on the 2024 Sundance film fest in Park City.
Intro
The year of 2024 has started as its own, unique kind of adventure. While there are many reasons to deep-dive into various related topics, time scarcity remains real. This blog is dedicated to one particularly magical January experience: Sundance film fest. My experience covers the week of Jan 17-22 in Park City, UT. The festival itself ran until Jan 28, and also had a satellite location in Salt Lake City, UT.
With my increased focus on the film industry since 2023, I’ve embarked on this journey to not only watch the films, but also network, explore the area, meet and learn from the industry leaders, and of course, create memories and relationship with potential future partners and collaborators.
All these points have been front and center, and I’ve had the best lodging experience with the BraveMaker crew. (I could go on and on here, but that requires a separate blog. Spoiler: reality exceeded my expectations).
Below are some of my reflections on this wondrous week - to keep in mind, and to also help others looking for answers. A separate blog with the film impressions coming soon.
Setup
This was a news to me until now: there are two locations for Sundance in Utah - Park City and Salt Lake City. While both have film screenings and panels, there are significant differences:
Park City is considered The Hub for networking, meetups, vendor-sponsored workshops, concerts, and parties. A lot of parties. These are not only RSVP events: anyone can throw a party at their condo/house and invite you ad-hoc. Some invites pop up the day of. Or, a few hours in advance. Each day can turn into night into day again.
Salt Lake City is good for film screenings. I haven’t ventured there, and this is as much as I know based on virtually any conversation on the subject. There are, of course, venues and entertainment hubs there, but “life” happens in Park City.
Fun fact: I didn’t know about Park City until it was too late. I bought a Salt Lake City festival pass with 10 film tickets included. When I learned that our group is staying in Park City, I had to urgently find someone to sell my SLC pass to. Sundance agreed to transfer my pass to someone I find, since it was my first time attending the fest. Since they don’t offer refunds or cancellations, this was as far as they would go. I spent a month looking for potential buyers, received a few scammy offers, and eventually sold my pass at 30% of the original price on Facebook. Having left Facebook years ago, I created an account a month prior to join a writers group - everything adds up in the end! 😂 Which left me with no other option as to go to Sundance without any pass at all, since the festival pass sales closed the day I sold mine.
Lodging
is definitely a factor to consider. If you’re from the San Francisco Bay or NYC, the festival prices won’t shock you that much. Otherwise, it might help to save up or prepare a budget for the entire duration. In addition to lodging, living costs can also be steep. Many venues offer snacks and drinks however, and some attendants leverage these options.
While the festival website and third-party travel apps offer various accommodations, it’s best to do your own research to find an option that suits your needs. Most of the venues, attractions, and parties in Park City are bound to Main street, so proximity to this area matters. Even if there are free shuttles between the venues, as well as ride-sharing services, weather conditions can hijack travel plans so it’s better to be centralized or plan ahead.
If you’re into skiing or other winter activities, more remote lodging locations would be perfectly suitable! They would also help avoid starry-eyed festival crowds.
Secrets
The truth is, I didn’t really need a pass. Really glad it worked out this way. Since my primary goal was networking and events anyway, I chose films ad-hoc based on availability. This allowed for extra flexibility without over-committing or making film choices before learning more about them.
With this, I’m sharing a few secrets on How to fest:
Unless you want a more “packaged” solution with a festival pass, it’s not really needed. The only benefit the pass provides is peace of mind of knowing you’ll get guaranteed access to the films you select in advance. You’ll still need to be in line for admission in time, as doors close 30 mins prior to the screening time.
the downside: you might change your mind, not have enough time to travel between the venues, or have a sudden change of plans.
you can still buy individual tickets for films the day of the screening though, or watch them online during the second week (if available).
In the beginning, I was a bit stressed about not having a pass but then, truly enjoyed it. Was able to watch 4 films in person in Park City, and 7 films online starting Jan 25.
There is a Waitlist option for each film, which opens the day of, 2 hours before the scheduled screening. Alarm is your best friend here.
The local insight is that numbers below 50 on the list usually make it through the door. This works especially in larger theaters.
I’ve signed up to a few films the minute Waitlist opened, and was immediately bumped to 50+. My choice was to avoid the drama and watch those films online.
For Waitlist, the recommendation is to get in line ~2 hours before the screening, which can be tough especially if waiting line is outdoors.
Conclusion
Is it worth it?
Absolutely
Would I go again?
100% Yes!
Even if nothing results from the experience immediately, the value of the connections made at the festival is infinite. It’s all about planting the seeds.
If the festival is moved to another city/state/modus operandi, Sundance will still remain special.
Gathering this knowledge and stacking up the insights is what will make me better prepared next time. I hope everyone reading this finds some valuable insights as well 🎊