Sundance 2009

This has been my best year out here so far, I think.

Not that things are much better per se than they ever have been as far as the festival is concerned (though HQ is more organized this year, and there seem to be less proverbial fires to put out). The greatest change that I have recognized is one that I myself have undergone.

Not being associated with a college is remarkably liberating. Previous years, I have felt somewhat tied down by being in school, and thus unable to consider actually pursuing any opportunities made available to me. This year I am unburdened by the prospect of returning to classes. It's lovely.

Aside from that, I find that I have much more focus this year. I know what I need to do, and likewise, have a pretty good idea about what I want to pursue in the film world. That said, I've been able to make some remarkable connections because of this clarity. Having the project from this past summer in Africa under my belt has also offered me a touch more legitimacy than I would have otherwise been granted. Now I need a finished product-- and that will come soon.

Anyway, my two favorite films so far at the festival have been: "Bronson" and "The Cove". The former is a narrative, darkly and richly done, about Charles Bronson, Britain's most violent prisoner. I don't know that there's anything about this movie that I didn't like, now that I think about it. Definitely one of my new favorites. Strange humor mixed with artfully chosen musical score (soaring opera, good 80s era electro, and so on), believable fight scenes, and then of course the remarkable performance of Tom Hardy, who beefed up substantially for the role. He looks downright threatening! I hope it comes to theatres soon so that I can share it with all of you. Supposedly it'll arrive in UK cinemas in March of this year. Suffice it to say, I am envious of the Brits. I want to see it again!

"The Cove" is a suspenseful documentary about the Japanese dolphin slaughter industry. It is exceptionally well made due in part to its funding from Lucas Light & Sound out in LA. (Wish all of us documentarians were so lucky!) But that said, it's a remarkable doc- something akin to Captain Planet meets Ocean's 11, and the lush cinematography doesn't hurt, either! It won the Audience Award at the festival for Best Documentary if I'm not mistaken -- and that award tends to go to genuinely good films.

If my opinion changes or these two are usurped by some other film(s), I'll let you know-- but so far I'm pretty solidly in love with "Bronson," and "The Cove" is worth seeing, too.

Right, more post-fest. All my love.