#SUNDANCE: 2021 FESTIVAL LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT
As in previous years, we are thrilled to cover the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Today, the Festival announced its upcoming lineup as it goes digital and on satellite screens (public health permitting) for the first time. The Festival boasts 72 Features, 50 Shorts, 4 Indie Series, 14 New Frontier Projects and runs from January 28-February 3, 2021. Tickets go on sale January 7, 2021.
Among those Films to premiere at the Festival:
U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION
CODA / U.S.A. (Director ...
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#SUNDANCE: 2020 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS
By Amanda Gilmore
This year's Sundance Film Festival saw a wide range of films from a wide range of Filmmakers. There were some films that came into the Festival being bought, such as highly-buzzed Zola by Sony Pictures and A24, to Palm Springs starring now Andy Samberg, now distributed by Hulu and NEON. Winners at the Festival have been unveiled with films like MINARI and I CARRY YOU WITH ME getting top honours.
NEXT Innovator Award was chosen by a single juror this year and it was ...
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#SUNDANCE: “IRONBARK”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Based on the true story of businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) who, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, was sent by MI6 and CIA operatives to the Soviet Union to work with a mole Oleg (Merab Ninidze) and bring back documents.
This unflinching Political Drama pays tribute to the ordinary yet unbelievably strong and brave hero of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Director Dominic Cooke managers to bring something unique to the old Political Drama ...
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#SUNDANCE: “THE NEST”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
After status-obsessed Rory (Jude Law) forces his wife, Allison (Carrie Coon), and their children to move from New York to 1980s Surrey, England, the family begins to fall apart.
Writer-Director Sean Durkin has finally followed-up on his Feature debut Martha Marcy May Marlene with this stunning study of the lengths one may go to get and/or appear wealthy in a capitalist society. His steady pace, impeccable dialogue and setting create an eerie ...
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#SUNDANCE: “SPREE”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
For many years, Kurt (Joe Keery) has been unsuccessful at becoming a social media influencer, but he’s hoping his new killer plan that will change everything.
Spree is one adrenaline-fuelled ride from beginning to end that has a wholly committed performance from Keery. Writer-Director Eugene Kotlyarenko has invented an original Horror-Comedy that’s a social critique on the lengths one may go to get noticed on Social Media. Kotlyarenko’s ...
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#SUNDANCE: “THE 40 YEAR OLD VERSION”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
In the midst of struggling with the fact she’s single and a struggling artist at the age of 40, playwright Rahda finds a new passion: Rapping.
Writer-Director and star Rahda Blank graces us with this hilarious and thoughtful film about the pressure society puts on women when they get to a certain age. It’s beautifully shot in black and white and the Script is loaded with quick wit on racism and ageism. As soon as the credits roll one knows they ...
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#SUNDANCE: “NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
When stoic teenager Autumn (Sidney Flanigan) unexpectedly gets pregnant she and her cousin, Skylar (Talia Ryder), bravely travel to New York City from their rural Pennsylvania hometown to get an abortion.
Writer-Director Eliza Hittman has made a quiet film that’s subtext is just as important as the written dialogue. The Film is predominantly made of all-consuming close-up shots that masterfully parallels the invasive process of finding a clinic, ...
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#SUNDANCE: “MINARI”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Minari tells the story of an immigrant Korean family in the 1980s who move from the city life in California to build a farm in rural Arkansas.
Writer-Director Lee Isaac Chung has perfectly brought a heartwarming and authentic story of the American Dream to life. The Script examines hopes and desires and the good and bad consequences that come with chasing those dreams. The entire Cast express their character’s visceral emotions through nuanced ...
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#SUNDANCE: “HIS HOUSE”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
The Film follows a refugee couple whose new home in London doesn’t turn out to be the safe new home they dreamed of, but their worst nightmare.
Writer-Director Remi Weekes has made his first Feature a Horror genre study on the fears and ghosts that haunt refugees. Most Horror films today wait to horrify their audiences, but His House terrifies us from beginning to end. With the use of music, special effects, lighting, editing and of course the ...
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#SUNDANCE: “SYLVIE’S LOVE”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
The Film follows an epic 1950s romance between Television Producer, Sylvie (Tessa Thompson) and Saxophone Player, Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha) whose bond is as strong as their love of Jazz.
There have been many 50s-era Romances before, but none have had those starring an African-American Cast. Sylvie’s Love does have a conventional story but done through a different perspective which gives it a fresh feel. The chemistry between Thompson and Asomugha is ...
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