A couple of things about this year’s Sundance Film Festival…
First off, shout out to Eugene Hernandez on being thee man in charge. The newly minted Director and Head of Public Programming headed the 40th edition of the Park City fest.
Secondly, this year’s fest was filled with panels. Like, so many panels. I think I was the only person at the festival who did not moderate or participate in a panel. It was giving Sundance Panel Festival. I like me a good panel, but at one point, I felt I was getting more pitches and invites to panels rather than films.
Nonetheless, I did watch a lot of films, and in no particular order, here are some of my faves:
- In the Summers: I fell madly in love with Alessandra Lacorazza’s slice-of-life family drama starring starring Lio Mehiel, Sasha Calle, Leslie Grace, and René Pérez Joglar (aka the musician Residente). It’s a parent-child and sibling-sibling narrative that is a poetic blend of heartwarming and heartbreaking.
- Power: Oscar-nominated filmmaker Yance Ford made an impact with his documentary that bolsters the conversation about corruption, racism, and overall toxic power in the American police system. Putting a harsh spotlight on the system, Power pulls no punches when it comes to harsh truths.
- Daughters: Angela Patton and Natalie Rae’s Sundance Award-winning documentary will stick with you long after the credits with its textured story about four young girls preparing for a special Daddy Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers. It’s a phenomenal look at the prison system and how it impacts fatherhood, family, and humanity. I cried buckets.
- Dìdi (弟弟): The Sean Wang-directed pic was the talk of the fest, serving awkward coming-of-age adolescent existential crises. The Sundance Audience Award winner is a strong first feature for the talented filmmaker.
- Ponyboi: No, this is not referring to C. Thomas Howell’s character in The Outsiders. This is a Jersey-set mob crime thriller that’s dark, a little campy, and a lot sexy. River Gallo, who wrote and starred in the film, grounds the story in a way that no one else could. It’s giving classic ‘90s indie film.
- Luther: Never Too Much: If Luther Vandross’s entire catalog isn’t on repeat after watching the Dawn Porter-directed documentary, you’re not doing it right. Incredibly nuanced and even-handed, the doc puts a spotlight on things we loved about the R&B icon and uncovers details about him that not many people knew. I mean, did you know he sang backup for David Bowie?! And although it’s none of our business, the film also addresses questions about his sexuality.
- Love Lies Bleeding: Hella queer, hot and heavy, roid-fueled, muscled, and mulleted murder thriller from director Rose Glass is an unapologetic fun time. Starring Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian, the sinister, uneasy, and at one point, fantastical film has this awkward noir-ish quality that will make you giggle with demented delight.
- Every Little Thing: Who knew I would get deeply invested in a documentary about the journey of a hummingbird whisperer and the injured hummingbirds she nurses back to life?
- And So It Begins: There’s a lot to say about Ramona Diaz’s documentary about the 2022 Philippine election and Vice President Leni Robredo‘s run for office. It’s a familiar story about an election that goes in a different direction than expected. Even though it takes us on a tour of the WTFery of a democracy, Diaz mines hope and strength out of struggle.
- Layla: Loved. The world will fall in love with charismatic star Bilal Hasna, who delivers a fantastic performance as the titular drag queen who falls in love for the first time. Amrou Al-Kadhi’s directorial feature debut is sweet, not saccharine; moving, not corny; and isn’t smothered by an identity-driven narrative. I had a good ass time watching it.
- Seeking Mavis Beacon: There was something uniquely mesmerizing and delightfully sentimental about director Jazmin Jones and fellow investigator Olivia McKayla Ross and their hunt for the titular unsung cultural icon who served as the face of the nostalgic typing software.
- Greatest Night In Pop: Bao Nguyen’s documentary about the making of the ‘80s anthem “We Are The World” featuring Lionel Richie is a time capsule of a moment in time that will resonate loudly with Gen Xers, older millennials, and obsessive pop culture weirdos. It puts you in a room with music icons when they record one of the most impactful songs of all time. The film debuted at Sundance and is now streaming on Netflix. P.S. They did Sheila E wrong.
- Between The Temples: Loved seeing Dolly De Leon as one half of a Jewish lesbian couple who is also a pushy mom to Jason Schwartzman.
- Brief History of a Family: Obsessed with Jianjie Lin’s feature directorial debut. Set in a post-one-child policy China, the film follows a middle-class family as they in their only son’s mysterious new friend. An eerily well-manicured and hauntingly sterile tone provides an incredible backdrop to watch tensions in this family unravel.
