10 NOTEWORTHY FILMS TO WATCH FOR AT THE 2024 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL!
It’s that time of year for film fans! The time of year when cinephiles from all around the globe ascend on Northern Utah for the venerable Sundance Film Festival. Now in its 40th year, this iconic independent film platform is showing no signs of slowing down.
That said, it should be noted that for all of its cinematic grandeur and all of the higher profile storytellers on hand to take in the latest and greatest in independent film, one of the more exciting aspects of Sundance is that there’s never a tremendous amount of buzz going into a screening and that’s because the majority of the films in the lineup haven’t even been showcased in a public setting yet. Translation; Those who attend these screenings are ultimately the ones generating said buzz.
I’ve been attending since 1995 and through nearly three decades, I’ve been fortunate enough to see some pretty amazing films that would go on to spawn many phenomenal careers (i.e. Steven Soderbergh, Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, and the list goes on and on and on…) but it’s always interesting to look back at those early years and see where some of these storytellers who would go on to become household names initially started. It’ll be interesting to see whose careers might be launched at this year’s fest.
Now that I’ve briefly set the stage, here are 10 films (in alphabetical order) to watch for at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival which runs from January 18th through January 28th;
DEVO
A documentary about New Wave icons, Devo? Yes, please! This comprehensive deep dive into the history of the band behind the legendary song, “Whip It” was directed by the wonderful documentarian, Chris Smith. If that name sounds familiar to documentary lovers, it’s because he’s the man who gave us the colorful homage to filmmaking that is “American Movie” 25 years ago. Devo is scheduled to play a gig in Park City during the festival so it’s a foregone conclusion that Mark Mothersbaugh and his bandmates will be at these screenings. Yet another reason to attend.
ENO
If one musical icon wasn’t enough at Sundance 2024 (see “Devo”), festival attendees will also be treated to Gary Hustwit’s extensive look into the career of the legendary Brian Eno, a masterclass musician who, in addition to having his own storied solo career, would also collaborate with the likes of David Bowie, Devo, U2, Talking Heads, and James, just to name a precious few. This one is sure to be a hot ticket at Sundance this year.
FREAKY TALES
From Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck–the independent darlings behind the Ryan Gosling-headlined gem “Half-Nelson”– comes “Freaky Tales,” a collection of 4 interconnected stories that delve into a love of music, movies, people, places, and memories beyond our knowable universe. “Freaky Tales” features Pedro Pascal and Ben Mendelsohn.
HIT MAN
From beloved filmmaker Richard Linklater (a well-respected storyteller whose “Boyhood” and “Before Sunrise” made the coveted “Best Sundance Films of the Last 40 Years” list making him the only director with two films on said top 10 list) is back with “Hit Man,” a movie that follows a professional hitman who finds himself dangerously attracted to a woman who has enlisted his services. Linklater’s latest features Glen Powell in the title role.
IN A VIOLENT NATURE
This movie promises to put a nifty little spin on your quintessential slasher film as it weaves a tale around an undead creature rampaging through the wilderness. The key twist here is that this film reportedly unfolds from the perspective of the monster instead of the victims. They had me at “slasher film” and “undead creature.”
KNEECAP
This film traces the origins of an Irish hip-hop group and their rise to prominence in what looks to be a very entertaining (and chaotic) romp laced with music, humor, and unlimited energy. “Kneecap” is a part of Sundance’s increasingly popular “Next” category which celebrates independent films with substantially smaller budgets.
KRAZY HOUSE
Two things make this a must-see Sundance Midnight Movie title;
1. It’s set against the backdrop of the 90s and features a religious homemaker who, along with his sitcom family, discovers their Russian workers are actually wanted criminals.
2. It stars Nick Frost of “Shuan of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” fame.
Bonus; It also features Alicia Silverstone (“Clueless.”)
LOVE ME
This one looks to be a whimsical and offbeat affair and features Steven Yeun (“The Walking Dead,” “Beef,” “Minari”) and Kristen Stewart (“Twilight,” “Still Alice,” “Spencer”) as a pair who meet online and fall for one another long after humanity’s extinction. “Love Me” hails from first-time feature film directors Sam and Andy Zuchero.
PRESENCE
Lucy Liu stars in this story of a family who suspects they’re not alone after moving into a new house. That may sound like a simplistic premise but given that “Presence” was directed by the great Steven Soderbergh (“Sex, Lies, and Videotape”), I suspect it’ll be anything but simple. It should also be noted that Soderbergh is working from a script by veteran screenwriter David Koepp (“Stir of Echos”).
SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY
The documentary section at Sundance 2024 is overflowing with titles I couldn’t be more excited about and “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” might be the one I’m most looking forward to. Through rare home movies and never-before-seen archival footage, this doc delves into the life of the great Christopher Reeve. From his humble beginnings to the tragic accident that would leave him virtually paralyzed, this looks to be an intriguing expose of a real-life super man.
Of course, these titles only scratch the surface. Watch for our coverage of Sundance 2024 throughout the festival. And if you’re itching to experience this iconic fest for yourself, all the information you need can be found HERE.
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