Back from Sundance

I returned on Tuesday from my second pilgramage to Park City, Utah, to partake in the filmgoers communion that is the Sundance Film Festival.  (And I can say, now that I live in LA instead of New York, that I am really not a big fan of winter…I don’t think it topped 30 degrees throughout our entire four days in Park City).  Before jumping into my thoughts on the festival, I must say thanks to Bob for his hospitality in letting us (my wife, Molly, and my brother-and-sister-in-laws, Kelly and Molly, attended with me) shack for free at his place.  So, thanks Bob.  Bob had a really nice three-floor condo located just past the main shuttle stop — a mere 10 minute walk from central Main St in Park City (though that 10 minute walk seemed much longer in the 4 degree night).  Bob had the nice hookup because he is actually employed through the festival.  His company, Closed System, produces the Sundance Daily Insider, which provides Bob with not only a reason for needing a nice condo but also an insider’s working knowedge of the best films and the best evening activities (which this year included concerts by Iron & Wine and Broken Social Scene, among others).

So, thanks Bob!

Overall, the consensus at the festival seemed to be that the tone of the films was much darker this year than in year’s past.  And I can say that of the nine films that I saw in the four days I was there, only two films (which happened to be the bookends of my filmgoing experience this year), had any comedic merit — and both were dark comedies at that.  I doubt that most people would instinctively think of movies about a tobacco lobbyist (Thank You for Smoking) or alcoholism (Factotum) to be comedies.  The rest of the films touched on subjects ranging from teen angst to capital punishment to crucifiction to bio-terrorism.  Cheery.  But I certainly saw some thought-provokers…more on that below.  Similarly, even the bands performing at this year’s fest — such as the aforementioned Iron & Wine and Broken Social Scene — were clearly a measured step closer to the "depressing" category than shows last year by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Ludicris and Kings of Leon.  I suppose that this year’s "Paris Hilton Dance Party" could be placed into an "upbeat" category…but somehow I would still probably file that under depressing.  I actually didn’t make it to any of the evening concerts this year…opting instead for either late night movies or just hanging out with friends.

The next series of posts will outline what I thought about the films I saw at this year’s festival.