Twenty-five years ago in the mountains of Sundance, Utah, Robert Redford founded the Sundance Institute. At that time it was intended to be a non-profit organization that was dedicated to the development of indie film artists and the exhibition of their new films. Since that time, Redford has watched his Institute blossom into an international premier showcase for thousands of independent artists from all over the world by ways of the Sundance Film Festival and also the many programs offered to the film makers, writers, composers and so on. What remains is the original intent of maintaining independence, risk-taking and creative license that guides the work of these films. But now, swag, the film festival gifts that turn the receiver into a year-round billboard for the giver, have become the primary focus. But first, about the festival...
Robert Redford, Handsome Devil
Some great works came out of the film festival that made it to the big screen. I bet you non- film types didn't know that sex, lies and videotape, (my first taste of James Spader), Clerks, The Usual Suspects (Kevin Spacey), Smoke Signals, Boys Don't Cry (Hillary Swank ring a bell)?, In the Bedroom (Sissy Spacek, Marisa Tomei), Real Women Have Curves, Napoleon Dynamite (give me back my tots!), Born into Brothels and Super Size Me all started at the film festival. Many of them took prestigious awards both at Sundance and later some even did the Oscar dance. Oh the bidding wars that ensued for these films the time between Sundance and Oscar... I can't wait to see two upcoming films coming fresh from last week's celebrity infested Park City...Friends with Money, which opened the festival this year, stars an ensemble cast of Jennifer Aniston, Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand and Joan Cusak (John's sister, cell phone spokeswoman and in my opinion completely underrated). Anyone see her in Better Off Dead or In and Out? This movie is about three married woman, their husbands and their only single friend. It addresses both contemporary social issues along with personal lives which should encourage money leaving wallets at the box office.
Jennifer and Catherine at Sundance
Take a hit of this next movie, the sharp satirical comedy Thank You For Smoking. Based on a Christopher Buckley novel and starring some unknowns like William Macy, Rob Lowe (his small role is priceless), Katie (TomKat) Holmes and Robert DuVall along with cameos by Dennis Miller and Joan Lunden, this movie follows the spin doctoring of Big Tobacco's chief spokesman, played by Aaron Eckart (sassy and used car salesman greasy at the same time) who tries to remain a role model for his 12 year old son, while peddling the smokes. Cancer sticks to the rest of us. How is this for a visual? The main character kidnapped and plastered with nicotine patches.
Aaron Eckhart & Cameron Bright of Thank You for Smoking
The closing film at the festival was Alpha Dog written and directed by Nick Cassavetes. This movie was inspired by true events about the lives of some California rich kids with nothing to do and all day to do it. The lead character, Jesse James Hollywood, is a suburban drug dealer who becomes one of the youngest men ever to be on the FBI's most wanted list. It stars Justin (In Sync) Timberlake, who is a stand out in this movie...surprising many that he had the chops to be believable, Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone along with unknowns not worth mentioning since people will go to see the aforementioned actors.
J. Timberlake, Alpha Dog
Which finally (and thankfully for many) brings me to my point. Sundance has become the ultimate swagfest! There are two types of swag: items that promote a film and gifts that promote a company. Lotions, CD's I-Pods, clothing, walkie-talkies, Reeboks, Ray Bans, clocks, cameras and a $1,300 Hugo Boss winter coat to name only a few of the items. The receivers of the coat got "swagged" in a major way! So much for getting artistically nourished at the festival. Please let me never see a
pair of Uggs on a celeb again.. Uhhhhggggg! It is unfortunate to see but big names bring in big dollars to the festival and all of its sponsors, the lodging industry, retail etc. It seems that Sundance is becoming all about the hawking of products and the trend-setting celebrity culture they want sporting these products and less about the films themselves. Maybe I'm just envious because I missed out on all of the bling. Look out Park City. Look out Steven Carell. Next year at this time I'll be basking at the Sundance and I'll be looking for my Coach CD case, my Diesel shoulder bag, my year's supply of Kiehl's products, etc...
No comments:
Post a Comment