Sundance Film Festival 2011 - Movie Review Example

SUNDANCE FESTIVAL – Order no. 518486 Introduction One of the most prestigious film festivals is the ‘Sundance Film Festival’ that showscases an amalgamation of films from different categories and awards the best films prestigious awards in various genres. The lineup of films for the year 2011 was very interesting featuring more towards the exploration of religious thoughts and ideas and also a good number of films dealing with the system of criminal justice. Many of the films were outstanding in their presentation and were given awards in different categories that they excelled in. Given below are some of the movies I had chosen to discuss about. HOW TO DIE IN OREGON The Sundance festival has always screened films for crazy movie goers who rush to occupy limits seats along with frenzied reporters who dont want to miss a moment of the Sundance Festival madness. But this was not the case at the screening of the much acclaimed but brutally numbing to the soul movie How to Die in Oregon. This film was directed by  Peter D. Richardson who worked for 4 years and spent close to 75,000 USD on it. This movie has been so heart wrenching that even the producers of the film, which is HBO, had a hard time finding an audience with their staff as they would be bursting into tears or tearing out of the room, not being able to stand the agony that Cody Curtis the real life protagonist faces every single day. Oregon is the only state that has legalized Physician-assisted-suicide commonly referred to as euthanasia and this story is about a 52 year old mother of two, who battles Cancer and has to succumb to it eventually but nevertheless wants to die with some respect. She tries her best to be there for her children and crams in all the lifes teachings. She wishes she could be alive for a longer period, but unfortunately she cannot because all she has left are a few precious months of her life. Nothing prepares her family for the hopelessness they feel when Cody is granted a lethal dose of  Morphine to give her permanent respite from her endless pain and agony. This tragic story is so touching that it brings tears to the eyes, especially when they come to know that Cody is a real person. This film has won the Grand Jury Prize for American films at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival Awards ceremony. BEING ELMO: A Puppeteers Journey. The Sundance Fim Festival happens every year in the United States as an effort to bring to the forefront new and independent filmmakers who are exceptionally talented and need that big break.  Once such brilliant movie is Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey. Elmo is an international icon that millions of children from all over the globe love and adore. But, only a few know of the man behind the creation of this character, Kevin Clash. Having watched Captain Kangaroo and Sesame Street, Kevin always dreamed of creating his own puppets and becoming a performing puppeteer. As fate would have Kevin Clash got a dream break from none other than his idol and master puppeteer Jim Henson himself, paving way for one of the most favorite and famous characters in The Muppets universe. Kevin Clash has always been a very private person and the movie revolves more around his art and creation than the man himself.Even his colleagues focussed more on praising his talent than delving into any personal trivia about him. A steady, focussed and passionate Kevin Clash has shows us how perseverance and hard work really pays off through this film. This film has been selected in the following categories -  OFFICIAL SELECTION - SXSW FILM FESTIVAL 2011 OFFICIAL SELECTION - FULL FRAME DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL 2011 OFFICIAL SELECTION - INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL BOSTON  OFFICIAL SELECTION - HOT DOCS (OUTSPOKEN OUTSTANDING) OFFICIAL SELECTION - DALLAS FILM 2011 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL BEING ELMO: A PUPPETEERS JOURNEY HAS WON IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES -  WINNER - SPECIAL JURY PRIZE - SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2011 LIKE CRAZY The Sundance Film Festival is an event that takes place annually in the United States with the sole purpose of showcasing new talented and independent filmmakers who make feature films, short films and documentaries.  Like Crazy was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, 2011. It is a finely crafted and beautifully realized romantic drama with a dash of humour. This movie is based partly on the true story of the director’s relationship with a girl. The producer of the movie is Jonathan Schwartz and the story has been written by Ben York Jones. ‘Like Crazy directed by Drake Doremus is the story of Jacob played by Anton Yelchin and Anna played by Felicity Jones. Anna is a British exchange student who studies in a Los Angeles college and is seen giving a treatise on a MySpace webpage shortly before being distracted by a young boy with curly hair called Jacob. Their romance blossoms and they fall in love so deeply with each other that Anna decides to overstay beyond her visa dates. They are so madly in love that they dont see the impending results of their mindless actions. Anna goes for a brief holiday to her hometown and when she tries to return with a tourist visa, she is denied entry and is sent back. Jacob and Anna are into their first real relationship and the geographical barriers between them not only put to test their trust but also become their biggest enemy. The movie intricately describes the daily struggle of the young lovers and it strikes a chord with people who have experienced the impermanence of relationships. The cinematography of the movie is noteworthy too. There ensues a series of bureaucratic hurdles with the US immigration along with temptation from an ex-lover played with much acclaim by Jennifer Lawrence. Anna and Jacob have to keep their passion alive amidst all this confusion which tests their love for each other on many levels. whether their love survives or they succumb to circumstances makes this a universally appealing film. Like Crazy written by Ben York Jones and co-written by Doremus has been awarded the prize for U.S. Dramatic Film for 2011 and Felicity Jones bagged The Year of the Actress award by presenter America Ferrera.Like Crazy was also the first film to be bought at Sundance by Paramount and Indian Paintbrush who paid a whooping $ 4 million for a movie well worth its price tag. PARIAH The Sundance Film Festival is an annual event that takes place in the United States and is known for its high standards and keen eye for exceptional new and talented independent filmmakers.  Ranking very high on the radar of the Sundance criterias and standards is Pariah a coming of age story of  seventeen year old Alike. Pariah directed and written by Dee Rees is a blatant in your face account of an adolescent who is a homosexual and can’t seem to find a firm terrain with her family,  because she has to hide her sexuality, or with her peers who scorn her for not being true to herself. Lost in this battle, she has to search within herself to bring the confidence and strength she needs to stand up for herself in front of family, friends and society. Pariah produced by Spike Lee showcases some commendable acting by Adepero Oduye. She has surely earned a place as a talented actress. Audiences are forced to get immersed in Alikes intimately personal experience due to her amazing talent in acting as well as the fact that there is no celebrity talent to distract the viewers from the core of this riveting story. Strangely, a film of so much recognition, had a tough time being produced as funds were low, but the dedicated cast and crew of the film kept working and the final results were well deserved and noteworthy. Though the film has had a mixed bag of reviews because of its comparison to Precious, which is another film that deals with similar situations, Pariah has marked its presence at the Sundance Film Festival and is worthy of praise. HELL AND BACK AGAIN The World Cinema Jury Prize was awarded to the war documentary ‘Hell and Back Again’ at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Director Danfung Dennis has created a masterful movie which is revolutionary in its outlook as it questions issues related to the war in Afghanistan and also answers them. The debut filmmaker highlights the struggles faced by the soldiers returning home from Afghanistan. The documentary’ Hell and Back Again’, directed by Danfung Dennis has two stories being told on parallel lines. At one level the movie deals with the troops fighting the enemy in an alien land and the other is that of Sgt. Harris who fights a different kind of battle at home. Sgt. Harris was shot in the hip which severely affected his mobility. The documentary is also about the life and struggle of the sergeant. This movie is not so much about the loss of human life as it is about the pain that the soldiers have to endure as a result of the war in Afghanistan. Sgt.Nathan Harris returns home to his wife in North Carolina with crippling injuries. Harris and his wife struggle to live as a family with his emotional and physical pain. The young marine struggles to make sense of his daily chores which revolves around trips to Wal-Mart or to the military hospital. He also relives his combat days by playing video games. The director was able to capture extraordinary images of Afghanistan and at home as he is a seasoned war photographer. He adapted his camera and constructed a camera rig. The film which is taut and suspenseful has been edited by Fiona Otway and the music composer is J.Ralph. The director has used original sounds of the war in the movie which he had captured while he was embedded with the regiment. This war documentary captures the human side of war. HIGHER GROUND ‘Higher Ground’ is the directional debut of Vera Famiga and manages to give an impressive portrayal of her character’s faith. The topic of religion which is what the movie is all about has n earnest approach depicting the Christian faith but unfortunately it does not have anything so very interesting to offer. ‘Higher Ground’ is the story of Corinne (Farmiga) that revolves around her childhood, her introduction to Christianity and the moment of realization of God. The central theme of the story is about the frustrations and trials of a young mother who joind a fundamentalist group in search of answers for a better life. The movie also portrays her early marriage but finally it explores her adult life and shows how she becomes a devout Christian. The movie becomes more interesting as Corrine passes through different stages in her life before she becomes a devout Christian. Though the movie is fairly slow paced and quite matter- of- fact, yet it also has its brilliant moments. One such moment is when Corinne expresses her desire to speak in tongues in order to be closer to God. The sincerity in the depiction of faith and the love of God makes the film admirable. Its simple and straight approach without passing judgement or discrimination involving the faith or devotion between its characters, makes the movie all the more endearing. The themes of God and Devil are central to the storyline and portrays them as real entities that are present in our daily lives. The movie is quite laid back in its approach and so are its characters who flow along with the script. The director does not blatantly lay out the ideas but it more subtle in expression. LITTLE BIRDS Elgin James is the director and screenwriter of the endearing film ‘Little Birds’. The central theme of the film that featured at the Sundance 2011 is friendship. The story takes place in the Salton Sea among the vast landscape. The story speaks of a very enduring friendship shared between two young 15 year olds who test the limits of their true friendship when one of them follows the other to the city of Los Angeles. Some of the main characters featuring in this film are Juno Temple, Kate Bosworth and Kay Panabaker. ‘The film ‘Little Birds’ shuttles between the innocence of the two 15 year olds who have a strong desire to escape from their home and the harsh reality they face in their escapade. Alison and her best friend Lily spend their time on the shores of the Salton Sea while their lives progress into adulthood. While Alison is happy and content with her life, her friend Lily is depressed and wishes to escape from her hometown. The girls meet three street kids and Alison’s friend Lily convinces her to follow the boys to Los Angeles. ‘Little Birds’ is a stunning portrayal of lost innocence as the girls are thrown into a world of danger and excitement. It is at this juncture that the girls have to decide how willing they were to take the risks and how far they would go in their endeavours. Director and writer Elgin James has captured and portrayed innocence at its best and how it gets lost in this honest portrayal. MARTHA, MARCY MAY MARLENE Martha, Marcy May Marlene is the debut feature film of director Sean Durkin that has some of the most amazing performances by its characters. The script revolves around a young woman who tries to escape from a cult finds that she faces the difficulty in trying to assimilate things. The storytelling is quite haunting and compelling in addition to the brilliant editing and cinematography. Martha (Olsen) the young lady spends two years as a cult member and gets christened by the cult leader Patrick (Hawkes), with the name ‘Marcy May’. However, Martha finds that she doesn’t belong there and so flees from the cult after asking her sister Lucy for help. She is taken in by Lucy and her husband but they find that Martha has become weird in her behaviour due to what she has gone through in the cult. In fact Lucy and her husband become impatient and frustrated by Martha’s erratic behaviour, but she does not disclose what really happened to her. Martha has to cope with her surroundings without revealing her past to her sister and her husband who try to help her but in vain. Life is miserable for all of them The film alternates between Martha life at her sister’s house and her life as Marcy May when she was in the cult. Durkin makes every scene sensational when trying to portray the broken Martha. Durkin focuses more on the person and her emotions than on the cult that she was a part of. The music comprises of a single note throughout the movie but yet it seems sufficient, The director understands that cults are creepy and so does not dwell much on them instead he relies on strong visualsm good actors and smart sound design and editing. References Being Elmo www.beingelmo.com Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey [Sundance Review] | /Film www.slashfilm.com/being-elmo-puppeteers-journey-sundance-review/ Higher Ground Revie www.collider.com/higher-ground-review/71386/ Sundance Review: Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey - HitFix.com www.sundance-review-being-elmo-a-puppeteers-journey Sundance Film Festival 2011 www.sundance.slated.com/2011/films/littlebirds_sundance2011   Sundance Film Festival www.sundance.org/festival/  SUNDANCE: 2011 Festival Award Winners 2011/01/30 www.movies.broadwayworld.com/article/SUNDANCE_2011_Festival_Award_ Winners_20110130 How to Die in Oregon - Review www.collider.com/how-to-die-in-oregon-review/73056/   How to Die in Oregon Review: Its the Sad One | Pajiba: Scathing ... www.pajiba.com/...reviews/how-to-die-in-oregon-review-its-the-sad-one.php   Sundance Review: Pariah « Movie City News www.moviecitynews.com Sundance 2011: Pariah Movie Review www.screencrave.com/2011-01-21/sundance-2011-pariah-movie-review/  Sundance Film Festival - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundance_Film_Festival   2011 Sundance Film Festival www.sundance.org/.../2011-competition-film-announcement Sundance 2011 Martha Marcy May Marlene www.collider.com/martha-marcy-may-marlene-review/72741/ Read More