SUNDANCE 2023 | Pre-Fest: Must-See Films At The Festival, Part 1
The 2023 Sundance Film Festival is happening from January 19th to January 29th as a hybrid festival. With over 100 featured films scheduled, there is a lot of great cinema to look forward to from around the world. How do you know what to prioritize?
From sci-fi to horror, drama to comedy, musicals to documentaries, and so much more, the offerings at Sundance 2023 covers a lot of ground in entertainment and independent filmmaking. I’m here to help! With many world premieres, directorial debuts, and compelling storytelling experiences awaiting us, here are a few of the films I am looking forward to catching at the festival:
Image courtesy of Sundance Institute
Rye Lane
Sundance Program: Premieres
Director: Raine Allen-Miller
Screenwriters: Nathan Bryon, Tom Melia
Synopsis
Dom and Yas’ paths collide at the least opportune time: when Dom (David Jonsson) is ugly-crying in a toilet stall, steeling himself for an awkward meal with his ex, who cheated on him with his best friend. Nursing her own breakup wounds, freewheeling Yas decides to jump headfirst into the fray to lessen the sting as Dom’s date. What follows is a day of impulsive and joyous mayhem, as these two 20-something Londoners roam Peckham through karaoke bars and playgrounds, all the while inching toward the possibility of opening their hearts again. Read more of the Sundance synopsis.
Why this is on my radar
Rye Lane seems like a sweet and charming film. I appreciate stories where two characters get to know each other. This is Riane Allen-Miller’s feature directorial debut, and I’m very interested in seeing her management of these characters in these circumstances. Like last year’s Fresh, Rye Lane is a Searchlight Pictures feature slated for release on Hulu in March - a model that seems to be applied to their more entertaining selections, and I expect Rye Lane to live up to that reputation.
FESTIVAL AVAILABILITY
Rye Lane will be available in person only. Find tickets and learn more.
Image courtesy of Sundance Institute
Run Rabbit Run
Sundance Program: Midnight
Director: Daina Reid
Screenwriter: Hannah Kent, Sarah Shaw, Anna Mcleish
Synopsis
Fertility doctor Sarah begins her beloved daughter Mia’s seventh birthday expecting nothing amiss. But as an ominous wind swirls in, Sarah’s carefully controlled world begins to alter. Mia begins behaving oddly and a rabbit appears outside their front door — a mysterious birthday gift that delights Mia but seems to deeply disconcert Sarah. As days pass, Mia becomes increasingly not herself, demanding to see Sarah’s long-estranged, hospitalized mother (the grandmother she’s never met before) and fraying Sarah’s nerves as the child’s bizarre tantrums begin to point her toward Sarah’s own dark history. As a ghost from her past re-enters Sarah’s life, she struggles to cling to her distant young daughter. Read more of the Sundance synopsis.
Why this is on my radar
I’ll be honest, the first thing that caught my attention about Run Rabbit Run - before I learned more about the cast and crew - is that Mark Bradshaw has a composer credit on the film; something that piques my interest because of his work on last year’s Sundance phenomenon, You Won’t Be Alone. But beyond that, this is a feature directorial debut from Daina Reid, who is well versed in directing compelling TV entertainment. This premise sounds thrilling, and I’m excited to see what new talent in feature films will accomplish with this film.
FESTIVAL AVAILABILITY
Run Rabbit Run will be available in person and online. Find tickets and learn more.
Image courtesy of Sundance Institute
Heroic
Sundance Program: World Cinema Dramatic Competition
Director: David Zonana
Screenwriter: David Zonana
Synopsis
Eighteen-year-old Luis (Santiago Sandoval Carbajal) enlists as an infantry cadet in the Heroic Military College in the hopes of becoming an officer and supporting his struggling family. Tucked away in the mountains and surrounded by statues honoring Aztec gods, the school is constructed from giant slabs of stone and ruled by even more rigid rules of conduct. The curriculum combines mundane military training with rituals of abuse and humiliation. When Luis catches the eye of sadistic Sergeant Sierra, he learns new lessons in cruelty and extracurricular criminality. Read more of the Sundance synopsis.
Why this is on my radar
Zonona’s previous film and feature debut about untenable work conditions, Workforce (Mano De Obra) debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019 and still holds a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. With rave reviews over his succinct style of compelling storytelling, I expect Zonona to bring that same aptitude to Heroic. At a brisk 88 minutes and a harrowing tale of abuse at the heart of the story, Heroic looks to be one of the more intense and compelling offerings at Sundance.
FESTIVAL SCREENING AVAILABILITY
Heroic will be available in person and online. Find tickets and learn more.
Image courtesy of Sundance Institute
Theater Camp
Sundance Program: US Dramatic Competition
Director: Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman
Screenwriter: Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman
Synopsis
As summer rolls around again, kids are gathering from all over to attend AdirondACTS, a scrappy theater camp in upstate New York that’s a haven for budding performers. After its indomitable founder Joan (Amy Sedaris) falls into a coma, her clueless “crypto-bro” son Troy (Jimmy Tatro) is tasked with keeping the thespian paradise running. With financial ruin looming, Troy must join forces with Amos (Ben Platt), Rebecca-Diane (Molly Gordon), and their band of eccentric teachers to come up with a solution before the curtain rises on opening night. Read more of the Sundance synopsis.
Why this is on my radar
While critical reception for Ben Platt’s Dear Evan Hansen was less than glowing, it’s a film that finally capitalizes on Ben Platt’s theater sensibilities. With Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman at the help as co-directors, Theater Camp brings Platt and this team of theater nerds together to fully embrace the love of theater on film. Theater Camp seems to be a fun, entertaining, lighthearted affair.
FESTIVAL SCREENING AVAILABILITY
Heroic will be available in person and online. Find tickets and learn more.