What We’re Seeing at Sundance 2020
From St. Vincent to Will Ferrell and the highly anticipated Promising Young Woman, here are the films we’ll be watching at the Sundance Film Festival.
This year marks the fourth time these Californians are packing up our parkas and heading to the Sundance Film Festival.
Every year brings unique opportunities and different experiences, and we’re looking forward to reveling in it all. Last year we introduced Night Cap, a nightly video series where we discuss the films of the day over cocktails (or Emergen-C), and we’re excited to bring that back in 2020. Don’t miss an episode- click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
From directorial debuts to special screenings and world premieres, over half of which were directed by women (!), here’s a list of films that we’ve secured tickets to, and looking forward to seeing at the Sundance Film Festival.
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The Nowhere Inn directed by Bill Benz
Why we’re excited:
In perhaps the most legendary duo of all time (in our opinion), Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent) and Carrie Brownstein play themselves as they shed their onstage personas and get real in The Nowhere Inn. Boundary blurring and enticingly self-aware, Bill Benz’s directorial debut is one of our most anticipated films to watch.
Wendy directed by Benh Zeitlin
Why we’re excited:
Director Benh Zeitlin (best known for his four-time Academy Award-nominated film Beasts of the Southern Wild) returns to the festival with Wendy, an imaginative adaptation of J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. Youthfulness and freedom seem to be the cornerstones of Zeitlan’s vision, with fantastical elements further aided by composer and longtime collaborator Dan Romer. Wendy has already been acquired by Fox Searchlight.
Promising Young Woman directed by Emerald Fennell
Why we’re excited:
Promising Young Woman, written and directed by Emerald Fennell, made waves when it landed on the 2018 Black List. Starring Carey Mulligan as a woman who singlehandedly takes on toxic masculinity with a vengeance (giving off premature Under The Skin vibes), this femme fatale feature has us excited. Promising Young Woman has already been acquired by Focus Features.
Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia directed by DANIELS, Hannah Fidell, Alexa Lim Haas, Lucas Leyva, Olivia Lloyd, Phil Lord, Jillian Mayer, The Meza Brothers, Terence Nance, Brett Potter, Dylan Redford, Xander Robin, Julian Yuri Rodriguez, and Celia Rowlson-Hall
Why we’re excited:
That’s right, 14 directors are credited in the making of Omniboat, and that alone is an intriguing enough concept. Among the filmmakers are directing duo DANIELS, whose last feature Swiss Army Man was the hit of the 2015 film festival. Omniboat‘s logline is simple: a symphony inspired by and made in Miami, but if there’s anything we’ve learned about a DANIELS film, it’s to expect the unexpected. We’ll be going into this film with open minds.
Dick Johnson is Dead directed by Kirsten Johnson
Why we’re excited:
Kirsten Johnson is a tour de force in the documentary sphere; her last film Cameraperson was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2017. In one of her most personal films to date, she’s turning the lens on her father in Dick Johnson is Dead, a poignant story about her desperate attempt to keep her aging father alive through filmmaking. We’re bringing the Kleenex to this one.
Kajillionaire directed by Miranda July
Why we’re excited:
Miranda July – filmmaker, writer, and artist extraordinaire – is one of our idols; her commitment to authenticity and creativity is inspiring both on-screen and off. Her latest feature Kajillionaire, starring Evan Rachel Wood, Richard Jenkins, and Debra Winger, is being described as an absurd comedy and, honestly, I wouldn’t expect anything less. Another highlight we’re anticipating: The Last Black Man in San Francisco‘s composer Emile Mosseri lends his creativity to fuel Kajillionaire‘s soundtrack.
Shirley directed by Josephine Decker
Why we’re excited:
Michael Stuhlbarg and Elisabeth Moss play a couple whose relationship is put to the test in Josephine Decker’s drama Shirley. Based on the 2014 novel by Susan Merrill and screenplay by Sarah Gubbins, Decker lends her sensitive and observant eye to this period drama, which is sure to be a piercing watch.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always directed by Eliza Hittman
Why we’re excited:
Writer/director Eliza Hittman returns to the festival three years after she won the Directing Award for her film, Beach Rats. Never Rarely Sometimes Always, shot on 16mm film, depicts the hardship a young teenager faces as she does her best to navigate through an unwanted pregnancy. Never Rarely Sometimes Always has already been acquired by Focus Features.
Downhill directed by Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Why we’re excited:
Perhaps the film with the biggest commercial star power is the Nat Faxon/Jim Rash drama Downhill. Based on the 2014 Swedish film Force Majeure by Ruben Östlund, Downhill tells the story of how one split-second decision in a moment of panic reveals an unsettling insight into the patriarch of an otherwise happy go lucky family. Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell, we’re looking forward to seeing two great comedic actors out of their comfort zones in dramatic roles. Downhill has already been acquired by Fox Searchlight.
Dinner in America directed by Adam Carter Rehmeier
Why we’re excited:
Two misfits find each other through music and chaos in writer/director Adam Carter Rehmeier’s punk rock comedy, Dinner in America. Starring Kyle Gallner and Emily Skeggs, this road to self-discovery in Midwestern suburbia feels like the perfect festival film: full of quirkiness and originality. We’re also looking forward to the handful of original songs that fuels the film’s soundtrack.
