Our fifth Sundance Film Festival is going to look a lot different this year.
I won’t be taking my snow coats and boots out of storage. After-screening drinks will be consumed in my kitchen, not at Rock & Reillys. Instead of queuing up for premieres at the Eccles Theater, I’ll be hundreds of miles away, on my couch in Echo Park. But optics aren’t everything; despite the festival moving into the virtual sphere, we’re just as excited to cover Sundance 2021.
This year, the festival released some pretty uplifting statistics about their slate. Female directors account for exactly 50% of the premiering films, while 51% of filmmakers are people of color. 15% of directors identify as LGBTQ+ and 4% identify as non-binary. Below is a list of films that we’ve secured tickets to, and are looking forward to seeing at the Sundance Film Festival.
We’re All Going to the World’s Fair directed by Jane Schoenbrun
Why we’re excited: This image already gives us the chills, the Creepypasta chills. Jane Schoenbrun’s dark feature debut promises to dive into deep emotional terrain, exploring themes of identity and isolation while skillfully creating online wormholes.
Judas and the Black Messiah directed by Shaka King
Why we’re excited: This late addition was the best surprise; upon hearing Shaka King’s film was set to premiere at the festival, we immediately dropped everything we were doing to snag a ticket. Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield star in this political biopic about the inner workings of the Black Panther Party and the FBI informant sent out to infiltrate their organization.
One For The Road directed by Baz Poonpiriya
Why we’re excited: When we saw Wong Kar Wai credited as the film’s producer, we immediately knew we had to make One For The Road a priority screening. This coming of age film is being described as an emotional watch about the bittersweet time between the flower of youth and the hard-earned realization that all things end.
How It Ends directed by Daryl Wein, Zoe Lister-Jones
Why we’re excited: This Los Angeles-set, pre-apocalyptic comedy sounds like a fun time, especially considering the incredible ensemble cast: Zoe Lister-Jones, Cailee Spaeny, Helen Hunt, Olivia Wilde, Fred Armisen, Lamorne Morris, and Nick Kroll.
Land directed by Robin Wright
Why we’re excited: We’re looking forward to seeing Robin Wright in the director’s chair. Wright’s directorial debut promises to be a quiet, yet masterful journey about a woman who searches for meaning in the American wilderness (and gives us major Nomadland vibes).
On The Count of Three directed by Jerrod Carmichael
Why we’re excited: “Christopher Abbott” and “Sundance” are synonymous to us at this point, we will watch anything and everything he’s in. Described as an unusual existential bromance, director Jerrod Carmichael also stars in this dark comedy, making it one of our most anticipated films of the festival.
Wild Indian directed by Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr.
Why we’re excited: Recently named one of Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch for 2021, Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr.’s reflective drama about a modern Native American man is also one of four indigenous-made films premiering at the festival.
The Sparks Brothers directed by Edgar Wright
Why we’re excited: Those who know director Edgar Wright (Baby Driver) know that he is a major music buff, so it’s no surprise that he turned to Ron and Russell Mael aka Sparks as the subjects for his debut documentary. He claims, “Sparks is your favorite band’s favorite band, and soon to be yours too.”
Ma Belle, My Beauty directed by Marion Hill
Why we’re excited: A queer drama set in the beautiful countryside of France that has the potential to follow in the footsteps of Portrait of a Lady on Fire? Yes, please! Marion Hill’s directorial debut seems like it will forge its own identity though, as this drama promises to be a moody dive into polyamory.
Marvelous and the Black Hole directed by Kate Tsang
Why we’re excited: The unlikely friendship between a grieving thirteen-year-old and a whimsical magician is the basis of Kate Tsang’s coming of age film, starring Rhea Perlman as the unlikely mentor. It’s just the kind of light-hearted, well-intentioned film we love to seek out.
Mayday directed by Karen Cinorre
Why we’re excited: Grace Van Patten and Mia Goth star in this feminist fever dream about a crew of ruthless female soldiers caught in an endless war. Written and directed by Karen Cinorre and co-starring Juliette Lewis and Soko, this is definitely another one of our most anticipated films of the festival.
Homeroom directed by Peter Nicks
Why we’re excited: This documentary follows the lives of Oakland high school seniors navigating college admissions, graduation, and planning their futures amidst the pandemic. The film also completes a trilogy of documentaries exploring health care, criminal justice, and education in Oakland, California from director Peter Nicks.
Cryptozoo directed by Dash Shaw
Why we’re excited: We need at least one surreal magical title on our schedule, and Cryptozoo is it. Described as a fantastical feature animation for adults that takes audiences on a sublime journey toward multispecies justice, it reminds us of Netflix’s The Midnight Gospel in all of the best ways.
Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir directed by James Redford
Why we’re excited: We couldn’t miss late-director James Redford’s final film. Son of Sundance Institute’s founder Robert Redford, this documentary about one of the most important writers in contemporary fiction, Amy Tan, is sure to be an inspiring watch.
John and the Hole directed by Pascual Sisto
Why we’re excited: He may look sweet but in this psychological thriller, Charlie Shotwell plays an angsty teen who traps his family in a hole in order to have the freedom to do whatever he wants. Pascual Sisto’s feature promises to be an enigmatic and unsettling meditation on coming of age.
A Glitch in the Matrix directed by Rodney Ascher
Why we’re excited: Do you ever wonder if the world we live in might not be entirely real? So does director Rodney Ascher (Room 237), who returns to Sundance with this fascinating and visually stimulating documentary examining simulation theory. Cue the existential crisis.
Jockey directed by Clint Bentley
Why we’re excited: We’re most looking forward to the layered performances from the leading cast in Clint Bentley’s drama. Starring Clifton Collins Jr., Molly Parker, and Moises Arias, Jockey seems like it will be a pensive, rich film about a sport we don’t see on the big screen too often.
