SUNDANCE 2011: SUBMARINE IS A MUST-SEE.

SUNDANCE 2011: SUBMARINE

SUBMARINE (directed by Richard Ayoade, executive produced by Ben Stiller) is a must-see from the 2011 Sundance line up.  This brit comedy is about an adolescent boy who must deal with his mother's infidelities and his girlfriend's mother's illness.  In this quick-witted and quirky film, lead actor Craig Roberts plays the precocious Oliver Tate with style and effectiveness.  Opposite Roberts is young actress Yasmin Paige who plays a strong-willed teen with grace and serious acting chops.  These two shine in this world where sometimes keeping the outside at a distance is the only way to survive, until eventually you must deal with it.

However, the real star is the film's style.  With it's independent vibe, but commercial appeal, it may be 2011's version of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE.  The editing is fantastic.  Using freeze-frames, eye-contact with the camera, and separate monologues with black backgrounds break the classic narrative flow, but are incredibly effective.  These moments allow the audience to focus on a small change in the scene, emphasizing a reaction or plot point.  All in all, this film's editing and execution is what drives it and sets it apart from other coming of age stories.

This film has charm.  That's probably the best way to describe it.  Charm.  And with it's Brit humor and confidence, I am sure it will be picked up for a (at the very least) a limited engagement in NY and LA theatres.  However, if it doesn't get to a city near you, keep it on your Netflix and DVD list, it's worth it.

GO SEE IT IF:
You like coming of age stories.
You like Brit humor.
You like a little quirk and charm.
You like self-reflexive films (ie films that know they are films, and are not edited classically).

Below is a humorous description of the film from the perspective of the lead character, Oliver Tate (the precocious 15 year old):

I have been waiting too long for the film of my life. My name is Oliver Tate. This film will capture my particular idiosyncrasies, for example, the way I seduce my classmate Jordana Bevan using only my mind.  Also, since my parents’ marriage is being threatened by a man who runs courses on Mental and Physical Wellbeing, the film will probably feature some elaborate set-pieces of me taking him down. There will be helicopter shots. There will be slow-mo, but also transcendent moments, like when I cure my father’s depression. Knowing me as I do, I will be surprised if this film runs to less than three hours. Note to the press: appropriate adjectives to describe this film include “breath-taking” and “irresistible” as well the phrase: “a monumental achievement”.




SEE TRAILER AND DIRECTOR INTERVIEW AT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L6p3ZU2EeU


STAY TUNED FOR MORE SUNDANCE 2011 REVIEWS!

SUNDANCE 2011

This is the first of many reviews of SUNDANCE 2011. I plan on reviewing the various feature length and short films that I saw over the four days I was at the festival, but first, I want to give a little background information for any SUNDANCE novices out there.

The SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL is a festival that occurs for 10 days in January. The festival is located in Park City, Utah, just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City. It is the largest and most well-known independent film festival in the United States. The festival was founded in 1978 by Sterling Van Wagenen under the name Utah/US Film Festival. However, with the involvement of Robert Redford (for all intensive purposes, the real founder) in 1981 it moved from September to January, hoping to attract Hollywood types with it's ski resort location and timing. Then, in 1991 Redford changed the name to SUNDANCE, named after his break out role opposite long-time cohort Paul Newman in BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. In this film Redford played the Sundance Kid and thus the name of the festival was solidified.

Many directors and films have had their big break come from being a part of the coveted official selection of SUNDANCE. This list includes but is not limited to: Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Darren Aronofsky, SAW, GARDEN STATE, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, RESERVOIR DOGS, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, WAITING FOR SUPERMAN, CLERKS, THANK YOU FOR SMOKING, PRECIOUS and NAPOLEON DYNOMITE (just to name a few).

The festival has a competition as each of the selections are divided into categories (dramatic, comedic, documentary etc...). The most coveted award is the Grand Jury Award, followed by the Audience Award (voted on by the audience at the festival). These awards help these small films find an audience and perhaps even a distribution company.

That brings me to: Why SUNDANCE? Well, the point of film festivals is for small films and green talent to gain some exposure. The best scenario for any film or filmmaker is to find a distributor for their film. A great example of this is LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, which played at SUNDANCE and then was distributed for a theatrical release. It then went on to win two Oscars. For the actors, its a way to rub elbows with Hollywood and gain some networking perks. For anyone, getting into SUNDANCE is a big deal and an important step for their career.

How does it work? Well there are numerous theaters where each film plays a few times (usually 4-5 times). You buy a ticket (or wait in the waitlist line) and see the film. After the film, the director (and often times the cast and crew) are there to lead a Q&A with the audience. Perhaps they will even stick around for photos and additional one-on-one time with audience members. Then SUNDANCE also hosts various panel discussions, further Q&A's, concerts and parties. SUNDANCE is a great way to network with film buffs, execs, and stars.

STAY TUNED: for reviews on the films I screened in the next postings.