Films - Sundance Film Festival

The 2022 Sundance Film Festival starts later today, with all its films, documentaries, shorts and VR content being made available to book and watch online...

While it is absolutely understandable for health reasons, it is still a real shame for the Festival organisers that, once again, they have to close the theater doors in Utah. However, there is a silver lining to that Sundance cloud and that is the fact that now all their films are appearing on their Festival online platform which means that we, here in the UK, can also catch a bit of the Sundance buzz without having to travel to Park City UT. The Festival opens with a plethora of DAY One films including A24's film When You Finish Saving The World, directed by Jesse Eisenberg and starring Julianne Moore and Finn Wolfhard, and then it's all systems go for a full ten days.  

Here's just a few of the other films that we're looking forward to seeing in that time, from their extensive (and very eclectic) programme this year.

First up, some feature length films and documentaries:

Lucy and Desi / U.S.A 

(Director: Amy Poehler, Producers: Michael Rosenberg, Justin Wilkes, Nigel Sinclair, Jeanne Elfant Festa, Amy Poehler, Mark Monroe) 

Lucille Ball had an immense influence on the creation of TV syndication, as she rose to become a true entrepreneur and multi-faceted mogul. Through interviews and archival, a tribute to one of the greatest trailblazers in comedy and entertainment. World Premiere. Documentary.

Resurrection / U.S.A. 

(Director and Screenwriter: Andrew Semans, Producers: Tory Lenosky, Alex Scharfman, Drew Houpt, Lars Knudsen, Tim Headington, Lia Buman) 

Margaret’s life is in order. She is capable, disciplined, and successful. Soon, her teenage daughter, who Margaret raised by herself, will be going off to a fine university, just as Margaret had intended. Everything is under control. That is, until David returns, carrying with him the horrors of Margaret’s past. Cast: Rebecca Hall, Tim Roth, Grace Kaufman, Michael Esper, Angela Wong Carbone. World Premiere. Fiction.


Something In The Dirt / U.S.A. 

(Directors: Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, Screenwriter: Justin Benson, Producers: David Lawson, Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson)

When neighbors John and Levi witness supernatural events in their Los Angeles apartment building, they realize documenting the paranormal could inject some fame and fortune into their wasted lives. An ever-deeper, darker rabbit hole, their friendship frays as they uncover the dangers of the phenomena, the city, and each other. Cast: Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead. World Premiere. Fiction.


Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power / U.S.A. 

(Director and Producer: Nina Menkes)

Based on Nina Menkes’ acclaimed talk “Sex & Power: The Visual Language of Cinema”, a mesmerizing journey into how shot design intersects with the twin epidemics of sexual abuse/ assault and employment discrimination against women. Containing over 175 film clips, will unalterably change the way we view and make movies. World Premiere. Documentary.


You Won’t Be Alone / Australia 

(Director and Screenwriter: Goran Stolevski, Producers: Kristina Ceyton, Sam Jennings)

In an isolated mountain village in 19th century Macedonia, a young feral witch accidentally kills a peasant. She assumes the peasant’s shape to see what life is like in her skin, igniting a deep-seated curiosity to experience life inside the bodies of others. Cast: Noomi Rapace, Anamaria Marinca, Alice Englert, Carloto Cotta, Félix Maritaud, Sara Klimoska. World Premiere.


Dual / U.S.A. 

(Director and Screenwriter: Riley Stearns, Producers: Nate Bolotin, Aram Tertzakian, Lee Kim, Riley Stearns, Nick Spicer, Maxime Cottray)

After receiving a terminal diagnosis, Sarah commissions a clone of herself to ease the loss for her friends and family. When she makes a miraculous recovery, her attempt to have her clone decommissioned fails, and leads to a court-mandated duel to the death. Cast: Karen Gillan, Aaron Paul, Beulah Koale. World Premiere.


After Yang / U.S.A. 

(Director and Screenwriter: Kogonada, Producers: Andrew Goldman, Caroline Kaplan, Paul Mezey, Theresa Park)

In the near future, a father and daughter try to save the life of Yang, their beloved robotic family member. Cast: Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith. Justin H. Min, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, Haley Lu Richardson. North American Premiere. Fiction.


And some shorts, selected both from this year's new film offerings and “From the Collection” which look back over some of the best short films from previous Festivals:

Hallelujah / U.S.A. 

(Director and Screenwriter: Victor Gabriel, Producer: Duran Jones)

In Compton, California, two brothers stuck in arrested development have to figure out how to handle their annoying, fried-chicken-hating, bookworm nephew, as he attempts to hang himself with a garden hose. Cast: Bruce A. Lemon, Richard Nevels, Stephen Laroy Thomas, Mariah Pharms, Damon Rutledge, Maelina Gibson. World Premiere.


Precious Hair & Beauty / United Kingdom 

(Director and Screenwriter: John Ogunmuyiwa, Producers: Sophia Gibber, Tony Longe, Lene Bausager)

An ode to the mundanity and madness of the high street, told through the window of an African hair salon. Cast: Tomi Ogunjobi, Adjani Salmon, Kemi Lofinmakin, Michael Akinsulire. U.S. Premiere.


Shark / Australia 

(Director: Nash Edgerton, Screenwriters: Nash Edgerton, David Michôd, Producers: Michele Bennett, Lucia Nicolai, Marcello Paolillo)

The continuing adventures of Jack, who loves to prank. But in his latest relationship he may have finally met his match. Cast: Rose Byrne, Nash Edgerton.


Deerwoods Deathtrap / United States 

(Director: James P. Gannon, Producers: James P Gannon, Joseph K Gannon, Matt Ferrin, April Gannon, Chris Cipriano, James D Cochran)

Fifty years ago, Betty and Jack were hit by a train and survived. This is their story. Subjects: Elizabeth Gannon, John W Gannon. World Premiere.


Stranger Than Rotterdam with Sara Driver / United States 

(Directors: Lewie Kloster, Noah Kloster, Screenwriter: Sara Driver)

In 1982, the completion of Jim Jarmusch’s sophomore film, Stranger Than Paradise, hinged on producer Sara Driver’s willingness and ability to smuggle one of the world’s rarest and most controversial films across the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Premiere.


575 Castro St. / U.S.A 

(Director: Jenni Olson)

Set to the original audio cassette recorded by Harvey Milk in November 1977 to be played “in the event of my death by assassination.” Non-Fiction. 2009 Sundance Film Festival

The Subconscious Art of Graffiti Removal / U.S.A. 

(Director and Producer: Matt McCormick)

An experimental documentary that explores the artistic merits of graffiti clean-up programs. Non-Fiction. 2002 Sundance Film Festival

The 2022 Sundance Film Festival takes place from January 20th-30th online. Find out more and book tickets at festival.sundance.org