Sundance!
The Sundance Film Festival will transition to a hybrid format in 2022 after its first year as a virtual-only event in 2021, so this year at least, you may be able to get there in style. Based solely on synopses and talent, the judges have already identified a few noteworthy films that have also caught the attention of festival-goers. The judges will be on the ground (or floating through cyberspace) throughout the festival’s run from January 20th to the 30th, pumping out reviews throughout the festival. Here are some films to look out for!
Framing Agnes
When she and others were murdered, a spate of trans celebrities imitated aspects of her and others’ cases in the act of reclaiming their own identities as trans people. This is director Chase Joynt’s imaginative look at the world’s first trans woman to be examined as a sociological issue. With this documentary short, Joynt hopes to expand on his and Kristen Schilt’s previous documentary short, by delving further into these specific studies and connecting the decade-long arcs in trans history that have existed since the 1960s. In No Ordinary Man, Joynt addressed a similar topic: the significance of a trans narrative in the present day versus its own time, as well as the complexities of our ever-evolving understanding and appreciation of people for who they are and how they fit into their cultural contexts. This sets Framing Agnes up as another fascinating, academic, and daring piece of queer literature.
Call Jane
When it comes to films about pregnancy and/or abortion, Call Jane stands out among the likes of The Janes and a few other titles (such as Aftershock, Happening, and Klondike) in a line-up that is acutely aware of current and possible setbacks in the area of reproductive rights. Call Me Jane was directed by Phyllis Nagy, who previously directed The Janes and The Janes II. This is the first feature picture produced by the Carol author and long-time writer, and in doing so, she is giving Elizabeth Banks a prominent part that she has wanted for years. The Jane Collective, an underground abortion group, is shown in this film, which takes place in 1968 Chicago and follows the journey of a woman who comes across it in her search for an abortion. This year’s Call Jane, which stars Sigourney Weaver, Chris Messina, and Kate Mara, as well as Wunmi Mosaku and Cory Michael Smith, has everything going for it: a topical subject, an incredible cast, and a director who is well-suited for the role. If this one doesn’t quite live up to its potential, two other well-known documentary filmmakers, Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes, are also working on projects that explore the same subject from their viewpoints.
Something in the Dirt
As for being a confirmed believer, I can confidently say that I am supportive of filmmaking pair Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson, who have collaborated on several films. The duo of indie all-stars will make their Sundance debut with Something in the Dirt, having previously crafted some of the finest genre films of the past few years (really, go and watch The Endless right now). The authors, directors, editors, and actors give us a good representation of the struggles of the time: money, sadness, and the supernatural are all present in this story about “leaving Hollywood, the social media drain and unhealthy expectations. “A new chapter in their cinematic canon will almost certainly be written soon, one that combines imaginative effects and the precise execution of a heady subject with the harsh and complex relationships that arise among a group of damaged men. This is a great moment to get on the Moorhead and Benson bandwagon if you haven’t already.
Dos Estaciones
By following the steps involved in producing handmade tequila, Dos Estaciones hopes to zoom in on its personalities and community. Despite the difficulties, this community is full of pride, hardened against the outside world yet still reliant on its company. As the protagonist of writer/director Juan Pablo González’s film, Teresa Sánchez commands the audience’s attention as the film’s powerful focal presence in a Mexican drama that seeks to tackle economic realities with an uncompromising vision. Twitter will hate this one!
With this Line-Up
The fact that the organisers and participants of this hybrid festival are feeling more confident than ever is no surprise to anyone. Even if the worst-case scenario occurs, they have shown that they can organise a fantastic celebration from the comfort of their own homes. This assurance has been transferred to the company’s filmmakers as well: the number of films in the Sundance program has grown from 72 in 2021 to 82 in 2022.
