The Latest
Film Composers Share Their Favorite Scores and Soundtracks of All Time
In contemplating your favorite films of all time, chances are that most of the relevant works exhibit an exceptional—or at least serviceable—film score. At the same time, many of us would be hard-pressed to allude to a favorite score without first mentioning our predilection for the film itself. If that’s you, think of this list as a handy resource for the film-score illiterate.
Sundance Institute Selects Six Mid-Career Directors for Theatre Directors Retreat in Arles, France
New York, NY — Sundance Institute and the LUMA Foundation today announced that the two organizations will again collaborate to host the second Sundance Institute | LUMA Foundation Theatre Directors Retreat in Arles, France, July 29 through August 11. The Retreat is one of 10 residential programs hosted by Sundance Institute this summer, collectively representing 15 weeks of support and mentorship for promising independent artists in theatre and film from the United States and around the world.
Under the supervision of Theatre Program Artistic Director Philip Himberg, Producing Director Christopher Hibma and Program Associate Anne Kauffman, the Retreat is the only theatre director-centered residency of its kind.
Director David Charles on The Gary Baseman Documentary Mythical Creatures
David Charles is a filmmaker, writer, and graphic novelist who has written and directed interactive and non-traditional storytelling experiences for bands, brands, and properties worldwide, including James Cameron’s Avatar. In 2011, Charles became the creative partner of renowned contemporary artist Gary Baseman. The pair are currently in development on their first live action feature film Mythical Creatures, which was supported at the 2013 Sundance Institute New Frontier Story Lab, and recently released a short animation commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
Listen Up Philip, The Guest and Conversations with Bret Easton Ellis, Nicolas Winding Refn
Alex Ross Perry’s brand of misanthropy is remarkably endearing. It also happens to permeate his intimate comedy Listen Up Philip, which screens Saturday, August 9, at the Theatre at Ace Hotel as part of Sundance NEXT FEST.
Perry’s peculiar charm was on full display when he introduced his film Listen Up Philip last January at the Sundance Film Festival.
A Persian Vampire Romance and Warpaint Convene at NEXT FEST
There’s not much one can hope to gather from the genre-spanning description for Ana Lily Amirpour’s A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. After all, what is a Persian vampire comedy romance – or one better, an Iranian vampire western? Now’s your chance to find out. The inscrutable work from Amirpour will be on display once again on Sunday, August 10, at Sundance NEXT FEST.
Particle Fever Follows 6 Scientists Solving the Universe’s Greatest Mysteries
Particle Fever participated in IFP’s 2008 Spotlight on Documentaries at Independent Film Week and is released in-part through IFP’s collaboration and partnership with the Sundance Institute #ArtistServices Initiative.
It’s hard to imagine a more imposing logline than the one depicting Particle Fever. While the film itself doesn’t endeavor to solve the mysteries of the universe, its subjects –a coterie of leading scientists – absolutely do.
NEXT FEST: Aubrey Plaza’s Deranged Antics in Life After Beth, Father John Misty Music Video
Between Jeff Baena’s serpentine zombie romance and Father John Misty’s unruly video for his breakout song “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings,” it seems Aubrey Plaza can act her way into any adaptation of a deranged young woman.
Both Baena’s dramatic comedy Life After Beth and Father John Misty, in all his paradoxical (part-nihilist, part-shamanistic) allure, will be on showcase at Sundance NEXT FEST for a two-part event. First, we’ll screen the Los Angeles premiere of Life After Beth, which walks the thin line between zombie thriller, madcap comedy, and poignant romance, and stars Plaza and Dane DeHaan in similarly revelatory performances.
Napoleon Dynamite’s Efren Ramirez Still Wants You to Vote For Pedro
Even the most prescient indie film enthusiast couldn’t forecast the spectacle. It was the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, and Efren Ramirez—who plays Pedro, the bashful Mexican transfer student running for school president in Napoleon Dynamite—recalls pinning posters up and down Main Street in Park City while dutifully passing out “Vote for Pedro” pins. It’s hardly an exceptional sight at the Festival, but certainly not one indicative of a film that would go on to gross some $45 million in domestic revenue.
Sundance Institute and Time Warner Foundation Select 9 Fellows for 2014 Artist Support Grants
Park City, UT — Sundance Institute and Time Warner Foundation announced today the nine artists selected for the 2014 Sundance Institute | Time Warner Foundation Fellowship Program, including two artists selected for the Sundance Institute | Time Warner Foundation Native Producing Fellowship.
Each Fellow was identified by one of the following core programs of the Institute: Documentary Film Program, Feature Film Program, Film Music Program, Native American & Indigenous Program and Theatre Program. Fellows attend an annual Lab and receive continued support from the Institute, including mentoring, strategic granting, attendance at the Sundance Film Festival and participation in screenplay readings, work-in-progress screenings and related programs and events.
NEXT FEST: The Zellner Bros. Help Unearth Mysteries of Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter will screen at the Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, August 9, as part of Sundance NEXT FEST. Following the screening, the Zellner Brothers will be joined by a special guest for a lively conversation and Q&A. Click here to purchase tickets.
Sundance Institute Selects Acting Company and Creative Advisors for 2014 Theatre Lab at Sundance Res
New York, NY — Sundance Institute today announced the acting company and creative advisors that are participating in its 2014 Theatre Lab, which is now taking place and runs through July 27 at the Sundance Resort in Utah. The Lab is the centerpiece of the Institute’s year-round work with the theatre community and is one of 10 residential Labs hosted by Sundance Institute this summer, collectively representing 15 weeks of residency support and mentorship for the most promising new independent theatre and film projects from the United States and around the world.
Under the supervision of Theatre Program Artistic Director Philip Himberg and Producing Director Christopher Hibma, the three-week Lab supports emerging and established playwrights and directors developing new work for the stage.
Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna on Ambulante, Their Rogue Documentary Tour
The goal is to “democratize documentary culture,” say Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, the artists behind Ambulante (whom you may recall from Y Tu Mama Tambien or Motorcycle Diaries), a traveling documentary film festival that embarks on a new journey for two weeks this fall. The idea is fairly simple, and one adapted from a tried and true formula that has engendered nine consecutive years of sucessful tours across Mexico presenting international documentary cinema to areas with limited access to film. For two weeks beginning September 21, Ambulante will occupy the greater Los Angeles region to create unique exhibition spaces and program free documentary cinema.
Carte Blanche: Sundance Institute Native Program Screening Series at MoMA
Since the early days of Sundance Institute, and true to the vision of Robert Redford, supporting Native Film has been an integral part of the work we do. The Native American and Indigenous Program at Sundance Institute boasts over 20 years of celebrating community and the exchange of ideas among Native American and Indigenous filmmakers and the global film community. To commemorate this milestone, Sundance Institute has partnered with multiple institutions which have a commitment to film and Native and Indigenous cinema.
Steve James on Premiering ‘Hoop Dreams’ at the Sundance Film Festival
“These works are like our children,” says Steve James, surely echoing the sentiment of any filmmaker who’s toiled over their art. “We put so much of ourselves into them, it’s unfathomable to contemplate that they might disappear and be forgotten.” Yet somehow, the prospect still remains that independent films with invaluable cultural or social significance become lost or damaged.
July Now Playing: A Raw Portrait of Ebert in Life Itself, Brit Marling Returns in I Origins
In January, Festival Director John Cooper called Life Itself “absolutely, positively the easiest film to program.” As declarations go, that one could draw allegations of hyperbole. That is, until you view Steve James’ raw, often difficult-to-watch but nonetheless faithfully directed portrait of legendary critic Roger Ebert, which continues its journey to theaters Friday, July 4.