Sundance 2020: The Ignored Angst Of “The Assistant”

In Director Kitty Green’s film, Julia Garner adeptly portrays the silent suffering of subordinates

By Simon Wakelin

Julia Garner appears in “The Assistant” by Director Kitty Green, an official selection of the Spotlight program at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute. Kitty Green’s “The Assistant” plays in the Spotlight category and presents us with the unenviable experience of working on the inside of a prestigious New... Read more

Sundance 2020: What’s the Big Deal?

Find out which film acquisitions got the most buzz at this year’s film festival

By Simon Wakelin

Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti appear in “Palm Springs,” a satirical film by Max Barbakow and an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Chris Willard. By all accounts, it’s been a slow Sundance Film Festival this year. According to some, even foot... Read more

Sundance 2020: Tom McCarthy And The Importance Of Film And Cinema

In this short video clip, see why the award-winner director of “Spotlight” finds “Repo Man” to be an inspiration.

By Simon Wakelin

Director Tom McCarthy being interviewed by Tabitha Jackson, documentary film program director at Sundance In this Sundance Film Festival panel, titled “The Movie That Blew My Mind,” we join hosts John Cooper (festival director) and Tabitha Jackson (documentary film program director) at this special event interviewing Director Tom McCarthy,... Read more

Sundance 2020: Director Of Photography Topher Osborn Talks About Creative Choices In “Bad Hair”

The film’s director of photography discussed why they shot on Super 16 and how they chose their lighting style

By Simon Wakelin

Simon Wakelin, who has been roaming the many screening rooms all week at Sundance, captured this informative video at the Zeiss Open House with Topher Osborn, who discussed many of the creative choices he, Director Justin Simien and others on the creative team made in creating “Bad Hair,” a satirical psychological thriller set in Los Angeles in... Read more

Sundance 2020: Did “Possessor” Director And Cinematographer Reinvent The Genre Of Horror?

Director Brandon Cronenberg and Cinematographer Karim Hussain discuss going beyond homage and using practical effects

By Simon Wakelin

Andrea Riseborough appears in “Possessor,” by Brandon Cronenberg, an official selection of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Karim Hussain. Brandon Cronenberg may be virtually unknown to mainstream moviegoers, but connoisseurs of the horror genre are in for... Read more

Sundance 2020: Exploring The Visual Language Of “The 40-Year-Old Version”

Video of Director Radha Blank and DP Eric Branco explaining their lighting, technical and creative choices

By Simon Wakelin

In “The 40-Year-Old Version,” Director Radha Blank writes, directs and delivers a powerful onscreen performance in her debut feature film. She discusses it this year at Sundance. This presentation also features DP Eric Branco. Both Blank and Branco discuss a number of production issues, including why the film was shot on black-and-white film, Here’s... Read more

Sundance 2020: “On The Record” Documents Rape & Abuse In The Record Industry

The powerful film focuses on Drew Dixon, a music executive from Def Jam Records and Arista, who was allegedly raped by music-mogul Russell Simmons

By Simon Wakelin

From the powerful and emotional Q&A with the filmmakers and the women featured in the documentary film, “On The Record,” including Drew Dixon (center with microphone). The #MeToo movement continues to light up Sundance with “On The Record,” a searing documentary that centers on Drew Dixon, a young music executive from Def Jam Records and... Read more

Sundance 2020: Video Of The Cast of “The Night House”

The new horror film that is perhaps the best since “Hereditary”

By Simon Wakelin

A still of Rebecca Hall, in “The Night House,” by David Bruckner, an official selection of the Midnight program at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Elisha Christian. “The Night House,” a superb horror flick by Director David Bruckner, delivers a nerve-racking experience, a spine-tingler that’s attracting... Read more

Sundance 2020: “Ironbark” Premieres At The Film Festival

This new spy thriller combines compelling performances, elegant cinematography and deft direction

By Simon Wakelin

Dominic Cooke, director of “Ironbark,” a selection of the Premieres program at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Dominic Cooke’s Cold War drama, “Ironbark,” which had its world premiere screening this weekend at Sundance, injects life into a seemingly routine spy thriller via a mix of compelling performances, elegant cinematography and... Read more

Sundance 2020: Video of Filmmakers Bill & Turner Ross At The Premiere Of “Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets”

After the screening of the new film, the directors discuss how and why they made the film

By Simon Wakelin

Here’s a quick synopsis for the film, “Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets,” from a press release for the film: “In the shadows of the bright lights of Las Vegas, it’s last call for a beloved dive bar known as the ‘Roaring 20s.’ That’s the premise, at least. The reality is as unreal as the world the regulars are escaping from. ‘Bloody... Read more