Found in 1978, the Sundance Film Festival has become a staple of the film industry. Typically kicking off in late January, Sundance is generally recognized as the start of the new film year and is the first of several major festivals that will take place throughout the year.
Sundance has helped launch the career of several notable filmmakers including Damien Chazelle, Ryan Coogler, Rian Johnson, Quentin Tarantino, and Richard Linklater among many others. With the 2020 Sundance Film Festival wrapping up this week, reviews will begin to tell the story of this year’s festival, detailing which movies are worthy of a watch. While the festival had 118 featured films this year, audiences will have a lot of options. Below are the 10 films fans should check out when they become available.
Downhill
An English language remake of 2014’s Golden Globe-nominated film Force Majeure, Downhill held its world premiere at the festival. The film follows married couple Billie (Julie Louis-Dreyfus) and Pete (Will Ferrell), who begin to question their marriage after being scared by an avalanche while on a family vacation in the Alps.
Already scheduled for wide release on February 14th, the critical accolades of the creative forces behind Downhill should have audiences excited. Academy Award winners Nat Faxon and Jim Rash direct the film from a script they co-wrote with Jesse Armstrong, the man behind HBO’s Succession. When paired with the comedic talents of Louis-Dreyfus and Ferrell, the film is primed to be one of the more successful premieres from the festival.
Ironbark
Benedict Cumberbatch’s career is littered with strong performances in critically acclaimed period dramas. At Sundance, Cumberbatch hopes to find another hit with Ironbark. Ironbark revolves around British businessman Greville Wynne who works with the CIA to infiltrate the Soviet nuclear program, playing a vital role in ending the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Reminiscent of Bridge of Spies, Ironbark has the potential to perform well come award season. The Academy typically rewards both period pieces and war dramas, positioning Ironbark well. Cumberbatch should provide another stellar performance alongside co-stars, and fellow critic darlings, Rachel Brosnahan and Jessie Buckley.
The Nowhere Inn
On Portlandia, Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen bring a quirky, outside the box sense of humor that perfectly fits within the city’s “Keep Portland Weird” culture. Brownstein brings that same unique voice to The Nowhere Inn, a rock mockumentary in the vein as Spinal Tap.
The film follows fictionalized versions of real-life best friends St. Vincent and Brownstein as St. Vincent finds success. St. Vincent, whose real name is Annie Clark, struggles to maintain a healthy balance between her real self and her stage persona, which inevitably drives a wedge in her relationship with Brownstein. Directed by Bill Benz from a script written by Brownstein and Clark, The Nowhere Inn promises to be a lot of fun, in its own, weird way.
Omniboat: A Fast Boast Fantasia
It is safe to say that Omniboat will be unlike any other movie showing at Sundance, which makes it so intriguing. Omniboat details the journey of a 47 foot Miami speedboat named Lay’n Pipe. The film seems to be taking an anthology approach, where various stories and characters will intersect through their interactions with the boat. With a whopping 14 directors, Omniboat should be full of unexpected twists.
The film has a surprisingly strong cast consisting of Adam Devine, Finn Wolfhard, Casey Wilson, Jessica Williams, and Robert Redford. Redford is a particularly interesting addition as he seemingly retired after The Old Man & the Gun. While little is know about their roles, the intrigue and mystery surrounding the film make this one a must-watch.
Zola
In 2015, a Detroit waitress, Aziah “Zola” Wells, posted a 148- tweet thread detailing her time in Florida with a stripper that quickly went viral, covering topics such as murder, suicide, and prostitution. The sensational story quickly garnered Hollywood’s attention and Zola’s story will make its way to the Sundance screens in 2020.
Janicza Bravo directs Zola from a script she penned with Jeremy O. Harris. The film stars relatively unknown Taylour Paige as titular Zola alongside Riley Keough as Stefani, Zola’s stripper friend, and Nicholas Braun as Derrek, Stefani’s boyfriend. The film is already generating positive buzz for its strong cast and crazy plot. Borrowing elements from Hustlers and Spring Breakers, Zola is a wild ride that will have audiences talking for days.
The Assistant
Oscar Wilde once wrote that “Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life”. The Assistant takes the stance that life should inform art by using the power of film to tell a story about the abuse of women. As a clear rebuke of Harvey Weinstein, The Assistant puts a critical spotlight on workplace harassment.
Starring Julia Garner of Ozarks fame, the film follows a young female working at a film production company. While her role seems normal at first, she quickly begins to unearth the abuse she and others face on an everyday basis while working at the company. The Assistant is an important film for the #MeToo era that should be seen by all.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs is already making waves at the festival by breaking the record for the biggest sale in the history of Sundance. There is a lot to be excited about for the film, and the deal with Neon and Hulu only adds fuel to the fire.
Palm Springs stars Andy Samberg as Nyles, a guest at a wedding who has a chance encountered with a maid of honor played by Cristin Milioti. Due to forces outside of their control, they get stuck at this wedding where they begin to question their very existence. With a strong cast, including Sundance favorite J.K. Simmons, audiences should quickly move to add Palm Springs to their watch list once the movie lands on Hulu.
The Nest
In 2011, Sean Durkin took Sundance by storm with his debut film Martha Marcy May Marlene. Nine years later, Durkin returns to the festival with his second film, The Nest. The film follows a couple, played by Carrie Coon and Jude Law, as they move from their American home to an English country manor. In the pursuit of money and a grander life, the family is put at odds with one another, creating a dark and twisted family drama.
Durkin takes a slow-burn approach to Martha Marcy May Marlene and it is no surprise The Nest takes a similar approach. While it may not be for all audiences, Durkin’s attention to detail and delicate storytelling should have fans excited.
Minari
Written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung, Minari tells the story of a Korean-American family that moves to rural Arkansas for their father to pursue life as a farmer. Inspired by Chung’s childhood in Arkansas, the film examines the Yi family as they struggle to assimilate to their new surroundings while trying to connect as a family on a deeper level.
Starring Steven Yeun as family patriarch Jacob, Minari has received positive reviews for his performance. Critics are celebrating the film as a moving examination of the American Dream. This one may not come to major markets, but this is a film worth seeking out if it is playing nearby.
Shirley
The most talked-about film leading up to Sundance was undoubtedly Josephine Decker’s Shirley. As the festival closes, Shirley has only exceeded expectations. Shirley follows a young couple, Fred and Rose, that move into the home of author Shirley Jackson and her husband Stanley in hopes of starting a new life but quickly find themselves in a twisted tale that inspires Jackson’s next book.
Shirley’s cast is being praised for their performances, including a star-worthy turn from Elizabeth Moss as Jackson, the always dependable Michael Stuhlberg as Stanely, and up incomers Logan Lerman and Odessa Young as Fred and Rose. Moss’s haunting portrayal of Jackson could garner her Oscar buzz come this time next year. Shirley is a must-watch coming out of Sundance.
