The Sundance Film Festival kicks off this week. It is the largest independent film festival in the United States. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the festival will be exclusively online this year, which means I will be covering it from the comfort of my basement for the second year in a row.
While festivals like the Toronto International Film Festival seem to have a bigger impact on the Academy Awards, my favourite film of 2021, CODA, had its debut at Sundance last year.
And while Park City (the main festival hub just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah) may be quieter than usual for this time of year, there are a lot of projects being presented at Sundance that are poised to make noise in the film industry.
Let’s look at some of my most anticipated titles for Sundance 2022.
Babysitter
A middle-aged sexist man gets suspended from work for an inappropriate act against a female colleague. He then teams up with his sensitive brother to try and make amends by writing a confessional book.
For the last few years at Sundance, there has been a breakout movie around the #Metoo movement—The Assistant (2019) Promising Young Woman (2020)—could this be the 2022 installment? Not sure; stay tuned!
Dual
Breaking Bad alum alert! Aaron Paul and Karen Gillian star in a film that seems similar to Swan Song with Mahershala Ali. Sarah (Gillian) has an incurable disease, and she takes part in a procedure called ‘Replacement’ which is a cloning procedure.
Will this be different from Swan Song? Not sure. But Aaron Paul is in it, so I’m excited.
Emily the Criminal
It wouldn’t be an independent film festival without Aubrey Plaza (I mean, she’s hosted the Independent Spirit Awards multiple times). Emily (Plaza) plays someone with student debt and limited job opportunities due to a minor criminal record. As a result, she is lured to less legal tactics.
I think Plaza is a very entertaining actress, and I am excited to see this as I feel many people face this dilemma.
Fresh
I’m going to have to nap before this movie. With a 1:55 a.m. EST start time, this better be good! Noa (Daisy Edgar Jones) has been unlucky with dating apps but meets Steve (Sebastian Stan), and things seem to be on the up…or are they?
Considering the film is screening in the “Midnight” program, I am not expecting a cookie-cutter movie. I don’t know if this movie will increase Tinder's membership, but I think it will be very entertaining.
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
Last year we had Licorice Pizza; this year, Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul. And the comparison is unique titles. Licorice Pizza was one of the most entertaining films of 2021, will Honk for Jesus be that in 2022? We will see. Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown are the First lady and Pastor of a Church. The church served tens of thousands but was forced to close due to a scandal. Now they are trying to rebuild. Can they?
Hall and Brown (who both serve as producers for this film) are doing very well in their careers. I am excited to see how this collaboration plays out.
Piggy
Sara is bullied by kids because of her excess weight. As a result, she hides out in her parents’ butcher shop to avoid verbal attacks. One day her tormentors are kidnapped, and while she witnesses it, she decides to keep quiet.
Another movie in the Midnight program, this one sounds so interesting to me.
TikTok, Boom
This is a documentary about TikTok, one of the most popular social media platforms. The film analyses its popularity and examines the security aspects as well.
Wait, should I do a TikTok of myself watching this movie?
We Need to Talk About Bill Cosby
It was only a matter of time before a project exploring Bill Cosby came out. Once known as ‘America’s Dad,’ this four-part series explores the fall of Cosby and what it says about him and the culture that produced and celebrated him.
Directed by W. Kamau Bell, I am expecting a very powerful series.
The Worst Person in the World
I missed this film at Cannes and TIFF, but I won't miss it at Sundance. Renate Reinsve has been racking up accolades for her performance in his movie. She plays Sara; a woman caught between her feelings for two men.
I’m excited to see what all the fuss is about!
Once again, Ottawa Life Magazine is excited to bring you coverage of the first major film festival of 2022.
All photos: Sundance Film Festival