Sundance Film Fest Comes to o2: 26-29 April 2012
One of the most noted festivals in any film buff's calendar is Sundance Film festival. Usually held in the decidedly chillier climbs of Utah (although we're certainly giving them a run for their money with this month's weather) the festival now finds itself transported across shores and docked at the O2 for the first time ever! The inaugural Sundance London film and music festival takes place from 26-29 April at the O2 Greenwich and we can't be more excited!!
“I welcome the opportunity to see how people in the UK experience these films,” said Robert Redford, President and Founder of Sundance Institute. “While they are American productions they speak to universal experiences and global challenges.”
He went on to add, “Sundance London also is the perfect opportunity to continue our long-time commitment to growing a broader international community around new voices and new perspectives.”
The Sundance Film Festival is a program of Sundance Institute, a global nonprofit organization founded by Academy Award-winning actor Robert Redford in 1981. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to inform, inspire, and unite diverse populations around the globe. Sundance London looks set to do just that with a stellar line up of screenings, workshops, music and an opening night event hosted by Robert Redford himself.
Here's a few hot picks of the flicks on offer over the four day festival;
2 Days in New York (Director: Julie Delpy, Screenwriters: Julie Delpy, Alexia Landeau) — Marion has broken up with Jack and now lives in New York with their child. A visit from her family, the different cultural background of her new boyfriend, an ex-boyfriend who her sister is now dating, and her upcoming photo exhibition make for an explosive mix. Cast: Julie Delpy, Chris Rock, Albert Delpy, Alexia Landeau, Alex Nahon.
Filly Brown (Directors: Youssef Delara, Michael D. Olmos, Screenwriter: Youssef Delara) — A Hip Hop-driven drama about a Mexican girl who rises to fame and consciousness as she copes with the incarceration of her mother through music. Cast: Lou Diamond Phillips, Gina Rodriguez, Jenni Rivera, Edward James Olmos.
Safety Not Guaranteed (Director: Colin Trevorrow, Screenwriter: Derek Connolly) — A trio of magazine employees investigate a classified ad seeking a partner for time travel. One employee develops feelings for the paranoid but compelling loner and seeks to discover what he’s really up to. Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni. Winner of the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
LUV (Director: Sheldon Candis, Screenwriters: Sheldon Candis, Justin Wilson) — An orphaned 11-year-old boy is forced to face the unpleasant truth about his beloved uncle during one harrowing day in the streets of Baltimore. Cast: Common, Michael Rainey Jr., Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton.
It all kicks off with 'An Evening with Robert Redford and T Bone Burnett, moderated by Nick Hornby. Guillemots and Glen Hansard' at 8.00pm on Thursday 26th April plus there's insightful panels like 'Thinking Independently - UK v US' and THE special event, a screening of 'Harmony' a documentary about the three decades of work by HRH The Prince of Wales to combat climate change and the global environmental crisis, which will be followed by an extended Q&A. It'll also be another chance to catch sight of the incomparable Robert Redford as he hosts the evening.
For complete programme and ticket information make sure you head to www.sundance-london.com.
