We’re Again in Park Metropolis – The Sundance Movie Competition Returns to Utah
by Alex Billington
January 20, 2023
It is so fantastic to settle right into a screening and listen to the excitement within the air earlier than a movie begins. To take heed to the applause and laughter and gasps throughout a premiere screening. After two years of on-line screenings due to the pandemic, the 2023 Sundance Movie Competition has returned with an in-person occasion in Park Metropolis, Utah this January. That is my seventeenth 12 months protecting Sundance, beginning approach again in 2007, and I am completely satisfied to be again. Sure, as all the time, there’s some generic frustrations with the competition (the native bus strains have modified, there’s tons of standstill visitors already, the screening queues are a multitude) however total, it is thrilling to see Sundance roaring again to life and bringing everybody collectively once more to observe motion pictures. It is cliche to say, however the glory of movie festivals actually is the expertise of everybody touring from throughout to sit down collectively and watch movies collectively, as one large viewers, taking part within the magic of watching motion pictures. That pleasure within the air, the conversations with folks in line or folks sitting subsequent to you, is what that is all about. Onward to the movies.
It is all the time an honor to attend Sundance, particularly for therefore a few years. I’ve watched it develop and alter and evolve. I’ve watched the theater venues change and reconfigure and replace. Outdated venues are gone, new ones have popped up. There was a time when most movies had been screened as 35mm prints, now every thing is digital. This 12 months all of the tickets are digital, too. No extra paper printed tickets, so I am unable to do my annual picture on the finish of the fest. Every part is linked to my badge, they usually simply scan a QR code to allow us to in. Lots has modified over time – competition administrators, programmers, publicists, and extra. Most significantly, Sundance remains to be right here. It is nonetheless in Park Metropolis, it is nonetheless displaying movies within the basic Egyptian theater. It nonetheless has that “that is the place indie movies come to be found” vibe. For 2023, Sundance has talked about that the line-up this 12 months is extra about newcomers, and first-time filmmakers, and up-and-coming expertise than it’s large premieres with celebs that everybody is aware of already. And that is fantastic with me, that is what the competition must be doing.
As for the movies, properly – you by no means know! There’s all the time that query of “what do you suggest, what is sweet this 12 months?” Earlier than the fest kicks off, I truthfully do not know! That is additionally the most effective half about Sundance – you by no means know what will probably be good, or dangerous, or what’s price seeing, or not. All of my picks on me schedule are for movies that simply sound attention-grabbing to me, whether or not it is the plot description supplied by the fest or as a result of the forged or filmmaker seize my consideration. I revealed my annual High 10 most Anticipated checklist, however I am excited to observe 30 or extra movies. A part of the standard competition expertise is discovery. Some movie that was not on my radar in any respect earlier than the fest could all of the sudden be my prime precedence if different folks begin raving about it (normally on Twitter is the place all the excitement begins). There’s different movies that I’ve heard is perhaps superb, and I ought to get a ticket whereas I can – they’re already bought out. Two examples: Journal Desires with Jonathan Majors, and Celine Track’s movie Previous Lives. I am booked for each, and I am unable to wait to move into these screenings quickly.
I have been again to main festivals together with Cannes and Venice all through 2021 and 2022, however that is the primary time Sundance has taken place as an in-person occasion in Park Metropolis since 2020. It is chilly and snowy, with gigantic piles of plowed snow taller than anybody lining all of the streets and parking tons. The worth to lease a condominium is larger than ever. It is tougher than ever to get tickets to something. However I am right here, I am again. I could not miss this triumphant return of the little indie competition that might. I am right here for the movies, and for the folks, and for all my associates, and to breath that recent mountain air inbetween working to screenings day-after-day for 10 days. It was good to benefit from the competition from residence for the final two years, however nothing beats being right here with these filmmakers, with these audiences, watching all these new movies debut on the massive display screen. And oh sure, I missed my favourite Mexican place – El Chubasco, the champion of tacos & burritos. I miss all of it 12 months lengthy, and it retains me fueled & completely satisfied day after day. I am glad to stumble upon outdated associates, and make new ones as properly.
Comply with my updates and evaluations from Sundance 2023 on my Letterboxd profile, or for extra updates on my Twitter @firstshowing. I put up ideas & pictures & extra, together with evaluations right here on the positioning all through the following 10 days. And I am hoping I will probably be watching loads of unbelievable, unforgettable movies right here in snowy Utah.
