Sundance Recap: Reactions To The Six TFI Alumni At The Fest
As the Sundance Film Festival wraps up in the coming days, we here are TFI couldn't be any prouder of the six grantees that premiered in Park City, entertaining and informing audiences while also receiving acclaim from the top press outlets.
We'll see this weekend if any of them walk away with awards (fingers crossed!), but regardless, the films are now in the world, and hopefully will be coming to a theater or TV near you soon.
Here we've compiled a few pieces from the fest for each film.
American Promise Directors: Joe Brewster, Michèle Stephenson (Tribeca All Access® and Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund)
Yes, the two-hour-and-20-minute running time of American Promise was a concern for many who went to see the film, but once it came on screen they couldn't take their eyes off it. As Variety notes in its review, "[The film] succeeds in touching on a wealth of subjects without overreaching." also enjoyed it. "American Promise is substantive and emotionally epic, one of the most thoughtful and nourishing films I've seen for this year's Festival."
American Promise will air on PBS later this year.
Computer Chess Director and screenwriter: Andrew Bujalski (TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund)
Known for its out of the box programming, Sundance's NEXT section lived up to its reputation as it placed Andrew Bujalski's latest Computer Chess in the mix. A black and white experimental comedy set in the early '80s during a chess competition between computers, it's certainly not for everyone. However, a lot of folks at Sundance got it. Says Screen, "Computer Chess is the writer-director’s most avant-garde project, a defiantly non-commercial movie that nevertheless is fascinating to behold."
The L.A. Times delves into the making of the film, giving it similarities to the institution-skewering, ensemble comedies of Robert Altman
The film also won the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the fest in the middle of the week.
Computer Chess is currently seeking distribution.
Cutie And The Boxer Director: Zachary Heinzerling (TFI Documentary Fund)
A big crowd pleaser at the fest, the film was topped by the attendance of its two subjects, Ushio and Noriko Shinohara. In typical Sundance fashion, once word got out they were in town, they became instant celebrities. And things only got better when Ushio showed off his famous boxing painting in Park City.
The Hollywood Reporter notes, "Because Cutie and Boxer resists easy sentimentality, its view of life and love is all the more powerful."
Cutie at the Boxer is currently seeking distribution.
Gideon's Army Director: Dawn Porter (TAA)
Receiving a standing ovation at its premiere screening, Variety calls the film's representation of public defenders, "Like the film itself, Porter's handful of devoted, charismatic attorneys do a righteous job of reminding people that the accused are innocent until proven guilty, and that the criminal justice system seems otherwise disposed."
Porter was also highlighted inThe New York Times' latest "Op-Doc" web series.
Gideon's Army will air on HBO later this year.
God Loves Uganda Director: Roger Ross Williams (TAA & GTDF)
Describing the film as "strong, head-shaking stuff," this Variety review is similar to how the audience for the film's premiere screening collectively felt, as most stayed for the Q&A hoping to learn more about the film and its subjects.
Williams also received the "Op-Doc" treatment.
God Loves Uganda will air on PBS later this year.
When I Walk Director: Jason DaSilva (TAA)
Chronicling director Jason DaSilva's life after learning her has multiple sclerosis, The Hollywood Reporter states it best when writing in its review, "For an audience willing to go there... it’s a satisfying and worthwhile journey."
We learned more insight into DaSilva's life and the filmmaking in this profile
And, yes, DaSilva also did an "Op-Doc."
When I Walk
