The Sundance Film Festival brought in its 40th year of celebrating independent film in Park City, UT. The 10-day festival was full of premieres, panels, and pioneering works from filmmakers.
The Sundance Institute, the nonprofit organization behind the festival, was founded in 1981 by Robert Redford. It has nurtured the careers of several well-known writers and directors such as Ryan Coogler, Quentin Tarantino, Boots Riley, Dee Rees, and Wes Anderson.
This year was marked with several premieres for Black directors centering their films on stories about family, ambition, redemption, and legacy. There were various categories in which projects could enter the festival such as Dramatic, Documentary, Shorts, and Episodic. At the end of every screening, festival-goers would be prompted to rate each project on their app which is then recorded for the Best of Fest winners in the second half of the festival.
Feature Films
Titus Kaphar made his directorial debut with “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” a film that captured the story of a Black visual artist whose successful career is interrupted when his estranged father re-enters his life. André Holland (“Selma,” “Moonlight”) led the film in his portrayal of Tarrell alongside Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”), John Earl Jelks (“Miracle at St. Anna”) and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard,””Origin”).
Kaphar shared in a statement to Sundance that the film was for “anybody who ever struggled with forgiveness.” The film depicted Holland’s character weighed down by the decision to engage with his father, played by Jelks, at a time when he was working on fostering a relationship with his own son. Afflicted by his traumatic childhood, Tarrell’s experiences haunt him in the form of panic attacks and emotional stunting, causing issues for him in his artistry.
As an accomplished artist, Kaphar trained Holland on how to paint months before production, giving him believability as an artist on screen. Kaphar shared his goal of bridging the mediums through this film by capturing the larger-than-life works on Tarrell’s canvasses all the while framing this story through a well-directed film.
Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years A Slave,” “Dr. Strange”) who has made a name for himself as an Academy Award-nominated actor, has been paving his path as a director in recent years. “Rob Peace,” marks his second project as a director and writer following “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” in 2019. In his latest film, Ejiofor grapples with a story about family, perseverance, and hope.
The film is an adaptation of the novel “The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace” by Jeff Hobbs which chronicles the life of Rob Peace, a young Black man from East Orange, NJ, who graduated from Yale University and whose life was cut short before reaching his potential.
Jay Will (“Tulsa King”), a relative newcomer in the industry, commanded the screen in his portrayal of Peace. He acted opposite Ejiofor who portrayed Peace’s father, a charismatic character who was arrested for the murder of two women when Peace was a child. The film takes us through their family’s battle with the criminal justice system and Peace’s journey as a young man who finds himself navigating between two different worlds. Ejiofor spoke to Will’s ability to portray the ease in which Peace was able to exist in these different realms without seemingly having to code-switch or alter his character to fit in.
The film didn’t lack in its star power as Mary J. Blidge portrayed Peace’s mother, Jackie Peace, serving as a constant voice of reason and support for her son whose potential she nurtured from early on. Camila Cabello also held a supporting role in her portrayal as Naya, Peace’s college girlfriend, who challenged Peace on his actions that put him at risk of losing his education.
The film left the audience at Sundance weeping at the end of the roughly two-hour film. There was a standing ovation for Peace’s mother who was in attendance at the film’s premiere in Park City.
Shorts
Sundance has a long history of showcasing short films, often serving as a platform for many well-known directors and actors to find their big break. This year was no different. Dozens of short films were programmed in several different showcases throughout the festival with films expanding several genres including animation, documentary, comedy, horror, and drama.
One shorts director whose presence generated buzz at the festival was first-time director, Malia Obama, credited as Malia Ann, who attended the festival with her short “The Heart.”
The 18-minute short film takes us through the life of a man following the death of his mother as he fulfills an odd request to place her heart in a glass jar that she requested in her will. The film explores the feelings of loneliness, regret, and forgiveness. Ann’s framing throughout the short places her characters in a way to juxtapose their distance before the mother’s passing. Once the man loses his mother, Ann reframes the focus on him to show his loneliness in the world as he works to grieve his loss.
Documentary
Documentary films are a huge draw at Sundance each year and this year there was much anticipation for the premiere of “Luther: Never Too Much,” the documentary that chronicled the life of R&B singer Luther Vandross. The film took viewers through Vandross’ childhood where he was influenced early on by the Supremes, Dionne Warwick, and Aretha Franklin.
Growing up in the shadow of the Apollo Theater in Harlem, Vandross was drawn toward a music career. He would go on to form the group Listen My Brother with his childhood friends from the neighborhood and showcase their skills on stage. The group would then go on to join the cast of Sesame Street, opening them up to a national audience.
Several of his childhood friends, backup singers, and industry professionals took part in interviews sharing their experience with the legendary songwriter and performer. They spoke to his ability to fulfill his vision and perfect his craft as an artist despite the barriers in his way.
The documentary also showcased the struggle Vandross had with his weight and the public scrutiny he experienced from the media. It shed light on his experience living with diabetes and the impact of his sudden stroke.
The film was directed by Dawn Porter, an accomplished documentary filmmaker, known for her “Gideon’s Army” and “John Lewis: Good Trouble” and was produced by several individuals including Jamie Foxx and John Platt, CEO of Sony Music Publishing.
Sundance’s audience was treated to a tribute concert for Vandross and a Q&A session with the filmmakers and participants.