Friends with Money - the successful Opening Night Film of the 2006 Sundance Film Festival
Greetings from snowy Sundance. I arrived on Wednesday after a 20-hour trip, 10 of which were spent next to a mum and her two under-fives. Suffice to say that sleep wasn't really on the menu and that I will never call my offspring Hannah or Troy. They could have been worse but if I never see/hear another episode of The Wiggles - imagine the unholy offspring of The Animal Kwackers and Rod, Jane and Freddy - it will be too soon. Mom had a DVD player... but no headphones.
I picked up the car and somehow was persuaded to "upgrade". Just as well he didn't offer me a time-share, as, after 20 hours of sleep deprivation, I'd have probably bought one as well. However, I am now in possession of a monster motor, so the snowfall - and there has been plenty - shouldn't be too much of a problem. Parking is proving interesting.
Hit Park City at around 11 this morning to try to re-orientate myself pre festival kick-off - just as well, I think. The initial press conference with Geoffrey Gilmore, Robert Redford and the director of the opening night film, Nicole Holofcener, started at two.
Geoffrey attempted to calm any frenzied press expectations we might have had. "It's hard to talk about a festival until you've seen all the films," he said. Thankfully, they went on to provide facts and figures. Over the next few days, they'll be screening 120 movies, chosen from 3148 submissions, including 46 documentaries.
After playing the stats tracks, he handed over to the "visionary for the Sundance Institute" - that's The Sundance Kid to you and me. Robert was looking suitably relaxed as he expounded the virtues of the Sundance Institute, which is currently celebrating its quarter century. He was at pains to point out that though it is the festival which attracts all the media hype, it is the Institute that fuels new talent and diversity.
"The festival is a showcase, but the heart of the Institute is development."
Of course, Sundance is just about as far from Cannes as you can get. If you wore high heels here you'd probably break your neck. The ski resort of Park City isn't the first place you would think of to hold a festival. Robert's keen on that, though.
"I think it should be a little weird and off-centre".
He also referred to "ambush marketers," who hit town at the same time as the festival, to ride on the wave of enthusiasm.
"The whole thing began to get perceived from that position. Our stance hasn't changed."
Geoffrey added: "We're not about parties, we're not about glamour, we try to give filmmakers a chance to speak.
Of the films set to come over the next few weeks his adage was: "We provide, you decide."
They took a few questions afterwards and when asked where he sees the festival heading over the next few years, he said, "At the moment I'm focussed on shorts. There was no venue for shorts, now there is. As the technology grows we're adapting to change."
Following the conference, it was time for a quick bite to eat before the screening of Nicole Holofcener's Friends With Money. Like last year's opener - Happy Endings - it was an ensemble comedy drama, though this has a lot more style. The considerable acting talents of Frances McDormand, Catherine Keener, Joan Cusack and Jennifer Aniston are on display, as a group of high school buddies, whose friendship has endured, despite the fact that their lives have taken different tacks. Keener, McDormand and Cusack are all married with money, while Aniston has been reduced to cleaning houses after quitting her job as a schoolteacher. All the women are facing the kind of small, personal upheavals that occur in society all the time. The end result is a funny and touching film that has plenty to say about life and relationships.
Following Friends With Money, I hit Main Street for a screening and party for The Fast And Future Generation, a documentary following rock band Good Charlotte on tour in Japan. The screening and schmoozing took place in Tao at Harry O's, a stylish joint with a modern oriental feel and bamboo theme. The beer was flowing freely, which was a shame for me as I was driving and had to stick with diet Coke. The film was introduced by band member Benji - he's the one with all the piercings - but it wasn't so great, unfortunately. While Good Charlotte is a decent band, they don't make the best interview subjects. Some of the more memorable moments are those which show Japanese fans, overcome at meeting their heroes and throwing themselves completely into the music at the gigs. Perhaps, someone should make a documentary about the nature of pop stardom and fame in Japan. I'm sure it would be a fascinating watch.
I made it home (B&B in nearby small town) by midnight - have to, at least, attempt to get some sleep before Lucky Number Slevin tomorrow...
Goodnight and stay warm.
More coverage of the Sundance Film Festival.
