Here's why Sundance lives up
to the hype
By Brittany Strickland
February 25, 2008 | Sundance, Oh! Darling. Your sweetness
is my weakness.
It's easy to hear the words "Sundance Film Festival"
and rightly, imagine movies being shown where ushers
strive to be good hosts. You can think of seats made
of puffy cushions and reclining backs. The comfort of
the warm indoors. This is not the Sundance I know. What
I know is versatility. It's pleasing, it's romantic,
and it's even controversial. I know the brutal beating
of wind against my cheeks as I stand outside breakfast
shops, too early to be open. I know the thin chill as
my pants, wet with rain up to the shin, grab my legs,
clinging to my ankles, and make each step sting.
Every year when Park City hosts Sundance, I expect
to be pleasantly surprised while simultaneously shivering
through my smile, and I have never yet been disappointed.
Others I've met share my enthusiasm.
In an office with an avocado-colored wall and a pine
desk, which resembled the subtle shade of tumbleweeds,
Northern Utah ski instructor, Gena Edwards, shared her
thoughts on her experiences at the festival. Seated,
legs crossed and hands on lap, Edwards spoke about the
authenticity of Park City and its related venues. It
is obvious there are common Hollywood hot spots such
as New York or Los Angeles, glittering and glistening
with fortune. I was curious to hear Edwards' feelings
on the popularity Utah gets during the festival.
"Park City is an extremely manageable hot spot, and
it's far more intimate and definitely more beautiful
than other places," Edwards said. "It fits the personality
of the Hollywood scene and the ideas that Hollywood
embraces, such as the environment. The fame that Utah
receives once a year is a treat for the locals and the
real celebrities are here to promote their independent
films while also getting to enjoy the outdoors and the
fresh mountain air."
Not only are there cinematic experiences but the city
also has scenic beauty. Various sports such as skiing
and snowboarding, horseback riding and hiking, enhance
the excitement. And of course, at this time of year,
the film festival prompts multiple celebrities and artistic
minds to converge and create unique and authentic films
and music.
This year, Sundance took 121 feature-length films
out of 3,625 that were submitted.
Is that enough to get a real sense of variety during
the festival?
Edwards thinks it is. "I don't mind that there is
competitiveness in the film selection. This year, the
focus has been on comedies, albeit comedies with a dark
edge. It's the sense of contradiction that appeals to
a wide range of people."
Unable to meet in person, I discussed the movie selection
over the phone with Sundance employee Lisa McDonald
who disagreed with Edwards, saying, "There are some
lifestyles and points of view very much catered to in
the showings. It's a very slanted view towards the ultra-left."
The festival attracts various opinions, including
those of Taylor Christensen, a student at the University
of Utah. Every year, Christensen likes to venture to
Park City for the atmosphere of Sundance. I met with
him there, inside of one of the local art galleries
on Main Street. Next to him sat the owner's dog, Kato,
watching the passers-by near the window with curious
intent.
During our conversation, Christensen said, "There
are always nice things to do in the day or night when
you visit Sundance. It’s very nice. I imagine it’s something
like the enchanting parts of a big city. There's so
much to do and so much fun to be had during the festival."
Christensen left saying, "If you live in any part
of Utah and you've never been to Sundance, go."
After leaving the gallery, I struggled up Main Street
through sticky salt on slippery slush. As I stood at
the top of the hill, I looked down at the bustling feet
walking on the sides of their toes to avoid unexpected
trenches of snow. Park City resembles a postcard of
a winter wonderland. It is the demise of January and
the lights are still hovering above our heads, snow
is still sleeping on the ground, and people are wrapped
up to their noses with scarves and wool-brimmed hats.
Visitors make the best effort at surviving on a clothing
line to keep themselves warm.
Everyone decides how they are going to cope with the
weather and then they venture out into the crowd. There
was one popular place to seek refuge from the flutter
of snow that was horizontally pecking my hands and nose.
This place was known as the Java Cow. The "Java" is
a quaint coffee shop, with the ambiance of dimmed lights
and dark paneling along the counter. It is a real fancy
feel. Then, as if painted on one canvas by two painters,
there's the "Cow." Black and white blotches are heaved
onto the walls. Even the pipes along the ceiling are
dripping with pink udders.
The shop is confusing to the eyes but equally as gracious
because there is a large window that allows customers
to watch shops open and people try to park Sport Utility
Vehicles in spaces fit for a Mini Coop. Edwards put
it best when she said, "The atmosphere of local cafes
is simply incomparable. There is so much activity without
the congestion of clutter."
As I walked past a damp poster featuring the movie
Be Kind, Rewind, it was clear that an eclectic
group of people come together for Sundance's presentations.
Some of these people represent organizations. One example:
PETA. PETA was directly in my sight, screaming at people
who were waltzing around in furry coats or boats. I
saw two women, one sporting a 1920's beaver-skinned
coat and the other a raccoon, both with furry skin dragging
behind their heels. These women were being warned by
fellow fur-wearers that PETA was "just around the corner"
and to "walk on the other side of the street to avoid
being humiliated."
Many people thought PETA's presence was unprofessional
and intrusive. Others were proud to have a voice protecting
the environment and those who live in it. McDonald later
wrote to me, concerning the topic, saying, "I was glad
PETA was there raising awareness. So many film makers
are finally putting out their positive views."
However, Edwards thought that no matter your opinion,
organizations such as those should "back off for one
second and let people enjoy the day without criticism.
An outside walk is nothing more than an outside walk,
and need not be ruined by others."
Aside from the fury that can come from opposing views,
there are some aspects of the festival that can never
be overlooked. One of these aspects: the buildings.
During Sundance, every house seems to radiate with warmth.
All sorts of architecture are scattered along the hillside,
seeming propped up against each other. Snowflakes tip
the beams that line the roofs and walls. They drip off
of gutters. They solidify on the ground. They cause
slips and slides but maintain their appeal, and even
though that appeal may feel hazardous, the trip is worthwhile
if for nothing else but to see the composure of fallen
ice.
It's the natural occurrences at Sundance that attract
visitors -- occurrences like canyon winds and dagger-like
icicles. No matter how bitter your toes can feel in
stiff shoes and thin socks at the end of the day, what
sticks with you is the overall experience.
One question I asked of each of my guests was concerning
their overall experience in the city. McDonald thought
about her response and then said, "Sundance is a great
place and I look forward to learning a lot about the
culture of Park City each year."
Christensen said, "The festival is one of the finest
things Utah has to offer."
Edwards finished the interview, saying, "I go every
year and I recommend that friends plan their ski vacations
around the festival. The resorts are all empty and free
of crowds so it's easy to enjoy the life that the festival
offers. Every view you catch is stunning and it's easy
to see what the excitement of Sundance is all about."
Roll the credits.
MS
MS |