As the 30th Annual Sundance Film Festival comes to a close, it’s time to take one last look back at the whirlwind of activity that occurred over the ten-day cinema extravaganza. We spotlight the Top Ten Films of the festival.
This year’s lineup featured over 200 films from around the world, including new films from Sundance veteran directors such as Richard Linklater, Steve James and Jim Jarmusch to emerging filmmakers such as Justin Simien, Charlie McDowell and Malik Vitthal. There were new projects from several high-profile A-list actors including Kristen Stewart, Michael Fassbender, Kristen Wiig, Amy Poehler, Keira Knightley, William H. Macy, Mark Ruffalo, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Anne Hathaway, and a host of others.
After almost two weeks and close to 35 films, we came to one definitive conclusion – there was a tremendous amount of quality programming and films to choose from making each screening a mini-event. After painstaking examination, here are our Top Ten Films of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival:
10. Difret
Writer/director Zeresenay Mehari’s award-winning story of the abduction of a 14-year old Ethopian girl, Hirut and her subsequent murder of her abductor is not just a wonderful film but one with an important and powerful message of female empowerment. A young, tenacious attorney, Meaza, fights to save her life and her defense led to this once common practice being overturned. Mehari’s film won Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic Audience Award.
9. Killers
This intense drama about a American Psycho-esque, Japanese serial killer who befriends and briefly mentors an inexperienced serial killer is a white-knuckle, edge-of-your-seat thriller that is reminiscent of the 2011 South Korean thriller, I Saw the Devil. Directed by the Mo Brothers and the from the same studio that produced the cult-action classic The Raid Redemption and sequel, The Raid 2, the film is a wonderful compliment to it’s bloody brethren.
8. The One I Love
A couple struggling with trust issues in their marriage are sent on a weekend getaway by their therapist that is much more than each of them bargained for in this Twilight Zone-esque drama. Mad Men star, Elisabeth Moss and Sundance vet, Mark Duplass are the broken couple that must make some very difficult choices on will they stay together . . . or will they stay with each other. A very provocative story that promises to invoke much discussion from couples and a damn good story to boot!
7. Imperial Dreams
This story of a recently released inmate trying to get his life back on track for both him and his son, while avoiding temptations from his demanding uncle to get back to his old life is a throwback urban hood drama with tons of compassion and heart. John Boyega, whose breakthrough role in Attack the Block brought him much-deserved acclaim, returns here and his interactions with his son are heart-breaking as he tries to protect him from sudden-death situations. Writer/director Malik Vitthal’s debut film won Sundance’s Best of the Next Audience Award for his impressive and well told story!
6. The Raid 2: Berandal
Indonesian action superstar, Iko Uwais reprises his role as undercover detective, Rama and continues to put the beatdown on an assortment of baddies in this highly-entertaining, high-octane action adventure. This time around, writer/director Gareth Evans amps up the story before delivering several signature action sequences that had Sundance audiences cheering and applauding after each impressive demonstration. It would be almost impossible to find another franchise that consistently packs as much fun, enjoyment and thrills into a single movie. The Raid 2 is a bone-crushing, crowd-pleasing, thrill-ride that leaves you breathless and exhilarated all at once!
5. Concerning Violence
Swedish filmmaker Göran Hugo Olsson has always had an interest in focusing on stories across the African diaspora. Earlier works included documentaries on Billy Paul (Am I Black Enough For You) and the Black militant-movement (The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975) were well-received efforts that established his eye for documentary storytelling and creative interweaving of archival footage. His latest film is based on famed French psychiatrist, philosopher and writer, Frantz Fanon’s iconic 1961 book, The Wretched of the Earth. Narrated by Grammy Award-winner, Lauryn Hill, her reading of Fanon’s text and Olsson’s storytelling are intoxicating and powerful brew that will leave you mesmerized while educating, simultaneously!
4. Boyhood
For over 20 years, filmmaker Richard Linklater has made it a common practice to bring his films to Sundance. His latest offering is perhaps one of his most ambitious yet, the coming-of-age story of a young man and his family filmed over 12 years. Linklater has already shown that he is adept at executing these types of stories in earlier films such as his Before Sunrise films but this story shot a couple weeks every year since 2001 is fascinating study of how a group of people evolve both as actors and people in front of our very eyes. The head magician and architect of this tale is Linklater, who more than any of his peers, has proven his undeniable skill not only telling complex stories but doing it ways that entertain and enlighten us as well!
3. The Skeleton Twins
Former SNL alums Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader team up to play a pair of dysfunctional siblings who reconnect after ten years only to discover that despite their differences and the direction of their lives, they are very much still connected in this funny and tender film. It is often said that comedians make the best dramatic actors and both of these long-time friends collectively take a major step up as performers to hit nearly all of the right notes in this winning dramedy, that won the Sundance Award for Best Screenplay for Craig Johnson and Mark Heyman’s brilliant script!
2. Whiplash
Fresh off an impressive turn in one of the year’s most slept on films, The Spectacular Now, Miles Teller returns to Sundance in this intense, crowd-pleasing musical triumph. Teller plays Andrew, a freshman musical prodigy and drummer who encounters his worst nightmare in the form of the strict, disciplined and manipulative professor, Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) who is determined to help Andrew reach is vast potential, come hell or high water. Teller, an amateur drummer, is fantastic in this film including a final act that will knock your socks off!
1. Life Itself
Steve James’ documentary, Life Itself is an emotional look at the life of beloved critic Roger Ebert. Based on his memoirs, the best documentary and film at the festival is both insightful, funny and revealing in ways that draw you even closer to the man and his genius. Whether it was the complex 25-year relationship with his movie partner, Gene Siskel or the love his life, Chaz, Life Itself forced this critic to break his own long-standing rule of shedding tears at the movies. Ebert was one of James’ biggest supporters and he returned that love by truly producing a documentary worthy of one of the true giants of film criticism!!!!