Sundance 2010 - Day Two

We didn't see a movie until 3 p.m. today so we walked around Main Street strolling through shops and lunching at Flannagan's Irish Pub.

These were the movies we saw:

The Dry Land

This is a look at how PTSD affects soldiers returning from war. It was authentic in its depiction of PTSD and I appreciated the fact that no political statements were being made. Lack of background music throughout much of the film made it tense and realistic.

James has just returned home to Texas from Iraq and says he is fine but tends to have outbursts of uncontrollable anger and rage. Unable to articulate to his wife or friends what is wrong, he goes in search of the only two soldiers who survived – along with James – when a bomb hit their vehicle. James has no memory of what happened and convinces one of the soldiers to remind him, causing even more despair.

This movie touches on how difficult it is for soldiers to return home and fall back into the life they left behind.

It’s a Wonderful Afterlife

British director, Gurinder Chadha, tells a humorous and sometimes gruesome tale of an Indian woman living in the Little India section of London who is desperately trying to marry off her daughter. Intertwined with a murder mystery, this story shows that it is possible to be loved for who you truly are, not just how you look. It was quirky, funny, and highly enjoyable.

Holy Rollers

This is a story of Sam Gold, a 20 year-old Hasidic Jew trying to find his place in the world. He desires to be a Rabbi and marry and have a large family, but instead he gets involved with his best friend’s older brother smuggling ecstasy from Amsterdam to New York. This causes him to question his faith as well as what he is truly destined to be in life.

I found this film interesting in seeing Sam struggle to hold onto his faith and yet want to feel he has something separate from his family. It was slow at times though and sad to watch Sam’s life spiral out of control.

Sundance 2010 - Day One

Everyone is wrapped in scarves and coats. Each person carries a bright orange booklet that says Sundance Film Festival. It’s snowy, it’s cold, and it’s absolutely perfect.

We saw our first film today in the Eccles theater which seats about 1,200 people. It looks like the old theaters that have a big balcony and a stage. The Director of Sundance introduces the film, the lights go down, and the story begins.

We saw a film called “Nowhere Boy” about John Lennon in his teenage years. Raised by his Aunt and Uncle, he is unaware that his mother lives only a few blocks away. When he discovers her nearby, he develops a relationship with her, bringing answers to light about his upbringing.

Whether you like John Lennon or not, this is an interesting film to see. Whenever I hear about John Lennon, I picture the cover of his “Imagine” CD – a man with a long, narrow face, long hair and round rimmed glasses. This film shows an entirely different side of Lennon. It shows a rebellious teen, struggling to find himself amidst a confusing childhood, and looking to music for comfort and a place in the world. It is a story of love, forgiveness, and family.