The competition slate for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival has something to get everybody buzzing, including a romantic-comedy star's real-life romance, an inside look at fashion editor Anna Wintour, and an adaptation of a book by the recently deceased David Foster Wallace.
The Sundance Institute announced Wednesday the 64 films for this year's four competition programs -- 16 each in U.S. and World Cinema dramatic and documentary categories. The remaining 54 non-competition titles will be announced Thursday afternoon.
Festival director Geoffrey Gilmore sees evidence in this year's slate of a global movie community coming together.
"We see an American filmmaker making a movie about an international subject… and we see an international filmmaker making a film about an American subject," Gilmore said. "And when you look at these two films next to each other, and it's like the American film is the international film, and the international filmmaker has made the American film."
Gilmore sees two other threads emerging from this year's slate: Romance and activism.
"They're different kinds of engagements," Gilmore said. "It's like a new generation looking at love stories -- and it's a whole series of different documentary work that rather than just documenting the situations or the crises, they're trying to find solutions to them."
In the romantic theme, there's "Paper Heart," a semi-documentary story based on actor Michael Cera ("Superbad," "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist") and his real-life girlfriend, comedian Charlene Yi, best recognized as Seth Rogen's stoner friend in "Knocked Up." Also, there's "Peter and Vandy," which follows a couple's arc out of sequence, and "Brief Interviews With Hideous Men," in which a woman (Julianne Nicholson) dissects her break-up by talking to other men about their bad behavior. ("Brief Interviews" was adapted from a novel by David Foster Wallace, an acclaimed writer who committed suicide in September, by writer-director John Krasinski, the actor who plays the mild-mannered Jim on NBC's "The Office.")
Among the U.S. documentaries, environmental themes are evident with three titles: "The Cove," about the plight of sea mammals; "Crude," about a massive oil-related environmental lawsuit in Ecuador; and "Dirt, The Movie," which reveals the history of this unappreciated resource.
The U.S. docs include stories as close as family. In "Boy Interrupted," director Dana Perry chronicles her son's mental illness and death. The civil-rights lawyer William Kunstler is profiled by his daughters in "William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe." In "The General (El General)," director Natalia Almada profiles her great-grandfather, the former Mexican president Plutarco Elias Calles. And in "Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech," veteran director Liz Garbus ("The Execution of Wanda Jean") employs her father, First Amendment lawyer Martin Garbus, as her narrator.
The 2009 Sundance Film Festival runs Jan. 15-25 in Park City, and in venues in Salt Lake City, Ogden and the Sundance resort. For ticket information, visit www.sundance.org.
Here is a rundown of the 64 films in competition:
U.S. Documentary
Art & Copy » An inside look at the influence of advertising, and its effect on modern culture. Directed by Doug Pray ("Surfwise," "Hype!"), written by Timothy J. Sexton.
Boy Interrupted » Director Dana Perry's intimate look at the life, mental illness and death of her son.
Chasing the Flame » A biography of Sergio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations' High Commissioner for Human Rights, and an examination of the UN's role in international relations. Directed by "Frontline" veteran Greg Barker.
The Cove » Director Louie Psihoyos and screenwriter Mark Monroe uncover the horrors of a cove near a Japanese village where dolphins are dying and whales are disappearing -- an environmental disaster revealed by activists who include Ric O'Barry, the man who used to train Flipper.
Crude » Director Joe Berlinger (who co-directed "Brother's Keeper" and "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster") tells of the "Amazon Chernobyl" case in the Ecuador rainforest, the world's largest oil-related environmental lawsuit.
Dirt the Movie » A humorous look at how humans are destroying the earth's last natural resource: Dirt. Directed by Bill Benenson and Gene Rosow.
The General (El General) » A profile of Plutarco Elías Calles, president and leader of Mexico in the '20s and '30s and founder of the ruling National Revolutionary Party, told by his great-granddaughter, director Natalia Almada.
Good Hair » Comic Chris Rock, aided by comic writer Jeff Stilson (making his directing debut), look at the culture of African-American hairstyles.
Over the Hills and Far Away » Director Michel Scott follows a family who takes their autistic son to a mysterious shaman in Mongolia.
The Reckoning: The Battle for the International Criminal Court » Director Pamela Yates chronicles the work of prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo, as he brings charges of crimes against humanity to warlords and genocidal dictators.
Reporter » A profile, by director Eric Daniel Metzgar, of New York Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize winner Nicholas Kristof as he travels through some of Africa's worst hot spots.
The September Issue » Director R.J. Cutler ("American High," "A Perfect Candidate") gets insider access to watch Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour prepare the magazine's September 2007 issue -- the "fashion bible" for the year's trends. (This movie will be the Salt Lake Gala presentation, Jan. 16 at the Rose Wagner Center for the Performing Arts.)
Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech » Director Liz Garbus ("The Execution of Wanda Jean") explores free speech in America. Garbus' father, First Amendment attorney Martin Garbus, narrates.
We Live in Public » A profile of web maverick Josh Harris and his radical "Truman Show"-like online experiment. Directed by Ondi Timoner, who won Sundance's top prize with "Dig!," her profile of the bands The Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre.
When You're Strange » A documentary on The Doors, compiled from footage shot between 1966 and 1971 by director Tom DiCillo (who directed such dramatic Sundance hits as "Living in Oblivion" and "Johnny Suede").
William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe » A biography of the civil rights attorney, "the most hated lawyer in America," whose clients included Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and the Chicago 10. Directed by Kunstler's daughters, Sarah and Emily.
U.S. Dramatic
Adam » A love story about a lonely man (Hugh Dancy) with Asperger's Syndrome who falls for his upstairs neighbor (Rose Byrne). Directed and written by Max Mayer, with a supporting cast that includes Peter Gallagher, Amy Irving and Frankie Faison.
Amreeka » In writer-director Cherien Dabis' drama, a divorced Palestinian woman (Nisreen Faour) and her teenage son (Melkar Muallem) move to rural Illinois just as the Iraq war begins.
Big Fan » Comedian Patton Oswalt plays a parking-garage attendant who's the world's biggest New York Giants fan -- until his favorite player (Michael Rapoport) beats him up. Written and directed by Robert Siegel (who also wrote "The Wrestler").
Brief Interviews with Hideous Men » Actor John Krasinski ("The Office") makes his writing-directing debut adapting David Foster Wallace's novel about an anthropology student (Julianne Nicholson) who deals with a break-up by interviewing men about their behavior. Krasinski, Timothy Hutton, Dominic Cooper, Christopher Meloni and Rashida Jones co-star.
Cold Souls » Paul Giamatti plays a famous actor in an existential crisis, who decides to sign up for a service to have his soul extracted. Directed and written by Sophie Barthes, whose short "Happiness" won an award at Sundance '07. Co-starring Dina Korzun, David Strathairn, Emily Watson and Lauren Ambrose.
Dare » Three prep-school students (Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Ashley Springer) discover that "no one is who she or he appears to be" in this drama, directed by Adam Salky and written by David Brind.
Don't Let Me Drown » Two Latino teens find solace in each other after the attacks of September 11. Directed by Cruz Angeles, who co-wrote with Maria Topete.
The Dream of the Romans » Writer-director John Hindman tells of a reclusive author (Jeff Daniels) who wrote a famous spiritual self-help book, and is now pursued by a single mom (Lauren Graham) and a recovering drug addict (Lou Taylor Pucci) who want his help. Kat Dennings and Olivia Thirlby also star.
The Greatest » As a couple (Pierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon) deals with the loss of their teen son, a young woman (Carey Mulligan) arrives to tell them she's carrying the teen's baby. Written and directed by Shana Feste.
Humpday » A farce about "straight male bonding gone a little too far," directed and written by Lynn Shelton, and starring familiar indie faces Mark Duplass ("Baghead") and Joshua Leonard ("The Blair Witch Project").
Paper Heart » Director Nicolas Jasenovec follows the real-life romance of comedian Charlene Yi and actor Michael Cera in this semi-documentary romance.
Peter and Vandy » Jason Ritter ("Joan of Arcadia") and Jess Weixler ("Teeth") play a Manhattan couple, whose romantic beginnings and current status are intertwined in writer-director Jay DiPietro's script.
Push » Writer-director Lee Daniels (who produced "Monster's Ball") adapts the best-seller by Sapphire about a Harlem girl (Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe) who becomes inspired by her teacher (Paula Patton). Comedian Mo'Nique and rocker Lenny Kravitz also star.
Sin Nombre » Writer-director Cary Fukunaga's thriller about a teen Mexican gang member trying to outrun his past, and his past associates.
Taking Chance » In this drama, based on real-life events, Lt. Col. Michael Strobl (Kevin Bacon) accompanies the body of a 19-year-old Marine back to his hometown in Wyoming. Directed by Ross Katz, who co-wrote with Michael Strobl.
Toe to Toe » At a competitive D.C. prep school, an inter-racial friendship is tested in writer-director Emily Abt's drama.
World Cinema Documentary
211:Anna » Italian filmmakers Paolo Serbandini & Giovanna Massimetti profile Russian journalist and human-rights activist Anna Politkovskaya, who risked her life to report on the Chechen conflict.
Afghan Star » In this Afghanistan/U.S. co-production, director Havana Marking follows four singers risking their lives to compete in the Afghanistan version of "American Idol."
Big River Man » American director John Maringouin chronicles the quest of an overweight Slovenian endurance swimmer who aims to swim the Amazon in a Speedo.
Burma VJ » A chronicle of the Saffron Revolution, the September 2007 uprising in Burma -- and how journalists there risked prison to send pocket-camera images to the rest of the world. Directed by Danish filmmaker Anders Oestergaard.
The End of the Line / UK » The overfishing of the world's oceans is explored by British filmmaker Rupert Murray, adapting a book by journalist Charles Clover.
The Glass House » Four teen girls try to overcome addiction, abandonment and abuse at a Tehran rehab center. A U.S.-made film, directed by Hamid Rahmanian.
Kimjongilia » North Korean defectors speak out for the first time, in this French/U.S. co-production directed by N.C. Heikin.
Let's Make Money » Director Erwin Wagenhofer follows the money as it flows globally, from Indian factories to Singapore markets to Spanish housing developments to offshore banks in Jersey. An Austrian/Chinese/South African/Spanish/Swiss/American co-production.
Nollywood Babylon» Canadian filmmakers Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal check out Nigeria's home-grown movie industry.
Old Partner » The final days of an octogenarian South Korean farmer, directed by Chung-ryoul Lee.
Prom Night in Mississippi » A Mississippi high school aims to hold its first integrated senior prom, prompting a firestorm in Canadian director Paul Saltzman's film.
The Queen and I (Drottningen och jag) » Swedish filmmaker Nahid Persson Sarvestani, an Iranian exile who helped overthrow the Shah's regime in 1979, comes face to face with the Shah's widow.
Quest for Honor » A U.S./Kurdistan prduction, in which director Mary Ann Bruni follows an activist ex-teacher as she investigates so-called "honor killings" in Kurdistan's tribal areas.
Rough Aunties » In this British film, director Kim Longinotto profiles the women who care for the abused and neglected children of Durban, South Africa.
Thriller in Manila » The 1975 heavyweight match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, one of the most bitter sporting rivalries ever, is chronicled by British director John Dower.
Tibet in Song » Director Ngawang Choephel, who served six years of an 18-year prison term for filming in Tibet, uses Tibetan music to tell the story of a people trying to preserve their heritage. A U.S. production.
World Cinema Dramatic
Before Tomorrow (Le Jour Avant Lendemain) » (Canada) An old woman and her grandson fight to survive in the Canadian arctic. Directed by Madeline Piujuq & Marie-Helene Cousineau.
Bronson » (United Kingdom) Tom Hardy ("RockNRolla") stars as Charles Bronson, Britain's most notorious prisoner. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, written by Brock Norman Brock.
Carmo, Hit the Road » (Spain) A handicapped smuggler and a gorgeous young woman take a wild ride through the South American landscape, in writer-director Murilo Pasta's adventure drama.
The Clone Returns (Kuron Wa Kokyo-Wo Mezasu) » (Japan) An astronaut, dead after a mission, is resurrected as a clone and sent back home, in Kanji Nakajima's drama.
Dada's Dance » (China) A flirtatious woman, fending off her mother's boyfriend, goes in search of her birth mother. Directed by Zhang Yuan, written by Li Xiaofeng.
An Education » (United Kingdom) Danish director Lone Scherfig ("Italian For Beginners") and novelist-turned-screenwriter Nick Hornby (High Fidelity, About a Boy, Fever Pitch) adapt Lynn Barber's coming-of-age tale set in the early 1960s, about a 16-year-old girl (Carey Mulligan) who meets a handsome older man (Peter Sarsgaard). Alfred Molina and Emma Thompson co-star.
Five Minutes of Heaven » (United Kingdom) Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt play two men from the same Irish town, but on different sides of that country's political divide. Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel ("Downfall"), written by Guy Hibbert.
A French Gigolo (Cliente) » (France) A 50-ish woman (Nathalie Baye) treats herself to sexual services of young men via the Internet -- but things get complicated when one escort (Eric Caravaca) becomes a habit. Written and directed by Josiane Balasko ("French Twist"), who co-stars.
Heart of Time (Corazon Del Tiempo) » (Mexico) A young woman in Chiapas falls for a revolutionary fighter during the Zapatista struggle. Written and directed by Alberto Cortes).
Louise-Michel » (France) When their factory is closed, some disgruntled female employees pool their severance pay to hire a hitman to knock off the corrupt executive behind it. Directed by Benoit Delepine and Gustave Kervern.
Lulu and Jim (Lulu und Jimi) » (Germany) Two lovers (Jennifer Decker, Ray Fearon) venture through the bigotry of 1950s Germany in this rock 'n' roll-filled road movie, directed by Oskar Roehler.
The Maid (La Nana) » (Chile) A maid (Catalina Saavedra) takes revenge when her boss brings on another servant to help with the housework. Written and directed by Sebastian Silva.
One Day in a Life (Un Altro Pianeta) » (Italy) A man (Antonio Merone), seeking peace on the beach, gets caught up in the dramas of his nearby sunbathers. Written and directed by Stefano Tummolini.
Unmade Beds » (United Kingdom) A romance involving two foreigners (Deborah Francois, Fernando Tielve) in London's East End underground scene. Written and directed by Alexis Dos Santos.
Victoria Day » (Canada) A coming-of-age story, about a 16-year-old in 1988 who experiences a busy week involving a missing teammate and the rock concert of the century. Written and directed by David Bezmozgis.
Zion and His Brother (Zion Ve-Achiv) » ( France / Israel) The relationship between two brothers in a working-class Tel Aviv family is shaken by a young boy's disappearance. Written and directed by Eran Merav.
