A different kind of romance at Sundance

There will be stars out in Park City for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, with premieres featuring Jim Carrey, Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Ewan McGregor, Billy Bob Thornton, James Gandolfini, Robin Williams, Kevin Spacey, Don Cheadle, Winona Ryder, Ashton Kutcher and Kristen Stewart.

Sundance organizers announced Wednesday the 54 films in the festival's noncompetition programs -- including 16 in the Premieres section that festival director Geoffrey Gilmore says "are as good as I remember in three or four years."

Some big-name Hollywood directors are represented: Greg Mottola ("Superbad") brings the coming-of-age comedy "Adventureland"; Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") takes to the mean streets in "Brooklyn's Finest"; and brothers

Michael and Mark Polish ("Twin Falls Idaho," "The Astronaut Farmer") return with the offbeat comedy "Manure."

Romance is a big theme at Sundance '09, but not in terms familiar to moviegoers.

"Classically, the young people in the story fall in love very deeply, very fast, and almost in a way very shallow. It's not complicated -- they just fall in love," programming director John Cooper said. "What we're finding from a lot of these young filmmakers is that they're as complicated as what used to be held for older characters in movies. They're saying, 'No, it's complicated. We don't know if we want to be in relationships. It's confusing.' "

Gilmore points out one title, "500 Days of Summer," in which a guy (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) flashes back to his relationship with a woman (Zooey Deschanel) to figure out why she broke up with him.

"We are not dealing with the old-fashioned idea of what Hollywood's idea of teenage love is," Gilmore said. "In that sense, I think it is more adult, and is more complicated than the kind of adolescent fantasy."

The festival also carries a strong environmental theme, with the closing-night film "Earth Days." Director Robert Stone's documentary traces the growth of the environmental movement from the 1960s to today.

The Salt Lake City Gala, set for Jan. 16 at the Rose Wagner Center for the Performing Arts, is a departure: A documentary in competition. The gala movie is "The September Issue," director R.J. Cutler's all-access look at Anna Wintour, the imperious editor of Vogue (and thinly veiled model for the character in "The Devil Wears Prada") as she prepares the all-important September issue -- considered "the fashion bible" for the year's trends.

"It's a terrific film, a film about process," Gilmore said. "It's about office politics, just about how all of our lives are -- the politics and the levels of success and levels of failure that we all have to deal with in our lives."

Overall,

Gilmore said he sees a festival with plenty of emotion.

"This festival feels like a festival where we're going to have a number of films in which people are really going to be emotionally impacted -- you know, really cry," Gilmore said. "These works have an emotional power to them that I don't even see coming out of studio films these days."

The 2009 Sundance Film Festival -- the 25th anniversary of Sundance's operation of the festival -- runs Jan. 15-25 in Park City, and in venues in Salt Lake City, Ogden and the Sundance resort.

 

Premieres

Adventureland » This comedy, by writer-director Greg Mottola ("Superbad"), follows a recent college grad (Jesse Eisenberg) who, in 1987, discovers

his dead-end amusement park job is perfect preparation for the real world. "Twilight's" Kristen Stewart co-stars.

Brooklyn's Finest » Three Brooklyn cops (Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Don Cheadle), each on different career paths, end up at the same deadly location. Wesley Snipes and Ellen Barkin co-star. Diercted by Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day"), written by Michael C. Martin.

Earth Days » Documentarian Robert Stone ("Guerilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst") looks at the history of the modern environmental movement, through nine Americans whose actions launched it. This is the festival's Closing Night film.

Endgame » (United Kingdom) A businessman starts covert talks between the African National Congress

and white intellectuals trying to peacefully end South Africa's apartheid regime. Directed by Pete Travis ("Vantage Point") and written by Paula Milne, the political thriller stars William Hurt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jonny Lee Miller and Mark Strong ("Body of Lies").

500 Days of Summer » A guy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is dumped by his girlfriend (Zooey Deschanel), so he shifts through periods of their 500 days "together" to figure out what went wrong. Directed by Marc Webb, written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber.

I Love You Philip Morris » A fact-based comedy about a con artist (Jim Carrey) whose exploits land him in the Texas justice system. Ewan McGregor plays the title character. Leslie Mann and Rodrigo Santoro co-star for the writing-directing team of Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (who co-wrote "Bad Santa").

The Informers » An adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' 1995 short-story collection, about wealthy and decadent Angelenos in the 1980s. Directed by Gregor Jordan ("Buffalo Soldiers"), written by Ellis and Nicholas Jarecki, the cast includes Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder and Mickey Rourke.

In the Loop » (United Kingdom) A comedy about the "special relationship" between the U.S. and Britain, in the lead-up to war. Directed by Armando Iannucci, written by Jesse Armstrong and Simon Blackwell, the movie stars Steve Coogan, Peter Capaldi, James Gandolfini and Tom Hollander.

Manure » The Polish brothers ("The Astronaut Farmer," "Twin Falls Idaho") return with this comedy about manure salesmen in the early 1960s. Téa Leoni, Billy Bob Thornton and Kyle MacLachlan star.

Mary and Max » (Australia) Animator Adam Elliot wrote and directed this clay-animated tale of an unlikely pen-pal friendship between an 8-year-old Australian girl and a 44-year-old New Yorker with Asperger's syndrome. Toni Collette, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Barry Humphries head the voice cast. This is the Opening Night film.

The Messenger » Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster play soldiers who cope with their assignment on the Army's Casualty Notification department. Directed by Oren Moverman (who wrote "Married Life"), written by Alessandro Camon and Moverman, the cast includes Samantha Morton, Jena Malone and Eamonn Walker.

Moon » (United Kingdom) Things go disastrously wrong for astronaut Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), returning from a three-year moon mission. Directed by Duncan Jones, written by Nathan Parker, and featuring the voice of Kevin Spacey.

Motherhood » Uma Thurman plays a New York supermom having a really tough day trying to plan her six-year-old's birthday party. The comedy, written and directed by Katherine Dieckmann, co-stars Minnie Driver and Anthony Edwards.

Rudo and Cursi (Rudo y Cursi) » (Mexico) Sibling rivalry in the world of professional soccer, in a movie that reteams "Y Tu Mama Tambien" co-stars Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal. Written and directed by Carlos Cuarón (brother of "Children of Men" director Alfonso Cuarón).

Shrink » After a personal tragedy, L.A.'s top celebrity shrink (Kevin Spacey) takes to marijuana and loses faith in his ability to help his patients. This drama, directed by Jonas Pate and written by Thomas Moffett, co-stars Robin Williams, Saffron Burrows and Keke Palmer.

Spread » Ashton Kutcher plays an L.A. bachelor who seduces older women. Anne Heche co-stars in this comedy, directed by David Mackenzie ("Young Adam") and written by Jason Dean Hall.

 

Spectrum

Against the Current » Joseph Fiennes plays a man, on the anniverary of his pregnant wife's death, enlists two friends to help him swim the length of teh Hudson River. Writer-director Peter Callahan's cast includes Justin Kirk, Elizabeth Reaser, Mary Tyler Moore and Michelle Trachtenberg.

The Anarchist's Wife (La Mujer del Anarquista) » (Germany/Spain) A woman (María Valverde) waits when her idealistic husband (Juan Diego Botto) is captured by Franco's forces during the Spanish Civil War. Directed by Marie Noelle and Peter Sehr, written by Noelle and Ray Loriga.

Barking Water » Irene comes to break a dying Frankie out of his hospital in this drama, written and directed by Sterlin Harjo.

Children of Invention » When their mom (Cindy Cheung) is arrested for her part in a pyramid scheme, her two young children have to fend for themselves. Written and directed by Tze Chun.

Everything Strange and New » Writer-director Frazer Bradshaw tells the story of a man (Jerry McDaniel) dealing with family, sex and drug addiction.

Helen » (Canada/Germany) Ashley Judd plays a psychiatrist dealing with her own clinical depression, in a drama by German writer-director Sandra Nettelbeck ("Mostly Martha")

The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle » A man (Marshall Allman) takes a job as a night janitor in a market-research film, where he finds he has become the subject of a strange experiment, in a comedy written and directed by David Russo.

Johnny Mad Dog » (France) A drama, directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire and written by Sauvaire and Jacques Fieschi, follows a 15-year-old child soldier fighting in Africa.

La Mission » A traditional Latino father (Benjamin Bratt) deals with his teen son's homosexuality. Written and directed by Benjamin's brother, Peter Bratt.

Lymelife/U.S.A. » "The dangers of the American Dream," seen by a 15-year-old (Rory Culkin). Alec Baldwin, Kieran Culkin, Timothy Hutton, Cynthia Nixon and Emma Roberts star for director Derick Martini, who co-wrote with his brother Steven (who collaborated on the indie "Smiling Fish & Goat on Fire").

The Missing Person » A private detective (Michael Shannon, from "World Trade Center" and "Bug") trails a man on a train, and learns his identity is one of thousands presumed dead in the 9/11 attacks. Written and directed by Noah Buschel.

Once More with Feeling »A psychiatrist (Chazz Palminteri) has a midlife crisis and pursues his dream of singing, via karaoke. Jeff Lipsky ("Flannel Pajamas" directs a script by Gina O'Brien, with a cast that includes Drea de Matteo and Linda Fiorentino.

The Only Good Indian » A Native American teen (Winter Fox Frank) is forced to attend a "training" school to assimilate into white society in Kansas in the early 1900s. Wes Studi ("Geronimo: An American Legend") co-stars in this drama, directed by Kevin Willmott ("C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America ") and written by Tom Carmody.

Pomegranates and Myrrh (Al Mor wa al Rumman) » (Palestinian Territories) A Palestinian prisoner's wife (Yasmine Elmasri) searches for freedom in this drama, written and directed by Najwa Najjar.

The Vicious Kind » A dysfunctional Thanksgiving, when an insomniac (Adam Scott) brings his brother (Alex Frost) and his new girlfriend (Brittany Snow) to the house of his estranged father (J.K. Simmons). Written and directed by Lee Toland Krieger.

World's Greatest Dad » Bobcat Goldthwait (last at Sundance with the bestiality comedy "Sleeping Dogs Lie") is back, writing and directing this comedy about a high-school poetry teacher (Robin Williams, a long way fro "Dead Poets Society") whose son dies in an embarrassing way -- and what happens when Dad tries to cover the family's shame. Daryl Sabara ("Spy Kids") and Tom Kenny (the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants) co-star.

 

Spectrum: Documentary Spotlight

It Might Get Loud » Director Davis Guggenheim ("An Inconvenient Truth") enlists three guitar heroes -- The Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White -- for a history of the electric guitar.

No Impact Man » The Beavan family tries to give up their high-consumption life for a year of no-net environmental impact. Directed by Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein.

Passing Strange » Spike Lee captures Stew's autobiographical Broadway musical, which traces Stew's exploits leaving his L.A. home to find himself and "The Real." Stew wrote the play's lyrics, and co-wrote the music with Heidi Rodewald.

Tyson » James Toback ("The Pick-Up Artist," "Two Girls and a Guy") directs this documentary look at ex-heavyweight champ Mike Tyson.

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy » Director Robert Townsend ("Hollywood Shuffle") interviews a host of black comedians -- Chris Rock, Bill Cosby, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Steve Harvey and Dick Gregory among them -- to chronicle black comedy and its social impact.

Wounded Knee » Sundance veteran Stanley Nelson directs this documentary about the aftermath of the 1973 takeover of the South Dakota town by American Indian groups drawing attention to the 1890 massacre there. Written by Marcia Smith.

The Yes Men Fix the World » (France/U.S.A.) The anti-corporate pranksters featured in 2003's "The Yes Men" are back, disguising themselves as captains of industry and exposing the planet's biggest criminals. The Yes Men themselves, Andy Bicklbaum and Mike Bonanno, direct.

 

Park City at Midnight

Black Dynamite » Michael Jai White plays a smooth ghetto hero in this homage to blaxploitation films. The cast includes Tommy Davidson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Byron Minns and James McManus, is directed by Scott Sanders and written by White, Sanders and Minns.

The Carter » Adam Bhala Lough directs thsi look at "the greatest rapper alive," Dwayne "Lil' Wayne" Carter Jr.

Død Snø (Dead Snow) » (Norway) A teen ski trip starts with beer and sex, but ends with a Nazi-zombie invasion. Directed by Tommy Wirkola, written by Wirkola and Stig Frode Henriksen.

Grace » A woman (Jordan Ladd) loses her unborn child, but decides to carry it to term -- and when the baby is born, it's alive and craving human blood. Written and directed by Paul Solet.

The Killing Room » Four people in a psych study discover they are now subjects in a brutal -- and classified -- government program. Directed by Jonathan Liebesman ("Darkness Falls"), written by Gus Krieger and Ann Peacock (whose credits include "Nights in Rodanthe" and "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl"), with a cast that includes Chloe Sevigny, Peter Stormare, Clea DuVall, Timothy Hutton, and Nick Cannon.

Mystery Team » Kid detectives aim to prove themselves by solving a double murder. Directed by Dan Eckman, written by Dominic Dierkes,?Donald Glover,?and DC Pierson (who also star).

Spring Breakdown » A long-gestating comedy, about three 30-something pals (including Rachel Dratch, Amy Poehler and Parker Posey) who join the college students at Spring Break. Directed by Ryan Shiraki, written by Shiraki and Dratch.

White Lightnin' » (United Kingdom) Edward Hogg plays Jesco White, the dancing outlaw, in this comedy directed by Dominic Murphy and written by Shane Smith and Eddy Moretti. Carrie Fisher also stars.

 

Frontier

Lunch Break/Exit » Two parts of Sharon Lockhart's film and photo series about the bleak state of U.S. labor. "Lunch Break," is a single tracking shot through a long corridor where workers take their lunch hour at the massive shipyard, Bath Iron Works in Maine. "Exit" shows the frame filled with workers headed home from work.

O'er the Land » Director Deborah Stratman's look at "gun culture, national identity, wilderness, consumption, patriotism and the possibility of personal transcendence."

Stay the Same Never Change » Amateur actors in Kansas City play a variety of roles -- a family man looking for beauty, or a woman obsessed with Oprah and polar bears -- in this "mix of visual fact and narrative fiction," written and directed by Laurel Nakadate.

Where is Where? » An experimental film by director Eija-Liisa Ahtila, which uses four channels to depict a violent incident during Algeria's struggle for independence.

Artist Spotlight: The Works of Maria Marshall » Marshall's video projections, featuring her two sons, "provoke the psychological dimensions of cinema" and tackle issues of motherhood and childhood.

You Won't Miss Me » A portrait -- directed by Ry Russo-Young -- of Shelly Brown, 23, an "alienated urban misfit" just out of a psychiatric hospital.