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The Sundance Film Festival is back in London next weekend (June 1-4), with four days of the buzziest and best in new independent cinema. Sundance has been a discovery zone for genuinely original films and new talent for 40 years from its HQ in the snowy mountains of Utah – giving Wes Anderson, Ava DuVernay and Quentin Tarantino their big breaks.
The London mini-fest next weekend is a line-up of 14 feature films first shown at the mother fest in January, together with shorts and filmmaker talks, all at the gorgeous Picturehouse Central. Here are five gems with tickets still available.
1. ‘The Incredible Jessica James’
If you haven’t heard of Jessica Williams, that’s about to change. The force-of-nature actress-comedian (and ex-‘Daily Show’ reporter) owns this sweet, sharply written romcom.
Saturday June 3, 9.30pm
2. ‘Bitch’
A woman is pushed to the edge by her douchey husband in this low-budget feminist comedy-horror. Her response? She finally snaps and starts behaving like the dog he treats her as. ‘Bitch’ is written, directed and stars the Scottish filmmaker Marianna Palka.
Friday June 2, 3.30pm
3. Redford Recommends: ‘Man on Wire’
New this year is Redford Recommends – screenings of three films that made a splash at the festival over the years, handpicked by Sundance founder and acting legend Robert Redford. ‘Man on Wire’ is James Marsh’s Oscar-winning doc about the 1974 wire walk between the Twin Towers by Frenchman Philippe Petit – with no safety net or harnesses.
Friday June 2, 3pm
4. Panel discussion: Independent Film Trumps Reality
Where does filmmaking go from here, in the current political climate? This panel discussion by industry experts considers how movies come to terms with the seismic shift in American and global politics. Guests include John Cooper, the festival’s director, and Miguel Arteta, the filmmaker behind opening film ‘Beatriz at Dinner’.
Saturday June 3, 3.45pm
5. 'Walking Out'
We love this snowy endurance thriller about a father-son bonding trip that goes horribly wrong in the Montana wilderness.
Saturday June 3, 4pm
