Sundance Film Festival

BY Christopher Dolan

Staff Reporter

The Sundance Film Festival gives new writers and directors a chance to show off their skills and get their film picked up by a distributer.

The festival took place from Jan. 24 to Feb. 3 in Park City, Utah.

Various films were shown onscreen for the audience to see. These movies included actors such as Zac Efron, Mindy Kaling and Shia LaBeouf.

Many of the films shown were directed by directors Alma Har’el, Joe Berlinger, Nisha Ganatra, Grant Sputore and Jacob Estes. Producers included Bobby Cohen, Ben Browning and Michael Costigan.

“I’ve heard of the festival, but I was never quite sure it was for mainstream movies,” said sophomore Matt Andriunas.

One of the films included this year was “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,” which stars Efron.

When comparing his role as Troy in “High School Musical,” to his new role as Ted Bundy, students felt that this role would be difficult to see him in.

“I think it will be tough for him, but he will do well. In terms of his previous work, it is a full 180 degrees for him,” said Andarianas.

“Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” is a chronicle of the crimes committed by Bundy according to his girlfriend Liz, who refused to believe the truth about him for years.

Shia LaBeouf’s “Honey Boy,” an autobiographical film, also played at the festival.

The film is based on LaBeouf’s childhood and his struggles with his father. The film stars Lucas Hedges who plays a younger version of LaBeouf, named as Otis Lort in the movie. Labeouf portrays his father, James Lort.

“It was emotionally difficult for LaBeouf because of his complicated relationship with his father. It defined his life more than anything else. He wrote the script in rehab and actually sent me an email, from there, with the script,” said director Alma Har’el.

Students thought it was interesting that LaBeouf played his own father in the film.

“I think playing his own father is a creative approach by the director and can create something very powerful,” said sophomore Devin Gavigan.

Another film shown at the festival was “Late Night,” which stars Mindy Kaling and is directed by Nisha Ganatra.

The film is about a talk show’s host world turning upside down when she hires her only female writer.

“It sounds like an interesting plot for a movie,” said Digiovanni

The ground breaking film shakes things up with the only female staff writer bringing diversity.

The Sundance Film Festival occurs every year, allowing a variety of movies to be showcased at the event.

“It is a very cool platform for films to be displayed and exposed to the public,” said Gavigan.

Associated Press Contributed to this Article