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SUNDANCE ANNOUNCES SHORTS FOR 2010
The Sundance Institute announced today the slate of shorts which will be screened at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
I’m Here, directed by Spike Jonze; The Fence, directed by Rory Kennedy; Logorama, directed by François Alaux, Hervé de Crécy, and Ludovic Houplain; and Seeds of the Fall, directed Patrik Eklund will premiere the first Thursday to kick off the start of the competition screenings.
The Sundance Film Festival will run January 21-31 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.
The full list of shorts are below.
U.S. DRAMATIC SHORTS
Charlie and the Rabbit (Directors: Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck and Robert Machoian)
— Charlie, a four year-old who loves Bugs Bunny, decides to hunt a rabbit
of his own.
Family Jewels (Director and screenwriter: Martin Stitt) — Carol, a mother
and a US soldier ready for deployment, finds that the most painful part of
leaving is spending the last night with her family.
Fiddlestixx (Directors and screenwriters: David Zellner and Nathan
Zellner) — Fiddlestixx is about a monkey. A very special monkey.
Gone to the Dogs (Director and screenwriter: Liz Tuccillo) — A dinner
party turns ugly when one of the guests brings her dog along.
Herbert White (Director and screenwriter: James Franco) — Based on the
poem by the same name, a man struggles with his inner demons while trying
to live a normal family life.
I’m Here (Director and screenwriter: Spike Jonze)
Laredo, Texas (Director and screenwriter: Topaz Adizes) — Sam trains Juan
for his first day at his new job, fixing pay phones in the border town of
Laredo, Texas. However, tensions boil as Sam suspects that Juan is an
undocumented worker.
Little Accidents (Director and screenwriter: Sara Colangelo) — A
desperate young factory worker recruits a mentally disabled ex-boyfriend to
steal a pregnancy test for her.
Mary Last Seen (Director and screenwriter: Sean Durkin) — A young woman
embarks on a road trip with her boyfriend to a place he promises to be
beautiful and peaceful. But after a series of strange events occur on their
journey, it becomes clear that their relationship is not what she thinks,
and their destination is not what was promised.
My Mom Smokes Weed (Director and screenwriter: Clay Liford) — After a
loyal son comes home to visit his aging mother, she assigns him some chores
— one of which involves a road trip to help satiate her desire for a
certain special herb.
NEW MEDIA (Director and screenwriter: J.J. Adler) — Living in the lap of
luxury through no achievement of his own, an out of touch, middle-aged
poseur tries to make good by getting in on the ‘viral video’ craze.
PATROL (Director and screenwriter: John Patton Ford) — A man pretends to
be a policeman to impress his six-year-old son.
RENEGADES (Director and screenwriter: Jim Hosking) — Oh, them renegades.
Rob and Valentyna in Scotland / USA, United Kingdom (Director: Eric Lynne;
Screenwriters: Eric Lynne and Rob Chester Smith) — An American abroad
travels with his long-lost Ukrainian cousin to the Highlands of Scotland.
Shimásání (Director and screenwriter: Blackhorse Lowe) — When Mary
Jane finds a World Geography book that shows her an entirely new world, she
must decide whether to maintain her traditional Navajo reservation
lifestyle with her grandmother, or go out into the larger world.
Successful Alcoholics (Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts; Screenwriter: T.J.
Miller) — Drake and Lindsay are successful alcoholics who may need to
redefine their definition of “success.”
The Visitors (Director and screenwriter: Samina Akbari) — A young woman
that makes up one part of a interracial relationship copes with the arrival
of her family while trapped in a rat-infested apartment.
TUB (Director and screenwriter: Bobby Miller) — It’s just your typical
story about a guy who can’t commit to his girlfriend…who then jerks off
in the shower…and accidentally impregnates his tub.
U.S. DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
Born Sweet (Director: Cynthia Wade) — Arsenic-laced water has poisoned a
15-year-old-boy from a small, rural village in Cambodia, who fashions
dreams for karaoke stardom.
Dock Ellis & The LSD No-No (Director: James Blagden) — In celebration of
the greatest athletic achievement by a man on a psychedelic journey, here’s
the animated tale of Dock Ellis’ legendary LSD no-hitter.
Drunk History: Douglass & Lincoln (Director: Jeremy Konner; Screenwriter:
Derek Waters) — On March 22nd, Jen Kirkman drank two bottles of wine and
then discussed a historical event. Cast: Don Cheadle and Will Ferrell
Drunk History: Tesla & Edison (Director: Jeremy Konner; Screenwriter:
Derek Waters) — On January 7th, Duncan Trussell drank a six-pack of
beer…then a half a bottle of absinthe…and then he discussed a
historical event. Cast: John C. Reilly and Crispin Glover.
The Fence (Director: Rory Kennedy; Screenwriter: Mark Bailey) — In
October 2006, the United States government decided to build a 700 mile
fence along its Mexican border. Three years and $3.1 billion later, the
film investigates the impact of the project, revealing how its stated
goals–containing illegal immigration, cracking down on drug trafficking,
and protecting America from terrorists–have given way to unforeseen
consequences.
LAST ADDRESS (Director: Ira Sachs) — A composition of exterior images
from the last residential addresses of a group of New York City artists who
died of AIDS.
Let’s Harvest the Organs of Death Row Inmates (Directors: Chris Weller and
Max Joseph; Screenwriter: Graeme Wood) — In 2008, 37 death row inmates
were executed. None of their organs were donated. Considering that there
are currently 2,775 people on the waiting list for a heart transplant, the
film makes the case for harvesting healthy organs from death row inmates.
Mr. Okra (Director and screenwriter: T.G. Herrington) — An intimate look
at one of New Orleans’ most colorful characters, the charismatic vegetable
salesman Mr. Okra, who provides a glimpse into the soul of an American
city.
Para Fuera (Director: Nicholas Jasenovec) — A intimate portrait of Dr.
Richard J. Bing on his 100th birthday.
The Poodle Trainer (Director: Vance Malone) — Irina Markova, a solitary
Russian poodle trainer, reveals her transcendent relationship with her
dogs, the childhood tragedy that sparked a lifetime of working with
animals, and the welcome isolation behind the red velvet curtains of the
circus.
The S From Hell (Director: Rodney Ascher) — A documentary-cum-horror film
about the scariest corporate symbol in history, the 1964 Screen Gems logo,
aka The S From Hell. Built around interviews with survivors still
traumatized from viewing the logo after shows like Bewitched or The
Monkees, the film brings their stories to life with animation, found
footage, and reenactments.
Thompson (Director: Jason Tippet) — Since second grade, Matt and Ryan
have shared the bond of speech impediments, weapons, and things that go
fast. But as their last days of high school speed by, the two friends find
that their go-carts, dirt bikes, and RC cars can’t outrun adulthood.
Quadrangle (Director: Amy Grappell) — An unconventional look at two
“conventional” couples that swapped partners and lived in a group marriage
in the early 1970s, hoping to pioneer an alternative to divorce and the way
people would live in the future.
U.S. ANIMATED SHORTS
MEATWAFFLE (Director and screenwriter: Leah Shore) — An old man recalls
his strange and bizarre memories.
N.A.S.A. A Volta (Director and screenwriter: Alexei Tylevich) — Another
day, another drug deal gone wrong in this NC-17 bit of ultra violence, set
in 8-bit isometric metropolis.
One Square Mile of Earth (Director: Jeff Drew; Screenwriters: Mark Chavez
and Shenoah Allen) — Bill the bunny is a struggling novelist, who has
never actually written anything, much to the chagrin of his perfectionist
life partner, Gary the frog. Thad the bear is a hopeless romantic who can’t
find the right words to express his feelings for the scandalous and
alluring Lucy the goat. And Leon the hippopotamus, one the coolest and
hippest guys in town, has struck up a unlikely friendship with a
down-on-his-luck high school sociology teacher, Pedro the mouse.
Wisdom Teeth (Director and screenwriter: Don Herzfeldt) — Nigel recently
had his wisdom teeth removed.
INTERNATIONAL DRAMATIC SHORTS
The Armoire / Canada (Director and screenwriter: Jamie Travis) —
11-year-old Aaron plays a game of hide-and-seek in which his friend Tony is
never found. The mystery of their relationship — and of their queer
attachment to the armoire in Aaron’s bedroom — can only be revealed, it
turns out, through hypnosis.
Birthday / Poland, Sweden (Director and screenwriter: Jenifer Malmqvist)
— Sara loves her wife Katarina. For her 40th birthday, Sara wants to
surprise her wife, not knowing Katarina also holds a surprise for this
memorable day.
Can We Talk? / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Jim Owen) —
Vince gets way more than he bargains for when he dumps his girlfriend.
Again.
Chicken Heads / Palestinian Territories, USA (Director and screenwriter:
Bassam Ali Jarbawi) — After his father’s prized sheep goes missing, Yousef
devises a strategy to keep the truth buried.
Echo / Poland (Director and screenwriter: Magnus von Horn) — After
murdering a young girl, two boys have to relive the brutal crime they
committed and confront the strange and shocking feelings that still
linger.
The Fight / Norway (Directors and screenwriters: Dag Åstein, Keio
Åstein) — Mads should have told the truth. He is terrible at fighting.
How I Met Your Father / Spain (Director and screenwriter: Álex Montoya)
— Every couple has their story, some more romantic than others.
Little Miss Eyeflap / Norway (Director and screenwriter: Iram Haq) — The
fantastical, magical story of a Norwegian-Pakistani girl who escapes the
forced marriage her family has planned for her.
My Invisible Friend / Spain (Director and screenwriter: Pablo Larcuen) —
With the arrival of Andy — his invisible friend — an extremely shy Tomas
starts to realize how much better his life would be if he was able to
communicate with the people around him.
My Rabbit Hoppy / Australia (Director and screenwriter: Anthony Lucas) —
Henry’s ‘Show and Tell’ school project about his pet rabbit goes horribly
wrong.
Plastic and Glass / France (Director and screenwriter: Tessa Joosse) — In
a recycling factory, the machines dance, the workers join in song, and the
truck drivers circle as if all part of a factory ballet.
Raw Love / Argentina (Directors: Martín Deus, Juan Chappa; Screenwriter:
Martín Deus) — The story of two friends at the end of high school, and a
secret love that is threatened by the closing of the school year.
Seeds of the Fall / Sweden (Director and screenwriter: Patrik Eklund) —
Middle-aged Rolf and Eva live in a passionless relationship full of sexual
frustration. But then something happens that will change their relationship
forever.
The Six Dollar Fifty Man / New Zealand (Directors and screenwriters: Mark
Albiston and Louis Sutherland) — Andy, a gutsy eight year-old boy, is
forced to break out of his make-believe superhero world to deal with
playground bullies.
Still Birds / Norway (Director and screenwriter: Sara Eliassen) —
Adystopic fable that takes place in an enclosed world in which meaning is
about to disappear.
Tungijuq / Canada (Directors: Paul Raphael and Félix Lajeunesse;
Screenwriters: Félix Lajeunesse, Paul Raphaël, Tanya Tagaq and Stéphane
Rituit) — A thought-provoking meditation on the seal-hunt and what it
means to the traditional way of life for the Inuit.
Young Love / Australia (Director and screenwriter: Ariel Kleiman) —
Clarity can often be found in the eyes of strangers.
INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
Bus / Israel (Director and screenwriter: Yasmine Novak) — An examination
of those that live their lives amidst the complex rules, walls, soldiers,
and permits that make up the Israel/Palestine bus system.
Glottal Opera / Australia (Director: John Fink; Screenwriters: John Fink
and Sally Stevens) — Mesmerizing, disturbing, hilarious, disgusting,
compelling, repelling.
Notes on the Other / Spain (Director: Sergio Oksman; Screenwriters: Carlos
Mugiro and Sergio Oksman) — Each summer, a crowd of Ernest Hemingway
doubles meet in Key West, Florida, to choose the authentic Hemingway after
Hemingway’s death. One day in 1924, the real Ernest Hemingway also wanted
to be someone else. This film is the story of this hypothesis.
Photograph of Jesus / United Kingdom (Director: Laurie Hill) — Real-life
archives become the stage where fact and fiction collide, belief runs amok
and unruly images have a life of their own.
Wagah / Germany (Directors: Supriyo Sen and Najaf Bilgrami) — A visual
illustration that documents a single evening where 20,000 people dance and
sing daily at the only checkpoint between India and Pakistan.
INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED SHORTS
The Art of Drowning / Canada (Director: Diego Maclea; Screenwriter: Billy
Collins) — A pondering of the possibilities that await us at the end of
the line.
The Little Dragon / Switzerland (Director and screenwriter: Bruno Collet)
— Thirty-five years after Bruce Lee’s death, his soul reincarnates in a
little doll. With self-confidence, the rubber-made toy leaves to discover
the great-scaled world all around him.
Logorama / France (Directors and screenwriters: François Alaux, Hervé de
Crécy and Ludovic Houplain) — Spectacular car chases, an intense hostage
crisis, and wild animals rampaging through the city, change a world
constructed by heavy corporate sponsorship.
Madagascar, a Journey Diary / France (Director and screenwriter: Bastien
Dubois) — A visual travel journal demonstrating the importance of dance,
death and traditional customs that are present and vibrant within the
Malagasy society.
Old fangs / Ireland (Director and screenwriter: Adrien Mergieau) — A
young Wolf decides to confront his father, whom he hasn’t seen since he was
a child.
Please Say Something / Germany (Director and screenwriter: David O’Reilly)
— A troubled relationship between a Cat and Mouse set in the distant
Future.
Rains / Canada, France (Director and screenwriter: David Coquard-Dassault)
— A meditation on everyday life and our relationship with nature.
Runaway / Canada (Director and sreenwriter: Cordell Barker) — Happy
passengers are having a great time on a crowded train, oblivious to the
unknown fate that awaits them around the bend.
Vive la Rose / Canada (Director: Bruce Alcock) — When illness takes the
woman he loves, a simple man raises his voice in melancholy song as a last
farewell.
NEW FRONTIER SHORTS
I Without End / USA (Director and screenwriter: Laleh Khorramian) — An
intimate look at carved out orange peels that serves as a metaphor to the
physicality of the material world, and the equal force of desire, emotion,
love and intimacy.
The Zo / USA (Director and screenwriter: Glenda Wharton) — Ahand-drawn
animated film about abuse and escape, where a child becomes trapped in a
nightmare house by a monster.
Voice on the Line / USA (Director and screenwriter: Kelly Sears) — The
era of nuclear anxiety, the red scare and covert CIA plots forever changed
how we engaged with the telephone.
Vostok Station / New Zealand (Director and screenwriter: Dylan Pharazyn)
— The sole survivor of a cataclysmic disaster experiences a bewildering
moment of fleeting beauty.
