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Sundance Film Festival 2023: As reported by The Utah Statesman

The following entries are reviews and commentaries on movie screenings attended in-person at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. 

Shortcomings:

A comedically entertaining and thought-provoking film directed by Randall Park. Not only does Park constructively comment on the lack of Asian American representation in the film industry, the complexities of romantic relationships are also addressed. The main character, Ben, is distracted — at his own detriment — by the social idolization of young, blonde white women. Through the voices and actions of his girlfriend and additional women he is interested in, Ben is made to reflect on the ingrained sexism of his thoughts and beliefs. The film caused mixed emotions for me, which I suspect was Park’s goal. Ben is the protagonist, yet he is an extremely frustrating and unlikable character. Ben expects the world to jump when he says jump and feels wronged by everyone around him. The women in his life have immense patience, but they finally leave him to prove they cannot be used anymore. I appreciated the way these circumstances were presented, and I think the message was well told.  

Bad Press:

My favorite film and the winner of the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression. “Bad Press” is an incredible documentary about Mvskoke Media’s fight for free press in the Muscogee Nation. Directors Rebecca Landsberry-Baker and Joe Peeler documented an immensely inspiring true story of strength, perseverance, morality and achievement. Unfortunately, the fight for truth and transparency is all too familiar, but this documentary proves that goodness and justice win. Having the opportunity to interview Angel Ellis, the reporter heading the fight for Mvskoke Media, was an unforgettable experience.  

“You’re told so much as a journalist you have to be completely objective, you have to have no opinion. But you get one ‘get out of jail free’ card and that’s to advocate for free press, free speech, freedom of information,” Ellis said.

“Bad Press,” a story of a modern Native community fighting for transparency and access to information in order to hold their government accountable.

Bad Behaviour:

Dramatic and comedically perplexing, Jennifer Connelly perfects her role as the protagonist of “Bad Behaviour.” Director and actor Alice Englert constantly surprises the viewer with well-placed plot twists and developments. The story presents complexities of a mother-daughter relationship in a dark yet widely familiar way. My favorite theme of the film comments on the social judgment of women experiencing anger. The emotional spectrum of anger is portrayed in a hilariously relatable way that, as a woman, was highly enjoyable. 

The Accidental Getaway Driver: 

Visually, this film was exceptional. Focusing on the character’s eyes, the story was told equally through emotion and dialogue. Watching this film was a full body experience, utilizing all senses. The storyline carries you through the experiences of toxic masculinity, people of color, Asian Americans, immigrants, children of immigrants and finding a home. Director Sing J. Lee was the well-deserved winner of the Directing Award for the U.S. Dramatic competition.  

“It has connected with so many people that it goes beyond culture, beyond ethnicity. I think it’s because the search for belonging and reconciliation of the memories of mistakes. The idea that some people feel like they don’t deserve love, that is a universal feeling. I don’t mean that in accessibility, I mean that because we all feel the same. Just because we don’t all look the same, we all feel the same things, no matter where we come from. It shouldn’t be a surprise that we are all more connected than we think,” Lee said.

“Accidental Getaway Driver” director Sing J. Lee is an award-winning writer and has worked in the music video and commerical world with artists inlcuding Pharrell, Donald Glover, Alicia Keys, Migos and Halsey.