Just like so many Januarys before, the quiet town of Park City, Utah, has come to life as the Sundance Film Festival descends upon it. Chaired by actor and director Robert Redford, Sundance has grown over the years into one of the largest independent film festivals in the nation.
“I never dreamed the festival would reach this degree. It’s not quite the same as when we first started,” said Redford. “What I would like most to do is just to see the films, but because of all the people coming now, it obligates me to do the meet and greet, when what I what I would love most is to be with the filmmakers and see their work. It’s become like a monster’s ball. I’m not displeased about it. But it gets more and more difficult. It’s wonderful on one hand, and it’s monstrous on the other hand.”
The festival will last for 11 days and will boast 119 feature films, dozens of short movies, panel discussions, art exhibits and musical performances. As always, it will be a big economic boost for the small town. After the movie debuts, potential buyers and friends of the film will congregate on Park City’s Main Street for a cocktail party underwritten by Belvedere Vodka. On Monday, the restaurant the Mulberry Project will cater a 40-person dinner for the cast and crew of “Very Good Girls,” which is making its debut the next day. The festival has truly become a premier destination for aspiring actors, directors and producers. Some of the productions that got their break at Sundance are “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Garden State” and “Super Size Me.”
