Kristin Ciliberto guides us through a dazzling array of films discovered at Sundance 2024, from the uproarious comedy of Thelma to the poignant drama of A Real Pain.
Earlier this year, the 2024 Sundance Film Festival dazzled audiences with its stellar lineup. From January 19 to 29, 2023, Park City, Utah, was aglow with the vibrant celebration of cinema. Amidst the myriad of captivating offerings, standout discoveries like A New Kind of Wilderness, In the Land of Brothers, and Every Little Thing emerged as noteworthy highlights. Additionally, the festival showcased a plethora of other gems and remarkable directorial debuts from emerging and diverse artists.
In this article, our writer Kristin Ciliberto delves into her discoveries at the festival, from the uproarious omedy of Thelma to the poignant drama of A Real Pain.
Thelma (Dir. Josh Margolin, USA, 97 min, 2024)
Director, writer, and editor Josh Margolin makes quite the impressive first time film debut that is based on the experience of his grandmother and gets help from June Squibb to bring his vision to life. Squibb is an absolute star as the leading character, Thelma as she shines with comedic charisma. The action-comedy follows Thelma who is tricked by a scammer pretending to be her grandson as she sets out to get back the $10,000 that was taken from her. This is a film that delivers laughs and a ton of heart. It is inspired by films like Jason Bourne and Mission Impossible, but takes the norms and flips them to make the film exciting and has unexpected turns. The film has heart looking at family, aging, and anxiety that all features a spectular esemble, but no one steps on Squibb’s toes to make her the shining star of the film. However, in his final performance Richard Roundtree and Squibb share great chemistry together. What is even more impressive is that Squibb performs her own stunts in the film. Do not miss out on this crowd-pleaser.
Ponyboi (Dir. Esteban Arango, USA, 103 min, 2024)
Director Esteban Arango along with star and writer of the film River Gallo bring an intense story of queer cinema that is incredibly entertaining from beginning to end. Based on the 2019 short film of the same name, it is set and filmed in New Jersey and tells the story of a Latinx intersex sex worker, Ponyboi (Gallo) who is on the run from the mob after a drug deal goes wrong. Arango’s film never has a dull moment that loses its steam that is richly layered and complex. Gallo is charming and gives a fierce performance along with co-star Dylan O’Brien who also gives one of the best performances of his career. Ed Wu beautifully shot the film that is neon soaked and has a little dream like feel to it. Do not miss out on this fun and one of a kind crime thriller.
A Real Pain (Dir. Jesse Eisenberg, USA, 90 min, 2024)
Kieran Culkin is an absolute scene stealer in Jesse Eisenberg’s poignant sophomore film. Director, writer, and star Eisenberg brings a relatable human story to life that is comedic and sad. Eisenberg’s film tells an odd-couple story of cousins who embarked on a trip to Poland for a week on a Holocaust tour to honor their grandmother. For a film that explores intergenerational trauma, it brings laughs and lots of emotion. Eisenberg and Culkin are a dynamic duo in the film and both are able to balance each other. This is a vast improvement from Eisenberg’s previous work, When You Finish Saving The World.
Handling the Undead (Dir. Thea Hvistendah, Norway, 99 min, 2024)
Thea Hvistendah’s is not your typical zombie film. This Norwegian horror film is a slow burn that tells the story of loss and grief and is based on the 2005 novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist. The presentation of the film is slightly creepy, yet bleak as for the majority of the film nothing really eye-catching happens. Hvistendah’s film stands out with make-up and sound design, but overall lacks to entertain.
Little Death (Dir. Jack Begert USA, 110 min, 2024)
Jack Begert’s edgy film is a Hollywood satire that is an anticipated watch given the cast that stars the likes of David Schwimmer, Gaby Hoffman, Dominic Fike, Talia Ryder, and Jena Malone. Begert’s film tries to tell two stories at once and it’s a shame as one story is stronger than the other. There are no characters to root for as every single one is likeable as the surrealist piece crams so much style, wild narrative, and delivers zero laughs as it feels disorganized.
Love Me (Dirs Sam Zuchero & Andy Zuchero, USA, 92 min, 2024)
Wall-E walked so Love Me starring Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun could run! Andrew and Sam Zuchero’s robot, post-apocalyptic world romance took the married directing duo five years to create. The hard works pays off as this project feels very creative that explores love and connection. The story sounds a little weird and quirky about a buoy and a satellite falling in love as the film weighs it’s shoulders of the performances and they ultimately deliver. Stewart and Yeun’s character searches to find the meaning of life as the film has a unique and quirky charm. Definitely an ambitious debut from the Zuchero’s.
Good One (Dir. India Donaldson, USA, 90 min, 2024)
For fans of director Kelly Reichart this is a film to seek out. India Donaldson’s tender coming-of-age story is a film made to premiere at Sundance as the film follows Sam (Lily Collias) who goes on a camping trip in the Catskill mountains with her father (James Le Gros) and his long time friend (Danny McCarthy). Audiences are sure to feel like a fly on the wall observing this trip as Sam and her father reconnect. The film looks at two men who are having an existential crisis and are immature however, the best part of the film is the incredible mature breakout performance from Collias as her performance speaks volumes through the way of her reactions and boby language. Donaldson’s story of womanhood works wonders with a camera captured by Sidney Flanigan, but left wanting more to take away.
Exhibiting Forgiveness (Dir. Titus Kaphar, USA, 117 min, 2024)
Titus Kaphar tells a personal story of an emotional father and son drama that explores the challenges of forgiveness. This is a complex family story layered with emotion and strong dialogue as an artist (André Holland) who suffers from childhood trauma and his father (James Earl Jelks) as he re-enters the picture looking to heal his trauma and seek for forgiveness. Kaphar’s film is the typical family drama, but the film features a talented ensemble cast and allows audiences to feel empathy and grief from it’s character especially from Holland. Jelks is also extraordinary who has great dramatic scenes with Holland. Kaphar is a profound contemporary painter as he can now add director to his resume.
The Sundance Film Festival has officially revealed its dates for 2024: January 18th to January 28th. In the meantime, we have an array of incredible festivals ahead, including Cannes, Locarno, Venice, and more!
