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Sundance Channel Blog

Michelle Byrnes-Carney

Sad Putin vs Sad Obama

Article: Sad Putin vs Sad Obama

Posted March 06th, 2012, 3:03 PM by

I know we’ve got our own ridiculous election to follow, but did you know that Vladimir Putin is, once again, running Russia (although we are pretty sure he never really stopped). Apparently, securing only 63 percent of Sunday’s vote put a damper on his victory celebration because he had a bit of a cry. Thank goodness the Internet is here to cheer him up! The folks over at Buzzfeed alerted us to the Crying Putin meme. But, guess what? America still owns the web and President Obama isn’t about to let sad Putin steal his thunder. So…who do you think wins the sad-off?

Release the BEASTS (OF THE SOUTHERN WILD)

Article: Release the BEASTS (OF THE SOUTHERN WILD)

Posted February 23rd, 2012, 10:02 AM by

Sundance Film Festival favorite, and Grand Jury Prize winner, BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD has a release date and we couldn’t be more excited. Now all of the folks we’ve been raving about the film to will be able to see it and figure out what we’ve been talking about. Because when I tell people I saw this amazing, post-apocalyptic fairytale about a brave young girl, melting polar ice, prehistoric warthogs and Hurricane Katrina, they generally look at me as though I’m crazy.

Now playing on Sundance Channel: Robert Redford and sexy French fare

Article: Now playing on Sundance Channel: Robert Redford and sexy French fare

Posted February 23rd, 2012, 9:02 AM by

Sure, it’s the Oscars this weekend. And, sure, you’re probably scrambling to make sure you’ve seen everything nominated for Best Picture before Billy Crystal takes the stage (wait, what year is it?), but make sure to leave some time for a few films we think are watch-worthy. This week we’ve got a visit from our boss, Mr. Robert Redford, and a few sexy, French tidbits to keep you entertained. So grab some maïs soufflé and program that DVR.

Now playing on Sundance Channel: The spectrum of teenage behavior

Article: Now playing on Sundance Channel: The spectrum of teenage behavior

Posted February 16th, 2012, 1:02 PM by

This week we’ve got aspiring pop stars and one of the world’s biggest rock icons. We’ve also got a kinky take on an American artist and an in-your-face story that involves skateboards, making out and shirtless teenage boys. So, whether you like the SoCal sunshine or deep dive docs, you’ll find something to watch on Sundance Channel.

Werner Herzog says amazing things — Now with chickens!

Article: Werner Herzog says amazing things — Now with chickens!

Posted February 09th, 2012, 2:02 PM by

German director (amongst other things) Werner Herzog can almost always be relied on to say or do things that are just as entertaining as his films (CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS, GRIZZLY MAN). His most recent foray into delighting people on the internet comes in the form of this rant against chickens (via HuffPo):

Now playing on Sundance Channel: Get ready for Valentine's Day with some Yakuza murders

Article: Now playing on Sundance Channel: Get ready for Valentine's Day with some Yakuza murders

Posted February 09th, 2012, 9:02 AM by

It’s hard to believe we’re less than a week away from everybody’s least favorite Hallmark holiday, Valentine’s Day. If the mere thought of heart shaped boxes of chocolates and overpriced roses makes you want to gouge someone’s eyes out, then let the movies take you away! You are far less likely to end up with jail time. And if violence isn’t your thing, we’ve also got some indie stalwarts, and even a bit of rom com lined up to get you through the next week.

Follow the Sundance Film Festival Awards LIVE!

Article: Follow the Sundance Film Festival Awards LIVE!

Posted January 28th, 2012, 1:01 PM by

Still bummed you couldn’t make it out to Park City? Well, Sundance Channel will be at the awards ceremony tonight and we promise to bring you up-to-the-minute reports on the winners, the losers and who is passing out from “altitude sickness”. Make sure you are following @SundanceChannel so you don’t miss a thing. And, if you’re really committed, you can watch a

Watch Buzz on the Bus and get the skinny on Sundance 2012

Article: Watch Buzz on the Bus and get the skinny on Sundance 2012

Posted January 26th, 2012, 5:01 PM by

Pop quiz: Where is the best place to get honest opinions on Sundance Film Festival flicks? Well, SUNfiltered, but the Park City buses are a close second. This mountain town has a free, killer public transportation system and it ramps up during the festival. It’s the best way to get around and the best place to find out if that weird, Mongolian documentary is really worth braving the waitlist for. Don’t believe me? Watch and learn, grasshopper:

Photos of festival faves John Hawkes & William H. Macy: Indie duo in town for THE SURROGATE

Article: Photos of festival faves John Hawkes & William H. Macy: Indie duo in town for THE SURROGATE

Posted January 25th, 2012, 3:01 PM by

They must be shooting Shameless, because William H. Macy was rockin’ his Frank Gallagher look. It works for him, so much so that John Hawkes grew a moustache to match. The hirsute duo joined THE SURROGATE director Ben Lewin at Sundance Channel HQ to talk about the film and their $6 million sale. THE SURROGATE is one of the most buzzed about film in the festival this year, so catch up with our gallery a quick

Visit Sundance's inner sanctum: Check out video from the director's brunch

Article: Visit Sundance's inner sanctum: Check out video from the director's brunch

Posted January 25th, 2012, 2:01 PM by

One of the most exclusive events each year at the Sundance Film Festival is the director’s brunch. It’s an opportunity for all of the directors, from opening night hits to shorts, to kick back, relax and talk craft. There is no stress over sales or audience reactions, just bagels and a chance to mingle. It’s one of Sundance founder Robert Robert’s favorite festival events. And now you can get inside and see why.

Vera Farmiga, David Duchovny and Common party in Park City

Article: Vera Farmiga, David Duchovny and Common party in Park City

Posted January 25th, 2012, 1:01 PM by

Lots of folks were packing up and heading out this morning, but they were obviously out in force last night. And it’s not an indie festival if Vera Farmiga doesn’t show up looking understadedly amazing. That woman just looks awesome in a hood. I could go on, but I won’t. Check out all the party people on our gallery.

Adorable photos of fashionable puppies in Park City

Article: Adorable photos of fashionable puppies in Park City

Posted January 25th, 2012, 1:01 PM by

Dogs love indie films. That’s a fact. My aunt has two labradors who are big Almodóvar fans. But, they’re not really snobby about it. They enjoy big budget Hollywood movies, too! They’ve never been to Park City, like the dogs in this gallery, but maybe one day.

Video: Joe Berlinger talks West Memphis Three and Oscar

Article: Video: Joe Berlinger talks West Memphis Three and Oscar

Posted January 24th, 2012, 7:01 PM by

Sundance Film Festival veteran, and Iconoclasts producer/director, Joe Berlinger stopped by Sundance Channel HQ right after he found out his film about the West Memphis Three, PARADISE LOST, had been nominated for an Oscar. Lucky us! Check out what Berlinger has say about some of the controversy surrounding the film, why the fight for justice isn’t over yet and how the Oscar nomination might help:

SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED photos: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass and Jake Johnson stop by Sundance Channel HQ

Article: SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED photos: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass and Jake Johnson stop by Sundance Channel HQ

Posted January 24th, 2012, 4:01 PM by

If there is one person everyone at Sundance Channel HQ has been excited to see come through the studio, it has to be Aubrey Plaza. The Parks and Recreation star joined castmates Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, Jaran Soni and director Colin Trevorrow to talk about their film SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED. Check out all of the photos from their visit.

My Premiere: Director Michael Mohan of SAVE THE DATE

Article: My Premiere: Director Michael Mohan of SAVE THE DATE

Posted January 24th, 2012, 2:01 PM by

They say third time is a charm, but director Michael Mohan was still pretty nervous on the way to the premiere of SAVE THE DATE. Mohan has had two shorts in the festival (EX-SEX and CASUAL ENCOUNTERS–I sense a theme), but this was his forst foray into features at the festival and Sundance Channel was happy to tag along. When we caught up with Mohan, he was still putting together his remarks to introduce the film. Then it was off to the Library Theatre for the big show. Cast members Lizzy Caplan, Allison Brie, Martin Starr, Mark Webber and Geoffrey Arend were on hand to keep Mohan calm.

Video: SMASHED–The funniest cast in a serious movie

Article: Video: SMASHED–The funniest cast in a serious movie

Posted January 23rd, 2012, 6:01 PM by

You were probably expecting a laugh fest when you saw the names Octavia Spencer, Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman alongside Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul for the film SMASHED. Sorry, it’s a drama. But, that doesn’t mean there were not laughs aplenty when they all stopped by Sundance Channel HQ for a chat. Check out the entire video of their conversation, but just a warning…it includes some off color jokes, in addition to more serious fare on how films are cast in Hollywood.

Catch up with Lizzie Olsen at the LIBERAL ARTS premiere party

Article: Catch up with Lizzie Olsen at the LIBERAL ARTS premiere party

Posted January 23rd, 2012, 4:01 PM by

Josh Radnor’s LIBERAL ARTS got a standing ovation at its premiere here in Park City. And with an ensemble cast including Allison Janney (THE HELP), Elizabeth Olsen (MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE), Richard Jenkins (Six Feet Under) as well as Radnor himself, it’s no surprise. The How I Met Your Mother star wrote and directed the film and it marks his second trip to Sundance as a triple-threat. Like that 2010 effort, happythankyoumoreplease it’s a sweet story…which is a nice change to all of the ‘Year of the Bummer’ films we’ve seen at this year’s festival. We stopped by the premiere party and caught up with Elizabeth Olsen to get the lowdown on her sophomore Sundance and working with some acting legends.

Day 4: Elizabeth Olsen, Traci Lords, Ice-T & the cast of SMASHED stop by Sundance Channel HQ

Article: Day 4: Elizabeth Olsen, Traci Lords, Ice-T & the cast of SMASHED stop by Sundance Channel HQ

Posted January 22nd, 2012, 8:01 PM by

In one day we met a porn star, an ingenue and the first couple of TV comedy. One of the beauties of Sundance is the wide variety of cinematic choices you get as a film fan and that same spectrum of folks stops by our humble abode on Main Street. Today we met with Josh Radnor and Sundance Sophomore Elizabeth Olsen of LIBERAL ARTS. The amazing cast of SMASHED also stopped by and, believe me, getting Octavia Spencer, Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul in one room is both tough and hysterical. Tim & Eric, along with folks from WEST OF MEMPHIS and EXICISION, also stopped by, so check out all of the galleries below to make sure you don’t miss any of the action from Main Street:

Rashida Jones & Elijah Wood talk CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER

Article: Rashida Jones & Elijah Wood talk CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER

Posted January 22nd, 2012, 6:01 PM by

CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER tells the story of one couple whose relationship is managing to outlive their divorce. It’s a sweet story written by one of the film’s stars, Rashida Jones and her best friend/writing partner/actor/ex Will McCormack. Everyone always says how great it is to marry your best friend, but sometimes the relationship can tap out on the romantic level and settle in on that more comfortable territory. And that’s the story behind the film. But, the story behind the making of the film might be even more interesting. Rashida Jones, Elijah Wood and Andy Samberg are definitely names that have some clout in Hollywood, but CELESTE AND JESSE is still a true indie. As Jones points out, there ain’t no middle ground in Hollywood these days. Your movie is either big budget or DIY. But for Wood, who is used to big budgets and epic shoots, the indie process was really exciting. I guess there is something to be said for wearing stolen socks.

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