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Sundance Channel Blog

Sundance Channel

Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, uncompromising and irreverent, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, and original programs, all unedited and commercial free. Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. Sundance Channel's website address is www.sundancechannel.com.

Sundance Channel Greenlights Critically-Acclaimed Original Scripted Drama RECTIFY for a Second Season

Article: Sundance Channel Greenlights Critically-Acclaimed Original Scripted Drama RECTIFY for a Second Season

Posted May 01st, 2013, 11:05 AM by

On the heels of its critically lauded, highly anticipated premiere last week, Sundance Channel announced the renewal of the network’s first wholly owned original scripted series RECTIFY for ten new episodes slated to air in 2014. The haunting story of a man released from prison after spending nearly two decades on death row, RECTIFY has been overwhelmingly well-received by critics when it debuted on Monday, April 22nd, including Matt Roush at TV Guide, who rated the series a “10 out of 10” and called it “TV’s most absorbing, unsettling new drama.” Jace Lacob, TV Critic for The Daily Beast dubbed RECTIFY “the best new show of 2013” and Mary McNamara at the Los Angeles Times said “’Rectify’ is a revelation that sets a new standard… a game changer.” RECTIFY is created and written by Ray McKinnon (The Accountant, “Deadwood,” “Sons of Anarchy”), and executive produced by Mark Johnson and Melissa Bernstein, the award-winning producers behind “Breaking Bad.” Season one will finale on May 20 at 10pm EST.

Now Playing: THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, FEMALE PERVERSIONS

Article: Now Playing: THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, FEMALE PERVERSIONS

Posted May 01st, 2013, 10:05 AM by

This week, we’ve got Forest Whitaker as a brutal dictator, Robert Redford in the CIA, and Jodie Foster as a domineering nun. Can you say “playing against type”? Watch these actors and others prove that great actors can play any role, and they can make us believe.

RECTIFY: Daniel’s case isn’t double jeopardy

Article: RECTIFY: Daniel’s case isn’t double jeopardy

Posted April 23rd, 2013, 1:04 PM by

The premiere of RECTIFY raised plenty of questions, but one we keep hearing is: Wouldn’t retrying Daniel Holden (Aden Young) be double jeopardy? Well, our friends at Buzzfeed want to make sure you know the answer is: No. “If you go to trial in front of a jury and you’re found not guilty, that’s the…

Damien Echols on RECTIFY’s realism

Article: Damien Echols on RECTIFY’s realism

Posted April 22nd, 2013, 3:04 PM by

How realistic is RECTIFY? Just ask Damien Echols, the author of <i>Life and Death</i> and one of the <a href="http://www.sundancechannel.com/blog/2012/01/watch-west-of-memphis-conversation" title="West of Memphis">West Memphis Three</a>, who spent years on death row himself for a crime he didn't commit. What does he think of the show? Echols explains for the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/damien-echols/rectify-review_b_3103568.html?" target="_blank">Huffington Post</a> that even the small details that made up his experience are there:

PUSH GIRLS gets rolling on Season 2

Article: PUSH GIRLS gets rolling on Season 2

Posted April 11th, 2013, 7:04 PM by

Sundance Channel will premiere season two of their groundbreaking docu-series “Push Girls” on Monday, June 3with ten highly-anticipated new episodes. The show once again features the four beautiful, captivating and intelligent women audiences became enamored with last season, as they continue to challenge society’s perception of what life is really like in a wheelchair.

Now Playing: CONFIDENCE, RESCUE DAWN and A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

Article: Now Playing: CONFIDENCE, RESCUE DAWN and A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

Posted April 10th, 2013, 10:04 AM by

Sundance patriarch Robert Redford makes two appearances on our list this week (or three, counting his regular weekly pick) – one as actor and one as director. We’ve also got Christian Bale doing some serious method acting, a young Brad Pitt showing off that winning smile, and a real sleeper hit starring Ed Burns and Dustin Hoffman.

Get a sneak peek of RECTIFY at a theater near you

Article: Get a sneak peek of RECTIFY at a theater near you

Posted April 09th, 2013, 11:04 AM by

Can’t wait until Sundance Channel’s new, original series RECTIFY premieres on Monday, April 22nd? Get an exclusive look at the first two episodes at your local movie theater on Tuesday, April 16th. Sundance Channel is teaming up with Art House Convergence and Sundance Cinemas for these special screenings, which will feature a Skype Q & A session with members of the cast. Get your tickets right here.

Insights into life in solitary and one man’s first taste of freedom

Article: Insights into life in solitary and one man’s first taste of freedom

Posted April 05th, 2013, 10:04 AM by

“I feel like I am developing some kind of skitsophrinia behaviors,” reads one letter. “I hear voices echoing as I try to fall asleep.” That’s how one New York prisoner describes his lengthy experience directly from solitary confinement. The New York Times took a look at some of the letters to the New York Civil Liberties Union from more than 100 prisoners who spend 23 hours a day in elevator-sized cells. The correspondance is part of the NYCLU’s efforts to change the laws around solitary confinement. New York is one of the few states that has not wavered from extensive use of solitary in its prisons.

Binge-watch RECTIFY with Buzzfeed on April 13 in New York and Los Angeles

Article: Binge-watch RECTIFY with Buzzfeed on April 13 in New York and Los Angeles

Posted April 04th, 2013, 2:04 PM by

Sundance Channel and Buzzfeed are getting together to give you a chance to see a one-day-only “Binge” screening of our new series RECTIFY. Fans in New York City and Los Angeles will have a chance to watch the entire first season (six episodes) of the series on Saturday April 13th before its two-hour primetime debut on Sundance Channel on Monday, April 22 at 9pm ET.

Now Playing: ADAPTATION, THE PROFESSIONAL and HOUSE OF PLEASURES

Article: Now Playing: ADAPTATION, THE PROFESSIONAL and HOUSE OF PLEASURES

Posted April 03rd, 2013, 10:04 AM by

Writing movies is hard. This week, let’s show a little appreciation for all the struggling screenwriters out there. Sometimes, the only thing you can do is just write a movie about yourself, as Charlie Kaufman did (portrayed above by Nicolas Cage). And sometimes, that’s what ends up winning awards.

Now Playing: THE QUIET AMERICAN, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM and BARTON FINK

Article: Now Playing: THE QUIET AMERICAN, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM and BARTON FINK

Posted March 26th, 2013, 4:03 PM by

This week, around the 10 year anniversary of our last military foray into a foreign land, let’s think back to lessons not learned from an earlier conflict. We’ve got Michael Caine starring in a film that explores the ethical morass surrounding even the early days of the Vietnam War, in a sleeper of a film that shouldn’t be missed. And don’t forget our four other featured films this week, including Robert Downey Jr. in a career-making performance, an early Coen brothers classic and more.

Breaking Bad EP on Walter White and Rectify’s Daniel Holden

Article: Breaking Bad EP on Walter White and Rectify’s Daniel Holden

Posted March 26th, 2013, 12:03 PM by

Our corporate cousins over at AMC’s Breaking Bad blog caught up with that show’s co-Executive Producer Melissa Bernstein and guess what? She couldn’t help but share some insight into her next big project, Sundance Channel’s new original series Rectify. Check out what the show has in common with Breaking Bad so you can be ready for the big premiere on Monday, April 22nd at 9PM.

Sundance Channel greenlights THE DESCENDANTS

Article: Sundance Channel greenlights THE DESCENDANTS

Posted March 15th, 2013, 5:03 PM by

NETWORK BOLSTERS SCRIPTED PROGRAMMING TEAM AND HIRES FIRST LA-BASED DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE

In advance of its upcoming premieres of originals RECTIFY and TOP OF THE LAKE, Sundance Channel announced today the greenlight of new series THE DESCENDANTS and the expansion of its scripted programming team. The network’s second wholly owned original scripted series is picked up for six one-hour episodes and hails from acclaimed writer Aaron Guzikowski (CONTRABAND, PRISONERS) and veteran producer Sarah Condon (BORED TO DEATH).

Author William Boyd gets RESTLESS, takes on 007 in new novel

Article: Author William Boyd gets RESTLESS, takes on 007 in new novel

Posted February 20th, 2013, 3:02 PM by

William Boyd just got his license to kill – fresh off working on the critically-acclaimed screen adaptation of his WWII spy novel RESTLESS, the author’s been tapped by Ian Fleming’s estate to pen the next entry in the James Bond franchise. Our congrats to him on reeling in MI6′s master spy.

Now Playing: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, and PUBLIC SEX in Britain

Article: Now Playing: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, and PUBLIC SEX in Britain

Posted February 20th, 2013, 1:02 PM by

This week’s highlights include four strong character films defined by great acting performances, including Noomi Rapace in the Swedish version of the complex psychological thriller THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO. As a bonus, we’ve also got one quirky rom-com about a decidedly British sexual fetish – outdoor sex. Hey, it is almost spring, right? Why not?

Now Playing: X marks the spot for SHE’S SO LOVELY this Valentine’s Day

Article: Now Playing: X marks the spot for SHE’S SO LOVELY this Valentine’s Day

Posted February 13th, 2013, 3:02 PM by

This Valentine’s week, celebrate with four films that all take a different, non-traditional view of love and romance in the modern age. From a story of prostitution gone awry to a dark tale of love in a fantasy world, we’ve got films more interesting than your typical V-Day fare. If you’re not into the whole Hallmark holiday thing at all, may we suggest Tommy Lee Jones in a modern western instead?

Now Playing: David Lynch is WILD AT HEART, Scorsese revisits the mob in CASINO

Article: Now Playing: David Lynch is WILD AT HEART, Scorsese revisits the mob in CASINO

Posted February 06th, 2013, 10:02 AM by

This week’s assortment of celluloid delights begins tonight with Liev Schreiber’s directorial debut and continues with the seminal David Lynch road movie, a foul-mouthed British political parody, a profile of a sexy French coed, and Martin Scorsese doing what he does best. Sit back and enjoy the ride, because this road’s gonna take you anywhere you want to go.