sundance

Interview With Filmmakers Annie and Lisa of SPARKS

Image from SPARKS

Sundance Channel presents SPARKS, an ALL NEW digital series premiering Monday, August 9th.

Equal parts absurdist comedy, mystery, and documentary, SPARKS is a web-based serial about humans and technology. The story follows 30 year-old Sarah Sparks in her quest to serve the tech-dependent citizenry of New York as a freelance technologist.
Her special “connection” with technology, however, takes her far beyond simple repair jobs, and into both the lives of her clients as well as some of the city’s darkest, most chaotic corners.

Filmmakers Annie Howell and Lisa Robinson provided us with this digital exchange.

2010 Sundance Award Winners!

Without any adieu the 2010 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners. Also, be sure to check out the rest of our coverage including exclusive interviews and news and gossip from this year’s Festival.

The Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to RESTREPO, directed by Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington. Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington’s year dug in with the Second Platoon in one of Afghanistan’s most strategically crucial valleys reveals extraordinary insight into the surreal combination of back breaking labor, deadly firefights, and camaraderie as the soldiers painfully push back the Taliban.

The Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to WINTER’S BONE, directed by Debra Granik; written by Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini. An unflinching Ozark Mountain girl hacks through dangerous social terrain as she hunts down her missing father while trying to keep her family intact.

The World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to THE RED CHAPEL (Det Røde Kapel) directed by Mads Brügger. A journalist with no scruples, a self-proclaimed spastic, and a comedian travel to North Korea under the guise of a cultural exchange visit to challenge one of the world’s most notorious regimes. Denmark

The World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to ANIMAL KINGDOM, written and directed by David Michôd. After the death of his mother, a seventeen year-old boy is thrust precariously between an explosive criminal family and a detective who thinks he can save him.

Snap! An infamous lensman gets his close-up

SMASH HIS CAMERS, directed by Leon Gast, Oscar-winning director of WHEN WE WERE KINGS

I suppose it’s a mark of where celebrity journalism and gossip are today that paparazzo Ron Galella is finally getting the star treatment.

For decades, Galella lurked in bushes and staked out buildings, hunkered down in taxis and emerged seemingly out of nowhere to get his shot of celebrities like Sinatra and Warhol, Sophia and Bianca, Michael Jackson, Elvis, and Sundance founder Robert Redford himself. Jackie O, whom he considered his “Mona Lisa,” took out a restraining order against him. Brando broke his jaw. Now, Leon Gast, the Oscar-winning director of WHEN WE WERE KINGS, has focused his own cameras on the infamous lensman in his new documentary, SMASH HIS CAMERA, currently showing at the Sundance Film Festival.

A Night that was Worth the Hype

Maybe because I’d already been to so many Sundance parties, or because I couldn’t imagine the Racquet Club as an awards hall, or because I’m allergic to hype—whatever the reason, I was skeptical about the closing night ceremony.

Festival Updates Spotlight: Bobcat Goldthwait

Faith Salie speaks with director Bobcat Goldthwait and festival attendees on the streets of Park City about his film, WORLD’S GREATEST DAD.

A Final Note on the New Frontier of Film and Technological Art

On the first day of the festival, I praised the exhibits at New Frontier and promised to return to the subject before Sundance ended. Well, the festival is almost over and, while I haven’t had the chance to view all of the exhibits, there are two that deserve special mention.

Festival Updates Interview: FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN

Faith Salie interviews FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN director Oliver Hirschbiegel and actors Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt in the Sundance Channel Studio. Presented by Honda, The Power of Dreams.

Festival Updates Interview: MOTHERHOOD

Faith Salie speaks with MOTHERHOOD director Katherine Dieckmann and cast members Uma Thurman and Anthony Edwards in the Sundance Channel Studio. Presented by Honda, The Power of Dreams.

Festival Interview: CHILDREN OF INVENTION

Faith Salie speaks with CHILDREN OF INVENTION director Tze Chun and cast members Cindy Cheung, Crystal Chiu, and Michael Chen in the Sundance Channel Studio. Presented by Honda, The Power of Dreams.

Festival Updates Interview: Chris Rock, GOOD HAIR

Faith Salie interviews GOOD HAIR writer/producer Chris Rock, comedian/actress Sarah Jones, and executive producer Nelson George in the Sundance Channel Studio.

Festival Updates Interview: Sophie Barthes of COLD SOULS

Faith Salie speaks with COLD SOULS director Sophie Barthes and actor Paul Giamatti in the Sundance Channel Studio. Presented by Honda, The Power of Dreams.

Festival Updates Interview: Michael Polish of MANURE

Faith Salie interviews MANURE director Michael Polish and cast members Billy Bob Thornton, Tea Leoni, Kyle MacLachlan, Ed Helms, and writer Mark Polish in the Sundance Channel Studio. Presented by Honda, The Power of Dreams.

Beer O’Clock at the Sundance Channel

There are myriad ways of judging whether a party is a success or not.

Festival Updates Interview: Robert Siegel of BIG FAN

Faith Salie speaks with BIG FAN writer/director Robert Siegel and actors Patton Oswalt, Kevin Corrigan, Sarafina FIore, and Gino Cafarelli. Presented by Honda, The Power of Dreams.

Festival Updates Interview: John Hindman of ARLEN FABER

Faith Salie interviews ARLEN FABER writer/director John Hindman and cast members Jeff Daniels and Lou Taylor Pucci in the Sundance Channel Studio. Presented by Honda, The Power of Dreams.

NO IMPACT MAN has Impact, Man

NO IMPACT MAN “Caffe Ibis is committed to providing you with an unbeatable fresh and full flavored cup while engaging in environmental and socially responsible practices. Caffe Ibis has been designated as a Green Business.” So reads the side of my coffee cup from a Main Street café. Of course, it also says, “Made with [...]

Meet Shana Feste director of THE GREATEST

Meet Shana Feste director of THE GREATEST, an official selection in the Dramatic Competition at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Meet Liz Garbus director of SHOUTING FIRE

Meet Liz Garbus director of SHOUTING FIRE: STORIES FROM THE EDGE OF FREE SPEECH, an official selection in the Documentary Competition at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Meet Jeff Lipsky director of ONCE MORE WITH FEELING

Meet Jeff Lipsky director of ONCE MORE WITH FEELING, an official selection in the American Spectrum Competition at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Meet Nicholas Jasenovec director of PAPER HEART

Meet Nicholas Jasenovec director of PAPER HEART, an official selection in the Dramatic Competition at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Meet Gene Rosow & Bill Benenson directors of DIRT! THE MOVIE

Meet Gene Rosow & Bill Benenson directors of DIRT! THE MOVIE, an official selection in the Documentary Competition at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Meet Ry Russo-Young director of YOU WONT MISS ME

Meet Ry Russo-Young director of YOU WONT MISS ME, an official selection in the New Frontier Competition at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Festival Updates Interview: Lee Daniels’ PUSH

With sheer audacity and utter authenticity, director Lee Daniels tackles PUSH: BASED ON THE NOVEL BY SAPPHIRE and creates an unforgettable film that sets a new standard for cinema of its kind. Watch the Interview after the jump…

Festival Updates Interview: Tom DiCillo, WHEN YOU’RE STRANGE

Faith salie interviews WHEN YOU’RE STRANGE writer/director Tom DiCillo and The Doors members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger in the Sundance Channel Studio. Presented by Honda, The Power of Dreams.

Meet Ross Katz director of TAKING CHANCE

Meet Ross Katz director of TAKING CHANCE, an official selection in the Dramatic Competition at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.