The 2008 Sundance Film Festival premieres 32 docs in two categories of competition: 16 are made by American filmmakers, 16 are from eight foreign countries. Subjects include current events, political analysis, environmental issues, cultural trends and portraits of iconic artists. The American films were selected from a record-breaking 953 submissions. There were 620 international submissions. Look for these films in theatres, on TV or DVD in about a year, or at other festivals in the interim.
Derek (UK)
filmmaker Isaac Julien illuminates the work and impact of the innovative art of the late Derek Jarman. World Premiere.Dinner With The President (Pakistan)
Sabiha Sumar and Sachithanandam Sathananthan co-directed and wrote this film that explores the current cultural climate in Pakistan by interviewing people-on-the-street, religious leaders and the President of Pakistan about issues ranging from politics to women's rights. US premiere.Durakovo: The Village Of Fools (Durakovo: Le Village Des Fous) (France)
Filmmaker Nino Kirtadze investigates Russian nationalism in a Moscow suburb, where Mikhail Morozov has a cadre of young devotees in his rapidly expanding right-wing movement. North American Premiere.In Prison My Whole Life (UK)
Filmmaker Marc Evans, co-writing with William Francome, interviews Noam Chomsky, Alice Walker, Mos Def, Angela Davis, Snoop Dogg and others to undcover and understand the story behind award-winning journalist Mumia Abu Jamal’s death row sentence, and comes to startling realizations about American history and America's justice system. North American Premiere.Man On Wire (UK)
Filmmaker James Marsh presents the "artistic crime of the century," the 1974 case in which French performance artist Philippe Petit walked on a wire suspended between New York's Twin Towers, a feat of daring for which he was arrested and jailed. World PremierePuujee (Japan)
Filmmaker/photo journalist Kazuya Yamada records Puujee, a young girl who tames wild horses on the Mongolian plains. North American PremiereRecycle (Jordan)
Filmmaker Al Massad presents the story of a Jordanian family man who lives in the hometown of Muslim leader Al-Zarqawi and struggles to keep his family together and define his identity in a politically tense environement. World Premiere.Stranded: I've Come From a Plane That Crashed On The Mountains (France)
Filmmaker Gonzalo Arijon records the harrowing stories of those who survived the famous 1974 Andes plane crash. North American Premiere.Triage: Dr. James Orbinski's Humanitarian Dilemma (Canada)
Director Patrick Reed follows acclaimed doctor James Orbinski, former head of Doctors Without Borders, as he returns to Africa and finds that harsh reality of conditions there force him to explore the meaning of humanitarianism. North American Premiere.Up The Yangtze (Canada)
Filmmaker Yung Chang records the life transitions of young men and women who live near the Three Gorges Dam and must find a way to adjust to the rising waters and radically changing China. U.S. Premiere.The Women Of Brukman (Les Femmes De La Brukman) (Canada)
Filmmakers Isaac Isitan and Carole Poliquin document how workers take over a Buenos Aires men's clothing factory, manage to keep it in operation and provide employment opportunities in the midst of Argentina's failing economy. US Premiere.Yasukuni (Japan/China)
Filmmaker Li Ying reveals the mysterious past of Yakusuni, a shrine shrouded in controversy when Japanese officials honor the deceased despite the fact that the place is most famous for forging swords used to kill Chinese soldiers. North American Premiere.
