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Sundance Film Festival · 2008

Sundance Film Festival 2008

Independent Feature Competition: Documentary

Speaking about the documentary competition, Sundance say: These films represent a broad section of new documentaries by American independent filmmakers. From examinations of the American political system and the country's use of natural resources to explorations of cultural development and intimate portraits of legendary artists, these films represent a thematic and artistic variety. This year's 16 films were selected from a record 953 submissions. Each film is a world premiere."

Programme

15 films · 7 reviews

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American Teen

Review preview for American Teen

Like a succubus, Burstein simply attaches herself to the teens’ volatile emotions; it never seems to occur to her to pull back and examine a larger, more nuanced canvas.

The Exile · 1 out of 5
The kids are not all right.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Nanette Burstein; Writer: Nanette Burstein) , Official site , Trailer

Full review

World Premiere

An American Soldier

Uncle Sam really wants you! A compelling exploration of army recruitment in the United States told through the story of Louisiana Sergeant, First Class Clay Usie, one of the most successful recruiters in the history of the US Army.

(Director: Edet Belzberg; Writer: Edet Belzberg)

World Premiere

The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)

Review preview for The Betrayal

This is a very moving story, and I wish I could give the film more praise.

Val Kermode · 3 out of 5
The epic story of a family forced to emigrate from Laos after the chaos of the secret air war waged by the US during the Vietnam War.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Ellen Kuras, Thavisouk Phrasavath; Writer: Ellen Kuras, Thavisouk Phrasava)

Full review

World Premiere

Bigger, Stronger, Faster

As entertaining as it is informative, this documentary goes beyond simply examining the truth about anabolic steroids and the athletes - professional and amateur - who use them. Focusing on his own family's personal history, Bell looks at why Americans feel the need to be the biggest, strongest, and fastest.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Christopher Bell; Writer: Christopher Bell, Alexander Buono, Tamsin Rawa)

World Premiere

Fields Of Fuel

America is addicted to oil and it is time for an intervention. Enter Josh Tickell, a man with a plan and a Veggie Van, who is taking on big oil, big government and big soy to find solutions in places few people have looked.

(Year: 2007; Director: Josh Tickell; Writer: Josh Tickell)

World Premiere

Flow: For Love Of Water

Review preview for Flow: For Love Of Water

What this film shows, by visiting communities around the world, is that issues of pollution are often intrinsically linked to issues of ownership.

Val Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
Examination of the global water crisis.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Irena Salina) , Official site

Full review

World Premiere

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Review preview for Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Gibney portrays the man’s excesses in a way that is not excessive and wisely lets the writing speak for itself.

Daniel Hooper · 4 out of 5
A documentary tribute to the legendary creator of gonzo journalism.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Alex Gibney; Writer: Alex Gibney, featuring the writings of Hunter S Thompson)

Full review

World Premiere

The Greatest Silence: Rape In The Congo

Jackson travels to remote villages in the war zones of the Congo to meet rape survivors, providing a piercing, intimate look into the struggle of their lives.

(Year: 2007)

World Premiere

IOUSA

Review preview for IOUSA

Just as An Inconvenient Truth was able to reach a wide audience thanks to a strong message well presented, this film has the potential to do the same.

Val Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
An examination of economic collapse in the US, and of the forces behind it.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Patrick Creadon) , Official site

Full review

Patti Smith: Dream Of Life

Review preview for Patti Smith: Dream Of Life

Some sections of the film feel like a soapbox for her to stand on, to proselytize her personal politics; to bolster her image as a radical poet.

George Williamson · 3 out of 5
Intimate portrait of the icon.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Steven Sebring; Writer: Steven Sebring; Stars: Patti Smith) , Official site

Full review

World Premiere

Roman Polanski: Wanted And Desired

Marina Zenovich's new documentary examines the public scandal and private tragedy which led to legendary director Roman Polanski's sudden flight from the United States.

(Year: 2007; Director: Marina Zenovich; Writer: Marina Zenovich, Joe Bini, P.G. Morg)

World Premiere

Secrecy

In the years following September 11, the black redaction stripe has become a familiar sight to most Americans. Secrecy probes the roots of the United States' culture of classification—and its consequences. Amid the American hunger for instantaneous news and up-to-date "facts", this unflinching film uncovers the vast, invisible world of government secrecy.

(Year: 2007; Director: Peter Galison, Robb Moss) , Official site

World Premiere

Slingshot Hip Hop

The voice of a new generation rocks and rhymes as Palestinian rappers form alternative voices of resistance within the Israeli-Palestinian struggle.

(Director: Jackie Reem Salloum)

See: Sundance Film Festival 2008: Day One Diary

World Premiere

Traces Of The Trade: A Story From The Deep North

History finally gets rewritten as descendants of the largest slave-trading family in early America face their past, and present, as they explore their violent heritage across oceans and continents.

(Director: Katrina Browne, Alla Kovgan, Jude Ray; Writer: Katrina Browne, Alla Kovgan)

World Premiere

Trouble The Water

Review preview for Trouble The Water

Something of a wasted opportunity, this is nevertheless a powerful reminder.

Val Kermode · 1.5 out of 5
Personal story of a rap artist and her husband who lived through Hurricane Katrina.

(Year: 2008; Director: Tia Lessin, Carl Deal) , Official site

Full review

World Premiere