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Sundance Film Festival · 2008

Sundance Film Festival 2008

US Short Films: Dramatic

Continuing its commitment to short film, Sundance has expanded its short film section - so we've split our coverage. Below is the list of this year's US films. The 2008 selection of 41 films are split into dramatic, documentary, animation and a new experiemental category. They "reinforce the genre as one which represents creativity and technological innovation. After the festival the shorts will be available for download from a variety of sources.

Programme

22 films · 4 reviews

Jump to a film

Aquarium

Something's fishy at an aquarium society meeting.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Rob Meyer; Writer: Rob Meyer; Stars: Don L Bagley, Kurt Braunohler, Zachary Brian, Matt Campbell, Barbara Ann Davison, PK Egersheim)

By Modern Measure

As part of an ongoing, unaired TV series, an amateur French sociologist presents his observations on a day in the life of two young Americans who meet by chance outside a Taco Bell on October 8, 2006.

(Country: US; Year: 2006; Director: Matthew Lessner; Writer: Matthew Lessner; Stars: Anne-Sophie, Adam Mortemore, Diego Ongaro)

Chief

Semu Fatutoa drives a taxi in Honolulu, Hawaii, slowly forgetting his old life as a tribal Chief in Samoa. Little does he know, his old life is looking for him.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Brett W Wagner; Writer: Brett W. Wagner; Stars: Kalani Apuakehau, Chief Sielu Avea, Dion Donahue, Ka'alaka'i Faurot, Pukaua Ah Nee, Chief So'o)

The Deep

A journey unravels through the thoughts of a solitary character in the heart of a future dystopia. As he journeys deep underground, he tends to the machines that fuel the surface city. His jobs are precise, almost compulsive, and he is unable to stop.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Alex Haworth; Writer: Alex Haworth; Stars: David Spencer)

Dog Lovers

Two potential lovers meet to talk about their affection for dogs.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Danny Roew; Writer: Tonya Cornelisse, Graham Sibley; Stars: Tonya Cornelisse, Graham Sibley, Misty the Dog, Pudge the Dog)

The Execution Of Solomon Harris

An electric chair execution fails, delivering a non-lethal jolt of electricity that leaves the prisoner screaming in pain. Protocol and routine fail to provide a resolution, and the warden has to cope with the human dilemma that falls into his hands.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Wyatt Garfield, Ed Yonaitis; Writer: Ed Yonaitis; Stars: Will Bellais, Dave Hager, Wes Bailey, Glen Gartner, Jaysin Osterkamp, Jef Taylor)

FCU: Fact Checkers Unit

After being assigned to check a bizarre fact about Bill Murray's love for drinking milk, two magazine fact checkers break into Bill's house to spy on him.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Dan Beers; Writer: Dan Beers, Peter Karinen, Brian Sacca; Stars: Ayad Akhtar, Sarah Hudnut, Peter Karinen, Bill Murray, Brian Sacca, Kristen Schaal)

Force 1 TD

Three friends, one of whom is visually impaired and has a miniature guide horse named Carmine, set off to find Carmine a very special pair of sneakers for a very special occasion.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Randy Krallman; Writer: Randy Krallman; Stars: Joanna Angelita, Enrique Gonzales, Esther Hong, TJ Pellot, Justin Reyes, Nikolas Reyes, Scout)

Lloyd Neck

Alex has a crush on her brother's friend, Jesse. But Jesse likes Alex's brother, Taylor. Alex knows something is up with her brother. Caught in an awkward position, Taylor takes Alex and Jesse to his favorite spot.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Benedict Campbell; Writer: Benedict Campbell; Stars: Brian Dare, Aaron Michael Davies, Carina Goldbach )

The Loss Of A Wrestling Match

So far in the season, Don has a 9-0 record. He is perfect, but in the upcoming duel he has to wrestle a higher-ranked opponent.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Jed Cowley; Writer: Jed Cowley; Stars: Jonathan Gappmaier, CJ Glover, Nolan Boyce, Robert Wiser, Michael Bessey, Rodney Williams, Joshua Wright, Natasha Haught, Ashley Sergeant, , )

Man

Maggie and her sister form an unusual bond during an encounter with a young man.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Myna Joseph; Writer: Myna Joseph; Stars: Sarah Steele, Adam Scarimbolo, Addison Timlin)

The Mark

A lawyer rents a room to a human lightning bolt.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Thomas Barndt; Writer: Thomas Barndt; Stars: Buddy Barnett, Frank Mengwasser, Cocoa Conley, Kathe Duba-Barnett, Jesse Dean, Jason Leinwand)

On The Assassination Of The President

A file - only to be viewed in the event of a presidential killing - holds info on three likely suspects. Showing with The Juche Idea at EIFF 2008.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Adam Keker; Writer: Adam Keker; Stars: Eric Andersen, Vonn Scott Bair, Don Damico, Ryan Dietz, Will Lyman, Stephan Smith Collins, Alfonzo Tucker, Oscar Urcuyo)

On The Ice (Sikumi)

Review preview for On The Ice

Sikumi is certainly stark, and yet there is room even in this cold, austere backdrop for the warmth of the human spirit.

Anton Bitel · 4.5 out of 5
An Inuit hunter inadvertantly witnesses a murder.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean; Writer: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean; Stars: Tony Bryant, Olemaun Rexford, Brad Weyiouanna) , Official site

Full review

Pariah

A lesbian teenager juggles multiple identities to avoid rejection from friends and family.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Dee Rees; Writer: Dee Rees; Stars: Chanté Lewis, Sahra Mellesse, Adepero Oduye, Wendell Pierce, Pernell Walker, DeWanda Wise, Gameela Wright, , , ,)

The Rambler

A stranger takes to the lonely highway with his guitar and traveling sack.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Calvin Reeder; Writer: Calvin Reeder; Stars: Calvin Reeder, Lindsay Pulsipher, Phillip Clarke, Wendy West)

A Relationship in Four Days

Coming from a wealthy family, Paul recently turned 30 and has never had or needed a real job. Lost in his own imagination, he often preaches his grand ideas, but in reality never does much... until he meets Sabine.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Peter Glanz; Writer: Peter Glanz; Stars: Pete Chekvala, Liesl Gaffney-Dawson, Patrick McKenzie, Larry Pine, Barry Primus, Paige Stark, , , , , )

The Second Line

Review preview for The Second Line

There is no justice in poverty and there is no justice here.

Angus Wolfe Murray · 3.5 out of 5
Cleaning the filth after Hurricane Katrina.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: John Magary; Writer: John Magary; Stars: Al Thompson, J D Williams, Dane Rhodes, Karen Pritchett)

Full review

Sick Sex

Review preview for Sick Sex

The unlikely phrase, 'a thermos full of warm oysters,' used to describe the supposedly attractive qualities of a feverish vagina, may just give rise to a whole new sexual fetish.

Anton Bitel · 3.5 out of 5
The libido blues for an ill girl.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Justin Nowell; Writer: Justin Nowell, Tommy Nowell; Stars: Ken Forman, Amanda Gruss)

Full review

Sunlit Shadows

A visual mix tape highlighting the simultaneous holding on to and letting go of lost love. Told through the songs and moments of a simple lazy morning.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Benjamin M Piety; Writer: Benjamin M. Piety; Stars: Cash Corey, Jennifer Marks, Ryan Scharoun)

Welcome

A frightened Cynthia and her family encounter a ghost when moving into a house. What seems to be a threat soon becomes someone with whom to share their home.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Kirsten Dunst; Writer: Kirsten Dunst; Stars: Winona Ryder, John Hawkes, Lexi Jourden)