Eye For Film >> Festivals >> Sundance >> 2009 >> Spectrum: Documentary Spotlight

A tribute to the abundance of compelling new voices and the creative spirit in independent filmmaking, the Spectrum program presents out-of-competition dramatic and documentary films from some of the most promising filmmakers in the world today.

View other Sundance Film Festival Films by strand: Frontier, International Animated Shorts, International Documentary Shorts, International Dramatic Shorts, New Frontier Shorts, Park City at Midnight, Premieres, Spectrum: Dramatic Films, US Animated Shorts, US Documentary Competition, US Documentary Shorts, US Dramatic Competition, US Short Films, World Cinema Documentary, World Dramatic Competition

The Yes Men Fix The World and Tyson

It Might Get Loud (Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Davis Guggenheim; Stars: Jimmy Page, The Edge, Jack White)

The history of the electric guitar from the point of view of Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White.

Full Review See: Berlin Film Festival Diary Day Seven

U.S. Premiere

No Impact Man (Country: USA; Year: 2009; Director: Laura Gabbert, Justin Schein; Stars: Michelle Conlin, Colin Beavan)

The documentary follows the Beavan family as they abandon their high consumption Fifth Avenue lifestyle in an attempt to make a no-net environmental impact for the course of one year.

World Premiere

Passing Strange (Country: USA; Year: 2009; Director: Spike Lee, Annie Dorsen; Writer: Stew; Stars: Colman Domingo, De'Adre Aziza, Chad Goodridge, Stew)

A musical documentary about the international exploits of a young man from Los Angeles who leaves home to find himself and 'the real'. A theatrical stage production of the original Tony-Award winning book by Stew.

World Premiere

Tyson (Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: James Toback; Writer: James Toback; Stars: Mike Tyson), Official Site

Intimate portrait of the heavyweight boxer.

Full Review See: Sundance Diary: Day Eight

North American Premiere

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (Year: 2008; Director: Robert Townsend; Writer: Daryle D'Millitant Littleton, John Long, Quincy Newell, Robert Townsend; Stars: Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg, Marlon Wayans, Cedric the Entertainer, Wanda Sykes, Dave Chappelle, Bill Cosby, Damon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Katt Williams)

Using rare archival clips along with provocative interviews with many of today's leading comedians and social critics, Why We Laugh celebrates the incredible cultural influence and social impact black comedy has wielded over the past 400 years.

World Premiere

It Might Get Loud and Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

Wounded Knee (Year: 2009; Director: Stanley Nelson; Writer: Marcia Smith)

In 1973, American Indian groups took over the town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota to draw attention the 1890 massacre. Though the federal government failed to keep many of the promises that ended the siege, the event succeeded in bringing to the world's attention the desperate conditions of Indian reservation life.

World Premiere

The Yes Men Fix The World (Country: France, USA; Year: 2009; Director: Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno, Kurt Engfehr; Writer: Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno; Stars: Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno), Official Site

A documentary about two friends who put on suits and pretend to be senior corporate figures in order to try and set the world to rights.

Full Review See: Inteview with Mike Bonanno about The Yes Men Fix The World

World Premiere