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Festival coverage

Sundance Film Festival

2012

Andrea Riseborough in Shadow Dancer
Andrea Riseborough in Shadow Dancer

The daddy of all independent festivals celebrated its 28th edition in 2012. Run in conjunction with the Sundance Institute - set up by Robert Redford to support independent film.

This year's festival runs from January 19 to 29. Got a feature or short film screening at Sundance 2012 and want us to review it? If you have a screener, please feel free to send it to us.

Beasts Of The Southern Wild won the US dramatic prize, while The House I Live In was named best US documentary. The world competition documentary and dramatic prizes went to The Law In These Parts and Violeta Went To Heaven.

Other years (21)

Box office and information

Latest reviews

  • Violeta Went To Heaven
    Review preview for Violeta Went To Heaven

    Here, the old Chilean songs fulfill their original purpose, as storytelling elements, but now they bear the weight of a new history.

    Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
    A biopic of the Chilean folk singer, composer, ethnomusicologist and painter Violeta Parra.
  • Bachelorette
    Review preview for Bachelorette

    Headland revels in the comedy of discomfort and keeps the one-liners coming, while still sticking to - and sticking it to - a romance plotline.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
    An imminent marriage opens old wounds for a group of friends.
  • Sleepwalk With Me
    Review preview for Sleepwalk With Me

    Managing to be funny, insightful and heartfelt at the same time without slipping into melodrama or cheesiness, Sleepwalk With Me also benefits from an extremely relatable and understated performance from Birbiglia.

    Owen Van Spall · 4 out of 5
    A stand-up comedian with a serious sleep disorder reassesses his life.
  • Simon Killer
    Review preview for Simon Killer

    There’s no reassurance to be found in this cold world but Campos’s talent for getting mood whistling abominably through your ears is worthy of admiration.

    Sophie Monks Kaufman · 4 out of 5
    A recent college graduate goes to Paris after breaking up with his girlfriend of five years. Once there, he falls in love with a young prostitute and their fateful journey begins.
  • Arbitrage
    Review preview for Arbitrage

    Richard Gere is getting better with age. The lived-in look suits him and he holds this film tight.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    A hedge-fund magnate is in over his head, desperately trying to complete the sale of his trading empire before the depths of his fraud are revealed. An unexpected, bloody error forces him to turn to the most unlikely corner for help.
  • The Invisible War
    Review preview for The Invisible War

    That the Pentagon has, since the making of this documentary, revamped its rules to try to improve things - in particular, offering immediate transfers for those who allege abuse - is testimony to the power of Dick's work

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    Probe into rape in the US military.
  • For Ellen
    Review preview for For Ellen

    It took me a while to warm to this film...But as Yong Kim explores her characters a more nuanced, rewarding movie emerges.

    Jeff Robson · 3.5 out of 5
    A rock musician in the middle of an acrimonious divorce tries to gain access to his six-year-old daughter.
  • About Face: Supermodels Then And Now
    Review preview for About Face: Supermodels Then And Now

    Though it doesn't really go anywhere new, this film provides a solid document of a series of interesting lives, and succeeds in showing that being good looking doesn't equal being stupid or having nothing to say.

    Jennie Kermode · 3 out of 5
    An exploration of ageing and beauty in the company of the original supermodels.
  • Middle Of Nowhere
    Review preview for Middle Of Nowhere

    Everything that is wrong with the contemporary US indie movie is here.

    Jennie Kermode · 2 out of 5
    A devoted wife finds her life is on hold whilst her husband is in prison.
  • How To Survive A Plague
    Review preview for How To Survive A Plague

    This is not just a piece of history, it's a how-to guide with lasting relevance.

    Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
    The story of Act Up and the ordinary people who transformed the tratment of AIDS.

A–Z of Sundance Film Festival 2012 reviews

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