Sundance 2020 Spotlight Films
Amongst the movies that premiere at the annual Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, there is a program that highlights films that have played throughout the world. This category of films is known as the Spotlight category and we will go over which movies premiere in that showcase.
And Then We Danced– A gifted dancer named Merab moves beautifully, but his mannerisms enrage his coach, who finds them too effeminate. Merab, however, quietly defies not only his coach but his community’s hyperconservative constraints. An aura of danger emerges when he meets a handsome new dancer named Irakli, whose gifted technique becomes a source of attraction and competition for Merab. As the two fall into a secretive affair, whispers of their newfound romance threaten their respective careers. Written and directed by Levan Akin.
Collective– On October 30, 2015, a fire at the Bucharest club Colectiv killed 27 people and injured 180, leading to public protests that brought down the Romanian government. When an additional 37 people died in the hospital from infection, journalist Cătălin Tolontan and the reporters at Romania’s Sports Gazette newspaper exposed the unchecked corruption that sacrificed countless lives for the greed of a few.
At the same time, others fought hard against the system of oppression strangling the nation, including several whistleblowers, a young bureaucrat who tried to reform the system despite entrenched opposition, and a survivor from the Colectiv fire who expressed her pain through art. Written and directed by Alexander Nanau and written by Antoaneta Opris.
Ema– Between elegantly choreographed performances, it is revealed that dancer Ema (Mariana Di Girolamo) and her husband and dance company leader, Gastón (Gael García Bernal) returned their adopted son, Polo, to child services of their small town in Valparaíso, Chile, after he set their house on fire, badly burning Ema’s sister. The couple’s agonizing decision sets off a spiral of guilt and spins the marriage into crisis as Ema and Gastón blame each other for Polo’s actions. Ema decides to fill the wedge in her soul with a flamethrower, a rebellious ode to reggaeton, and a plan to regain motherhood. Written and directed by Pablo Larraín, as well as written by Guillermo Calderón and Alejandro Moreno.
La Llorona– Indignant retired general Enrique finally faces trial for the genocidal massacre of thousands of Mayans decades ago. As a horde of angry protestors threatens to invade their opulent home, the women of the house—his haughty wife, conflicted daughter, and precocious granddaughter—weigh their responsibility to shield the erratic, senile Enrique against the devastating truths being publicly revealed and the increasing sense that a wrathful supernatural force is targeting them for his crimes. Meanwhile, much of the family’s domestic staff flees, leaving only loyal housekeeper Valeriana until a mysterious young Indigenous maid arrives. Written and directed by Jayro Bustamante and written by Lisandro Sánchez.
The Assistant– Jane (Julia Garner) is a junior assistant to a prominent entertainment executive, a man whose face we never get to see, though whose character is clearly inspired by the #MeToo testimonies surrounding Harvey Weinstein. There is nothing glamorous or rewarding about her job, yet she’s often reminded that any young aspiring film producer would kill to take her place. Over the course of 24 hours we witness as Garner’s superbly understated Jane faces a multitude of degradations and hostilities (from both men and women), which she continues to bear stoically.
She quietly goes about her mundane tasks with an attitude of someone who is used to this type of treatment. Just when we think that nothing can be done about her growing discomfort in this land of self-importance, Jane takes action—and what follows is a fascinating depiction of the mechanics that lead to abuse of power. Written and directed by Kitty Green.
The Climb– Kyle is getting married. In France. To a French girl. He and his best friend (and best man), Mike, embark on a bike ride, traversing a twisting road in the South of France. Physically unable to keep the ascending pace, Kyle is a sweaty mess. More experienced cyclist Mike encourages his pal until, out of nowhere, he reveals that he slept with Kyle’s fiancée. Written and directed Michael Angelo Covino and written by Kyle Marvin.
The Perfect Candidate– When Maryam, a hardworking young doctor in a small-town clinic, is prevented from flying to Dubai for a conference without a male guardian’s approval, she seeks help from a politically connected cousin but inadvertently registers as a candidate for the municipal council. Maryam sees the election as a way to fix the muddy road in front of her clinic, but her campaign slowly garners broader appeal. Written and directed by Haifaa Al Mansour and written by Brad Niemann.
