Festival Films For All
It’s always a curious exercise attending a film festival. On the one hand, it’s an opportunity to experience films from around the world and be the first to catch new, auteur indie filmmakers on the rise. On the other hand is the reality that some of the best or personal favorite films may never see the light of day – at least stateside, and some may not release for well over a year, if at all. This makes coverage and priorities quite difficult because outside of the buzziest awards contenders, you really never know what’s going to happen or what’s coming.
Thankfully, many of the Sundance films we watched do have release dates. Some even made a stop at TIFF, while others have an upcoming theatrical run coming very soon. Since we watched over 90 films at the fest (way too many if we’re being honest), we’ve got some quick reviews for some upcoming films you should absolutely put on your radar. There’s always room for the big blockbusters. Let’s make some room for the little indie guy, too. Here are some upcoming Sundance premieres that you can check out soon!
The Incomer – In Theaters September 25th
I’m a sucker for quirky, offbeat British humor, and the charming The Incomer has all of that in spades. An absurdist look at community, isolationism, fairy tales and bureaucracy through a misinterpreted fantasy lens, it delivers a sweet and quirky island romp. Domhnall Gleeson stars as Daniel, a middle manager in a land recovery office charged with relocating two siblings living on a remote Scottish Isle. Wary of “incomers” or anyone who isn’t them trying to invade their home, the two have created a life of hunting seabirds, speaking to mythical creatures, and being haunted by false memories.
As Daniel arrives to a less-than-warm welcome, the three begin to bond and change the way they view each other and the world beyond the sea. The Incomer is a touching little dramedy that requires an absurdist appreciation to really dial in but delivers some strong laughs and incredibly interesting characters. It’s the definition of a small, little hidden gem that feels rewarding to know about. The Incomer is hard not to fall in love with, and with its breezy runtime, it delivers a lovely time at the cinema.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars.
Ha-Chan Shake Your Booty
Staying in the quirky genre, Ha-Chan Shake Your Booty injects a heavy dose of horniness into its tale of grief, loss, and self-discovery. Also, a shocking amount of Dirty Dancing powers this charming, delightfully weird little film. It follows Haru (Rinko Kikuchi), a competitive ballroom dancer whose partner unexpectedly passes away. Struck by grief, withdrawn and given up on dance altogether, her friends coax her to leave her home and return to dance at a new studio. What begins as infatuation with her new dance instructor quickly turns into a sort of sexual awakening and self-discovery, as Haru begins to learn a lot about herself in the absence of a loved one.
Kikuchi is the driving force of Ha-chan Shake Your Booty, approaching the character with a sort of quiet curiosity that slowly starts to see her come out of her shell and assert herself. It’s vibrant and stylish, with director Josef Kubota Wladyka taking some bold visual swings that may shock viewers if they aren’t ready for it. There are a few surrealist sequences that seem to come out of nowhere, but they’re so fun and well staged you kind of just have to vibe with it. I dug this a lot. And I appreciate its ability to balance the humor and emotion without ever needing to add any kind of heightened melodrama to its exploration of grief. It’s a fun one; take a 1,2 step on the wild side, and Ha-Chan Shake Your Booty.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
The Last First: Winter K2 – On Apple TV+ October 2nd
There’s been quite a few films about mountaineering this year, and The Last First: Winter K2 may be the most unafraid of the bunch. Its unflinching approach to the world of extreme mountain climbing highlights the thrills of conquering the unconquerable as well as the extreme dangers and tragic consequences such pride and glory chasing can lead to. There are a few talking heads that deserve way more accountability for the worst of the tragedies, but The Last First is ultimately unflinching in portraying the mistakes and unsafe conditions that come with pursuing a feat like this.
It is harrowing and heartbreaking, but also breathtaking and stunning in how the footage is captured and compiled. The Last First is brisk and gets right to the scaling, layering its examination of class, money, determination, and some morally questionable choices from many involved while also getting us on the daunting mountain quickly. This is a tough one to get through because The Last First doesn’t have a happy ending. So go in prepared to be astonished and frustrated and emotional and enthralled all at the same time. It’s visually stunning yet narratively devastating – a great blend for a strong documentary.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Plenty more to come as the festival season comes to a close! Stay tuned for more films coming to theaters!
