Sundance 2012

I can not believe this week has come to an end!  So much thought and planning has gone in to this year of Sundance and I had a great time!  Okay, so I am going to be brief right now and simply recap this year's Sundance events for you.  However, check out the Hen Movie Blog in the near future for some in depth movie reviews from this year's festival.

To recap...

1. I saw 5 films at 4 different theaters, in 3 days, in 2 cities, with 1 new snazzy coat!
1. Bachelorette - Super funny
2. How to Survive a Plague - Inspiring
3. Liberal Arts - Lovely
4. The Words - Slightly Disappointing
5. Predisposed - Surprisingly Great
2. I cried in 2 films.  No ugly cries though!
3. I was inspired to action!
4. I was inspired to read more, to listen to classical music, to write my script and to start planning next year's trip.

Here are some pics from this year's Sundance Film Festival...

We ate at Roosters Brewing Company in Ogden prior to Bachelorette.

YUMMY!

Peery's Egyptian Theater in Ogden

Instagram - Organ playing prior to the filming of Bachelorette.

Instagram - Waiting for How to Survive a Plague to begin.

We ate at Barbacoa right before the showing of Liberal Arts.

Sundance Film Festival 2012 - Screen just prior to Liberal Arts.

Instagram - Waking up Sunday morning with two more films to watch.

Instagram - Breakfast at the Little America Hotel.  YUM!

Instagram - Little America lobby, aren't chandeliers so romantic?

Instagram - Waiting for Predisposed to start, admiring me pretty hand stamp.

The streets were lined with Sundance banners.

Willard and his gal pal outside of the Rose Wagner.

Volunteer ushering us in to see The Words at the Rose Wagner.

Waiting in line outside of the Tower Theater for Predisposed.

Beautiful mural on an otherwise forgettable house.

Thank you Melanie for getting all of my tickets.  I promise to be more on top of things next year!  Thank you Melanie and Peggy for being such great movie buddies!  Thank you Peggy for being a great travel companion.  Thank you Lua, Justin, Sione and Lorien for taking care of Mr. Daniel so that I could enjoy my time at Sundance this year.  Thank you Fia for letting me borrow your camera.  Thank you Melanie, Peggy, Cheryl, Laura and Grady for a weeks worth of intelligent, creative and enlightening movie dialogue! 

Can't wait until next year!

Sundance 2011: Melanie

Melanie,

How did we not get ANY pictures of ourselves?!?  Last year we were so photogenic!  This was the only picture I got at the festival this year.

LOL!  Mel, thank you for such an amazing day!  I will NOT talk myself out of going next year!  I will make time to be moved and inspired by the art of this festival.  Thank you for getting me out of my head and in the moment.  Thank you for sharing Sundance with me and thank you for being willing to pay $25.00 for covered parking.  Oh and thank you for your willingness to eat the most delicious steak EVER at that delicious restaurant, which I can not remember the name of!  You remember the one!  The one with the lazy waiter, that I'm pretty sure I over tipped!  Oh and thanks for driving in the semi blizzard!  Oh and thanks for not laughing at me every time I cried.  :)

Your buddy,

Ela

Sundance 2011: The Ledge

After the ASCAP Music Cafe, Melanie and I headed down to the Rose Wagner Theater in Salt Lake City for "The Ledge" starring Terrance Howard, Liv Tyler and Christopher Gorham.  The film is about a detective that finds out that his two kids are not really his, after discovering that he's sterile.  This detective is called out to talk a jumper off a ledge, shortly after getting the news.  The character development in this film is phenomenal, you really get to know the characters and are able to see such vulnerability in each person.

It was moving, again, I was crying.  Such a fantastic film and the Q & A afterwards with the films writer/director was also moving.  I can't believe what a bawl baby I was.  But this film is actually coming out in theaters this year, so keep an eye out for "The Ledge."  Here are some pics from a Q & A with the actors and director, compliments of Wire Image.

Such amazing performances!!!

Sundance 2011: ASCAP Music Cafe

I've already told you about the AWESOME Secret Sisters.  Well, they weren't the only ones we got to see! We also got to see Matt Nathanson sing at the ASCAP Music Cafe.  What a hoot!  Seriously this guy is HILARIOUS!!  Anyways, here are some pics compliments of Wire Image!  And a music video if you are asking yourself, "Who is Matt Nathanson?"

Sundance 2011: Sing Your Song

This was one of my favorite moments at Sundance EVER!  Yes, it was cooler than seeing Ben Affleck and Tommy Lee Jones!  The day started out with the movie "Sing Your Song", it was a documentary about the life of Harry Belafonte.  First off, you all know how much I love music and dancing so HELLO, this movie was going to be fun.  It was so much more than music and dancing though.  It was about how one person REALLY can make a difference in the world if they just allow themselves.  

I was so moved by how this man made it a point to fight for others rights, he used his platform of "celebrity" to fight for Civil Rights, Women's Rights, Native American's and the list goes on.  He cared enough to do something and at the end of the film, he looked into the camera and said,

"Now I ask you, what are you going to do?"  

Whoa!  What difference will I make in this world?  It's inspiring and in a way made me feel lazy.  I should be out there doing more with my "free time", teaching Daniel the importance of giving, and making a difference in the world around me.  

His daughter and producer of the film Gina Belafonte stood up for Q & A's and introduced a special guest, her father Harry Belafonte.  I couldn't help myself, I started crying.  I was in the presence of a man who helped move mountains.  I won't lie though, I felt a little silly crying in the audience, it helped me to know I wasn't the ONLY one!  :)  Please go see the film, you won't be sorry you did.  Here are some pictures of Harry, his daughter and his wife.  Plus an old music video of Harry!

Sundance 2011: The Secret Sisters

There are so many fun things to share with you about my time at Sundance with Melanie!  For right now though, let me introduce you to one of my new favorite artists:

Ladies and Gentleman,

I'd like to introduce The Secret Sisters.  These gals are pure country, talented and great taste in red lipstick. :)  Enjoy!

*Picture taken from Wire Image at the ASCAP Music Cafe @Sundance 2011