Rays of light
The buzziest films and breakout stars you need to know from this year’s Sundance Film Festival
UNDANCE kicked off Thursday, giving Hollywood actors a chance to flaunt their parka and furry-boot fashion sense. More important, the Park City, Utah, festival offers a first look at films we’ll all be talking about throughout 2017. Founder Robert Redford designated climate change as this year’s main theme, and the slate has several documentaries on that subject, including “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,” Al Gore’s follow-up to his 2006 Oscar winner.
But that’s not all: Here, culled from 113 films, are the nearly dozen buzzy titles we’re most excited about.
“Manifesto”
Cate Blanchett plays 13 different roles — what more do you need to know? This experimental film is adapted from an art installation — recently seen at the Park Avenue Armory — and features Blanchett appearing as a homeless man, a Russian choreographer, an American TV reporter and others in an exploration of the role that art plays in society.
“Wilson”
This dark comedy has an irresistible pedigree: Adapted by Dan Clowes (“Ghost World”) from his graphic novel about a loudmouthed misanthrope, it’s directed by Craig Johnson, whose last film, “The Skeleton Twins,” is the best thing Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader have done post-“Saturday Night Live.” Woody Harrelson stars in the title role, and Laura Dern plays his ex and the mother of the child he didn’t know he had.
“Patti Cake$”
A 23-year-old white girl from New Jersey aims to become a rap superstar in this comedy from first-time feature director Geremy Jasper, who’s best known for his music videos for Florence + the Machine and others. The film stars Australian actress Danielle Macdonald, with NYC cabaret powerhouse and comedian Bridget Everett (who has appeared on “Inside Amy Schumer”) in a supporting role.
“Crown Heights”
Based on a true story, this Brooklynbased drama tells the story of Colin Warner (Lakeith Stanfield of “Atlanta”), a young man wrongly accused of murder who spends decades behind bars while his best friend tries to untangle a legal system stacked against anyone who can’t afford a good lawyer.
“XX”
Female-directed horror films are an increasingly formidable subgenre, and this anthology brings together four shorts, including ones by Karyn Kusama, best known for “Girlfight,” and musician St. Vincent in her directorial debut; actors include Melanie Lynskey (“Togetherness”).
“Call Me by Your Name”
This gay love story set in the 1980s stars Armie Hammer as a 24-year-old scholar spending the summer in Italy when he falls for a 17-year-old boy (Timothée Cha- lamet). Variety compared it with “Brokeback Mountain,” so we’re not expecting a happy ending.
“Landline”
Comedian Jenny Slate reteams with Gillian Robespierre, who directed her in the wonderful 2014 comedy “Obvious Child.” Like that film, this one’s set in New York: Slate plays one of two sisters who discover their father (John Turturro) is having an affair.
“The Force”
This documentary looks at the Oakland Police Department, following events in Ferguson, Mo., and other cities, as it attempts to reform its approach to law enforcement and rebuild trust among the city’s residents.
“Nobody Speak: Hulk Hogan, Gawker and Trials of a Free Press” The lawsuit filed against
Gawker Media by Hulk Hogan was the event that precipitated the outlet’s demise. This doc looks at how it all bodes for free speech and media.
“Trumped: Inside the Greatest Political Upset of All Time”
Mark Halperin, John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon, who hosted Showtime’s “The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth,” bring you this look at the presidential win that shocked the country — and even, according to some reports, the winner himself.
“Band Aid”
Prolific writer/actress/musician Zoe Lister-Jones (“Breaking Upwards”) makes her directorial debut with this comedy about a couple (Lister-Jones and Adam Pally) who form a band to hash out their constant arguments. Joining them on drums is their neighbor Dave, and as he’s played by actual drummer and “Portlandia” star Fred Armisen, this one sounds like a winner.