Sundance is coming to a city near you for one night only. In the midst of the Sundance Film Festival, which runs Jan. 21-31 in Park City, Utah, will send filmmakers and their films to eight cities across the country on Jan. 28.
“The concept behind Sundance Film Festival U.S.A. is to ignite dialogue as people across the country engage in a collective film experience," said Robert Redford, Sundance Institute president and founder of the film festival. "It is an extension, really, of the work we have done for decades: supporting the independent voice, bringing artists to the table and inserting art more and more into the social context of how we live.
“We hope by speaking with artists about their work and experiencing the festival as it is happening, audiences will be inspired to share opinions, discuss the key issues of our day and reflect on the role art plays in social change,” he added.
Along with the chance to see Sundance films in their hometown arthouse cinemas, moviegoers will be able to engage in conversations with the filmmakers. An introductory video featuring Redford and highlights from the festival will precede the screenings.
Selections for films and filmmakers traveling to the eight cities will be announced shortly after the programming announcement in December. All films will be selected from the official Sundance Film Festival program.
Participating theaters are the Downtown Independent in Los Angeles; the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn; the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, Mich.; the Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline, Mass.; the Music Box in Chicago; Sundance Cinemas Madison in Madison, Wis.; Nashville's Belcourt Theater; and the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in San Francisco.
In Park City on Jan. 28, Sundance will feature the North American premiere of documentary "The Shock Doctrine," based on journalist Naomi Klein's book, directed by Michael Winterbottom and Mat Whitecross. The film was first presented as a work-in-progress at January's Berlin Film Festival. The filmmakers, Klein and Redford will participate in a post-screening discussion.