Sundance Film Festival 2004

Just finished reading an interview with Vrdoljak and I’m honestly just shaking my head. It feels like there’s at least one part of his argument that actually hits home, despite all that provincial, "lesser-than" chip on the shoulder that seems to plague the American film establishment.

Is he onto something when he complains about how overly harsh and hyper-critical everyone gets whenever a domestic movie comes along? Personally, I think he's right.

And is he right when he claims... that American cinema will only ever catch the world's attention if it stays true to its own roots and actually makes an American film? I'd say he's got a point there, too.

Just my two cents... I worry that today's pop-culture tastes and the standards people hold now aren't exactly doing much favors for the American film industry.

p.s. Anyone here actually make it out to the Sundance Film Festival?

This whole debate about "critics versus cinema" really brings back that old American logic where committing a crime isn't actually the problem—it’s just considered immoral to point out that the crime happened in the first place.

Handing over a massive pile of cash to a Vrdoljakov production feels like a huge step backward, honestly, dragging us right back toward those old-school, heavy-handed ways of looking at art and culture.

And this idea regarding "cinematography that needs to create its own film"? It's basically just reinventing the wheel.
I mean, hearing hypocrisy like that coming from the prdoljakov camp is almost funny, especially since Long Dark Night has absolutely nothing to do with the reality we live in here in the States.

It’s just the worst kind of stale, academic pretension you ever have to deal with—purely patriarchal, pastoral kitsch that feels more like a cheap daytime soap opera. It's just pure grandiosity fueled by $9333333.

Honestly, the whole thing makes me sick. Calling a Vrdoljak film the only true saga or masterpiece in America? Give me a break. That’s just nauseating. And as for Ostojica, who even cares? The sooner they bury his talent, the better. I just don't want to be stuck footing the bill for these overpriced, big-budget "epics" cooked up by Vrdoljak, Sedlar, and the rest of that crowd. 🤮

Look, I have nothing against the Sundance Film Festival. I’ve actually attended several times over the years, and I don't have any issue with filmmakers, whether they are local or from abroad,

BUT;

It is completely unacceptable that they chose to broadcast the Sundance Film Festival on TV instead of "100 Most Shocking Moments in Rock 'n' Roll."

This is just too much.🙂

It’s always been kind of funny to me how they advertise these little domestic experiments of ours... they love to brag about those awards won at the Sundance Film Festival...

I mean, what are you actually winning, right? A trophy from a competition that only had five or six films in it...

kozz said:Handing over a pile of cash for a movie at Madison Square Garden is a massive step backward—straight back to that old-school, elitist way of looking at art and culture.

The whole bit about "cinema needing to create its own films" is just stating the obvious.
Not to mention, hearing this from Johnson feels incredibly hypocritical, especially since Dark Night has absolutely nothing to do with the American reality.

It’s just the worst kind of stale, academic pretension. Pure patriarchal-pastoral kitsch, right up there with some cheap Latin soap opera. Total megalomania funded by $9333333.

👍 👍 👍

Still recovering from last night's three-hour ordeal... 😠 :2up: