by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer

Returning, again remotely, to the Sundance Film Festival this year allows me to preview films that will soon be getting a release, such as Infinity Pool, the latest shocker by Brandon Cronenberg; and birth/rebirth, Laura Moss’ feature debut coming to Shudder. I also like seeing all of the shorts programs—so I can poach films for my BMFI class. But what I enjoy most about attending the film festival is seeing films that are seeking distribution, because one can make the most exciting discoveries.

Here are a five films I’m hoping to catch at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Radical
Written and Directed by Christopher Zalla

I am an absolute sucker for inspirational teacher films, so this drama, based on a true story, about a Sergio (Eugenio Derbez) taking a “radical” approach to helping his unruly sixth-grade students in Mexico is pretty much right in my wheelhouse, or schoolhouse, as it were. I expect to laugh, cry, and hate to see it end. 

Radical premieres at Sundance January 19 and will not be available online. In-person tickets available here. 

Divinity
Written and Directed by Eddie Alcazar

Sometimes I like to step completely outside my comfort zone, and this sci-fi thriller (executive produced by Steven Soderbergh) about immortality scratches that itch. I’m intrigued by the cast—Stephen Dorff, Moises Arias, Scott Bakula, and Karrueche Tran costar—and that writer/director Eddie Alcazar filmed it in black and white.

Divinity premieres at Sundance on January 21 and is available to watch online January 24 until 30, tickets available here. 

Sorcery
Written by Christopher Murray and Pablo Paredes
Directed by Christopher Murray

I love films that take me to a world I would never get to see outside of a cinema. Sorcery is a Chile/Mexican/German coproduction, “based on actual events.” In the 19th century, a teenage Huilliche farm girl who connects with an Indigenous man who practices witchcraft to seek revenge on the colonist who killed her father. I’m all in. 

Sorcery premieres at Sundance on January 22 and is available to watch online January 24 until 30, tickets available here. 

Fantastic Machine
Directed by Axel Danielson and Maximilien Van Aertr Yck

I expect this documentary, about “the transmogrification of photographic philosophy and technology over human history” will be fascinating—or dry at dust. But that’s the kind of risk I like to take at a fest. The filmmakers’ short, Ten Meter Tower, was pretty nifty, so I’m optimistic this might be a sleeper. 

Fantastic Machine premieres at Sundance on January 23 and is available to watch online January 24 until 30, tickets available here. 

You Hurt My Feelings
Written and Directed by Nicole Holofcener

As a writer, how can I not see this film about a novelist feeling betrayed when she overhears her husband expressing what he honesty thinks about her new book. Nicole Holofcener, who is astute at depicting the nuances of human thoughts—remember that scene in Lovely & Amazing where Emily Mortimer’s character asks Dermot Mulroney to really comment on her body?—writes and directs. Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars.

You Hurt My Feelings premieres at Sundance January 22 and will not be available online. In-person tickets available here.