PARK CITY, Jan. 18 - What's making headlines around the Sundance Film Festival:
The distribution deals continue to roll in. A dozen-plus films entered the
festival having already secured distributors, and Sony Pictures Classics
made news on the eve of Sundance by picking up Brazilian director Walter
Salles' "Central Station." Now comes word that Miramax Films has
acquired the Dramatic Competition entry "Next Stop, Wonderland"
for a price reported to be around $6 million dollars. The romantic comedy
stars up-and-comer Hope Davis as a single woman in the Boston dating scene.
"This movie is smart, original, funny and incredibly satisfying,"
said Miramax L. A. president Mark Gill, who brokered the deal in his first
move since being named to the top spot. "We think it will perform very
well in art houses and cross over very nicely to commercial theatres as
well"...
Also acquired over the weekend was Irish film "I Went Down," directed
by Paddy Breathnach and starring Brendan Gleeson of "Braveheart."
TSG Pictures, a subsidiary of Shooting Gallery films, secured the rights
to the World Cinema selection. In addition, Arrow releasing purchased the
British film "Under the Skin" for stateside distribution...
Sundance's midnight screening series is enjoying unprecedented success.
Having locked up a sponsor for the first time ever, the late-night showings
at the Park City library are playing to near-capacity houses. The line for
"Orgazmo" begin building two hours before showtime and many hopefuls
were turned away at the door per fire marshall's orders. "Safe Men"
was greeted warmly as well. Expect more hysteria for Wednesday night's screening
of "Blood Guts Bullets & Octane," a low-budget laugher by
former local news promotions producer Joe Carnahan. Carnahan and his cronies
have been scuttling about Park City wearing all sorts of "Blood Guts"
paraphernelia and generating serious heat for their film...
Roger Ebert didn't show up this year, citing a growing frustration with
Sundance following last year's festival. Ebert, among others, voiced complaints
over congested crowds, poor screening facilities and lack of parking (his
car even got towed). This year, though, Sundance officials have done their
best to answer some of those complaints. The number of films have been reduced
while screenings were increased, free round-the-clock shuttles are helping
serve transportation needs and the festival headquarters has been moved
to the central location of the Shadow Ridge hotel. Most impressive, however,
has been the debut of the new Eccles Theatre, a 1300-seat hall that will
host a number of fesival premieres. Both the comfort and acoustics of the
Eccles, which will also serve as a fine arts center for the adjacent Park
City High School, have quieted many of Sundance's critics...
Frances McDormand dropped into town Sunday primarily to pick up the Piper-Heidsieck
Award for Independent Spirit, but she stuck around long enough to enjoy
the premiere of John Raffo's "Johnny Skidmarks" at the Eccles.
McDormand co-stars with Peter Gallagher and John Lithgow in the film, which
looks to be a noirish thriller in the spirit of last year's "L. A.
Confidential."
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