Interview: Scott Teems
>>>
An Interview: Lone Scherfig
>>>
<img src="/images/features/newdirectors/ndnf08_2.gif" align="left" hspace="5" width="30" height="30" border="0" alt="I"><div id="body_text"><div class="body_text" align="justify" style="padding-right: 0.5ex">f the success of any New Directors/New Films program can be measured by how many films it ushers toward distribution, the 2007 edition of the 37-year-old series was clearly not up to snuff (last year's best in show, <a href="/film/film_review.asp?ID=2802"><i>Glue</i></a>, went straight to video), though in keeping with an almost yearly trend, Oscar was smitten, giving <a href="/film/film_review.asp?ID=2867"><i>Once</i></a> their Best Song and nominating <a href="/film/film_review.asp?ID=2842"><i>War/Dance</i></a> for Best Documentary. <br><br> Another trend that persists is the allotment of at least one spot to a Sundance prizewinner. Last year it was Christopher Zalla's <a href="/film/film_review.asp?ID=2845"><i>Padre Nuestro</I></a>, and this year it's the program's opener, <i>Frozen River</i>, Courtney Hunt's dubious mix of suspense and social melodrama, whose presence can best be attributed to its willingness to pander to highbrow liberal sentiment. Other carryovers from Park City: Lance Hammer's much-buzzed-about <I>Ballast</i> and Alex Rivera's divisive <i>Sleep Dealer</i>. <br><br> Early highlights include the Philippine drama <i>Foster Child</i>, Katrina documentary <i>Trouble the Water</i>, <i>Moving Midway</i>, by film critic Godfrey Cheshire, about the symbolism and fading reality of the Southern plantation, and <i>Munyurangabo</i>, which investigates the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda through the experiences of the film's crew. For a complete schedule of films, screening times and ticket information, please see the festival's <a href="http://www.filmlinc.com/ndnf/ndnf.html">official site</a>. <br><br> <i>Reviews will be posted on a daily basis.</i></div></div>
Staff
Slant on Facebook
Slant on Twitter
Contact
Media Kit
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
RSS
Copyright © 2001 - 2009 Slant Magazine
