Sundance London: Make a connection

Sundance Film Festival: London may only last four days, but the 15 films in the lineup are all buzzy titles that audiences and critics have an appetite for. And one of the best things about this festival is that every screening includes a Q&A with filmmakers and/or cast members. Even if someone can't attend, such as Lena Dunham with her new drama Sharp Stick (above), she shows up in a zoom call, interviewed about the film specifically for those of us who had just watched it. Of course, this means that the lovely spaces at Picturehouse Central are all taken over by VIP or press events (I can at least get into the press ones). Here are some more highlights...

Sharp Stick
dir-scr Lena Dunham; with Kristine Froseth, Jon Bernthal 22/US ****
After a 12-year break from filmmaking Lena Dunham is once again inventively challenges the way women are depicted on screen. She cleverly spins a lightly fantastical tale about a young woman's coming of age that's so defiantly complex and thoughtful that it often feels shocking. But it shouldn't be, and that's the point. Packed with layered, frankly amazing characters, it's the kind of film that should start important conversations.

Hatching [Pahanhautoja]
dir Hanna Bergholm; with Siiri Solalinna, Sophia Heikkila 22/Fin ***.
Cleverly mixing over-the-top beauty with insidious nastiness, this Finnish thriller remains sunny and smiley even as scenes become very grisly indeed. Blackly comical touches combine with underlying emotions to pull the audience in, as director Hanna Bergholm draws out important themes and thoroughly freaks out the audience. As it warps into gleefully yucky body horror, the film also finds surprising meaning in the personal drama, including some moving emotions.

Brian and Charles
dir Jim Archer; with David Earl, Chris Hayward 22/UK ****
With disarming charm that sneaks up on the audience, this offbeat British comedy-drama is packed with wonderfully quirky characters who bring a relatively simple narrative to sparkling life. Director Jim Archer takes an amusingly deadpan approach that adds an involving kick to the script, which was written by lead actors David Earl and Chris Hayward. So even if the story is rather silly, it's underscored with real heart.

Fire of Love
dir Sara Dosa; with Katia Krafft, Maurice Krafft 22/Can ***.
With a wealth of amazing footage, this documentary follows intrepid volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, who skilfully filmed their adventures around the world. Filmmaker Sara Dosa assembles this material to vividly capture their passion for both molten lava and each other. Much of the imagery is so astonishing that it leaves us gasping for breath. But it's the likeable couple at the centre that holds the interest.

Full reviews will be on the site soon. For more information, visit SUNDANCE LONDON >