Sundance London: Take control

The 10th Sundance Film Festival: London comes to a close this evening at Picturehouse Central, after four days and 15 features, plus short films and various events. I attended one last screening today - of the surprise film (see below), at which the director gave an animated Q&A. And this is the one that turned out to be my best of the fest. I managed to catch all but one of the features; each is above average and worth seeing. Whether they'll all get proper releases is another question. Here's a final collection of comments...

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
dir-scr Adamma Ebo; with Regina Hall, Sterling K Brown 22/US ***.
Loosely based on a true story, this church-based drama has the aura of a Christopher Guest-style improv comedy, but its humour is on-the-nose rather than riotous. Which is partly because mega-churches are absurd enough without exaggeration. Writer-director Adamma Ebo takes a knowing approach that finds  amusing gags that are sometimes obvious or unnerving. And there's enough complexity in the story to take in both broad nuttiness and darker emotions.

S U R P R I S E   F I L M
Bodies Bodies Bodies
dir Halina Reijn; with Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova 22/US ****
Gleefully mashing-up genres, this riotous black comedy takes the form of a slasher horror movie, but is packed with slapstick mayhem, interpersonal tension and social commentary. It's expertly assembled by the filmmakers and a seriously up-for-it cast to freak us out and make us laugh. But even more intriguing is that the movie pushes us to think about the nature of relationships for today's generation of young people. 

Resurrection
dir-scr Andrew Semans; with Rebecca Hall, Tim Roth 22/US ***
Aside from being grisly and creepy, there isn't much to this bonkers dramatic horror, which sends a woman on a nightmarishly symbolic journey into maternal guilt and paranoia. It's strikingly well-played by Rebecca Hall and an ace supporting cast, and writer-director Andrew Semans keeps the surreal nastiness churning from start to finish. But it's never quite as meaningful or provocative as he seems to think it is.

The Princess
dir-scr Ed Perkins; with Princess Diana, Prince Charles, 22/UK ****
Compiled entirely from news and paparazzi footage, this documentary traces the life of Princess Diana from the day photographers started chasing her until her coffin disappeared from their view. It's a remarkable film that reveals a narrative in how she appeared in the public eye, including clips of her interviews and commentators at the time. Filmmaker Ed Perkins assembles this without overt messaging, although the point is unnervingly clear.

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