What purpose does the Sundance Film Festival serve?
Why, it’s the only place money-strapped independent film backers such as Fox Searchlight and Miramax can hope to discover affordable but well-made films. In turn, aspiring directors and actors are given a chance to display their work in an arena untainted by the evil, uncreative behemoths of corporate film. In reality, most filmmakers long for a good tainting and all want to win a festival award, even the one picked by the audience. (Disdain for the audience begins early in a film career.) Because the films at Sundance are all made by earnest and committed filmmakers, each having weathered a highly competitive selection process, everyone who screens a movie is considered a winner. It’s as if they were retarded. “But I want to dress up my Chihuahua and sashay around town, too!” You can. Sundance is devoid of the pretensions and exclusivity of other festivals. Any moron can get a ticket, and they do so in droves. This is where the “I wasn’t born in Utah” T-shirt comes in handy. Mingling
