Sundance 2007 Dramatic Competition
This year’s 16 films were selected from 996 submissions. Each film is a world premiere. The films screening in Dramatic Competition are:
ADRIFT IN MANHATTAN directed by Alfredo de Villa; Screenwriters: Nat Moss, Alfredo de Villa -- Set in New York City, a grieving eye doctor is forced to take a closer look at her life; an aging artist confronts the loss of his eyesight, and a young photographer battles his innermost demons.
BROKEN ENGLISH directed and written by Zoe Cassavetes -- A young woman in her thirties finds herself surrounded by friends who are married, in relationships or with children. She unexpectedly meets a quirky Frenchman who opens her eyes to a lot more than love. Starring Brendan Bradley, Nadia Dajani, Gena Rowlands and Parker Posey.
FOUR SHEETS TO THE WIND directed and written by Sterlin Harjo -- Cufe Smallhill finds his father dead. Fulfilling a dying wish, he disposes of the body in the family pond and sets off to begin a new life in the big city of Tulsa.
THE GOOD LIFE directed and written by Steve Berra -- A story about a “mostly normal” young man (Mark Webber) whose small town existence running a faded movie palace is shaken when he comes in contact with a mysterious young woman (Zooey Deschanel). Also starring Bill Paxton, Chris Klein and Patrick Fugit.
GRACE IS GONE directed and written by James C. Strouse -- A young father learns that his wife has been killed in Iraq and must find the courage to tell his two young daughters the news. Starring John Cusack, Mary Kay Place and Alessandro Nivola.
JOSHUA directed by George Ratliff; Screenwriters: David Gilbert, George Ratliff -- A successful, young Manhattan family is torn apart by the machinations of Joshua, their eight-year-old prodigy, when his newborn baby sister comes home from the hospital. With the always powerful Vera Farmiga and suprising Sam Rockwell.
NEVER FOREVER directed and written by Gina Kim -- When an American woman and her Asian-American husband discover they are unable to conceive, she begins a clandestine relationship with an attractive stranger in a desperate attempt to save her marriage. Starring Vera Farmiga and Jung-woo Ha.
ON THE ROAD WITH JUDAS directed and written by JJ Lask -- Reality, fiction and the notions of storytelling intertwine in this narrative about a young thief and the woman he loves. With Aaron Ruell (of NAPOLEON DYNAMITE fame), Amanda Loncar and Kevin Corrigan.
PADRE NUESTRO directed and written by Christopher Zalla -- Fleeing a criminal past, Juan hops a truck transporting illegal immigrants from Mexico to New York City, where he meets Pedro, who is seeking his rich father. Starring Jesus Ochoa, Armando Hernandez and Paola Mendoza.
THE POOL directed by Chris Smith; Screenwriters: Chris Smith, Randy Russell -- A boy working in a hotel becomes obsessed with a swimming pool at a home in the opulent hills of Panjim, Goa in India. His life gets turned upside-down when he attempts to meet the mysterious family that arrives at the house.
ROCKET SCIENCEdirected and written by Jeffrey Blitz -- A 15-year-old boy from New Jersey with a stuttering problem falls in love with the star of the debate team and finds himself suddenly immersed in the ultra-competitive world of debating.
SNOW ANGELS directed by David Gordon Green; Screenwriter: Stewart O'Nan -- A drama that interweaves the life of a teenager with his former baby-sitter, her estranged husband, and their daughter. With Michael Angarano, Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell and Amy Sedaris.
STARTING OUT IN THE EVENING directed by Andrew Wagner; Screenwriters: Andrew Wagner, Fred Parnes -- The solitary life of a writer is shaken when a smart, ambitious graduate student convinces him that her thesis will bring him back into the literary spotlight. Starring SIX FEET UNDER'S Lauren Ambrose.
TEETH directed and written by Mitchell Lichtenstein -- Still a stranger to her own body, a high school student discovers she has a “physical advantage” when she becomes the object of male violence.
THE UNTITLED DAKOTA FANNING PROJECT directed and written by Deborah Kampmeier -- Set in late 1950s Alabama, a precocious, troubled girl finds her angel in the Blues. Set in the American South, where a precocious, troubled girl (Fanning) finds a safe haven in the music and movement of Elvis Presley. Also featuring Piper Laurie, David Morse and Robin Wright Penn.
WEAPONS directed and written by Adam Bhala Lough -- WEAPONS presents a series of brutal, seemingly random youth-related killings over the course of a weekend in a typical working class American suburb, and tragically reveals how they are all interrelated. Starring the fabulously talented Paul Dano, Mark Webber, Riley Smith and Nick Cannon.
