Sundance 2013: Diverse Gems from Independent Cinema
52 titles
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Charlie CountrymanMovie · 2013 · 108m · Action, Comedy, DramaAn American man develops a strong romantic connection with a Romanian cellist who is grieving the recent loss of her father. However, her father's history of violence poses a potential threat to the man's own safety.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.4 - 2
Metro ManilaMovie · 2013 · 120m · Crime, Thriller, DramaSeeking a better life in Manila, Oscar Ramirez and his family move from the Banaue rice terraces in the northern Philippines. In the bustling city, where danger seems to hide around every corner, Oscar gets a fortunate opportunity with a stable job at an armored truck company. He finds a mentor in the company's senior officer, Ong.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.2 - 3
Blue CapriceMovie · 2013 · 93m · Crime, Drama, ThrillerThis movie tells the story of the Beltway sniper attacks. It is based on the real events that occurred.IMDb 5.9TMDB 5.7 - 4
American PromiseMovie · 2013 · 135mIn 1999, Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson documented their five-year-old son Idris and his friend Seun as they began kindergarten at the Dalton School, a private institution actively working to diversify its student population. The filmmakers followed both boys for twelve years, observing how their lives diverged – one remaining in private school, the other choosing a different path through public education.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.7 - 5
Computer ChessMovie · 2013 · 91m · ComedyThe American Computer Chess Convention brings together fans to compete. Programs face off against each other and human players in a tournament with a $7500 prize for the winner.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.0 - 6
Cutie and the BoxerMovie · 2013 · 81m · DocumentaryThis honest New York story follows the turbulent 40-year marriage of Ushio Shinohara, a renowned boxing painter, and his wife, Noriko. Seeking independence from her husband's controlling presence, Noriko begins to discover who she is as an individual.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.9 - 7
Dirty WarsMovie · 2013 · 87m · Documentary, Drama, CrimeJournalist Jeremy Scahill begins investigating the secret expansion of American covert wars. His reporting reveals the US government's response to international terrorism appears to disregard established laws.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.0 - 8
Gideon's ArmyMovie · 2013 · 96mThis film follows three young public defenders who are deeply committed to representing those society often ignores. They face grueling hours, low salaries, and overwhelming caseloads, challenges that frequently push even the most dedicated to their breaking point.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.1 - 9
Escape from TomorrowMovie · 2013 · 90m · Horror, Fantasy, ComedyIn a world filled with artificial castles and talking animals, an epic conflict erupts when a jobless father's perception of reality is tested by an unexpected meeting with two young women on vacation.IMDb 5.1TMDB 4.8 - 10
Inequality for AllMovie · 2013 · 88m · DocumentaryThis film adapts Robert Reich's 2010 book, *Aftershock*, to explore the growing income inequality in the United States. Former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich aims to highlight the country’s expanding economic divide. Having advocated for this issue for years, making a film about his perspective represents a significant step for him. The documentary also offers a glimpse into Reich's early life and his tenure as Secretary of Labor during the Bill Clinton administration. Interviews with Warren Buffett and Nick Hanauer, both prominent investors, lend support to Reich’s vision of an economy that benefits all Americans, not just the wealthy.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.5 - 11
Afternoon DelightMovie · 2013 · 95m · Comedy, DramaRachel, a sharp and likable stay-at-home mother, feels stifled by the demands of her son's preschool, a disappointing sex life, and a stalled career. Seeking excitement in her marriage, she takes her husband to an LA strip club. There, she meets McKenna, a stripper whom Rachel then decides to bring home as their live-in nanny.IMDb 5.7TMDB 5.7 - 12
Blood BrotherMovie · 2013 · 92mRocky Braat, a jaded American tourist, travels to India. A chance encounter with a group of children living with HIV/AIDS changes his plans, and he chooses to stay. He soon discovers a world of unexpected challenges and profound connection.IMDb 8.2TMDB 7.0 - 13
StokerMovie · 2013 · 99m · Drama, Horror, ThrillerFollowing the death of her father in a traffic accident, India's estranged uncle Charlie moves in with her and her mother, Evelyn, who struggles with emotional instability. India soon grows suspicious of Charlie's charming nature and hidden intentions. However, instead of being repulsed, the lonely young woman finds herself increasingly drawn to him.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6 - 14
Fruitvale StationMovie · 2013 · 82m · DramaIn Oakland, California, young African-American Oscar Grant navigates relationships with family, friends, and rivals, as well as encounters with strangers, leading up to the fateful moments on a train platform at Fruitvale Station in the early hours of New Year's Day 2009.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 15
Ain't Them Bodies SaintsMovie · 2013 · 96m · Crime, Drama, RomanceBob Muldoon and Ruth Guthrie, a passionate young outlaw couple on a long crime spree, are caught by lawmen following a gunfight in the Texas hills. Ruth injures a local officer, but Bob takes responsibility. Four years later, Bob escapes from prison and begins searching for Ruth and their daughter, who was born while he was imprisoned.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.1 - 16
Upstream ColorMovie · 2013 · 96m · Drama, Science FictionA man and a woman find themselves connected to the long life cycle of a being that doesn't age. As they navigate this strange existence, their sense of self begins to dissolve, and they try to piece together the remnants of their pasts.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.3 - 17
The GatekeepersMovie · 2012 · 101m · Documentary, History, WarIn a revealing set of interviews, six former heads of Israel's Shin Bet – the country's intelligence and security agency – discuss their involvement in decades of counterterrorism efforts. They address the controversial tactics employed and grapple with the question of whether achieving security justifies those methods.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.9 - 18
This Is Martin BonnerMovie · 2013 · 83mMartin Bonner relocates to Nevada from the East Coast, leaving behind his family and a career he spent over twenty years building. He takes a new job as a volunteer coordinator for a non-profit assisting prisoners re-entering society. It's his first job in two years, following a recent bankruptcy. Simultaneously, Travis Holloway is released after twelve years of incarceration. Returning to the world with nothing, Travis struggles to adjust to life in Reno, even with support from his program sponsor, Steve Helms. Martin and Travis’s lives gradually intersect as they meet, discovering a shared need for encouragement and understanding.IMDb 6.5TMDB 5.0 - 19
In a World...Movie · 2013 · 93m · ComedyA struggling vocal coach is encouraged by her father, a renowned voice-over artist for movie trailers, to chase her own dreams of voice-over stardom. Navigating family issues, sexism, and her father's expectations, she strives to make a significant impact on the sound of popular culture.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.3 - 20
Very Good GirlsMovie · 2013 · 91m · DramaTwo New York City friends make a promise to lose their virginity during their first summer after graduating high school. Their friendship is challenged when they both develop feelings for the same street artist.IMDb 5.9TMDB 5.8 - 21
MudMovie · 2013 · 130m · DramaTwo teenage boys discover a fugitive hiding on an island in the Mississippi River. They assist him in reuniting with his partner and escaping a vengeful family and their armed group.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.1 - 22The Machine Which Makes Everything DisappearMovie · 2013 · 101mA filmmaker in Georgia launches a project by advertising for young people to appear in her film. The auditionees share their personal challenges and aspirations directly to the camera. Their honest interviews blend naturally with short, cinematic glimpses of everyday life in Georgia.IMDb 8.1TMDB 6.8
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LastingMovie · 2013 · 89mLasting is an emotional love story about Michał and Karina, two Polish students who meet and fall in love while working summer jobs in Spain. Their idyllic time together is shattered when a sudden tragedy disrupts their carefree lives and throws everything into turmoil.IMDb 5.1TMDB 4.8 - 24
Pussy Riot: A Punk PrayerMovie · 2013 · 90m · Music, DocumentaryFollowing a disputed election in the winter of 2011, Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency of Russia. This sparked widespread protests across the country, with hundreds of thousands challenging his authority. A group of young, radical-feminist punk rockers, known as Pussy Riot, participated in these protests. Dressed in distinctive attire, they performed a song critical of Putin inside Moscow's main cathedral. As a result, they are now facing a highly publicized trial.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 25
A River Changes CourseMovie · 2013 · 83mKalyanee Mam makes her directorial debut with this film, drawing on her experience as cinematographer on the Oscar-winning documentary *Inside Job*. The movie examines the consequences of rapid development in Cambodia, focusing on the impact on both people and the environment in her homeland.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.0 - 26
Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1Movie · 2012 · 160m · Action, Thriller, CrimeIn 1970s India, Sardar Khan dedicates himself to avenging his father's death, which occurred many years prior at the hands of a specific individual.IMDb 8.2TMDB 7.1 - 27
Breathe InMovie · 2013 · 98m · DramaA foreign exchange student's arrival in a small town in upstate New York disrupts the established relationships within her host family, profoundly changing their lives.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.9 - 28
The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & PeteMovie · 2013 · 108m · DramaA coming-of-age story about two young men navigating the challenges of summer after their mothers are removed by the authorities, leaving them to care for themselves.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.1 - 29
The Way Way BackMovie · 2013 · 103m · Comedy, DramaFourteen-year-old Duncan spends his summer vacation with his mother, her controlling boyfriend, and his new stepsister. Struggling to fit in, Duncan forms an unlikely friendship with Owen, the manager of the Water Wizz water park.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1 - 30
NoMovie · 2012 · 118m · Drama, HistoryIn 1988, facing international pressure, Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet is compelled to hold a vote on whether he can stay in power for another eight years. Opposition leaders recruit a young, ambitious advertising executive named René Saavedra to lead their "No" campaign. With limited resources and under constant surveillance by Pinochet's forces, Saavedra and his team develop a daring strategy to win the election and liberate Chile.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.2 - 31
JiseulMovie · 2013 · 108mOn a South Korean island, residents rise up against excessive police force. The protests are quickly branded as communist, leading to a military crackdown.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.4 - 32
The SquareMovie · 2013 · 88m · Documentary, Drama, History*The Square* examines the daily struggles of Egyptians striving to establish a new democracy. The film centers on Cairo's Tahrir Square, following several young activists who believe the fight for democracy truly began after Hosni Mubarak's ouster. Driven by their principles, resilience, creativity, social media, and unwavering resolve, they navigate a perilous conflict between the people and the authority of the state.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.6 - 33
The Look of LoveMovie · 2013 · 105m · Comedy, DramaPaul Raymond created a vast empire encompassing pornography, entertainment, and property, becoming Britain's wealthiest man. However, his daughter, Debbie, is tragically affected by his drug use.IMDb 6.0TMDB 5.6 - 34
The SummitMovie · 2013 · 95m · Adventure, Documentary, Drama"The Summit," a 2012 documentary by Nick Ryan, recounts the devastating 2008 K2 disaster. The film blends documentary footage with dramatized recreations to depict the events that unfolded as eleven climbers perished in a short period on their ascent and descent. Much of the footage was captured by Swedish mountaineer Fredrik Sträng, who had intended to film a documentary but was unable to reach the summit. His footage proved crucial in clarifying the conflicting accounts surrounding the tragedy.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.8 - 35
SweetwaterMovie · 2013 · 96m · Western, ThrillerThe late 1800s in New Mexico Territory see a dangerous entanglement develop between a zealous religious leader, a disreputable Sheriff, and a woman with a past. Their lives become intertwined in a volatile and potentially deadly situation.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.1 - 36
Who Is Dayani Cristal?Movie · 2013 · 80mThe discovery of an unidentified body in the Arizona desert sets off a compelling story of human connection. The investigation to uncover the deceased's identity takes the characters on a journey across the country, searching for those left behind and trying to understand the significance of a puzzling tattoo.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.5 - 37
JobsMovie · 2013 · 129m · Drama, HistoryThis is the story of Steve Jobs, charting his rise from dropping out of college to becoming one of the most celebrated and influential creative entrepreneurs of the 20th century.IMDb 6.0TMDB 6.1 - 38
CirclesMovie · 2013 · 100m · War, Drama"Circles" tells the true story of a Serbian soldier who endangered himself to save a Muslim civilian during the Bosnian War in 1993. Twelve years later, the impact of his courageous act continues to resonate. The film explores the lasting consequences of this single event.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.1 - 39
Don JonMovie · 2013 · 90m · Romance, Comedy, DramaA man from New Jersey deeply devoted to his family, friends, and faith begins to struggle with unrealistic expectations stemming from pornography. He then strives to find genuine happiness and intimacy with a woman who may be his soulmate.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.0 - 40
The Spectacular NowMovie · 2013 · 95m · Comedy, Drama, RomanceSutter, a social butterfly, unexpectedly encounters the reserved Aimee after waking up on someone's lawn. As Sutter navigates personal challenges and Aimee considers her post-graduation plans, an unforeseen romance develops between them.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 41
The EastMovie · 2013 · 116m · Drama, ThrillerA skilled agent for a top-tier private intelligence company has her loyalties challenged when she's assigned to go undercover within a radical anarchist collective. This group is notorious for carrying out clandestine attacks against powerful corporations.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.6 - 42
A.C.O.D.Movie · 2013 · 88m · ComedyA grown man is still affected by his parents' divorce, which began 15 years ago. He learns he was unknowingly part of a study about children of divorce and is asked to participate in a follow-up years later. This new involvement disrupts his family life all over again.IMDb 5.7TMDB 5.5 - 43
SightseersMovie · 2012 · 88m · Comedy, Crime, RomanceChris wants to share his life with his girlfriend Tina, planning a caravan holiday. However, unforeseen circumstances quickly disrupt their plans, leading to a disastrous turn in their dream trip.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.3 - 44
AdoreMovie · 2013 · 100m · DramaLil and Roz have been best friends since childhood, growing up as neighbors in a peaceful beach town. Now adults, their sons share a close friendship mirroring the bond between their mothers. One summer, unresolved feelings among the four of them surface, leading each woman to discover unexpected happiness in relationships that challenge traditional expectations.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.1 - 45
Stories We TellMovie · 2012 · 109m · DocumentarySarah Polley, a Canadian actress and filmmaker, explores hidden aspects of her mother's past. She interviews family and friends, but their accounts differ depending on their connection to the events. This creates a series of unanswered questions, as memory is unreliable and the truth hinges on whose perspective we hear.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.1 - 46
Crystal Fairy & the Magical CactusMovie · 2013 · 99m · Comedy, Adventure, DramaJamie, a rude and inconsiderate American in his twenties, is traveling through Chile and consistently stirs up trouble. He and his friends are planning a road trip north to try a powerful hallucinogenic made from the San Pedro cactus. After getting drunk at a party, Jamie impulsively invites a unique woman, known as Crystal Fairy, to join them.IMDb 5.9TMDB 6.0 - 47
Fill the VoidMovie · 2012 · 90m · DramaEighteen-year-old Shira, the youngest of the Mendelman family, is set to marry a suitable young man and is thrilled by the prospect. However, her wedding plans are disrupted when her twenty-eight-year-old sister, Esther, dies in childbirth. The family is devastated, and Shira's engagement is postponed. The situation shifts when a potential match is proposed for Esther's husband – a widow in Belgium. He feels it’s too soon to remarry, but acknowledges he will eventually need to. The girls’ mother, learning of this possibility, suggests Shira marry the widower instead. Shira must now decide between her own desires and her family obligations, discovering that the difficult choice lies within herself.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.4 - 48
LovelaceMovie · 2013 · 92m · DramaThis is the story of Linda Lovelace, detailing her experiences of exploitation and abuse within the adult film industry. She is subjected to mistreatment orchestrated by her controlling husband, but ultimately fights to regain control of her own life.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.0 - 49
Big SurMovie · 2013 · 100mBig Sur is a film based on Jack Kerouac's memoir of the same name.IMDb 5.7TMDB 4.6 - 50
An Afghan Love StoryMovie · 2013 · 86mSnow falls on Kabul as friendly waiter Mustafa and a young student named Wajma begin a secret romance. Their relationship is filled with joy and passion, but they are constantly aware of the strict social rules they are defying. When Wajma learns she is pregnant, she questions whether Mustafa will marry her, and their affair is exposed. Her father is then forced to choose between upholding his family's traditions of honor and his love for his daughter.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.3 - 51
Before MidnightMovie · 2013 · 109m · Romance, DramaNine years after meeting on a train in Vienna, Jesse and Celine, a French-American couple, now live in Paris with their twin daughters. They spend a summer in Greece at the invitation of a colleague of Jesse's. As the vacation ends and Jesse prepares to send his teenage son to the United States, he starts to doubt his choices, putting his relationship with Celine in jeopardy.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.5 - 52
Prince AvalancheMovie · 2013 · 94m · Comedy, DramaIn the summer of 1988, two highway workers escape their city lives for a remote job. The isolated setting triggers conflict between the men, and forces them to confront their relationships with the women they left behind.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.1
