Sofia Kappel appears in <i>Pleasure</i> by Ninja Thyberg, an official selection of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Movies

[Sundance ’21] On the eve of the Sundance Film Festival, a final look of what we are looking forward to

A final look at what we want to see.

Nathaniel Muir

January 27, 2021

This year’s edition of the Sundance Film Festival will be different than any that has come before. Using a hybrid method that is virtual and in person, this year’s fest can potentially reach more people than it ever has. And just like any other Sundance, they will be treated to some of the year’s finest movies. We have already look at some of most anticipated films playing at Sundance. Here is one last look at what we are looking forward to.

How it Ends

[Sundance '21] On the eve of the Sundance Film Festival, a final look of what we are looking forward to

Zoe Lister-Jones and Cailee Spaeny appear in How it Ends by Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister-Jones, an official selection of the Premieres section at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Daryl Wein.

The impending end of the world is a popular topic in movies. The plot usually centers around one theme: what would you do in your last hours? How it Ends is about a woman (Zoe Lister-Jones) who scores an invite to a one last party. The unique premise and all star cast make this one promising.

Judas and the Black Messiah

Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya appear in Judas and the Black Messiah by Shaka King, an official selection of the Premieres section at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Glen Wilson.

A last minute edition to Sundance, the biopic is about Black Panther party chairman Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) and the man who became infamous for betraying him, William O’Neal (Lakeith Stanfield). After the FBI identified Hampton as a threat, O’Neal infiltrated the the BPP as a police informant.

Prime Time

Bartosz Bieleina appears in Prime Time by Jakub Piątek, an official selection of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Tomek Kaczor.

For those old enough to remember, the waning hours of 1999 were hectic ones. Fears (and hopes) of the banking system crashing, computers taking over the world, and the apocalypse were constantly talked about. Prime Time is about a man who hijacks a television studio on New Year’s Eve 1999 in order to deliver his message.

Prisoners of the Ghostland

Nick Cassavetes and Nic Cage appears in Prisoners of the Ghostland by Sion Sono, an official selection of the Premieres section at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Nicolas Cage stars as a bank robber forced to wear a leather suit that is rigged to explode in five days. All he has to do is find the missing granddaughter of The Governor (Bill Moseley). Featuring samurai, ghosts, and cowboys this looks to be one of the wilder movies to premiere at the festival.

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

A still from Street Gang – How We Got To Sesame Street by Marilyn Agrelo, an official selection of the Premieres section at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Luke Geissbühler.

Sesame Street is one of the most iconic and endearing shows of all time. This documentary focuses on the team who brought it all together. Filled with behind the scenes footage and interviews, the nostalgia factor alone should elevate this above typical documentary.