Sundance Day Two: Lymelife, Rough Aunties, Humpday and Johnny Mad Dog
Today is Day Two of Sundance; we're past opening night now, and the serious work of watching and reviewing three to four films a day sets in. First up for me today is Derek Martini's Lymelife, which was developed in the Sundance Filmmaker's Lab and won the International Critics Award (FIPRESCI) at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film, set in the late-1970s, is about a 15-year-old boy (Rory Culkin), his best friend Adrianna (Emma Roberts), and what happens within their families and communities during a devastating outbreak of lyme disease.
Next up on my plate is Rough Aunties, Kim Longinotto's World Competition doc about a group of women who protect and defend young girls who've been sexually abused.;I've been intrigued to see this one since David raved about it in Amsterdam, calling it a likely Oscar nominee for 2010.
Also on my agenda is Humpday, director Lynn Shelton's look at what happens when two men who were once good college buddies decide to make an amateur porn film -- with each other. Later on tonight, I'm planning to catch the late screening of Johnny Mad Dog, Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire's film about a platoon of child soldiers in Liberia led by a violent 15-year-old. When the young soldiers get word that they need to terrorize and immobalize an entire city, Johnny Mad Dog is put on a collision course with quiet, studious Laokole, who lives there with her little brother and her father, who's disabled.
Very full day of screenings today, but I'll be posting short takes on the films throughout the day; we'll have continued Sundance coverage from David Poland, Gregg Goldstein and Ray Pride as well, so keep checking back.