By Melissa Houghton

Day One

Opening remarks from the Founder of Sundance Institute: “Having done this for, God it’s 34 years now since the festival started, I think we’re at a point where I can move on to a different place.” – Robert Redford

KEY PREMIERES: After the Wedding, an adaptation of Susanne Bier’s Academy Award-nominated Danish film, with Michelle Williams and Julianne Moore, and Native Son a contemporary reworking of Richard Wright’s 1940 novel. Ashton Sanders portrays Big Thomas (teenaged Chiron in 2016’s Moonlight).

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, Honey Boy.

PERSONAL NOTES: Day Zero was busy – picked up credentials, received a pin for five years of volunteer service, training sessions and dinner at Grappa. Day One – I’m meeting a lot of first-time volunteers who are eager to please and sometimes anxious about what to expect now that they’re on planet Sundance. I met Boots Riley who is a panelist this year and wrote and directed Sorry to Bother You (2018). The film has been nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best New Feature. I met a producer on Hail Satan? and the film’s occult historian/adviser. I mentioned that I’m looking forward to catching the documentary. Smiles and excitement.

Until tomorrow, M.

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