Sundance: The Usual Suspects

One gathers the Park City Institute is attempting to maintain the illusion of accessibility with these last-minute single-ticket releases for Sundance. Thirty-five dollars, plus the inevitable service fees, for a seat at The Egyptian, naturally. It’s a tactic, really—a carefully calibrated release to suggest inclusivity while simultaneously reminding everyone that the truly committed secured their packages ages ago. The Series, of course, remains the preferred haunt of the industry, a closed circuit of deals and handshakes, while the general public queues. Kim Yutani’s statement, so earnestly touting ‘intimate character journeys,’ feels faintly…performative. One suspects the real drama unfolds not on screen, but in the crush around the step-and-repeat red at the gala black-tie events. I observed a rather unfortunate incident involving a cashmere wrap and a spilled flute-glass gold prosecco near the Kimball Art Center last year; a testament to the pressures. Ten tickets per screening, they say. As if anyone needs ten chances to see another earnest indie drama. The traffic will be, predictably, biblical. Though, one must confess, the direct access via the sponsor's lines remains a distinct advantage.