The 2022 Sundance Film Festival kicked off with an incredible array of films that reflected both the resilience and creativity of independent cinema in a world still navigating the challenges posed by the global pandemic. This year’s festival, which took place virtually and in select theaters, showcased an exciting mix of debut works, returning directors, and films that addressed timely social issues. Sundance 2022 was, as always, a platform for groundbreaking voices, with many films exploring themes of identity, belonging, and societal fractures.
One of the standout films of the festival was Nanny, a haunting psychological drama by Nikyatu Jusu. The film, which won the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award, follows Aisha (played by Anna Diop), a Senegalese immigrant working as a nanny for a wealthy family in New York. As Aisha grapples with her own painful past and dreams of bringing her son to the United States, she begins to experience disturbing visions and supernatural events that blur the line between reality and nightmare. The film deftly explores themes of motherhood, grief, and the immigrant experience, all while blending the psychological and the supernatural to create an atmosphere of tension and unease. Critics praised Jusu’s unique approach to genre filmmaking, which combined elements of horror with deep emotional storytelling. The film’s evocative cinematography and the standout performance by Diop made Nanny one of the most talked-about films of the festival.
Another strong entry in the U.S. Dramatic Competition was Cha Cha Real Smooth, the latest film from writer-director Cooper Raiff. Following the success of his debut film, Shithouse, Raiff returns with a heartwarming yet poignant coming-of-age story that explores the complexities of relationships, adulthood, and finding one’s place in the world. The film follows Andrew (played by Raiff), a college graduate who returns home to live with his family and starts a job as a party host for bar mitzvahs. There, he strikes up an unlikely friendship with Domino (played by Dakota Johnson), a woman who has an autistic daughter. The film’s charm lies in its authenticity and its deep empathy for its characters. Raiff’s direction is sensitive and unpretentious, and his script strikes a balance between humor and tenderness. The performances, particularly Johnson’s, are nuanced and full of heart, making Cha Cha Real Smooth a standout film at Sundance 2022. Critics lauded its ability to capture the uncertainty of youth while offering a fresh perspective on relationships and personal growth.
January 21, 2022
The second day of Sundance brought with it a slew of exciting films, each tackling a wide range of topics with creativity and passion. One of the most highly anticipated films in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition was Utama, a strikingly beautiful film from Bolivia by director Alejo Moguillansky. The film tells the story of an elderly couple, Virginio and Sisia, who live in isolation in the highlands of Bolivia. When a drought threatens their already precarious lifestyle, they are forced to confront their own vulnerability and the realities of aging. The film’s meditative pace and stunning cinematography, which captures the harsh yet majestic landscapes of the Bolivian mountains, make it an immersive experience. What stands out in Utama is its portrayal of aging, resilience, and the quiet power of human connection. The performances by the elderly couple, Luis Alberto Aguilar and María del Carmen de la Fuente, are moving and understated, bringing a gentle gravity to the narrative. Utama is a film that resonates deeply, offering reflections on life, death, and the passage of time, all wrapped in a narrative that quietly demands the audience’s attention.
In the Documentary Competition, We Need to Talk About Cosby, a documentary by filmmaker W. Kamau Bell, became one of the most discussed and controversial films of the festival. The film examines the rise and fall of comedian Bill Cosby, once known as America’s “Dad” for his role on the iconic TV show The Cosby Show, and the subsequent criminal charges of sexual assault that led to his conviction. Bell’s film is a multi-layered exploration of Cosby’s legacy, diving into how the public persona of a beloved figure can remain intact despite the revelations of his abuse, and the impact of that duality on victims, fans, and society at large. The documentary was praised for its honest, unflinching look at Cosby’s life, while also engaging with the larger cultural issues surrounding celebrity, power, and accountability. Bell’s nuanced approach to a sensitive subject matter, along with the poignant interviews from survivors, made the documentary one of the standout non-fiction films of the festival. Critics noted how the film balanced the deep pain of Cosby’s victims with a critical examination of the public’s complicity in upholding a myth of morality around a celebrity.
January 22, 2022
As the festival progressed, Master by Mariama Diallo emerged as a film that combined psychological horror with sharp social commentary. The film centers on Gail (played by Julia Nightingale), a freshman at an elite university, and her troubled relationship with two professors, Professor Liv Beckett (played by Amber Gray) and Professor Veronica Gilder (played by Jennifer Ehle). Gail’s experiences at the school quickly become a psychological nightmare as she grapples with a series of unsettling incidents, and she begins to question whether she is the victim of racism or if she is simply losing her grip on reality. Master touches on the intersecting dynamics of race, privilege, and mental health, using the classic “haunted school” narrative to weave a powerful critique of institutionalized racism and the trauma faced by students of color at predominantly white universities. Diallo’s direction is taut and effective, building an atmosphere of mounting dread as the audience is taken deeper into the mental and emotional turmoil of Gail’s experience.
The film was widely praised for its ability to take on complex social issues while delivering a thrilling narrative that kept audiences on edge. Nightgale’s performance was singled out for its intensity and vulnerability, while the film’s careful and deliberate pacing created a haunting sense of isolation and paranoia.
Meanwhile, Fire Island, a queer rom-com from director Andrew Ahn, brought some much-needed levity to the festival with its lighthearted, but deeply emotional take on relationships and self-discovery. Set on the iconic Fire Island, the film follows Noah (played by Joel Kim Booster) and his friends as they head to the island for their annual summer trip. Amidst the fun, humor, and romantic escapades, Noah finds himself grappling with love, friendship, and his sense of self-worth.
Ahn’s film is a joyful celebration of queer culture, offering a modern twist on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, with the iconic Fire Island as a vibrant backdrop. The film’s witty dialogue and endearing characters drew praise from critics who lauded its ability to blend humor with poignant reflections on identity, love, and belonging. The performances, particularly from Booster, Bowen Yang, and Margaret Cho, were praised for their chemistry and authenticity. Fire Island is a refreshing take on the romantic comedy genre that feels both timeless and modern in its portrayal of queer relationships and self-acceptance.
January 23, 2022
On the penultimate day of the festival, Fresh, a darkly comedic horror-thriller directed by Mimi Cave, made waves in the Next category. The film follows Noa (played by Daisy Edgar-Jones), a woman who starts a promising new relationship with a man named Steve (played by Sebastian Stan), only to discover that he harbors a deeply disturbing secret. Freshblends elements of psychological thriller with a satirical commentary on modern dating and the commodification of relationships. Critics were quick to point out how the film plays with genre conventions, subverting expectations in surprising and unsettling ways. Cave’s ability to balance dark humor with horror made the film both engaging and disquieting. The performances by Edgar-Jones and Stan were standouts, particularly Stan’s chilling portrayal of a man who hides a deeply sinister side behind his charismatic exterior. Fresh became one of the breakout films of the festival, with its mix of social commentary, horror, and dark humor offering something unique and refreshing in a genre that often feels predictable.
Finally, the Audience Award for Documentary went to Navalny, directed by Daniel Roher, a documentary about Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The film chronicles Navalny’s fight against the Russian government, his poisoning, and his eventual return to Russia, where he faces arrest and imprisonment. Navalny provides a powerful, real-time look at the political climate in Russia, shining a light on the courage and determination of a leader willing to risk everything for his cause. The documentary was lauded for its access to Navalny himself, as well as its insight into the political struggle that has unfolded over the past decade
Sundance Film Festival – 2022
All images are sourced from IMDb.com.
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