House of Stars

     An early start to a long day is almost always indicative of a productive time.  Today was certainly no different.  With the anticipation of viewing the new Ryan Reynolds' film, THE VOICES, about a man who seeks help from his dog and cat after murdering a female co-worker, my friends and I trumped out towards Main Street which houses the ever-alluring Egyptian Theater.

However, our torch was quickly extinguished when we were told that there would be almost no room for anyone once the press had set up shop.  "But no need to worry," our handy-dandy volunteer guide, Ross, said.  Pointing to the Sundance Channel Headquarters next door, Ross, in his perfectly adorable Mike Wazowski winter hat, informed us that we could get a hot cup of Joe and perhaps sit in on a panel for the mini-series about to premiere, starring the lovely Maggie Gyllenhaal.  THE HONOURABLE WOMAN surrounds Ness Stein (Gyllenhaal) as she attempts to assert her knowledge and intellectual prowess into the political upheaval of arms dealing in order to procure some sort of peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.  Needless to say, we were not disappointed.

     Upon arrival, we grabbed a free cup of java and meandered our way towards the back where, to our surprise, we saw not only Maggie Gyllenhaal, but Paul Reiser and GAME OF THRONES heart-throb, Jason Momoa.  The trio discussed their upcoming work with Sundance, leaving Maggie to close the "Sundance Channel Coffee Talk" (motto: #ownyourstory) with some parting words of wisdom: "Get a camera and make a little something.  Make it interesting and inspiring."  Short and sweet, just like her.

However, our day was just beginning!  We scurried off to the The Yarrow Theater just in time to sit in on the Docs Shorts Program II where we watched three of the festival's top documentary short picks of the year.  The first one titled, I THINK THIS IS THE CLOSEST TO HOW THE FOOTAGE LOOKED (directed by Yuval Hameiri) was drastically simple but overwhelmingly powerful.  A look at the true story of how he accidentally erased the last footage of his mother before she died, Yuval uses household objects and remnant videotape footage to recreate what he believed it would look like if the proof still existed.  The second film, NOTES ON BLINDNESS, used an audio diary from writer, John Hull, who officially lost his eyesight in 1983, to narrate what he must have been visualizing as he spoke.  The cinematography was impeccable and directors, Peter Middleton and James Spinney, knew they had a masterpiece on their hands.   The last film of the trio however, sparked the most interest from the audience.  REMEMBERING THE ARTIST: ROBERT DE NIRO SR., took an intriguing inside look at the famous actor's father.  As a product of New York City's European Avant Garde movement, the HBO op-doc (opinion documentary), took a special look at De Niro Sr.'s outstanding artwork and the lack of recognition it received despite the obvious and vigorous talent he presented.  With heartfelt interviews by friends and, of course, Robert De Niro Jr., it was really no surprise when Robert De Niro showed up and addressed the Q&A, himself.  

Even though Robert De Niro respectfully denied that the making of this film changed how he viewed his family or his father, it was impossible not to notice the couple of times that his eyes welled in longing memory, both on and off the screen.  Simply put, it was the perfect way to end a day of fun with a house full of stars under the sun.  But with the fast approaching dawn, a new adventure peeks its head, promising to expose even more surprises.