The 2015 Sundance Film Festival kicks off in Park City, Utah tomorrow, and will run through February 1st. Obviously, we are very excited to be joining the festivities again this year. Though we will certainly be busy at the Chobani-sponsored café (FRI, January 23rd – FRI, January 30th from 10AM – 6PM), where we’ll be serving up cups of our special collaborative blend with the Greek yogurt titans and our signature Nizza espressos, there are plenty of films that we are really looking forward to seeing. Below are just a few that have piqued our interest.
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief
Come on – there is something rather fascinating about the controversial religion that we dare not speak badly about its name or else a lot of A-list Hollywood celebrities will get very upset with us. The documentary is based on Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright’s exposé about Scientology. Supposedly, eight former members helped Wright pull back the organization’s heavily guarded curtain, revealing its inner workings and shadowy, highly questionable practices. The Church of Scientology International has already put out a full-page ad in The New York Times denouncing the film. It was directed by Academy Award-winning Sundance vet Alex Gibney (Finding Fela).
The Stanford Experiment
In 1971, psychologist Philip Zimbardo conducted a famous experiment exploring the psychology of imprisonment . Enrolled undergrads volunteered, and were assigned the roles of guards or inmates, and what occurred during the study is a fascinating look into the human psyche. The movie features Billy Crudup (Almost Famous), Olivia Thirlby (Juno), Nelsan Ellis (True Blood), and Ezra Miller (the future DC Comics’ “Flash”).
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck
For the generations of folks who were reached by the art and life of Kurt Cobain, you have to want to see this. The documentary has received its blessings from the Cobain estate, and you’ll be treated to home movies, archival footage, unreleased tracks, and interviews with family and friends. It’s bound to be an interesting view inside the world of a complicated artist.
