Sundance Institute announced six of the seven films that will be featured at the 2014 Sundance Institute Summer Series of free outdoor film screenings and invited the Utah community to vote online through August 15 for the seventh film, which will screen August 27.
Now in its 17th year, the free series kicks off July 8 at Salt Lake City’s Red Butte Garden and July 25 at City Park in Park City. All films have screened at the Sundance Film Festival or have been supported through an Institute program. Screenings are free of charge and seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic baskets and blankets or low-back lawn chairs.
Sarah Pearce, Co-Managing Director of Sundance Institute, said, “The free outdoor Summer Series is one of my favorite ways to celebrate independent cinema in Utah and a shining example of how film has the power to bring our community together. I look forward to screening current and past Festival favorites under the stars and learning what the community selects for the final film in the series.”
Sundance Institute is once again joining forces with other Utah-based organizations for the Summer Series. This year’s collaborators include Kimball Art Center, Park City Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau, Park City Institute, Park City Recreation, and Red Butte Garden.
Films screening as part of the 2014 Sundance Institute Summer Series are:
Twenty Feet From Stardom / U.S.A. (Director: Morgan Neville) — Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. Twenty Feet From Stardom shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century. Academy Award Winner: Best Documentary, Features
• Tuesday, July 8 at 9:30 p.m. at Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City
• Friday, August 1 at 9:00 p.m. at City Park, Park City – Screening note: Sundance Institute is pleased to collaborate with Kimball Art Center and Park City Institute during the 46th Annual Park City Kimball Arts Festival.
What We Do in the Shadows / New Zealand, U.S.A. (Directors and screenwriters: Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement) — This mockumentary follows the struggles of a group of New Zealand-based vampires to understand modern society and adapt to the ever-changing world around them. Cast: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Jonny Brugh, Cori Gonzales-Macuer, Stu Rutherford.
• Tuesday, July 15 at 9:00 p.m. at Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City – Screening note: Director and Screenwriter Taika Waititi will be in attendance to lead a guided discussion before the film. Sundance Institute is proud to present this film in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of its Native American and Indigenous Program.
Big Night / U.S.A., (Directors: Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci) — A failing Italian restaurant run by two brothers gambles on one special night to try to save the business. Cast: Marc Anthony, Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Allison Janney, Isabella Rossellini, Campell Scott, Tony Shalhoub, Stanley Tucci.
• Friday, August 15 at 9:00 p.m. at City Park, Park City – Screening note: Sundance Institute is pleased to collaborate with Park City Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau for the first-ever Park City Grub Crawl created by bon appétit Magazine.
Ping Pong Summer / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Michael Tully) — 1985. Ocean City, Maryland. Summer vacation. Rap music. Parachute pants. Ping pong. First crushes. Best friends. Mean bullies. Weird mentors. That awkward, momentous time in your life when you’re treated like an alien by everyone around you, even though you know deep down you’re as funky fresh as it gets. Cast: Susan Sarandon, John Hannah, Lea Thompson, Amy Sedaris, Robert Longstreet, Marcello Conte.
• Friday, July 25 at 9:00 p.m. at City Park, Park City – Screening note: Sundance Institute is pleased to collaborate with Park City Recreation for a ping pong tournament before the screening.
The Battered Bastards of Baseball / U.S.A. (Directors: Chapman Way, Maclain Way) — Hollywood veteran Bing Russell creates the only independent baseball team in the country—alarming the baseball establishment and sparking the meteoric rise of the 1970s Portland Mavericks.
• Wednesday, August 13, at 9:00 p.m. at Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City – Screening note: Director Maclain Way will be in attendance to lead a guided discussion before the film.
God Help the Girl / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Stuart Murdoch) — This musical from Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian is about some messed up boys and girls and the music they made. Cast: Emily Browning, Olly Alexander, Hannah Murray, Pierre Boulanger, Cora Bissett.
• Wednesday, August 20, at 9:00 p.m. at Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City
Utah Community Choice Film – For the second year, Sundance Institute wants YOU to program the last film of the Summer Series. Through August 15, visit sundance.org/utah to vote for your favorite Sundance Film Festival flick with a music theme: SLC Punk!, Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap and U2 3D.The winning film will be announced in late August.
• Wednesday, August 27 at 9:00 p.m. at Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City
Sundance Institute gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Principal Sponsor Zions Bank, and Community Supporters Promontory Foundation, Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City Arts Council, Salt Lake County Economic Development Department, Salt Lake County Zap Tax Tier II, and Summit County RAP Tax.
For more information about Sundance Institute programming for Utah residents and to vote for the Utah Community Choice Film visit www.sundance.org/utah.
