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2011 Sundance Predictions: J.C. Chandor’s Margin Call
Last year they preemed John Wells' The Company Men, while this year could see J.C. Chandor's debut film (see above) make the grade. The difference with Margin Call is the slightly higher number of players involved (Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci, Aasif Mandvi, Grace Gummer) and the backdrop in this one: takes place in the heart of the collapse.
2011 Sundance Predictions: Kenneth Lonergan’s Margaret
While not as old as the 20th anniversary showing of Slackers, Kenneth Lonergan's sophomore film is old enough that two principle producers (Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack) will have passed away before having seen the final cut of the film. Word is: Fox Searchlight has a finished film in their possession. It would be fitting that Lonergan, who presented You Can Count on Me at the festival in 2001, return with this. Would be nice to see this one, perhaps as the opener? We are fed up of the wait.
2011 Sundance Predictions: Jaffe Zinn’s Magic Valley
I've mentioned Magic Valley as a possible fall release, but it looks like producer Heather Rae plans to make the trek back to Park City, the lieu where Frozen River took off. Expect Jaffe Zinn's feature debut to grab a spot in the U.S Dramatic Comp and maybe head to Berlin the month after.
2011 Sundance Predictions: Benoît Philippon’s Lullaby For Pi
Being released in France this December, I figure this co-production's only real shot at a festival debut might be in Park City and on Main Street (the film's strong musical element means a possible concert - see trailer). With indie producer vet Killer Films' Christine Vachon as one of the producers, I figure Benoît Philippon's debut appears likely to grab a spot in the World Dramatic Competition.
2011 Sundance Predictions: Jonathan Levine’s Live with It
I'm mentioning Jonathan Levine's Live With It only because he has been to the festival with his previous picture (The Wackness) and the fact that it would play extremely well at the festival. The situation is different this time out with his third film, as Summit Ent. picked up the rights during production, so it therefore becomes a question if the distributor wants to push this Black List dramedy prior to The Beaver.
