IFC Curls Up to ‘Myth of the American Sleepover’

The future was already bright for David Robert Mitchell’s The Myth of the American Sleepover when it was accepted at SXSW, transferred over into Cannes’ Critics’ Week section and then sprawled over into dozens of film fests including next month’s AFI Fest. IFC Films have become the cherry on the sundae, picking up the coming-of-age film (think anti-thesis of Larry Clark’s Kids) setting it up for a release next year. I truly hope that this secures a niche and doesn’t fall by the wayside.

Mitchell, selected as a talent to watch out for in our inaugural American New Wave 25 series, is probably hard at work on his next project: either a tale about a boy pursuing a girl that reminds of his debut film in tone or a pic about an L.A. woman in her 20s. Here’s the trailer which should take you back a couple of years:

A portrait of summertime adolescence and the search for human connections. This story follows four young people on the last night of summer – their final night of freedom before the new school year starts. The teenagers cross paths as they explore the suburban wonderland they inhabit in search of love and adventure – chasing first kisses, elusive crushes, popularity and parties. While looking for the iconic teenage experience, they discover the quiet moments that will later become a part of their youth they look back on with nostalgia. Inspired by David Robert Mitchell’s experience growing up in Michigan, the kids in this poignant and tender coming-of-age drama may be lost, a little confused and full of angst, but ultimately the kids are alright in this life-affirming, truthful and fresh take on the teen genre.