Now in it’s second year, Sundance’s NEXT section which helps put the spotlight on low and no-budget films is stacked with familiar names and faces and of the eight we predicted Andrew Dosunmu’s Restless City and Joshua Leonard’s The Lie. Here are the list of eight world premieres.
Bellflower /U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Evan Glodell)
A ballad for every person who has ever loved and lost – with enough violence, weapons, action and sex to tell a love story with apocalyptic stakes. Cast: Evan Glodell, Jessie Wiseman, Tyler Dawson, Rebekah Brandes.
The Lie /U.S.A. (Director: Joshua Leonard; Screenwriters: Jeff Feuerzeig, Joshua Leonard, Mark Webber and Jess Weixler, based on the short story by T. Coraghessan Boyle)
A man overwhelmed and disappointed with life tells a lie to avoid going to work… what could possibly go wrong? Cast: Joshua Leonard, Jess Weixler, Mark Webber, Alia Shawkat, Jane Adams and Kelli Garner.
Lord Byron /U.S.A. (Director: Zack Godshall; Screenwriters: Zack Godshall and Ross Brupbacher)
When he’s not pursuing women, Byron is smoking weed and loafing around. But he’s grown restless in his middle-age and feels the need to escape – he just doesn’t know where to go. Cast: Paul Batiste, Gwendolyn Spradling, Kayla Lemaire.
The Off Hours /U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Megan Griffiths)
A passing truck driver brings an unfamiliar sense of optimism to a woman working the night shift at a quiet diner, reminding her it’s never too late to become the person you always wanted to be. Cast: Amy Seimetz, Ross Partridge, Scoot McNairy, Lynn Shelton, Bret Roberts, Tony Doupe.
Prairie Love /U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Dusty Bias)
When a mysterious vagrant living out of his car among the snowy plains discovers a nearly-frozen local with a pen-pal girlfriend, he sees an opportunity to change his lonely existence. Cast: Jeremy Clark, Holly Lynn Ellis, Garth Blomberg.
Restless City /U.S.A. (Director: Andrew Dosunmu; Screenwriter: Eugene M. Gussenhoven)
An African immigrant survives on the fringes of New York City. Music is his passion, life is a hustle and falling in love is his greatest risk. Cast: Danai Gurira, Anthony Okungbowa, Babs Olusanmokun.
sound of my voice /U.S.A. (Director: Zal Batmanglij; Screenwriters: Zal Batmanglij and Brit Marling)
A young couple infiltrates a cult that meets in a basement in the San Fernando Valley. Cast: Christopher Denham, Nicole Vicius, Brit Marling.
to.get.her /U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Erica Dunton)
Five girls come together for one fateful night where anything goes. They all had secrets, but their friendship was the only thing they knew to be true. Cast: Jazzy De Lisser, Chelsea Logan, Adwoa Aboah, Jami Eaton, Audrey Speicher.
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