2021 Sundance Film Festival Premieres
In the Earth
In the Earth
Distributor: Neon
Release Date: TBD
Ben Wheatley’s return to horror has had Neon attached, with a theatrical release planned for sometime this year. Read Mary Beth McAndrews’ review of In the Earth.
In the Same Breath
Distributor: HBO
Release Date: TBD
Produced by HBO Documentary Films, the latest documentary from Nanfu Wang (One Child Nation), comparing the government responses to COVID-19 in China and the US, is presumably also set to premiere on the cable channel and/or HBO Max. Read my review of In the Same Breath at Nonfics.
Judas and the Black Messiah
Distributor: Warner Bros. and HBO Max
Release Date: February 12th
Shaka King’s historical drama about the 1969 murder of Black Panthers leader Fred Hampton (played by Daniel Kaluuya) and the FBI informant (Lakeith Stanfield) who helped bring him down will be released on February 12th simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max by Warner Bros. Read Rob Hunter’s review of Judas and the Black Messiah.
Land
Distributor: Focus Features
Release Date: February 12th
Robin Wright’s feature directorial debut, in which she also stars as a woman who escapes her normal life and goes into nature, was produced for Focus Features and is set for a February theatrical release. Read Shea Vassar’s review of Land.
Prisoners of the Ghostland
Distributor: RJLE Films
Release Date: TBD
Sion Sono’s new post-apocalyptic action movie is the latest Nicolas Cage film to go to RJLE Films (following Mandy and Color Out of Space), which made the acquisition ahead of the festival. Look for a theatrical release sometime this year. And read Rob Hunter’s review.
The Sparks Brothers
Distributors: Focus Features/Universal
Release date: TBD
Edgar Wright’s first documentary, which Brianna Zigler calls “a celebratory work of art that is unequivocally original and stylistically all his own,” chronicles the half-century career of two brothers who’ve made influential yet surprisingly little-known music as the band Sparks. Focus Features, which is already putting out Wright’s next narrative feature (Last Night in Soho) this year, has also acquired The Sparks Brothers for distribution sometime in 2021 with Universal handling the international release.
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street
Distributors: Screen Media Films, HBO, HBO Max
Release Date: TBD
This decent documentary chronicling the origins and early history of Sesame Street, is due for a theatrical release from Screen Media Films followed by broadcast and streaming debut on HBO and HBO Max.
Still without distribution: Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir, Bring Your Own Brigade, Eight for Silver, How It Ends, Marvelous and the Black Hole, Mass, My Name is Pauli Murray
Spotlight Program
NIght of the Kings
Night of the Kings
Distributor: Neon
Release Date: February 26th
Philippe Lacôte’s prison drama, which is the Ivorian submission for the Oscars’ International Award, will head to theaters and virtual cinemas via Neon in February followed by VOD release on March 5th.
The World to Come
Distributor: Bleecker Street Media
Release Date: February 12th
Mona Fastvold’s 19th-century lesbian drama starring Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby is set for a theatrical release via Bleecker Street Media on February 12th followed by a VOD release on March 2nd. Read Mary Beth McAndrews’ review of The World to Come.
Next Program
Still without distribution: The Blazing World, First Date, R#J, Searchers, Strawberry Mansion, We’re All Going to the World’s Fair
Midnight Program
A Glitch in the Matrix
Censor
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Release Date: June 11, 2021
This British horror movie, which pays tribute to the “video nasty” era of censorship in the UK and “creates a brilliant tension between the camera and the audience,” according to Shea Vassar, is due out on June 11th courtesy of a late pickup by Magnolia Pictures.
A Glitch in the Matrix
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Release Date: February 5, 2021
The latest documentary from Room 237 director Rodney Ascher tackles the belief that we’re all living in a computer simulation. Magnolia picked up the distribution rights in December and now has the quickest turnaround for release, putting the film in theaters and on VOD this Friday, February 5th. Read my review of the doc at Nonfics.
Violation
Distributor: Shudder
Release Date: March 25th
This revenge drama follows a woman fleeing her husband into the home of her estranged younger sister, who betrays her trust. Shudder picked up the film in December, ahead of the festival, and will release it on their streaming platform in March.
Still without distribution: Coming Home in the Dark, Knocking, Mother Schmuckers
Indie Series Program
Still without distribution: 4 Feet High, Seeds of Deceit, These Days, Would You Rather
Special Screenings
Life in a Day 2020
Distributor: YouTube
Release Date: February 6th
Kevin Macdonald and Ridley Scott follow up their 2011 crowdsourced documentary Life in a Day with a new feature installment showcasing life around the world filmed on July 25, 2020.
US Dramatic Program
Passing
Passing
Distributor: Netflix
Release Date: TBD
Rebecca Hall’s feature directorial debut, which stars Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson as white-passing Black women in 1920 New York City, was acquired by Netfilx for more than $15 million with a probably awards-season release. Read Luke Hicks’ review.
Together Together
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Release Date: TBD
Nikole Beckwith’s comedy starring Ed Helms and Patti Harrison was picked up by Bleecker Street in December, ahead of the festival.
Still without distribution: I Was a Simple Man, John and the Hole, Mayday, Superior
US Documentary Program
Ailey
Ailey
Distributor: Neon
Release Date: TBD
Ahead of Barry Jenkins’ planned biopic, here’s the documentary treatment for choreographer Alvin Ailey. Neon picked up the film during the festival and will hopefully release it theatrically this year.
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
Distributor: PBS
Release Date: TBD
This documentary about the titular EGOT honoree was made for the PBS series American Masters. Its broadcast date has not yet been revealed.
Still without distribution: At the Ready, Rebel Hearts, Try Harder!
World Cinema Dramatic Program
Pleasure
Distributor: A24
Release Date: 2021
Ninja Thyberg’s feature film about an aspiring Swedish porn actress entering the American adult entertainment industry, which Brianna Zigler calls “a harrowing yet captivating look at the consequences of chasing success within an exploitative, capitalist society, and of the grey moral area that exists in an industry that demands your body for consumption,” has been picked up by A24. The distributor will put out both an uncut version and an R-rated edit later this year.
Still without distribution: The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be Quiet, Human Factors, The Pink Cloud, El Planeta, Prime Time
World Cinema Documentary Program
Misha and the Wolves
Misha and the Wolves
Distributor: Netflix
Release Date: TBD
This documentary tells an unbelievable story, any details of which are too much to share. Although reported during the festival, apparently Netflix acquired the exclusive North American streaming rights earlier, and they’re a perfect fit for the film. Read my review at Nonfics.
The Most Beautiful Boy in the World
Distributor: Juno Films
Release Date: May 2021
This biographical documentary about former child star Björn Andresen, who was declared the titular moniker when cast in Lucino Visconti’s Death by Venice, was picked up by Juno Films ahead of the festival. They’ll release the film in theaters in May.
Playing with Sharks: The Valerie Taylor Story
Distributor: National Geographic Documentary Films
Release Date: TBD
This documentary about the diver, shark expert, and activist Valerie Taylor, who most famously shot footage for Jaws, is a wonderful biographical feature. National Geographic bought the film during the fest but hasn’t shared release plans yet. See my review at Nonfics.
Still without distribution: Captains of Za’atari, Faya Dayi, Taming the Garden
Related Topics: Sundance
