Kiwi-shot Bad Behaviour, Thomasin McKenzie’s latest thriller among Sundance 2023’s most exciting films

After two years of virtual screenings, one of the world’s most famous film festivals returns to its natural home on the often snow-flecked streets of Utah’s Park City from later this week.

The 2023 edition of Sundance Film Festival will still offer something for online viewers in North America, but audiences are expected to be out in force to see the around 100 features, 64 short films and four indie series that make up this year’s line-up.

Founded by Robert Redford and first held as the Utah/US Film Festival in Salt Lake City in 1978, it has helped launch a range of Kiwi films including Rain, Boy, Eagle vs Shark, What We Do in the Shadows, Slow West, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Coming Home in the Dark.

Last year’s big Oscar winner Coda debuted at the 2021 edition, while 2022’s highlights included documentaries like Fire of Love and Navalny, Emma Thompson-starrer Good Luck to You, Leo Grande and Bill Nighy’s critically acclaimed turn in Living.

After looking through the line-up for the festival, which runs from January 20 to 30 (New Zealand time), Stuff to Watch has come up with a list of 12 titles (including a couple with Kiwi connections) we’re picking to go on to even greater things.

READ MORE:
* Barbie, Indiana Jones 5, Cocaine Bear among the 33 most anticipated movies of 2023
* Seven superb films turning 20 this year (and where you can watch them in NZ)
* The 10 greatest Steven Spielberg movies (and where you can watch them right now)

Bad Behaviour

Shot in New Zealand, this dark comedy marks the directorial debut for Dame Jane Campion’s daughter Alice Englert.

The 28-year-old also wrote the screenplay and stars alongside Jennifer Connelly and Ben Whishaw in this tale about a former child actor (Connelly) who seeks enlightenment at a retreat while also navigating her close, yet turbulent relationship with her stunt-performer daughter (Englert).

The Disappearance of Shere Hite

One of the best-selling books of all-time since its publication in 1976, The Hite Report was a groundbreaking study of the intimate experiences of women. Its charismatic author, a feminist sex researcher and former model, became the public face and voice for women’s “secret confessions” with regard to sex and pleasure.

However, more than four decades after creating controversy and memorable television (as she debated her findings with contrarians), barely anyone today has heard of her. Nicole Newnham’s (Crip Camp) documentary aims to change all that.

Eileen

Kiwi actor Thomasin McKenzie headlines director William Oldroyd’s (Lady Macbeth) adaptation of Ottessa Moshfegh’s critically acclaimed 1960s-set, 2015 book of the same name about a young woman whose dreary life involves shuttling between her father’s home and her job in a prison.

However, that’s before she meets her new work colleague (Anne Hathaway), whose intoxicating appeal leads her into a situation Eileen would never have previously contemplated.

Fair Play

Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor and Solo: A Star War Story’s Alden Ehrenreich team up for this psychological thriller about a New York couple whose seemingly blissful relationship turns sour when a coveted position at a cut-throat financial firm arises.

As the power dynamics irrevocably shift in their relationship, Luke and Emily must face the true price of success.

Infinity Pool

Evocative writer-director Brandon Cronenberg (Possessor, Antiviral) latest slice of sci-fi focuses on James (Alexander Skarsgard) and Em Foster’s (Cleopatra Coleman) all-inclusive beach getaway in the fictional state of Li Tolqa.

An attempt to help jump-start James’ writer’s block, it becomes something far more exciting – and dangerous – when they encounter Gabi (Mia Goth) and Al (Jalil Lespert). Likely to appeal to fans of The White Lotus.

It’s Only Life After All

Best known for their hit 1989 song Closer to Fine, Atlanta-based singer-songwriters Amy Ray and Emily Saliers first began performing together in high school, before becoming the acclaimed folk-rock duo Indigo Girls.

Director Alexandria Bombach’s documentary sees the pair detail their various political and personal causes, demons and three-decade spanning career, with self-criticism, humour and honesty.

Little Richard: I Am Everything

Lisa Cortés’ eye-opening documentary shines a clarifying light on the Black, queer origins of rock ’n’ roll in this look at arguably the genre’s big bang: Richard Wayne Penniman – better known as Little Richard.

Features testimonials from legendary musicians and cultural figures, Black and queer scholars and Penniman’s family and friends, interviews with the artist himself and a treasure trove of rarely seen archival footage.

Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields

In this two-part documentary, director Lana Wilson (Miss Americana) reveals actor Brooke Shields’ incredible story of growing up in Hollywood through media appearances and archival footage.

A child model before she came to prominence in Louis Malle’s controversial film Pretty Baby at age 12, Shields’ early career was defined by a sexuality that she could neither claim – nor comprehend.

Run Rabbit Run

Succession’s Sarah Snook headlines this Australian psychological thriller about a fertility doctor whose carefully controlled world goes off the rails after a bunny mysteriously appears to her front door on her daughter Mia’s (Lily LaTorre) seventh birthday.

Over the next few days, Mia’s behaviour becomes increasingly bizarre, including a request to visit the long-estranged, hospitalised grandmother she has never met.

Sometimes I Think About Dying

Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley stars opposite Canadian comedian Dave Merheje (Ramy) in this romantic-drama about a quiet, lonely office worker who is ghosting through life until a new employee joins her company.

Robert’s naturally gregarious nature eventually encourages Fran to break out of her shell and leads to them meeting outside of their place of employment. But will Fran be able to get out of her own way and prevent herself from sabotaging their nascent relationship?

The Starling Girl

Little Women’s Eliza Scanlen plays a 17-year-old girl struggling to define her place within her rural Kentucky fundamentalist Christian community in what has been billed as “a morally complex, sensitive coming-of-age story”.

Even her greatest joy – the church dance group – is tempered by worry that what they are doing is actually sinful. Then there’s attention she’s receiving from charismatic youth pastor Owen (Top Gun: Maverick’s Lewis Pullman).

Still: A Michael J Fox Movie

An Inconvenient Truth and He Named Me Malala director Davis Guggenheim helms this look at the life of the beloved actor and Parkinson’s advocate.

As well as his personal and professional triumphs and tribulations, the former Back to the Future trilogy and Family Ties star opens up about what happens when a self-confessed incurable optimist has to confront an incurable disease.

The 2023 edition of the Sundance Film Festival is being held from January 20 to 30 (New Zealand Time).