Robert Redford was at the O2 today, but sadly we didn’t see him. We did see the chair he was sitting in for a press conference, though, and there were plenty of other chairs he may have sat in, too, so that’s something. Anyway, enough bragging. We’re here to talk about movies.

Kicking things off was Barbara Kopple’s Running From Crazy, a documentary about the troubling history of mental illness afflicting actress Mariel (granddaughter of Ernest) Hemingway’s family, and the ways in which she has learned to deal with the pain it has caused her. Although it feels a little false at times, and doesn’t offer much insight into the nature of depression (nor does it claim to, as many naysayers have said), Running From Crazy is a moving and personal portrait of one of the most well known families in America. Don’t let the presence of Oprah Winfrey’s name in the credits put you off.

Significantly less well known is the family at the heart of Metro Manila, a twisty cops’n’robbers action drama from the Philippines about a poverty stricken farmer, his wife and their two young daughters who travel from the countryside to find work in the city. There’s not a huge amount to say about Metro Manila, really. It looks good, and it’s entertaining enough to never be boring, but it’s far too by-the-numbers to make much of a lasting impression. As a movie, it’s perfectly fine, but it’s not something we’re in a hurry to see again. Metro Vanilla, amirite?

The same can be said for Michael Winterbottom’s The Look of Love (above), his biopic of notorious adult entertainment baron Paul Raymond. Steve Coogan and Imogen Poots are both brilliant as the father and daughter at the head of an empire, but we got the impression that Winterbottom and screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh had bitten off more than they could chew with this story. It looks great, sounds great and is well acted, but it all feels a little inconsequential.

Finally we have In A World…, a film that pits voice over artists against each other in a battle for a job as “voice of the trailers” for a huge new film series. Director, writer and star Lake Bell plays woman in a man’s world Carol, the daughter of voiceover legend Sam Sotto and rival to new kid in the block Gustav, neither of whom like the idea of a woman stealing their limelight. So far, so Will Ferrell sports comedy, right? Not exactly. By bolstering this fairly simple story with strong subplots about family crises and personal relationships, In A World… becomes a romantic, funny and (as overused as this word is this week) charming comedy drama with a surprisingly moving finale. Really good stuff.

Words: Matt Mansfield (Follow Matt on Twitter @mattmansfield_)

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Sundance is where the brightest talents of American independent cinema go to show off their movies, so its presence on British soil is kind of a big deal. The London iteration of the world famous festival, now in its second year, offers a selection of the films screened at Sundance plus a number of fresh new British works, live music and panel discussions, all over the course of a long weekend at the O2. We’ll be reviewing the festival once it begins at the end of April, so stay tuned.

1. Upstream Color

In 2004, Shane Carruth’s fascinating debut, the time travel maths lesson Primer, premiered at Sundance where it won the Grand Jury Prize. Although his second film, Upstream Color, didn’t win the big prize at this year’s festival it was well received by audiences and critics alike, even if nobody seems to have any idea what it is they saw.

But that’s understandable. Details on the film are pretty thin on the ground, but we do know Carruth writes, directs and stars (among other things) alongside mumblecore darling Amy Seimetz (Tiny Furniture, Silver Bullets) in a film he describes as a mythic romantic thriller. Sounds great, right? And if it’s half as good as Primer we’re in for one helluva treat.

2. Mud

Since he made waves with 2007’s Shotgun Stories writer-director Jeff Nichols has gone from strength to strength, with his second film, Take Shelter, premiering at Sundance in 2011 and his new one, Mud, screening in competition at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and this year’s Sundance.

Mud follows two teenage boys in America’s deep south who discover a charming fugitive (Matthew McConaughey) living in the woods and attempt to hide him from the authorities, all while helping him reunite with his ex-girlfriend (Reese Witherspoon). The film looks to be a coming-of-age story reminiscent of the novels of Mark Twain and 80s Spielberg which, considering Nichols is one of American cinema’s most interesting storytellers, is something we’re really excited about.

3. Peaches Does Herself

Berlin based Canadian electro-shock-pop star and artist Peaches has made a docu-musical about her life and career. Do you really need to hear anything else? Filmed at one of her live performances in Berlin, Peaches Does Herself marks her debut as a writer-director, and looks set to be as vibrant and confrontational as her music, famed for its thematic exploration of gender identity and sexuality.

Peaches will also give a live performance downstairs in the IndigO2 at the festival to accompany the film, so that’s something to look forward to (read: prepare for).

4. The Look of Love

“My name’s Paul Raymond. Welcome to my world of erotica,” proclaims Steve Coogan in the trailer for Michael Winterbottom’s new film, The Look of Love, a biopic of London’s most controversial publishing magnate, strip club owner and so-called “King of Soho”.
Imogen Poots, Stephen Fry, Anna Friel and Tamsin Egerton round out the cast of this wholly British drama which, in spite of the mixed critical acclaim levelled at it following its Sundance premiere in January, looks set to find its audience in London.

5. Running From Crazy

Barbara Kopple’s career as a documentarian is an undeniably impressive one. The winner of multiple awards, including Oscars for her films Harlan County U.S.A and American Dream, Kopple has directed numerous documentaries about people as diverse as Woody Allen and Mike Tyson, and now she’s turning her lens to Mariel Hemmingway, granddaughter of celebrated novelist Ernest.

Running From Crazy documents the Hemingway family’s battle with mental illness and suicide through the eyes of Mariel and her two siblings, and the word from its premiere at this year’s Sundance suggests it’s as bleakly riveting as the subject matter suggests. Colour us intrigued.

The festival takes place between the 25th and 28th of April. Tickets are on sale now. www.sundance-london.com

Words: Matt Mansfield

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