A Greener, More Sustainable Scene Emerges at Sundance ‘08
When legendary filmmaker and actor Robert Redford introduced the film In Bruges at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, he focused on an era of change. It’s a new generation of filmmakers, he tells us.
There are more first-time filmmakers and directors at the festival than ever before - and from a growing mix of industries: theater, music, art and interactive. This cross-over of expertise among industries, promised Redford, would break new ground and change filmmaking.
And so it was fitting that premiere night began with an international film from a first-time director hailed for his skills in writing for the theater. Irish playwright, Martin McDonagh, introduced his film In Bruges, and brought on stage its stars Collin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. The film follows two hideaway hit men holding up in a fairytale-like Belgian town.
Walking down Park City’s Main Street, it’s obvious that the ReGeneration is flexing its muscle.
A more integrated, more sustainable Sundance is emerging. Green is growing - and so is giving back. Festival goers can join film critics over a martini made with 360 Vodka, the “official spirit” of the Sundance Film Festival. The McCormick Distilling Company product is made from locally grown grain, packaged in 85 percent recycled glass with 100 percent recycled labels, and touts a reusable bottle cap that you can ship back for free to the manufacturer so it can be recycled.
Yesterday, I met director, Matthew Stanton at the Delta Sky 360 Lounge, whose new film, North Star is generating buzz. The Conservation Fund was helping visitors calculate their carbon footprint and restore native forests via a mobile, Go ZeroSM Carbon Kiosk. Turns out Matthew’s carbon footprint is quite small - just 11 tons (he has no emissions from electricity or natural gas, as he lived in his car for some time).
Just up the street, you can visit Project Greenhouse, which features organic clothes, beverages and goodies, as well as a chance to test drive a Lexus hybrid. Participating films, documentaries and shorts are invited to offset their carbon emissions through partner and its Limit450 division, which supports local American farmers.
There is no telling how the new greener, more sustainable Sundance will evolve - but I have little doubt that it is more creative, edgy and exciting than ever before.
Jena Thompson is director of The Conservation Fund’s Go Zero climate initiative.
