Ardent cinephiles might already be aware that the 2022 hybrid edition of the prestigious Sundance Film Festival is scheduled to be held from 20th January 2022 to 30th January 2022 at Park City, Utah. 82 film titles from across the globe were shortlisted from a massive list of 3762 submissions. Out of these 82 titles, some Indian films are also a part of the Sundance Film Festival. Here is a brief description of these Indian films.
All That Breathes by Shaunak Sen (Segment: World Cinema Documentary Competition)
Set against the backdrop of Delhi, the documentary film revolves around two brothers namely Saud and Nadeem whose childhood entailed watching the birds of prey, also known as the black kite, in the sky. Shaunak Sen’s film narrates how the two brothers have dedicated their lives to protect these birds which are now falling from the polluted skies. Besides in-person screenings, ‘All That Breathes’ would also have two online screenings on 23rd and 24th January 2022.
‘Counterfeit Kunkoo’ by Reema Sengupta (Segment: From the Collection Program)
Another Indian short film ‘Counterfeit Kunkoo’ helmed by Reema Sengupta has been selected amongst 40 other films as part of Sundance Film Festival’s ‘From the Collection’ program. The 15-minute short film features ‘Mirzapur’ actor Vijay Varma and Kani Kusruti. The plotline follows an apparently ideal rent candidate in big-city Mumbai with one flaw – she is an unmarried middle-class woman. The film was also part of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.
Furthermore, although technically ‘All That Breathes’ is the only new Indian film at the Sundance Film Festival 2022, a documentary film titled ‘Sirens’ helmed by Indian origin filmmaker Rita Baghdahi will also be screened at the film festival. The film revolves around co-founders and guitarists of the first all-female band of the Middle East and their endeavor to become thrash metal rockstars. It will be showcased in the world cinema documentary competition segment.