From Deseret News archives:
Slamdance lures full house with 'Weirdsville'
The 13-year-old alternative to the much bigger and better-known Sundance Film Festival showcased its opening film, "Weirdsville," before a flock of camera-wielding members of the press, a line of disappointed would-be viewers who couldn't get a ticket — and a genuine pair of stars in Wes Bentley ("American Beauty") and Scott Speedman ("Underworld").
Bentley and Speedman walked the red carpet in the Treasure Mountain Inn at the top of Park City's Main Street, along with director Alan Moyle, and screened the film for an appreciative audience.
The ability to attract mainstream actors is a sign that the festival is growing in importance and prestige in the cinema world, but co-founder and president Peter Baxter says it isn't focused on stars. "We support independent filmmakers' movies with or without stars," he said before the screening. "We are not going to be critical of using stars, but we want to remain supportive of different types of storytelling."
Still, it is unlikely that the scores of photographers and television crews would have shown up Friday night if not for the two young actors who play a pair of drug-using slackers who owe money to a local crime lord.
Bentley, who despite great acclaim for his role in "American Beauty," (which won five Oscars in 2000, including best picture) is known to be picky about his film choices — and his public appearances. "I think it will be a word-of-mouth thing" Bentley said after the screening. "I think people are going to see it and respond to it like (the crowd) did tonight and tell their friends about it. That is the only reason I am here, because I really don't like the press and things."
Bentley and Speedman's promotion may help the dark-humored film find a distributor, but it will also help the festival add a notch to its belt as it churns out more talent and successful movies.
Two years ago, "Mad Hot Ballroom," a documentary about dancing school kids, was picked up from Slamdance for $4 million and went on to critical acclaim and theatrical success on the art-house circuit.
The "festival by filmmakers, for filmmakers" as it calls itself, also helped launch directors Christopher Nolan ("Batman Begins") and Jared Hess ("Napoleon Dynamite").
"I think we are doing really well," Baxter said. "We have been able to survive for 13 years. We support filmmakers and films with no name, no budget, and prove they do have value — both critically and commercially."
The festival is a year-round organization that features screenplay competitions and a Guerilla Gamemaker Competition, which has been hogging press attention this year after a video game using the Columbine High School massacre was pulled from the competition, resulting in cries of censorship and even pulled sponsorships.
But that seemed to be forgotten Friday night as the festival kicked in with its opening-night film.
E-MAIL: lc@desnews.com
