Presidential parties steal stars from Sundance

PARK CITY — Sundance Film Festival officials weren't kidding when they said this year's event was going to be about movies and not about movie stars.

The 2009 version of the premier showcase for independent film and world cinema has quickly turned into a game of "Where's Waldo?" as so-called "stargazers" and paparazzi alike have been left wondering where all the celebrities are and if they're even coming to Utah this year.

Thursday's Opening Night Premiere for the festival was nearly starless, as was the subsequent Salt Lake City Gala on Friday night.

So far there have been only a handful of star sightings, including singer Mariah Carey and her husband, Nick Cannon (they both appear in separate Sundance selections — hers is "Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire"; his is "The Killing Room").

And model Christie Brinkley enjoyed Park City on Friday — she was shooting a "Got Milk?" ad campaign.

Though there was some speculation that the national economic crisis and Proposition 8 protests might keep some away from the festival, the chief culprit now appears to be Tuesday's presidential inauguration.

Spike Lee, who has been in Park City to promote his filmed version of "Passing Strange" at Sundance, is expected to be part of inauguration-related events in Washington, D.C., on Monday and Tuesday.

Carey is supposed to be a featured performer for the televised "Neighborhood Ball." And outspoken actresses Susan Sarandon and Ashley Judd were confirmed attendees for the "Purple Ball."

(Consequently, there was some question as to whether either actress would be at Sundance to promote their movies — "The Greatest" and "Helen," respectively.)

This year's festival has supposedly been "front-loaded," with several star-laden movies premiering early to allow celebrities quick visits before the various inauguration parties.

However, "Brief Interviews With Hideous Men," a comedy that was produced, directed and stars John Krasinski (TV's "The Office"), had several remaining screenings toward the end of the festival, as did the science-fiction thriller "Moon," which stars Sam Rockwell and Kevin Spacey. Publicists for these movies were promising that the stars would be at the festival to promote them.

In any case, the festival's head honcho, Robert Redford, seemed nonplussed about the whole missing-stars issue.