The 10 Best Movies at Sundance, and the Astonishing ‘Nickel Boys’
Feb 4, 2025
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Tim Fehlbaum, the director of the Oscar-nominated film 'September 5,' shares insights into his impactful work and the story behind the film, which explores the Munich Olympics tragedy. He discusses the challenges of capturing real historical events and the emotional weight of storytelling. The conversation also touches on the innovative techniques utilized in filmmaking and the importance of narrative in shaping audience experiences. Additionally, they reflect on the film's ascendance during awards season, highlighting its resonant themes.
Karla Sofía Gascón's controversial tweets may significantly influence the Oscar chances for her film 'Emilia Pérez'.
The hosts express both excitement and apprehension about the Sundance Film Festival's future amid changing attendance and industry dynamics.
Delving deep into 'Nickel Boys', the hosts highlight its profound themes regarding systemic abuse and the power of resilience.
Tim Fehlbaum discusses his film 'September 5', detailing his inspiration, casting process, and its impact during the awards season.
Deep dives
Introduction to the 2000s Music Era
The episode presents a transition into the music scene of the 2000s, loosely referred to as the 'aughts.' It covers iconic artists and bands such as The Strokes, Rihanna, and Kanye West, who shaped the sound of that decade. The discussion reflects on how these artists influenced music, culture, and the evolution of pop and rock genres. This exploration serves to emphasize the nostalgic and dynamic nature of early 2000s music, setting the stage for deeper insights into specific songs in future episodes.
The White Lotus Season 3 Promotion
The episode includes a promotional segment for Season 3 of The White Lotus, highlighting its blend of enlightenment and dramatic twists. Set in an exclusive wellness resort in Thailand, the season explores the darker sides of its seemingly perfect guests and staff. This promotional snippet effectively draws in listeners with its intriguing premise, teasing potential conflicts and character dynamics. By creating anticipation, the promotion sets a tone of curiosity for audience engagement.
Engaging with Sundance Film Festival
The hosts share their experiences and thoughts regarding the Sundance Film Festival, discussing both attendance and the films showcased. They touch on notable movies such as Nickel Boys and projects from emerging filmmakers, reflecting on the festival's role in bringing significant stories to the forefront. Furthermore, they express a mix of excitement and concern regarding the future of independent cinema, emphasizing the festival's importance in the current film landscape. The dialogue highlights the evolving nature of film distribution, especially post-pandemic.
Audience Interaction Through Mailbag
The episode introduces a segment dedicated to audience interaction through a new mailbag initiative, encouraging listeners to submit their questions via email rather than social media. The hosts express hopes for receiving more thoughtful and engaging inquiries from fans, indicating a shift away from traditional platforms like Twitter. This change aims to foster a deeper connection with the audience and elicit more substantive discourse. The hosts' playful banter regarding the mailbag format adds a light-hearted element to the discussion.
Controversies in Cinema
The episode delves into recent controversies affecting notable films and their campaigns, particularly focusing on social media blunders by public figures related to movie releases. The hosts analyze how these incidents may impact the perception and success of these films amidst awards season. They discuss the potential long-term effects on talent and projects, emphasizing the intricate relationship between social media, public persona, and film industry dynamics. This segment illustrates the challenges filmmakers face amid a scrutinizing public and media environment.
Candid Reflections on Sundance's Future
The hosts reflect candidly on the challenges faced by the Sundance Film Festival, noting a shift in attendance, possibly linked to the pandemic's lingering impact. They discuss concerns about the festival's future, including its geographical location and the viability of independent filmmaking moving forward. With a mix of nostalgia and concern, they emphasize the need for innovation within the festival and independent film community. Their insights provide a thought-provoking commentary on the current state of cinema and its evolution.
Critical Examination of Nickel Boys
The film Nickel Boys is critically examined in the episode, with the hosts discussing its powerful themes and emotional resonance. They delve into the story's adaptation from Colson Whitehead's novel, highlighting the film's commentary on systemic abuse and resilience. The hosts acknowledge the film's challenging narrative style, which invites nuanced discussion about its artistic choices. Their thoughtful analysis underscores the importance of stories like Nickel Boys in shedding light on historical injustices while promoting dialogue.
Sean and Amanda discuss the evolving story of Karla Sofía Gascón’s old tweets (1:00) and what it might portend for the ‘Emilia Pérez’ Oscar hopes. Then, they discuss an underwhelming Sundance 2025 (12:00) before diving deep into one of the best movies of 2024, ‘Nickel Boys’ (44:00), and discussing the excellent Michael Keaton performance at the center of ‘Goodrich’ (1:01:00). Finally, Sean is joined by director Tim Fehlbaum to discuss ‘September 5,’ how he became interested in the story that it depicts, casting the film, and the ascendant run it’s been on this awards season (1:15:00).
