As the festival kicks off in Park City this week we have compiled a shortlist of films in competition, which entice and tickle our cinematic taste buds. So keep your eyes peeled and ears to the ground, as you won't want to miss these beauties!

US Dramatic

Beasts Of The Southern Wild

Writer/Director Benh Zeitlin, transports us to a southern Delta community at the edge of the world, with his debut feature Beasts of the Southern Wild (a Sundance Feature Film Program Project). This disjointed universe depicts Hushpuppy, an intrepid six-year-old girl, the unbreakable bond between father and daughter and a battle for survival in an apocalyptic world suddenly in the grips of pre-historic creatures. A medley of mythology, anthropology and folklore, Zeitlin employs live-action and animation creating a fantastic spectacle, and we at IDOL are dying to see it!

World Cinema Dramatic

My Brother The Devil - UK

When IDOL found out writer/director Sally El Hosaini’s directorial debut My Brother The Devil made it passed the uncompromising firing squad at Sundance HQ, coupled with the knowledge only two other female directors made the cut out of eleven, we knew we had to fly the flag in support of our British sister! 

We can only pray her portrayal of two Arab brothers and their journey into self-awareness, set against the backdrop of inner city gang activity, does not follow suit in the clichéd British “urban genre” films, which have preceded it.

US Documentary

The Invisible War

As the Americans fight in Afghanistan, Kirby Dick confronts an unseen battle. An internal battle that has left a staggering 30% of its servicewomen and 1% of its servicemen physically and mentally scared for life. Not from the trauma of warfare, but from the rape and sexual abuse inflicted upon them by their fellow soldiers.  Dicks challenging documentary seeks to shine a light on the darkened crevices of an unjust military legal system, calling into question the foundations of a nation, who decree justice and liberty, and upon investigation proves to be evidently flawed beyond belief.

World Cinema Documentary

The Imposter – UK

Bart Laytons documentary is about a 13-year-old boy who disappeared in 1993 from his home in San Antonio Texas. Three and a half years later he is found in Spain, and subsequently shipped back to his family to tell the tale of his torturous ordeal. All seems pretty straight forward, but nothing is what it seems.  Sure he has the same tattoos but he is visibly different. When a private investigator delves deeper a shocking truth is revealed… Is he, isn’t he? IDOL cant wait to find out! Shot by Erik Wilson - who is fast becoming one of our favourite cinematographer, following his work on Submarine and Tyrannosaur - The Imposter looks like it could be one of the stand-out documentaries on show at Park City. 

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2012 RUNS FROM 19TH - 29TH JAN

OTHER BIG ONES TO LOOK OUT FOR:

Simon Killer - Dir. Antonio Campos

Red Lights - Dir. Rodrigo Cortes

Wish You Were Here - Dir. Kieran Darcy-Smith

The Raid - Dir. Gareth Huw Evans

Wrong - Dir. Quentin Dupieux

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry - Dir. Alison Klayman 

About Face: The Supermodels, Then and Now - Dir. Tomothy Greenfield-Sanders

Written by Ebele Tate

Image credits: David Raedecker; Ben Richardson; Etienne Bol; Jessica Day; Erik Wilson