Agents, directors, studio suits and wannabe Hollywood types have all now left Colorado as Sundance shuts up shop for another year.
Ten sales happened during the course of the festival this year, including the high profile likes of Ryan Reynolds starrer Buried; while others like the well received Ben Affleck drama The Company Men are expected to go in the coming days. Awards wise, just like Precious last year, a film with a female lead picked up the top jury prize. Winter's Bone starring Jennifer Lawrence, is set in a small town overrun with gangs. Lawrence plays Bree, a woman who must take care of her family, after he father skips bail - risking their home. Directed by Debra Granik, and based on a novel from Daniel Woodrell, it has been garnering stunning early notices from industry types and critics alike. Winner of the World Cinema prize was the Guy Pearce starring Animal Kingdom, while Best Documentary went to Restrepo; centring on the current conflict in Afghanistan.
If there's one big one coming up that has a shot at serious hit next year, it's Buried. A simple setup, with Ryan Reynolds buried alive for the entire movie, it seems to be an experiment that works extremely well. The biggest pickup at Sundance to the tune of $4 million by Lionsgate, a summer release, or early autumn release seems likely.
