Sundance Film Festival Feedback-

A SMALL ACT (US Documentary Competition)

Letter from Director/Screenwriter, Jennifer Arnold

It is every filmmaker’s dream to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, and my experience this year was so unexpected and so extraordinary that I wanted to say a direct thank you to everyone who made it possible.

My film, the documentary A Small Act, tells the story of Chris Mburu, a Kenyan man whose early education was sponsored by a woman from Sweden whom he had never met. By donating roughly $15 a month to an education fund, her small contribution paid off: Chris made it all the way to Harvard Law School and then started his own scholarship program, which now sponsors new generations of Kenyan students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to go to school.

I arrived at the Sundance Film Festival this January hoping people would like my film, but I never dreamt that audiences’ reactions would directly lead to changing lives. After Festival screenings, I kept hearing from people how the film empowered them to make a difference. Audience members started handing us unsolicited donations—from twenty dollar bills to thousand dollar checks. By the time the Festival was finished, $90,000 had been donated to an education fund, which means that more Kenyan children will go to school. It was amazing!

Without Sundance Institute, A Small Act would have never had such an impact. The Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program supported the film with a grant and the Festival screenings moved audiences into action. The experience showed me that Sundance is much more than an institution that promotes film; it is a platform for stories that can change the world.

Small acts, when taken collectively, have a huge impact. I know the support of patrons is what makes the work of the nonprofit Sundance Institute possible, and I want to say thank you to everyone who contributes to this important mission. I hope you will consider supporting the Institute today, because your contribution can make a huge difference to not only us individual filmmakers… but also to the world at large.

Make a small act today! Click here to support artists worldwide.

Much thanks to all of you!

Jennifer Arnold

The Music Café is a program produced by the ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and which presents an intimate and dynamic showcase of live performances by emerging and established artists during the Sundance Film Festival.  Located at the Stanfield Gallery on lower Main Street, the transformed gallery is an experientially appropriate setting for the sumptuous and poetic style of the artists performing there.  This year the Sundance ASCAP Music Café featured such artists as Leann Rimes, The Fray, AM, Brendan Benson,  Sonos and Grace Potter and The Nocturnals.

Grace Potter singing at the Music Cafe during Sundance Film Festival

When I saw that Grace Potter and The Nocturnals were making an appearance at Sundance’s Music Café, a production by the ASCAP during the Film Festival, I jumped at the opportunity to go and listen to this voice which I had only ever heard in duet with other artists.  I arrived at the venue with a friend who had seen the show the evening before and was so dazzled by the performance she forced us to quit work early for her second round and arrive in enough time to assure a good spot.  It was no mistake as we were delightfully treated to the sultry voice of Holly Palmer, Joey and Rory- a husband and wife duo, and an eclectic Pop artist- AM before The Nocturnal’s blessed us with their presence…And I mean truly blessed us.   Before the anticipated act began, I ran to the bathroom in a frantic hurry so as not to miss even a pluck of a guitar string, only to find Grace Potter standing right in front of me in the bathroom line.  I looked around at the 3 other people in the room who were so busy glamming over their hair and makeup or talking on their phones that they didn’t even notice her distinct presence. I continued to stare at her in awe thinking about what I could say, but came up with nothing.  The reality of the moment seemed fantastical and if you have ever been in the presence of someone of that stature, you know exactly what I mean.  After my star struck bathroom experience, I made my way back to my spot in the crowd and anxiously awaited her entrance.   If my age had prevented the opportunity for me to see the Rolling Stones live in their prime, Grace Potter made up for that unfortunate circumstance ten-fold.  Not only was her comically pristine personality invigorating, but the audience began to ripple with energy and awe as this woman’s vocals seemed to be channeling the soulful style of Janis Joplin.    Her performance resonated with me for the remainder of the evening as I continued to wonder whether or not I had just had a transcendental experience.

With four albums under their wings, we can only hope for more, and as the legendary blues singer Taj Mahal put it “ This is an amazing band!  Keep your eyes on this one.”

As a follow-up to the last post, PCL’s blogger extraordinaire Chelsea Shapard was able to attend the fascinating panel discussion with Dr. Yunus.  The superb documentary To Catch a Dollar: Muhammad Yunus Banks on America is drawing great acclaim for both the importance of its subject and also for the high quality of the film-making.  Our friend Chelsea was on the scene to take it all in and below are a couple of photos:

Dr. Muhammad Yunus in panel discussion at 2010 Sundance Film Festival

Dr. Yunus was very open further discussion after the panel

Muhammad Yunus “Banks” on the Creation of a Better World

It seems only fitting to have one of the most anticipated films of the Sundance Film Festival be about finances and poverty.  After a tumultuous year in the financial markets and record job losses, the documentary To Catch a Dollar: Muhammad Yunus Banks on America brings hope to the poverty stricken while opening the eyes of the fortunate. 

Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Muhammad Yunus is attacking poverty one group of women at a time:  he is the remarkable banker and economist who developed the idea of “microcredit” and the founding of the “Grameen Bank” (Village Bank) to enable villages in Bangladesh to obtain credit which would not be provided by traditional banks.   94% of Grameen Bank loans have gone to communities of women who work from their homes and are building resources and opportunities from tiny beginnings.  His first loans went to women making bamboo furniture to support their families, and the impact grew rapidly from there.  In 2006 Dr. Yunus and the Grameen Bank shared the Nobel Peace Prize. 

Showing this incredible documentary at Sundance is helping to bring his ideas to the world.  In a panel discussion, Dr. Yunus also added that the bank is really about the individual and each woman’s effort to improve her own life.  When somebody asked how much of a need there really was in the United States for such a bank Dr. Yunus pointed to the increase in pawn shops, payday loans offices, and the many other alternatives people use to get quick money.  He said that these types of places are a sign that the American banking system is not working. 

Dr. Yunus also stated that there is an “overwhelming similarity rather than difference between other countries and the United States” when one looks at poverty across the world. He said the home run for this movie would be the increase in demand for his program in all areas of the United States and the world.  So go “Catch a Dollar.”  But if you miss it, don’t miss out on the world-changing idea by Dr. Yunus with his book Banker to the Poor.

We hope you enjoyed your holidays and that the New Year is starting well!  There is still time to plan your fabulous vacation to enjoy our beautiful and historic mountain resort town.  Ski our resorts and enjoy the huge array of other outdoor and indoor activities, dining for all tastes and budgets, and Park City night life.

There is lodging availability in all weeks of the season.  Please search for your preferred options from the link below, or contact our friendly, helpful reservationists who will be happy to offer ideas and info.

Sundance visitors:  there are lodging options available during the festival dates!  Search our availability from left side of this website.