The Best Creatives and Performances Of Sundance Film Festival 2022
From filmmaking veterans to newcomers making their film debut, there is a lot of talent that comes out of Sundance Film Festival. As the festival wraps, Pop Culture Planet is sharing the Best of the Fest.
Akanksha Cruczynski, writer, director, actress in Close Ties To Home Country
Akanksha Cruczynski tells her own personal story in the short film Close Ties To Home Country. With a bubbly millennial aesthetic, Indian immigrant Akanksha spends her time dog-sitting for her over-the-top Influencer clients while they’re on a trip to India. As her sister preps to visit her in the United States, she opens up about the loneliness she’s felt without her family. Cruczynski brings humor and heart in her Sundance debut.
Carey Williams, director of Emergency
Director Carey Williams made his Sundance debut last year with R#J, a diverse and experimental social media-first take on Romeo and Juliet. Now he returns with Emergency, a timely social commentary satire that tackles racism and white privilege throughout one wild college night. With a stellar young cast and focus on racial commentary, Emergency brings a fresh and realistic take to the traditionally white-led party comedy genre and solidifies Williams as a director to watch.
Cooper Raiff, writer, director, actor in Cha Cha Real Smooth
Written, directed by, and starring Cooper Raiff, his sophomore film Cha Cha Real Smooth tells the coming-of-age film of an aimless college graduate Andrew who has no real plans… until he spontaneously finds success as a Bar Mitzvah party starter. What develops is an exploration of relationships, figuring out who you are, and that awkward in between stage before adulthood. Reminiscent of The Wedding Singer for a new generation, the film takes a frank and direct approach to its conflicts, with characters who are vulnerable and likeable even in their worst moments. Raiff delivers a charming performance and proves he’s a filmmaker to watch.
Dakota Johnson in Am I OK?
Dakota Johnson stars in Am I OK? as Lucy who is finally ready to confess her deepest secret: She likes women and is terrified by this later-in-life realization. Am I OK? explores the complexities of coming out in your 30s and breaking out of your comfort zone, with Johnson showcasing impressive vulnerability and depth in her role. Instead of going down the route of a typical rom-com, the film focuses on the strength of platonic female friendships. Lucy has a caterpillar to butterfly metamorphosis over the course of the film, breaking out of her shell as she learns more about herself and embraces her sexuality.
Emmanuel 'DDm' Williams in F^¢k 'Em R!ght B@¢k
Baltimore rapper Emmanuel ‘DDm’ Williams makes his acting debut in the short film F^¢k 'Em R!ght B@¢k. Directed by Harris Doran, DDm plays a queer aspiring actor who gets caught up in shenanigans trying to avoid getting fired from work after accidentally eating an edible. DDm showcases his charism, great comedic timing, and rap skills in the short.
Eva Noblezada in Champ
Broadway’s Eva Noblezada stars in the short film Champ about a basketball player who gets revenge on her coach with her teammates. Noblezada delivers a captivating and authentic performance that makes her a must watch actress.
Rachel Sennott in Appendage
Shiva Baby breakout star Rachel Sennott leads the short film Appendage about an aspiring fashion designer whose anxiety takes on a horrifying physical form. Sennott’s performance is fun and the film doesn’t take itself too seriously as a goofy body horror. The film will soon be turned into a Hulu Original feature.
Sebastian Chacon in Emergency
Sebastian Chacon is a scene stealer as the sweet and caring Carlos in Emergency. Originally a shy gamer with a fanny pack of granola bars, he comes out of his shell when it comes to saving the drunken girl that shows up in his and his housemate’s living room.
Sebastian Stan in Fresh
Mimi Cave’s directorial debut Fresh explores the dark side of modern dating. Sebastian Stan gives a career best performance as Steve, spanning from awkwardly charming leading man to full on unhinged American Psycho vibes.
Sterling K. Brown in Honk For Jesus, Save Your Soul
Adamma Ebo’s feature Honk For Jesus, Save Your Soul is a mockumentary style drama inspired by megachurch scandals. Sterling K. Brown takes on a role unlike any we’ve seen him in before as disgraced pastor Lee-Curtis Childs on the road to redemption. He’s perfectly cast as the extravagant and pompous Lee-Curtis.
Lai Truong Pau, Chu Deep Anh, Tin-Tin in Maika
Maika is a Vietnamese sci-fi family adventure that follows a boy who lost his mother finding new hope after meeting a new alien friend. The young actors do a great job in tackling both the humorous and heartfelt moments in the film. Lai Troung Pau has a promising range, while Tin-Tin gives an expertly theatrical performance. Chu Deep Anh is an otherworldly, fish-out-of-water as Maika.
Siiri Solalinna in Hatching
Hatching follows a young gymnast struggling to please her perfectionist mother. When she discovers a strange egg, she keeps it warm until it hatches. What’s inside the egg will shock you. It’s surprising to learn that Siiri Solalinna is making her acting debut in Hatching after seeing her impressive performance as Tinja. She brings the professionalism of a veteran to this challenging role.
Justin H. Min and Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja in After Yang
After Yang centers around a family who purchased a culture-based AI robot named Yang (Justin H. Min) to be a “big brother” for their adopted daughter Mika (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja) and help her connect with her Chinese heritage. Yang malfunctions and, in grieving this loss, we’re able to watch the moments in Yang’s memory files. Umbrella Academy’s Justin H. Min delivers a subdued but compelling performance as Yang, while Tjandrawidjaja brings a sweetness and compassion to her role as Yang’s little sister.
Have you checked out these performances? What were some of your favorites at Sundance this year? Get more recommendations, here.
