A round-up of the best films from Sundance 2021: Part 1

Like nearly every other major event slated for 2021, the Sundance Film Festival saw a significant shake-up in how moviegoers could attend screenings at one of the world’s most hotly anticipated film festivals. However, with a platform and slate accessible entirely online, attendees got to discover what the 2021 film scene will look like.

Good news: It’s filled with exciting new titles from a massive range of filmmakers and genres.

Though not all of Sundance’s entries this year were winners, there was certainly still a strong crop of exciting films, many of which have already found distributing homes at the likes of Apple+, Netflix, and NEON. While non-festivalgoers may not be able to catch them just yet, we’ve rounded up our favorite Sundance films to watch out for in the 2021 film scene.

This list of our favorite flicks from the Park City-based festival is the first in a two-part feature, so be sure to look out for the second installment here on Culturess.

Coda

Though from time to time, opening night picks from festivals tend to get swept away and buried under the hype of movies that come later in the week, this certainly didn’t happen to CODA, which made its world premiere on Sundance 2021’s opening night.

The film follows Ruby (Emilia Jones), a high school student and the only hearing member of an all-deaf family. Ruby works with her parents and brother to help run the family fishing business, but when she joins her school’s choir and discovers an aptitude for music, begins to wonder if she should attend music school to pursue her dream instead of staying and helping her family.

CODA is an incredibly charming, easy-to-watch, feel-good flick that explores the boundaries of familial love when pitted against familial obligation. Emilia Jones makes for a formidable lead, and is helped greatly by stand-out supporting performances from Marlee Martin and Eugenio Derbez. Sweet, witty, and down to earth, CODA is a Sundance film you’ll want to add to your must-watch list — which should be easy, considering it’s already been picked up by Apple+ for a whopping $25 million.

Flee

Switching genres completely, we found that 2021 happened to be a particularly strong year for documentaries at Sundance — and although there were some truly dazzling ones, the most haunting and memorable flick of the festival was Flee, written and directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen.

The film tells the incredible true story of Amin, a refugee originally from Afghanistan who fled with his family amidst massive political turmoil. In desperate need of somewhere to go, but lacking in both the means and connections to get there, Amin and his family traveled the globe, going from Afghanistan, to Russia, to Sweden and back again. They endured terrifying run-ins with corrupt policemen and harrowing journeys across frigid waters along the way.

Even after he’s found freedom in Denmark, Amin still isn’t entirely safe, refusing to tell the true details of his past to his fiancée and closest friends — that is, until he shared his story for the first time to his good friend Rasmussen, the director. Amin’s tale is one as unsettling as it is fascinating, and the beautiful hand-drawn animation depicts everything from the horrors of watching a group of survivors debate whether or not to murder an old woman, to the joys of discovering and coming to terms with one’s sexuality.

Expertly paced and emotionally gripping, Flee is a documentary you won’t want to miss when NEON finally gives it a release date.

Together Together

Although an Ed Helms-led comedy doesn’t sound like the kind of movie that would typically snag a spot at Sundance, we can’t thank our lucky stars enough that Together Together ended up in the U.S. dramatic competition this year.

Starring Ed Helms and relative newcomer Patti Harrison, the film follows Matt (Helms), a single father who hires Anna (Harrison) to be the surrogate mother for his child. Although Anna is initially only in it for the paycheck and seems put off by Matt’s eagerness to get to know her/his general cheery disposition, as the pregnancy progresses, the two of them form an unspoken and deeply profound bond over (sort of) bringing a child into the world together.

There are far too few movies that explore the beauty of purely platonic love, but that’s what makes Together Together so special: its willingness to celebrate the little things, and to not go the predictable route and have its leads romantically involved.

There’s more than one type of love, and in Together Together, it’s on full display — showcased by two brilliant comic and dramatic performances from Helms and Harrison.

The Sparks Brothers

Last but certainly not least is another stellar (and completely unexpected) documentary from a filmmaker who’s made a name for himself directing narrative features: Edgar Wright’s The Sparks Brothers. The film explores the background and fantastical, decade-spanning career of the California-based band Sparks, composed of brothers Ron and Russell Meal.

They’ve released more than 25 albums over their 50-year career (yup, you read that right) and the film playfully recounts (along with a slew of interviewees, including everyone from rock legends to stand up comedians) the journey the band took in order to stay not just active but trailblazing over such a long, storied career.

Infused with signature Edgar Wright’s signature flare (which works perfectly with Sparks’ own offbeat sense of self), The Sparks Brothers is a long but thoroughly entertaining look at a legendary band so influential you probably haven’t even heard of them.

Make sure to check out our second round-up of watch-worthy films from Sundance 2021 by clicking the link above!