Film

An extraordinary chapter in the life of Spy Hop: A look back at Kasandra VerBrugghen’s stewardship at the helm of the nationally known youth media arts organization

by

In well-established nonprofit institutions, the ideal leading administrative figure is a visionary leader who by encompassing every dimension of that organization creates the right conditions for fundraising success that ensures the institution’s long-term viability. In 2018, when Spy Hop Productions was poised to announce the largest capital fundraising campaign in its history to build its … Read more

Closing reception this weekend for four Utah Museum of Contemporary Art shows, including In Memory and Atis Rezistans

by

Four exhibitions at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) are set to close this weekend (Feb. 22). The museum will hold a closing reception for the quartet of shows on Friday, Feb. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m. In Memory, Milad Mozari: Language of Movement, Atis Rezistans | Ghetto Biennale, and Antra Sinha: The … Read more

Leicester Productions’ delightful new short doc The Pho King chronicles story of SLC man’s efforts to connect community through a popular Vietnamese dish

by

It is fitting that The Pho King, a new locally made short documentary film, will have its premiere today (Feb. 15, 2 p.m.) in the event space at Fisher Brewing Company in downtown Salt Lake City. Directed by Jeovanni Xoumphonphackdy and supported by the nonprofit documentary-focused Leicester Productions, The Pho King is an astute, snappy … Read more

Sundance 2025: SALLY is splendid portrait about the public, private sides of the life of first American woman to go into space

by

A splendid portrait of the first American woman and the youngest American astronaut to travel into space, SALLY, which premiered at Sundance, excels at weaving the public and private dimensions of Sally Ride’s life together into an engrossing narrative. Directed by Cristina Costantini and representing her third documentary to receive its premiere at Sundance in … Read more

Sundance 2025: With magnificent visuals and music score, Justin Lin’s Last Days is interesting narrative take on tragic death of evangelical missionary

by

The 2023 National Geographic documentary The Mission, directed by Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, captured the story of John Chau, 26, an Oral Roberts University graduate and evangelical missionary who was killed in 2018 by arrows when he attempted to make contact with one of the most isolated Indigenous peoples, on remote North Sentinel Island … Read more

Sundance 2025: Twelve short films that stood out for The Utah Review this year: comedy, horror, documentary, drama, animation

by

This year’s Sundance slate included short film programs, including focused tracks in animation, documentary and midnight-appropriate stories. The slate is filled with outstanding examples of the short film category, from around the world. The 57 shorts were selected from 11,153 submissions this year.  The Utah Review presents 12 that were standouts in a superlative lineup. … Read more

Sundance 2025: All That’s Left of You is profound, deeply emotional Palestinian version of a multigenerational family saga

by

One of the Sundance Film Festival’s greatest impacts has been as a prominent venue in the Western world to shine the light of humanity on documentaries and narrative features from places where erasure, suppression and oppression are pernicious.  Palestinians have recently suffered the worst imaginable human injustices, who have been pushed to the brink of … Read more

Sundance 2025: Come See Me in the Good Light is generously intimate portrait of Andrea Gibson and the art of performance poetry

by

Shortly after they were inaugurated as Colorado’s poet laureate in 2023. Andrea Gibson explained in their Substack Things that Don’t Suck their response to their own question: “How can I accept a two year position when I cannot promise I will live two years?” Gibson wrote, “But no one can promise that, friends. I’ve been … Read more

Sundance 2025: Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore is masterfully crafted documentary

by

An outstanding comprehensive documentary portrait which has premiered at Sundance, Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, directed by Shoshannah Stern, offers a magnificent volume of details about the personal and family life, milestones and activism of the first deaf actor to win an Academy Award (in 1987) and who became the center of national attention at … Read more

Sundance 2025: FOLKTALES’ poetic and musical cinematic portrait of Nordic folk school in the Arctic has charmed audiences

by

Scandinavian Arctic culture receives some of the most memorable poetic and musical cinematic treatment to be found in this year’s Sundance slate, with the premiere of FOLKTALES, directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady. It is not surprising that this documentary has become quite the darling at Sundance. The film knits together stunning imagery of … Read more