Sundance Film Festival Preview: 2015 Event Features Gay James Franco, Jesus vs the Devil & Scientology Expose [VIDEO]
Many cinephiles are looking to the 2015 Sundance Film Festival to see the latest independent films that could turn out to be breakout hits in a sea full of blockbusters, sequels and sequels to rebooted blockbusters.
The Sundance Film Festival has been a very influential event for many of the most popular and critically acclaimed indie films of the past few decades. In 2014, the festival premiered Boyhood and Whiplash, two films that went on to be nominated for Best Picture at this year's Oscars. Boyhood is widely considered the frontrunner to win the big prize.
Are any films set to be shown at the 2015 festival our potential Best Picture winner for next year? Here is a preview of the most noteworthy movies premiering at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, which begins Thursday.
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief
For those wanting to learn more about the mysterious religion embraced by so many Hollywood A-listers, this documentary opens up the door on the enigma that is Scientology. Tracking the history of the religion to the present day application and practice, it will surely be an eye-opening experience.
I Am Michael
James Franco stars as Michael Glatze, a real-life gay rights advocate who wound up rejecting his homosexuality in 2007. The film flashes back to his life with his partner, played by Zachary Quitno, and goes forward showing how Michael chose to publicly renounce his own identity and take up Christianity.
Last Days in the Desert
Ewan McGregor plays both Jesus Christ and the Devil in this epic film, shot by Gravity cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki. The film features Jesus fasting in the desert and hallucinating, where he stumbles upon the Devil. The movie will apparently focus on Jesus's innocence, ultimately making this a character study of the ages.
The Stanford Prison Experiment
Set in 1971, this dramatic film centers on the famous psychological case that took 24 male college students and put them in a prison, assigning them as either guards or prisoners and monitoring their behavior. It soon becomes clear that the guards and prisoners have embraced their roles, to possibly dangerous consequences. The film stars Billy Crudup as Dr. Philip Zimbardo, the lead psychologist on the case.
Z for Zachariah
This apocalyptic film takes place after a huge disaster seems to wipe away all but three people on Earth. A woman, played by Margo Robbie, thinks she is the last human on Earth only to find two men, played by Chris Pine and Chiwetel Ejiofor, who ultimately compete with each other in order to get her affection.
These films and more will be shown at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah from Thursday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Feb. 1. View the entire lineup here.
