Our last Sundance movie was "Filly Brown," the story of an up-and-coming Latino hip hop artist. Filly, passionately played by Gina Rodriguez is using her music to tell the immigrant story and help her struggling family. Rodriguez received all the attention around this film as a previously undiscovered actress who delivers a dynamic performance, but I don't want the film itself to be overlooked in the wake.
Filly Brown is a story with a huge heart. It's about the immigrant story, yes, but it is also about family, loyalty and being true to oneself. Lou Diamond Phillips is great as Filly's dad and the almost all Latino cast crackles with energy and anger throughout. The original music (sung mostly by Rodriguez) illuminates the Latino hip hop scene, provides a pulsing backdrop to the film and may even convert a few dyed-in-the-wool rap haters into fans.
I'm not sure if this film will make it into mainstream theaters. If so, check it out, if not, put it in your Netflix queue. Here are some other much-talked-about films that premiered at Sundance this year:
In the Dramatic Category
The Surrogate
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Compliance
In the Documentary Category:
Ethel (about Ethel Kennedy)
Finding North (about Hunger in America)
Searching for Sugarman (about a 70s rocker whose music becomes a hit in South Africa)
This year's award winners have also been announced: http://www.sundance.org/festival/blog-entry/2012-awards/. Check them out for more interesting Netflix options.
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