This weekend, the Sundance Film Festival kicked off in Park City and Salt Lake City and as expected there have been plenty of compelling dramas, buzzy premieres and thought-provoking documentaries to go around. This year, however, there have been several Criterion-worthy takes on modern dating. From grave-digging romances and Brooklynite love stories to trans dating comedies and funeral first dates, up-and-coming filmmakers are exploring issues of the heart with the same complexity and humour found in the confusing chaos that is dating culture today.
Ahead, we asked five of the most promising filmmakers for their romantic takeaways and Sundance-approved dating advice. Love, Brooklyn follows three longtime Brooklynites, navigating careers, love, loss, and friendship against the rapidly changing landscape of their beloved city. Why do you think modern dating makes for a compelling starting point for a story? Rachael Holder: Our film has no villain, and relationships are complicated regardless.
Even if no one is lying, cheating, stealing or doing something hugely wrong, it can still be complex. I feel like people lean into what feels familiar. Did you walk away from writing and shooting the film with any dating advice? Make sure you like yourself first because you date anyone else. Being a first-time feature director, I think it was also incredibly important for me to like myself and my taste.
Overall, I think the objective of a happy life and a happy production is to like yourself. Dylan Wardwell: There are too many men this is based on. None of the characters are just one guy. Spencer Wardwell: I think it's compelling because it's not only highly relatable, but the dating world is such a rapidly shifting hellscape that can feel surreal at times. The film showcases three straight men as boringly predictable dates. If everyone is having a good time, then why overthink it?
Spencer Wardwell: I feel like in answering this, I might out myself as someone who would plan a boringly predictable date.
