Friday, January 19----And so we're off.....the Sundance Film Festival opened last evening with the world premiere of CHICAGO 10, an intoxicating mix of straight-ahead documentary, visionary animation and truthful recreation of one of the more shameful periods of recent American history. The trial of the Chicago 10, leaders of the anti-war protestors who had gathered in Chicago for the 1968 Democratic Party Convention to express their outrage with the Vietnam War, was a milestone clash between the forces of authority and the growing anti-authority sentiment that was fast sweeping the nation. It epitomized the Sixties, with all their vainglory optimism, theatrical showmanship and repressive politics.

Rather than taking a traditional approach to telling the story (talking heads, found footage, court transcripts), director Brett Morgen has set out to show the proceedings for the media circus that it became, and to draw unsettling parallels to the abuse of power and wrong-headed policy making that characterizes the Bush presidency. By taking a stylized, MTV friendly approach, and including the music of revolution then and now, the filmmakers have created a manifesto of protest that enpowers its target younger audience to seize the day and make an impact in their own times.

The technical virtuosity of the film speaks to a younger generation used to quick cutting, kaleidoscopic sequences, blaring soundtracks and wild humor. A major contribution are the voices of the actors who literally animate the proceedings: Nick Nolte, Mark Ruffalo, Roy Scheider, Dylan Baker, Hank Azaria, Liev Schrieber and Jeffrey Wright. In a nice self-reflective touch, the film includes interviews and voice over from Leonard Weinglass, a young attorney to his legal mentor William Kunstler, the legendary firebrand attorney.

Following the screening at the Eccles Center, the Sundance glitterati made their way to the Legacy Lodge for the Opening Night festivities. A wall of people waited for up to an hour on the streets....no small feat in 5 degree temperatures. Those who could not crash the party, made their way to Park City's Main Street for the Opening Night fiesta for parallel festival Slamdance, held at Lucky 13. As befits its more casual competition, the Slamdance party was an all-access event. This begins an 11 day marathon of screenings, seminars and soirees that will ignite the filmmakers and industryites who have come from four corners to celebrate independent film.

Sandy Mandelberger
Sundance Online Dailies Editor