SXSW Film Announces Closing Night Feature and Shorts Program
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel in 500 Days of Summer
You may never have heard of Webb (and may not notice his signature white lamb insignia), but you've definitely heard of his stars: the very twee Zooey Deschanel along side Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is featured in several movies over the last couple of years, but is best known (at least in our heads) as the cute and nerdy kid from sitcom 3rd Rock From the Sun. To be sure, this is Webb's first feature film, but he has some pretty boss music videos and short films under his belt and from the visuals he has produced in the past we can say with confidence that this will be, if nothing else, gorgeous.
Thankfully, the early word from Sundance is that 500 Days of Summer delivers more than just pretty pictures to look at. In fact, some have already heralded it as the Say Anything of this generation, which is high praise in our books considering we've seen that cupcake of a film about a billion times. This world can always use another Lloyd Dobbler and we are happy to welcome his resurrection in the pocket-sized Gordon-Levitt. You can see the teaser here, and please feel free to laugh at the voice over actor who sounds like he thought he was narrating a pharmaceutical commercial for the newest ED medication. We did.
In addition to the closer, South By has also announced 10 additional features (including Scot McFadyen & Sam Dunn's rock doc Iron Maiden: Flight 666—Bruce Dickinson FTW!) and added all 127 Short Films to the updated screening list. We know what you are thinking: "How can I possibly see 127 shorts and what is now 119 (we've lost count, frankly) feature length films in nine days?" Truth is, you probably can't, but that is why this advanced list is so important. If you start your research now you could possibly whittle it down to, oh, say, 45 must see films to keep on your list, which averages out to five screenings per day, which is totally doable. If you don't eat. Or sleep. Come to think of it, SXSW should have bought the rights and recipe for Sparks. We're gonna need it.
