Sundance 608

Sundance Cinemas 608 (www.sundancecinemas.com/sundance_608.html), the brainchild of film mogul Robert Redford, recently opened its doors near Hilldale Mall, making Madison host to the very first Sundance Cinema. The theater shows independent, foreign, and documentary films on six screens. It’s an effort to bring the type of independent film that is celebrated at the annual Sundance Film Festival to local communities. According to Redford, “This year we achieved a long standing goal–to offer artists the opportunity to exhibit and patrons the opportunity to watch in their own communities, the finest independent entertainment in first class, state of the art cinemas on a daily basis, not just for ten days in January. The Sundance Cinemas are born.”

Ahhh…yes. I love Robert Redford. And I didn’t even know it until last week! Honestly, he used to annoy me with his Sundance jewelry and apparel line. Ugh…really Robert, I don’t want to dress like a cowgirl and live in the mountains of Utah and herd buffalos with you. But as it turns out, he’s sincere, passionate, reflective, humble, eco-friendly, and a unique visionary. He is truly revolutionizing the film industry, in a day and age of illegal downloading when many think it’s just not possible. His efforts are helping to recreate the movie night experience into one that is real, cultural, lingering and thought-provoking, rather than some hostile big-box, pay-and-get-out quickly experience. Essentially, he’s attempting to return film back to its roots, and the quality film experience he remembers as a child. As Redford reminisces about his childhood, he explains that his family “would walk to the local stand-alone theater for entertainment on a Saturday night. What you got, which I took for granted then, was a broad menu of film. You had two features, you had cafe newsreels showing news of the war from the front, then you had a cartoon or two and then you had a short. And that's what you got for 35 cents. Suddenly, I realized, that's gone. And why can't that be brought back, but more of as a community project?" Isn’t that so refreshing?

So of course, I had to check it out myself. And I had to be one of the first. During the opening weekend, I had the opportunity to see Away from Her, one of the films that I actually saw when I was at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah only a few short months ago. Based on the short story “The Bear Came Over the Mountain,” by one of my favorite authors, Alice Munro, it’s the story of a woman who is institutionalized because of Alzheimer's disease, and her husband’s epiphany when she falls in love with another patient at the nursing home. The story, movie, and acting are beautiful, and director Sarah Polley definitely deserves props for masterfully bringing life to the pages of this ravishing story.

Regarding the theater itself, my experience at Sundance Cinemas 608 was certainly memorable. I knew things were different before the film even began, when a cinema manager stood up before the audience to welcome everyone, introduce the film, and offer his and the ushers’ services. In fact, everything about the place was different from other theaters. First, I think I could live in the cinema for an entire week without ever stepping outside. It’s a multi-level complex with a café, restaurant, two bars (including both a bistro and rooftop bar), free wi-fi internet, and a gallery. There’s plush leather chairs dotting the lobbies, local art covering the walls, and an abundance of conversation and activity. It’s also nice that you can purchase your tickets online beforehand for reserved seating. Middle row center, baby. My only complaints would be the choice in location by Hilldale mall (seems kind of mainstream for such a non-mainstream venue) and also the $2 service charge per ticket for online orders. And one of my friends complained that it sort of reminds her of Starbucks in the sense that it could be recreated virtually anywhere. Other than that, I love it and am so happy that Robert Redford gave us one first. I am confident Madison will embrace its very own Sundance Cinema so that independent film and these types of cinemas can flourish worldwide.