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| Slam and The Doom Generation have both been restored Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute |
Sundance Film Festival has announced its first films for its 2023 edition, which will run from January 19 to 29.
The festival's From the Collection screenigns of archive film will feature a 25th anniversary and digital restoration screening of Slam and the uncensored director's cut and restoration of The Doom Generation.
Slam won the Grand Jury prize in 1998. Directed by Marc Levin and written by Levin, Saul Williams, Sonja Sohn, and Richard Stratton, the film sees a young man compete in poetry slams in the face of social injustice. Gregg Araki's The Doom Generation, meanwhile, recounts the tale of a trio who go on a crime spree and first debuted in Sundance's Premieres section in 1995. The film has been remastered in 4K for an uncensored director's cut.
“Before we announce the full slate for the upcoming Festival, we are taking a moment to honor our past in anticipation of what is to come,” said Kim Yutani, Director of Programming. “Sundance has always been a place for discovery, inspired conversations, and critical reflection, all thanks to the independent storytellers we are so fortunate to encounter each year. These screenings are our opportunity to present newly restored films From the Collection, reemphasize our commitment to artists throughout their careers, and find new ways to recontextualize the work that has shaped the heritage of Sundance through a modern perspective.”
“Slam anticipated a cycle of poetry via the spoken word movement that democratized the voices and voicing of poetry for new generations,” said Saul Williams, Screenwriter and star of Slam. “We are still experiencing its ripple in popular culture and academia, worldwide. With its focus not only on poetry, but criminal justice and marijuana, SLAM remains a testament of the times.”
Araki said: “There are three versions of The Doom Generation. One is the edited version which was released in theatres and on video. The second is a ridiculous R-rated version made without my approval for Blockbuster Video, which has over 20 minutes chopped out and makes no sense (and I hope disappears forever after this re-release). The third is the version shown at the film’s world premiere at Sundance in 1995, which was subsequently censored per the distributor’s request (primarily in the climactic reel). This new 4K remaster is the first time this Uncensored Director’s Cut has been seen since 1995 (and also restored to 1.85 Widescreen versus the lousy pan-and-scan version which has circulated for decades). Needless to say, I’m thrilled that The Doom Generation can finally be experienced in its full glory in this remastered and restored edition.”
