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David Sedaris Adaptation Grounded in Oregon Premieres at Sundance

The nonprofit Sundance Institute has introduced audiences to some of the most original stories of the last three decades including Reservoir Dogs, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, American Splendor, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Cove.

Portland, January 18th, 2013. The Sundance Film festival kicked off in Park City, Utah. Each year Sundance selects 200 films from nearly 12,000 submissions, then over ten days, more than 50,000 people attend screenings in snowy Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance – many fans are from the pacific northwest. One film getting advanced attention is, “C.O.G.” which is based on an essay by humorist David Sedaris about a transformational summer during the apple harvest in Oregon.

C.O.G.’s star, Jonathan Groff and DaleDickey

Director, Kyle Patrick Alvarez explained when deciding where to shoot “C.O.G.” there was really only one option; it had to be filmed in Oregon. “We knew we wouldn’t be able to get the specific beauty of those apple farms anywhere else.” The film was shot in just 18 days around the Portland area – places like Hood River and Sauvie Island. Alvarez talks about “C.O.G.” in this Sundance interview.

David Sedaris explained why he allowed C.O.G. to be his first movie option. “I liked the first movie Kyle made (Easier With Practice)…I said OK. I don’t want any control over this movie. I don’t want script approval. I trust him. Most movies never get made, but I hope this one does because I just think so highly of this young man.”

The film stars Jonathan Groff, (who gained popularity on Glee) Dean Stockwell, (above) Denis O’Hare, Corey Stoll, Casey Wilson, and Troian Bellisario.

Jonathan Groff and Denis OHare

Other highly anticipated films at Sundance include, “jOBS”, The first major feature about Steve Jobs since his death, which stars Ashton Kutcher. “The Way, Way Back” has quite a bit of buzz with stars like Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, Maya Rudolph and Liam James. Many Hollywood actors, directors and producers make the trek to Sundance.

Volunteers are getting ready for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival

This is a video from the opening day news conference:

The festival also features loads of VIP parties (we took this at the Bing Bar last year) as wells as musical performances.

For more Sundance 2013 articles around the web, check out: First Showing, Indiewire, and World and Film.

The party scene this year included the celebration of the launch of a free music streaming service from Nokia. It teamed up with Sundance Channel and SomeSuch & Co to produce a new documentary series entitled “New American Noise.” The series features six short films created by independent directors, including Abteen Bagheri, Emily Kai Bock, Bob Harlow, and Tyrone Lebon.

The celebratory happy hour had a DJ set featuring DJ Rusty Lazer, bounce dancers and celebrity attendees like Adrian Grenier, recording artists Lil John, Melanie Fiona, Skylar Grey and Emily Wells, KCRW’s Jason Bentley, celebrity blogger Just Jared, Justin Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun and more.

Lil Jon, Emily Kai Bock (Photo credit: John Parra)

Adrian grenier and Tyrone Lebon

Abteen Bagheri, Lil Jon, Tyrone Lebon (Photo credit: John Parra)

The festival runs through the 27th.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.