Sundance Kids Isn't Just for Kids

Sundance has introduced the first new program that offers movies specifically geared for children; Sundance Kids.  Sundance Kids is a program that allows kids to watch age-appropriate movies created by independent filmmakers. [A lot of] Sundance movies can be inappropriate and unpredictable, but that’s why Sundance Kids is so important. Kids can get the experience of a Sundance movie with a guarantee that the movie will be appropriate for their age. Sundance Kids also gives new filmmakers the opportunity to start their careers by making movies that appeal to an easier, younger audience.

The movie we had the pleasure of viewing was called “Little Gangster,” a Dutch film directed, by Arne Toonen. The movie is about a child named Rik Boskamp, who lives alone with his spineless, clumsy father in the Netherlands. When offered the opportunity to move to a different neighborhood and school, he gladly takes it to escape the constant bullying he receives in his current life. After watching a movie about the Italian Mafia, Rikki decides to tell all his new classmates and neighbors that his dad is a Mafia boss. He changes his name to Rikki Boskampi and starts his first day of his new school with a bad-boy attitude and a fake Italian background. Due to many humorous circumstances and coincidences, Rikki lives his new life ruling and intimidating the neighborhood, until all his lies catch up with him. In a hilarious ending, his dad finally gets over his clumsiness and forgetfulness and saves Rikki from a rival Mafia gang that trapped him.

The ticket to "Little Gangster"

          To get an accurate review of Sundance Kids and the Sundance Kids movie “Little Gangster”, our friend Bianca Festavan, who accompanied us during the film was interviewed. She had acquired the tickets as a gift from her mom, who couldn’t attend the showing. When asking her how the tickets were acquired as a local and she responded with, “I think my mom bought the Locals’ Package." 
The Locals’ Package is a set of ten tickets. They give you a date and time on when you can go to the Sundance website and you have an hour to choose the ten movies you want to go to. My mom chose “Little Gangster” for my friends and I, because she thought the title was funny. After asking her a series of questions about her experience she replied with, “I thought it was pretty good. The crowds and lines were somewhat long, but the movie was worth the wait.”  
The topic of Sundance and Sundance Kids’ independent films were also discussed. Ms. Festavan stated, “I think Sundance Kids is a great program. I know my parents have been to some pretty weird, creepy, Sundance movies and they were kind of hesitant for me to go to the movie without them, but this movie seemed really protected and kid friendly.”

Then, her personal opinion about the film, “Little Gangster”, was asked.  
“Honestly, the movie was really spectacular. Even though it was a little slow at first it definitely made me laugh and gave me a deeper understanding of Italians. My whole mom’s side of the family is Italian and it was so cool because my great grandpa was rumored to be part of the Mafia. One of my favorite things about the movie was that it was all in Dutch, and it was so different to hear an entire movie in another language.”  
In conclusion, Bianca gave the Sundance Kids movie “Little Gangster” a 4.5 out of a 5 star rating.

Bianca Festavan and Caroline Powell, post movie

Hopefully, the film “Little Gangster” will be picked up by a studio, and will be seen in a couple of years all over America. Overall, Sundance Kids is an amazing program for all audiences. This part of Sundance - and the Sundance Kids movies - should not be overlooked simply because they are geared towards a younger audience because, as Bianca Festavan stated, “They have something for everyone.”

Sundance Institute. "Sundance Institute to Present New “Sundance Kids” Section in Collaboration with Utah Film Center at 2014 Sundance Film Festival." Sundance Institute. Sundance Institute, 2000-2016. Web. 27 Jan. 2016 

 <Mia Rapella><Cameron Burke><Caroline Powell>