When Sundance begins, and the test audience of thousands begins to screen films and share notes, pre-festival predictions often fly out the window in favor of genuine Sundance buzz. Honestly, it’s a relief to have something new to talk about when you see the same friend or contact at the fifth party in a row. At a loss for words? Just whip out the million dollar question: “Seen anything good?”
On Monday, we had a ready answer. Our first screening was Life According to Sam, directed by Rabbit Content’s The Fines, Sean and Andrea. Rabbit also completed the vfx and titles for the documentary, which premiered on Monday to a sold out house at the Temple theater venue. Hustling upstairs to the green room, I snapped an unusually good cell phone picture of the director/couple, whose short doc, Inocente, is currently nominated for an Oscar.

Sean and Andrea Nix Fine, directors of Life According to Sam and Oscar-nominated Inocente.

Chatting with the directors, we learned that they are hopeful that many Academy members will attend the upcoming screening of Inocente, a suprisingly uplifting and powerful story of a homeless girl who nonetheless confidently pursues a career as a fine artist.
Our view from the second story green room (below) revealed a packed house buzzing with anticipation about Life According to Sam.  The doc tells the story of one family’s courageous fight to save their son Sam from a rare and fatal disease, progeria, which prematurely ages him, giving him a life expectancy of 13-14 years. In the process of seeking a cure, and against a ticking clock, the family founds the Progeria Research Foundation and pursues the first viable treatment for the rare disease.
Rabbit’s Shelby Ross joined us as we filed down into the theater and squeezed into reserved seats. Both of the Fines appeared to be in tears as the culminating moment of over three years of filmmaking neared.
From the first frames of the film, we are struck with the hopeful attitude of the film’s then-14 year old subject, Sam, as he tells the camera that progeria is part of his life but not the most important part.

Sam, the remarkable subject of Life According to Sam

In a story that is harrowing in its intensity, we get to know his physician parents’ and extended family, who are tireless in their efforts to help their son, and witness their founding of the world’s first non-profit organization dedicated to the research of the syndrome commonly referred to as “premature aging.” What is perhaps most surprising about the film — besides the filmmakers ability to keep you on the edge of your seat for its entirety — is the happiness, joy and intelligence Sam exudes. For instance, he is a drummer and a huge Dave Matthews fan, and he’s on a first name basis with Dave and the band as he attends many concerts and is thrilled to sit back stage. I can’t remember being so touched with the subject of a film, or rooting for a character as hard as I did for Sam. An HBO film, the movie’s raw emotional power and redemptive story bode well for its awards potential.