Imagine a World Without Stories.

At the beginning of every film screening this year at Sundance, there was an image of a square that contained about 100 different miniature lights. Then a voice comes over the speakers:

“Imagine a world without stories.”

Slowly at first, the individual lights are extinguished. Then quicker, until all the lights are gone and the square has faded into complete darkness.

Wow. The first time I saw this, I stopped breathing. I badly needed to get back to Main street where they were giving away free oxygen in Trident flavors thanks to their sponsor, well, Trident. I restarted breathing after I realized I had complete control over this function and that oxygen was in fact everywhere and not only delivered in Ginseng, Mint and some orange flavor. When the unflavored oxygen moved back to my brain, I felt intensely saddened. What a depressing existence it would be without the sharing of our narratives with one another.

Books? Gone.

Films? Extinct.

Songs? Inaudible.

Conversation? Mute.

I don’t want that world and luckily, it isn’t the one I’m spinning in. This life is rich with stories and Sundance brought some amazing ones to me this year on screen, on stage, and on sidewalks and tents, standing in lines.

We all have stories to tell.

The Films.

Like Crazy. This was the first film I watched at the festival and it was outstanding. I had a problem saying it was “the best” because I had yet to see anything else.

This story captured the feelings of two people who fell in love in college but then are split by distance and try to figure out what the first love is and what it means. Is it the end all or are we able to move forward and find love in someone else? The emotion and devotion you give to that first person is raw and brilliant unlike anything else you’ll probably experience. This film captures it. Everything from the angles that the director Drake Doremus situated the camera in, to the quiet stillness in provocative scenes, and the realness of the character’s interaction and dialogue was so relatable to anyone who has ever felt this type of love.

Beautifully done. And Paramount has purchased ‘Like Crazy’ so this story will be available for you to experience as well.

Higher Ground. In retrospect, I am very much the person who believes that everything happens for a reason. And magnificent happenstance brought me to this film.

I had went to another theater hoping to see a different movie only to find out that there were no tickets available. Bummed as I was, I decided I’d go check out ‘Higher Ground’ instead as it was starting soon at another venue.

I’m so thankful choice #1 was sold out.

Vera Farmiga made her directorial debut as well as starring in this film about the wanderlust of spirituality and religion. Farmiga portrays a woman who in the midst of a miraculous event finds faith. She joins a somewhat fundamentalist church with her family and is a convincing believer. We all are well aware that circumstances as they appear to us are not always true reflections. We are not just shown her struggles of faith, but we are embraced in her journey of finding it, losing it, searching for it, longing for it, reaching for it and grasping for it.

Another Happy Day. Sam Levinson is 25 and wrote this movie 3 years ago. Granted, he has some star power in his family (his father is Barry Levinson who directed Sleepers, Rain Man, Good Morning Vietnam among many other titles) he deserves some strong kudos of the emotionally raw places he went in this film.

Levinson captures the story of a family to the highest dysfunctional degree, ridden with drug addiction, divorce, and self-mutilation (and this is only 3 of the characters). They are brought together for a wedding and these vices skyrocket. Levinson goes further than a normal "abnormal" family squabble that we may have witnessed or lived. He makes us uncomfortable in order to tell this story. And it was so important that he did.

The cast is supported by the star power of Demi Moore, Ellen Burstyn and Ellen Barkin, but they are all outshined by young Ezra Miller. Ezra, your performance was flawless. I am anticipating fantastic things for you.

Cedar Rapids. If you have been reading thus far, you may realize the heavy nature of the previous films I’ve watched. And I was feeling the abundance of these themes- relationships with lovers, a higher being and our kin. I needed some comic relief (not that there wasn’t dark humor in its finest in the previous 3). So I decided where else to get a laugh, than taking a trip with Ed Helms to Cedar Rapids.

Helms’ character, Tim Lippe, lives in a small town working for an insurance company when he is given the opportunity to go to Cedar Rapids. This is the trip he’s been waiting for. He arrives to what we would call a 2.5 star motel and thinks he’s in the Four Seasons. Oh, and then he rooms with John C. Reilly. You can see where this is headed. Did I mention they are there for an Insurance conference?

Lucky for you all, you will be able to go to Cedar Rapids come February. The director of this film Miguel Arteta also directed John C Reilly in a movie I love (and was also a Sundance film), 'The Good Girl.'

The People.

I was lucky to have two of my girlfriends travel with me to Park City, but they left on Sunday, leaving me solo until my Monday evening departure.

In our city of residence, we often find it burdensome to exchange a smile or a word with someone whom we are unfamiliar. Maybe it’s because we’re busy, we’d rather be texting someone we do know, or we just don’t find conversation necessary with someone whose ending in our story will most likely come quickly after its greeting.

At Sundance, there is this majestic wonder of a stranger. We’re brought together standing shoulder-to-shoulder in long lines to films we are dying to see (and well worth the freezing wait), smashed together in music or film houses, seated by each other on the theater shuttles and leaning on the bar next to one another waiting for a spirit to warm up in between it all.

On Sunday evening, I had tried to eat at two different restaurants but was unable to without a reservation. At my third restaurant, there was finally hope.

“Table for 1 please.”

“That’ll be about 15 minutes.”

A voice from behind me. “What if we sat together? Would you mind if we shared a table? I’m a table for 1 as well.”

Now we were a table for 2.

At first I was startled. Eat dinner with someone I had never met before? I was never a fan of blind dates. But I do like stories and I’m sure this guy had some and now I had one from this chance encounter.

Jimmy was from LA, he was in Park City for work. He works behind the scenes with the camera. He was filming interviews and red carpet events for the week. We parted ways so I could go see ‘Cedar Rapids’ but later reconnected and next thing you know, I’m in an after-party with my new friend.

Happenstance.

The Music.

Saturday evening, we had bought tickets to see the legendary Roots. I have been a fan of The Roots for years. I’ve seen them in Seattle and Portland many times. They always bring it. This was no exception and maybe even a greater experience as I watched most of the show from about 5 feet away from the stage. It was fun to share that experience with my friends who hadn't seen The Roots and one who wasn't exactly a fan (yet). It's amazing what a live performance can do to you.

I stepped into the music café on Monday expecting to just catch a peek and be on my way. I stayed for an hour and a half and a couple acts.

The first band, ‘The Low Anthem’ had 4 members who after every song, swapped instruments and positions on stage. That depth of talent amazes me for someone who can only play Heart & Soul on the piano. I was in the restroom later and the one woman of the group was waiting in line. I told her how much I enjoyed their music and the uniqueness of their talent. She chatted with me for a few minutes before I exited. They are touring with Iron & Wine this summer so if you are a fan of them, you may want to check out 'The Low Anthem.' Also, they’ll be on Leno February 3^rd.

The other notable act I saw was Tim Myers. When he started playing I was overcome with familiarity. I’ve heard this guy before. Turns out, he is the voice behind my favorite Target commercials. I dug out my iPod and lo and behold, I have him on there.

Happenstance.

This film festival is nuts. Insanely nuts in the best possible way. To borrow words from ‘Feist,’ I feel it all.

The cold, the excitement, the talent. I feel in my element in the mountained walls of Park City.

I am fortunate to add Sundance 2011 to my story.