Sugar
Nov 27th, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Nov 28th, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Nov 29th, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Playing to eager audiences at the 2008 Sundance International Film Festival and the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival ® , Sugar is the much-anticipated new feature from writing-directing team Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the duo behind the critically acclaimed Half Nelson . With Sugar , the two filmmakers have found another surprising variation on the American dream, and this time the story begins beyond America’s borders.
Growing up in the Dominican Republic, young men like Miguel “Sugar” Santos (Algenis Pérez Soto) dream of base ball, wealth and making it to the major leagues. They pin their hopes on becoming one of the chosen few to be lifted out of poverty for a shot at the big time. This dream becomes a reality for Sugar when he is flown to spring training in Arizona and then to a minor league team in Bridgewater, Iowa. Some dreams, however, are not meant to be realized, and in a new country far from his home and family, Sugar becomes increas ingly lonely. When a painful injury threatens to end his shortlived career, Sugar escapes to New York in search of a new dream and future.
Sugar is anything but a traditional sports movie. Grounded in realism, it is as much about Sugar’s inner journey as it is his outer one. After beginning in familiar narrative terrain, the film breaks free of expectations, allowing the filmmakers to explore the possibilities that may hold the fulfillment of Sugar’s American dream.