Hosting the premieres of such films as Bellflower, Sound of My Voice and Sleepwalk with Me, the NEXT category at Sundance Film Festival usually has a handful of promising, truly independent features that deserve one’s attention. This year’s fest saw such works as Blue Caprice, Escape From Tomorrow and Computer Chess (all of which are gearing up for release) and today brings our first trailer for another entry.
Chad Hartigan‘s This Is Martin Bonner was the Audience Award for the best in the aforementioned NEXT section and now our debut look has landed ahead of a summer release. Starring Paul Eenhoorn as our title character Martin, the film seems him moving from the East coast to Reno, where is volunteers at a prison inmate transition facility, where he starts a friendship with Travis (Richmond Arquette). This restrained style is right up my alley and considering I missed it at the festival, I look forward to checking it out soon. See the trailer below thanks to Film School Rejects.
Synopsis:
The striking sophomore film of writer/director Chad Hartigan, THIS IS MARTIN BONNER is a warm and perceptive meditation on friendship, human connection and getting a second chance at life. Fifty-something Martin Bonner (Paul Eenhorn) leaves his old life behind and relocates to Reno, where he finds work helping released prisoners transition to life on the outside, while trying his hand at speed dating and passing time as a soccer referee on weekends. Meanwhile, Travis Holloway (Richmond Arquette) has just been released from prison after serving 12 years. Surprising both of them, Travis and Martin form an unlikely friendship that offers them reciprocal support and understanding.
This Is Martin Bonner hits limited release on June 28th.