Variety

January 29, 2005
'Blue,' 'Fight' top bulging Sundance
By TODD MCCARTHY

PARK CITY, Utah -- Memphis proved to be the lucky charm at the Sundance Film Festival this year, as the winners of the two most coveted awards were both filmed in the Tennessee music capital.
The American Dramatic Audience Award went to the fest's biggest commercial success story, Craig Brewer's "Hustle & Flow," the story of a pimp who pursues his dream of becoming a rapper. Pic was acquired by Paramount for $9 million after its first screening last weekend.
Werner Herzog's "Grizzly Man," about the life and death of grizzly bear lover, protector and victim Timothy Treadwell, which was at or near the top of many festgoers' lists of best films of the entire festival.
The American dramatic jury, which consisted of Chris Eyre, Vera Farmiga, John C. Reilly, B. Ruby Rich and Christine Vachon, gave two special jury prizes for acting, to Amy Adams for "Junebug" and to Lou Pucci for "Thumbsucker," as well as two special jury prizes for originality of vision, to Miranda July, who wrote, directed and acted in "Me and You and Everyone We Know," and to Rian Johnson, director of "Brick."
At least two films, Ben Wolfinsohn's "High School Record" and David LaChapelle's "Rise," jumped out from the pack in the American Spectrum.