The cast of Magazine Dreams at Sundance 2023. Photo: Arturo Holmes/2023 Getty Images
Accessibility during film festivals continues to be an ongoing conversation, and Sundance is no different. Variety reported that Sundance dramatic judges Jeremy O. Harris, Eliza Hittman and Marlee Matlin walked out of Magazine Dreams’ premiere on Friday after the festival failed to provide adequate closed captioning for hearing-impaired viewers. The labeling machine given to Matlin didn’t work, leading to a collective strike. The device was repaired hours later and the judges plan to screen the film “as a group” before the end of the festival. Sundance CEO Joana Vicente released a statement to Variety on the incident: “Our goal is to make all experiences (in person and online) as accessible as possible for all participants. Admittedly, our accessibility efforts are always evolving, and feedback helps drive it forward for the community as a whole.” The jury also sent a letter to filmmakers encouraging them to make the films more accessible by including open captions allowed on the screen.
Magazine Dreams, starring Jonathan Majors, Haley Bennett, Taylor Paige, Mike O’Hearn, Harrison Page and Harriet Sansom Harris, follows Majors as Killian Maddox, a bodybuilder disconnected from social cues and in control of his emotions. The film has several other screenings at the festival throughout the week.