1987 in Oakland

“Freaky Tales” was one of the main attractions on day one of the Sundance Film Festival 2024. The film highlights Oakland, California in 1987. The film is directed by Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden who had another major hit at Sundance in 2006 with their film, “Half Nelson”.

The film was full of big names including Jay Ellis, Dominique Thorne, Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Ji-Young Yoo, and the late Angus Cloud.

Freaky Tales follows a collective of four stories, including a fight against Nazis and a rap battle. There’s a mysterious force that interconnects the stories. From animation to a gruesome fight to comedy the film has something for everyone, especially if you’re a music lover.

Artist Too $hort, who is one of the producers of the film, said he hopes the film shines a lot on all of the great things Oakland has created and impacted.

“I just want people that don’t know about little Oakland, California to have some sort of something they can feel and see that’s tangible about the city,” he said. “…I just want you to get just a little piece of a little vibe, a little emotion.”

Accomplishing Dreams

This film is filled with stars who are still aiming for their dreams. Rapper and icon Too $hort made his producer debut with this film.

“I been dabbling, it’s been some projects in the works, it’s just the first one that I’ve been a part of that’s really happening, that’s really big. Got a lot of big names attached to it. It’s just the first. Get used to it because how you going to keep a player like a $hort Dawg out the game?” said Too $hort.

Ellis, who’s most known for his role in Issa Rae’s Insecure, said being at Sundance was something he’s been aiming for.

“Starting out as an actor like my dream has always been to star in a movie that’s at Sundance. Just to be here and opening the festival is crazy. This is a dream. It’s amazing,” said Ellis.

Ellis said it’s all about perseverance and knowing your craft to the tee. Insecure may have been Ellis’ breakout role but he’s been in the game dating back to the TV series, “How I Met Your Mother” in 2005.

“I think the thought is to learn with every step along the way. And I think the other piece is you gotta be a nerd about it. You have to study it in and out,” he said.

Black Panther actress Dominique Thorne further showed her acting skills in this film, which is no surprise. For Thorne, she dives into her inner self to give her best to each role.

“With any craft, anything that comes from your spirit, I think it’s really important to listen to that spirit. I think the thing that I try to focus on first and foremost is really that voice, that inner knowing, that gut feeling, that thing that you feel in your heart,” said Thorne.

As Thorne continues to grow in her career, she understands that not everything is meant to be but to keep going.

“Really don’t be afraid of the nos. Don’t be afraid of the maybes. Not every no is a no. Sometimes it’s the yes to something else that you might need to focus on right now,” she said.

Freaky Tales is expected to be released later this year.

Check out our video interviews from Sundance Film Festival 2024 here.