Top Ten Eerie Similarities Between The Sundance Film Festival and The Utah State Legislature
Every year, the opening of the Sundance Film Festival and the Utah State Legislature happen within 48 hours of each other. Coincidence? I think not. Consider the following:
1. Each event is a hugely entertaining annual show, in which out-of-towners breeze in to wheel and deal. OK, so some of the out-of-towners are from Hollywood, others from Levan, Utah. They still don’t live here.
2. Huge sums of money are involved.
3. These people (a term that here means legislators and filmmakers alike) are followed by an entourage of those eager for a share of their power, money and recognition.
4. Free meals and gifts are showered upon these people
5. They are abnormally connected to their cell phones. Yesterday’s Salt Lake Tribune described State Representative Chris Herrod of Provo as opposing a bill requiring teen drivers to hang up their cell phone when driving, while acknowledging he frequently talks on his own cell phone while behind the wheel.
6. Each group has its uniform: designer black for Sundance; suit, white shirt & tie for those at the legislature.
7. If you want to see the show, parking is a real challenge. Seating is limited.
8. The real show happens away from the theater.
9. The players want little or nothing to do with the general public, even though the general public is ultimately responsible for their funding.
10. They focus on eerily similar issues. Such is the human condition
