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On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.

First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.

Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.

The Pitch: Discovering the Power of a Dick… Ahead of Its Time

Non-monogamy became a common topic of conversation this spring as Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” made any mention of pro tennis the conversational equivalent of a three-way sex invite.

On dating apps, searches for “open relationships” continued to rise in popularity just as reality television embraced multi-partnered dynamics through shows like Peacock’s “Couple to Throuple.” Even in 2024, polyamory isn’t outright “mainstream” by any stretch of the imagination(s). But as far as contemporary relationships are concerned, the “three’s...

Writer/Director team David Brind and Adam Salky were the belles of the ball at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah last year. The team who met at Columbia Film School brought their prized possession, Dare (2009) starring Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, and Ashley Springer to the event. The film was hailed as of the greats of Sundance and fans were dying to get a chance to see the challenging, daring, and heartwarming film that Sundance fell in love with. Dare (2009) opens November 13th and it is not your typical high school film; it is a film about three students who have eye-opening, self-exploration through their adolescence. PopStar spoke with star Zach Gilford about getting involved in the project, how sterotypes affected his own life, and of course we had to squeeze some Friday Night Lights (TV) info out of him. This is such a great story, can you...

There are two new clips in from Image Entertainment's "Dare," starring Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Ashley Springer, Rooney Mara, Ana Gasteyer, Sandra Bernhard, Alan Cumming and Cady Huffman. Check out the new clips here. Also, visit our "Dare" group for more clips we've added previously. "Dare" follows three very different teenagers through the last semester of high school. There are Alexa (Emmy Rossum), the overachieving good girl who longs to break out of her shell; Ben (Ashley Springer), the melancholy outsider confused about his sexuality; and Johnny (Zach Gilford), the rich kid who has everything, including good looks, but hides behind his bad boy persona. This unlikely trio fall into each other's lives and each other’s arms, making a last ditch effort to shake things up before they actually have to start living as adults. Director Adam Salky and writer David Brind takes us into some uncharted territory...

(L to r) Ashley Springer, Emmy Rossum and Zach Gilford in Dare

One of the great lessons of adulthood is that adolescence sucks for pretty much everyone. Whether you’re the nerd working the lights for the drama club, the golden boy with the big house and the often-absent parents or the Type-a, hard-working good girl, the teen years are a nightmare of self-doubt, identity confusion and hormonal imbalances.

Writer David Brind and director Adam Salky don’t sugarcoat adolescent anxiety in Dare, their new feature based on their short film of the same name, even though the action plays out in a leafy suburb populated with spacious, well-appointed homes.

The film’s central triangle involves Alexa (Emmy Rossum), who’s got aspirations of being an actress; nerdy Ben (Ashley Springer), her lifelong pal who’s otherwise a friendless loner; and handsome Johnny (Zach Gilford, Friday Night Lights), whose encounter...

Dare: Zach Gilford and Emmy Rossum Dare, the new film directed by Adam Salky, opens this Friday after its premiere earlier this year at Sundance. Written by Tribeca Film Festival alum David Brind (Twenty Dollar Drinks, Tff 2006), Dare follows the story of three teens caught up in a tempestuous love triangle. With so many influences evident in the story, we asked Brind to share his inspiration with us. We are pleased to present our first-ever guest-hosted Reelist. From the classic Rebel Without A Cause to seminal 90s hits (Election, The Ice Storm, Welcome to the Dollhouse) to the more recent Mean Girls, he's picked a gem of a list, and we have updated our Netflix queue accordingly. I've been a fan of the high school movie genre for as long as I can remember. Adolescence, for me, was a time of extremely heightened emotions, desires, and drives. The tricky...

Richard Curtis sets out to the high seas to rock our world, Roland Emmerich just obliterates it and Wes Anderson reenvisions it in stop-motion animation, while as a group of documentaries ponder real world issues of war, God, poverty and Glenn Gould.

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"2012"

On behalf of moviegoers everywhere, we here at IFC would like to thank that schoolyard bully who must have so traumatized a young Roland Emmerich that he has spent his recent career ritualistically laying waste to our world one famous landmark at a time. Having previous employed such excuses for mass destruction as alien invasions and global warming, this time cinema's most destructive director turns to an ancient Mayan prophecy that foretells the end of all mankind, and once again batters humanity -- specifically John Cusack and assorted stragglers -- like the...

Image Entertainment's "Dare" has five new clips in as well as new images. The drama is helmed by Adam Salky ("Recruiter") from the writing by David Brind. Opens In New York City & Los Angeles November 13th and In Philadelphia December 4. Starring are Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Ashley Springer, Rooney Mara, Ana Gasteyer, Sandra Bernhard, Alan Cumming and Cady Huffman. Dare follows three very different teenagers through the last semester of high school. There are Alexa (Emmy Rossum), the overachieving good girl who longs to break out of her shell; Ben (Ashley Springer), the melancholy outsider confused about his sexuality; and Johnny (Zach Gilford), the rich kid who has everything, including good looks, but hides behind his bad boy persona. This unlikely trio fall into each other's lives and each other’s arms, making a last ditch effort to shake things up before they actually have to start living as adults.

Dare is the new indie feature directed by Adam Salky, written by David Brind, based on Salky.s 2005 short film. Starring actress Emmy "The Phantom Of The Opera" Rossum, premise of Dare follows ....three very different teenagers who discover that, even in the safe world of a suburban prep school, no one is who she or he appears to be..... Dare will be released November 14, 2009. Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek the official HD trailer for Dare...

What would the Pretty in Pink love triangle between Andie, Duckie, and Blane look like if it was jettisoned forward in time a good 20+ years? Well, this should give you an indication: Imagine the trio in current times with Alan Cumming and Sandra Bernhard as the co-stars with clout. Has it made your imagination soar?

There's this Sundance comedy called Dare that was picked up by Image Entertainment back in August. Now that the film is gearing up for its November 13 release, Apple has scored a trailer (watch it over there or after the jump). There's Alexa, the "good girl" (Emmy Rossum), Ben, the "best friend" (Ashley Springer), and Johnny, the "bad boy" (Zach Gilford). Alexa starts up a romance with Johnny, while Ben feels dumped. That is, until Ben has his first kiss with Johnny and a confusing triangle forms that takes Threesome into the realms of high school.

• Image Entertainment is taking on a Sundance title that, up until this point, had remained unwanted. Based on his short film of the same name, perhaps the reason why Adam Salky's feature debut might not have found any takers is because of the three separate structure segments that it works with and that it dares to include the vantage point of a gay sexual awakening. I can forsee how Dare, a film for teenagers might end up being restricted to another demographic - older audiences.     Scripted by David Brind, the film is about three privileged high school seniors who decide they can no longer ignore their deepest needs and take the biggest risk of their lives. Emmy Rossum (who I once confused with Anna Hathaway), Zach Gilford, Ashley Springer, Ana Gasteyer, and Rooney Mara star with Sandra Bernhard and Alan Cumming.   Screen Daily reports that Image plans a

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According to Variety Image Entertainment has picked up the North American rights to Dare.

This drama set in high school stars Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Ashley Springer, Ana Gasteyer, Rooney Mara, Sandra Bernhard and Alan Cumming.

The film is about three privileged high school seniors who decide they can no longer ignore their deepest needs and take the biggest risk of their lives.

It was directed by Adam Salky and written by David Brind.

Dare will come to theaters on Nov. 13 in theaters.

Icm has signed directors Tommy Wirkola and Adam Salky hot off their strong showings at the Sundance Film Festival.

Wirkola co-wrote and directed "Dead Snow," a Norwegian horror film that screened in Sundance's Midnight section. The flick, acquired by IFC Films, is the tale of medical students who encounter Nazi zombies while on a snowy vacation. It was compared to the early genre movies of James Cameron and Sam Raimi.

Salky directed "Dare," which premiered in dramatic competition. The movie stars Emmy Rossum and focuses on the sexual awakening of three teens at a suburban prep school. The film is based on Salky's 2005 short film that he conceived with writer David Brind during their years at Columbia University.

Both were in signed in a competitive environment.

The deals continue Icm's streak of finding up-and-coming helmers from around the world making left-of-center movies, something the agency has tried to do since...

See images from the Adam Salky film "Dare," a drama written by David Brind. The film was a nominee of the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival and stars Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Ashley Springer, Rooney Mara, Ana Gasteyer, Sandra Bernhard, Alan Cumming and Cady Huffman. Dare follows three very different teenagers through the last semester of high school. There are Alexa (Emmy Rossum), the overachieving good girl who longs to break out of her shell; Ben (Ashley Springer), the melancholy outsider confused about his sexuality; and Johnny (Zach Gilford), the rich kid who has everything, including good looks, but hides behind his bad boy persona. This unlikely trio fall into each other's lives and each other’s arms, making a last ditch effort to shake things up before they actually have to start living as adults...

See images from the Adam Salky film "Dare," a drama written by David Brind. The film was a nominee of the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival and stars Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Ashley Springer, Rooney Mara, Ana Gasteyer, Sandra Bernhard, Alan Cumming and Cady Huffman. Dare follows three very different teenagers through the last semester of high school. There are Alexa (Emmy Rossum), the overachieving good girl who longs to break out of her shell; Ben (Ashley Springer), the melancholy outsider confused about his sexuality; and Johnny (Zach Gilford), the rich kid who has everything, including good looks, but hides behind his bad boy persona. This unlikely trio fall into each other's lives and each other’s arms, making a last ditch effort to shake things up before they actually have to start living as adults...

See images from the Adam Salky film "Dare," a drama written by David Brind. The film was a nominee of the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival and stars Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Ashley Springer, Rooney Mara, Ana Gasteyer, Sandra Bernhard, Alan Cumming and Cady Huffman. Check out all the images here. Dare follows three very different teenagers through the last semester of high school. There are Alexa (Emmy Rossum), the overachieving good girl who longs to break out of her shell; Ben (Ashley Springer), the melancholy outsider confused about his sexuality; and Johnny (Zach Gilford), the rich kid who has everything, including good looks, but hides behind his bad boy persona. This unlikely trio fall into each other's lives and each other’s arms, making a last ditch effort to shake things up before they actually have to start living as adults. Director Adam Salky and...

See images from the Adam Salky film "Dare," a drama written by David Brind. The film was a nominee of the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival and stars Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Ashley Springer, Rooney Mara, Ana Gasteyer, Sandra Bernhard, Alan Cumming and Cady Huffman. Dare follows three very different teenagers through the last semester of high school. There are Alexa (Emmy Rossum), the overachieving good girl who longs to break out of her shell; Ben (Ashley Springer), the melancholy outsider confused about his sexuality; and Johnny (Zach Gilford), the rich kid who has everything, including good looks, but hides behind his bad boy persona. This unlikely trio fall into each other's lives and each other’s arms, making a last ditch effort to shake things up before they actually have to start living as adults...

Editors Note: This is part of a series of interviews, conducted via email, profiling dramatic and documentary competition and American Spectrum directors who have films screening at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. From the Sundance catalog: “Dare follows three very-different teenagers through the last semester of high school. There are Alexa (Emmy Rossum), the overachieving good girl who longs to break out of her shell; Ben (Ashley Springer), the melancholy outsider …...

The Sundance Film Festival officially announced the lineup for the films playing in competition next month. The 16 movies will compete for the Grand Jury Prize in Park City, Utah at the 25th anniversary of the largest independent film festival in the U.S. from January 15-25.

The list was announced by festival director Geoff Gilmore, who recently received the first annual Sydney Pollack Award.

At the bottom of the page is a full list with synopsis and partial cast lists, but I wanted to focus on a few of the titles that stand out. Alphabetical order with omissions of films I don’t care about yet:

Arlen Faber - A single mother and a man out of rehab intrude into the life of a reclusive author, played by Jeff Daniels. He’s my other favorite Jeff, but I also like young actresses Kat Dennings and Olivia Thirlby.

Big Fan -...

I am heading out the door and have no time to really dig into this, but here is the line-up for next year's 2009 Sundance Film Festival as reported by Variety. Dramatic Competition Adam, directed and written by Max Mayer ("Better Living"), about a slightly dysfunctional man's attempt at a relationship with an alluring new neighbor. Stars Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Peter Gallagher, Amy Irving, Frankie Faison. Amreeka, directed and written by Cherien Dabis, a drama examining the challenges faced by a divorced Palestinian woman and her teenage son upon moving to rural Illinois. With Nisreen Faour, Melkar Muallem. Arlen Faber, directed and written by John Hindman, about the intrusion of two strangers into the life of a famous reclusive author. With Jeff Daniels, Lauren Graham, Lou Pucci, Olivia Thirlby, Kat Dennings. Big Fan, directed and written by Robert Siegel (writer of "The Wrestler"), which hinges on the reaction of a...

U.S. Dramatic Competition

This year's 16 films were selected from 1,026 submissions. Each film is a world premiere.

Adam (Director-screenwriter: Max Mayer)

A strange and lyrical love story between a somewhat socially dysfunctional young man and the woman of his dreams. Cast: Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Peter Gallagher, Amy Irving, Frankie Faison.

Amreeka (Director-screenwriter: Cherien Dabis)

When a divorced Palestinian woman and her teenage son move to rural Illinois at the outset of the Iraq war, they find their new lives replete with challenges. Cast: Nisreen Faour, Melkar Muallem, Hiam Abbass, Yussuf Abu-Warda, Alia Shawkat.

Big Fan (Director-screenwriter: Robert Siegel)

The world of a parking garage attendant who happens to be the New York Giants' biggest fan is turned upside down after an altercation with his favorite player. Cast: Patton Oswalt, Michael Rapaport, Kevin Corrigan, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Matt Servitto.

Brief Interviews With Hideous Men (Director-screenwriter: John Krasinski)

When her boyfriend leaves with little explanation,...

Zach Gilford is continuing his push into film with two new projects.

The actor (NBC's Friday Night Lights) has inked a deal to star opposite Emmy Rossum in the indie drama Dare and is in final negotiations to star in The River Why.

Gilford's reps said that with the WGA strike, the actor had an "extra long hiatus" and was able to make three deals.

Dare, helmed by Adam Salky and penned by David Brind, is based on a short film and is filming in Philadelphia.

Gilford plays the bad boy in the film about three high school seniors who break their own rules and take the biggest risks of their lives. He joins a cast that includes Ashley Springer, Ana Gasteyer and Sandra Bernhard.

Meanwhile, Gilford is in final talks to play Gus Orviston in the film adaptation of David James Duncan's 1983 Sierra Club novel The River Why.

Matt Leutwyler is directing a script penned by Thomas A. Cohen and John Jay Osborn Jr.

• Wide-eyed, singing cinematic darling Emmy Rossum is taking a leap into indie film after roles in blockbuster after blockbuster, all at the ripe old age of 21.  According to Variety, The Phantom of the Opera star has signed on to join the cast of Dare, an independent feature directed by newcomer Adam Salky.   The pic is based off of Salky's short of the same name, which made some noise in the festival circuit in 2005 when the helmer was in the Columbia Mfa film program with the short's screenwriter, David Brind, who is also penning the feature. The pic tells the story of high school senior Ben, a social outcast who secretly lusts after Johnny, a so-called hotshot around school.  After Ben gives Johnny a ride home, one thing leads to another and things are revealed to be not quite how they appear (read: things get a little hot and heavy).  Rossum will be playing Alexa,

...