Most Likely To Succeed
Sundance Film Festival
Director: Greg Whiteley

After witnessing his daughter’s frustrations with 4th grade and overhearing her teacher’s rant about building character for the future, director Greg Whiteley decided to explore the current status of America’s educational system and what he uncovered is quite unnerving. Essentially, this whole thing called “school” is bullshit and is based on a concept developed more than a century ago with minimal updates. Whiteley proposes the question of humans’ responsibility in the future now that machines have conquered our physical and mental capabilities. It’s a scary thought to say the least. The useless practice of test preparation for the SATs is brought under scrutiny since most students do not retain the information shortly after completing the examination. A light of hope arrives in the form of an alternate curriculum set in place at High Tech High. Viewers are immersed in the unconventional study lessons and atypical teacher interactions with students. Whiteley certainly acknowledges the results from this new form of education are too preliminary to make any rash decisions, but his comprehensive investigation, exciting classroom immersion, and appealing teacher interviews certainly beg for the discussion to continue far into the future. -Jimmy Martin

Screening Times:

Time: Tuesday, Jan. 27 @ 6 p.m. Venue: Yarrow Hotel Theatre, Park City

Time: Wednesday, Jan. 28 @ 9 p.m. Venue: Broadway Centre Cinema 6, Salt Lake City

Time: Friday, Jan. 30 @ 9 p.m. Venue: Temple Theatre, Park City

Time: Saturday, Jan. 31 @ 6 p.m. Venue: Sundance Mountain Resort Screening Room, Sundance