When an actor takes the leap to making their directorial debut, it’s an exciting thing to be a part of. Several actors over the years have premiered their first directorial features at the Sundance Film Festival, like Jesse Eisenberg (When You Finish Saving the World, 2022), Jordan Peele (Get Out, 2020), Rebecca Hall (Passing, 2021), and many more. John Krasinski joined this list in 2009 when he made his debut with Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. Since then, Krasinski’s directorial career has taken off with A Quiet Place, A Quiet Place Part II, and the forthcoming Imaginary Friends.  

“This is the one week that I’m not doing The Office,” smiles Krasinski during a brief interview at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. “It is an absolute thrill to be up here at Sundance. This has always been the place where filmmakers make movies for film lovers. I’ve always wanted to come here just as a fan, and now to actually be in it is totally surreal.”

Krasinski’s film adaptation, based on the book of the same name by David Foster Wallace, follows a graduate student (Julianne Nicholson) who decides to do her dissertation on the male psyche after suddenly and unexpectedly getting dumped by her boyfriend (Krasinski). Searching for answers to help her understand her own situation, she begins interviewing more than a dozen men about their relationships with women — and their motives. 

“It’s a little scary for guys to watch, but hopefully, people find out a little bit about themselves.”

Check out the video below to hear Krasinski talk about the film, which premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. 

To be part of one of these historic moments for yourself, join us this January either in person in Utah or from your home.