The Unforeseen

“The kind of transformative viewing experience that has made the current period a golden age for nonfiction film.” —Robert Koehler, Variety

Regarded by many as the best film to screen last year at Sundance, The Unforeseen uses the battle over urban sprawl in Austin, Texas, to make a wide-ranging and surprisingly moving commentary on the limits of growth. First-time director Dunn draws on archival material to sketch Austin’s transformation from a counter-culture oasis into an overdeveloped city risking its ecological wellbeing. She then balances an involving story of citizen activists with the personal saga of the property developer who’s incurred their wrath. Produced by Terrence Malick (Days of Heaven, The New World) and Robert Redford, with an evocative soundtrack ranging from Arvo Pärt to Sigur Rós. (88 mins., 35mm)