SUNDANCE 2009: Spectrum Docs Include New Work from Spike Lee, Robert Townsend, Stanley Nelson and the Yes Men

Sundance unveiled its out-of-competition films today, including announcing that its closing night film will be the documentary EARTH DAYS from filmmaker Robert Stone (OSWALD'S GHOST).  In a summary provided by the festival, the film is descibed as a "history of our environmental undoing through the eyes of nine Americans whose work and actions launched the modern environmental movement."

Meanwhile, in the Spectrum: Documentary Spotlight are a number of films from acclaimed directors, including Oscar winner Davis Guggenheim's Toronto doc IT MIGHT GET LOUD and James Toback's Cannes sensation TYSON (both acquired by Sony Pictures Classics) as well as world premieres from Stanley Nelson, Spike Lee, Robert Townsend and the latest from The Yes Men.

Full list of Spectrum titles after the jump.

IT MIGHT GET LOUD
Directed by Davis Guggenheim
The history of the electric guitar from the point of view of three legendary rock musicians.

NO IMPACT MAN
Directed by Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein
The documentary follows the Beavan family as they abandon their high consumption Fifth Avenue lifestyle in an attempt to make a no-net environmental impact for the course of one year.

PASSING STRANGE
Directed by Spike Lee
A musical documentary about the international exploits of a young man from Los Angeles who leaves home to find himself and 'the real'. A theatrical stage production of the original Tony-Award winning book by Stew.

TYSON
Directed by James Toback
An intimate look at the complex life of former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson.

WHY WE LAUGH: BLACK COMEDIANS ON BLACK COMEDY
Directed by Robert Townsend
Using rare archival clips along with provocative interviews with many of today's leading comedians and social critics, Why We Laugh celebrates the incredible cultural influence and social impact black comedy has wielded over the past 400 years.

WOUNDED KNEE
Directed by Stanley Nelson
In 1973, American Indian groups took over the town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota to draw attention the 1890 massacre. Though the federal government failed to keep many of the promises that ended the siege, the event succeeded in bringing to the world's attention the desperate conditions of Indian reservation life.

THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD
Directed by Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno and Kurt Engfehr
A pair of notorious troublemakers sneak into corporate events disguised as captains of industry, then use their momentary authority to expose the biggest criminals on the planet.