PARK CITY, UTAH — Megan Park’s second feature film, “My Old Ass,” made its highly anticipated premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The coming-of-age comedy, starring Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza, received a standing ovation from the audience at the Eccles Theater on Saturday night.
“My Old Ass” follows the story of Elliot, played by Stella, a teenager in a small Canadian town who experiences a transformative trip after consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms with her friends. During her psychedelic journey, Elliot encounters her older self, portrayed by Plaza, who imparts words of wisdom and a warning to steer clear of a boy named Chad.
The film not only received praise from the Sundance audience but also caught the attention of Justin Bieber. In a drug-induced dream montage, Elliot envisions herself performing Bieber’s song “One Less Lonely Girl” to her crush, Chad. Director Megan Park revealed that they initially had doubts about getting Bieber’s approval, but once he gave the go-ahead, they were thrilled. Given the film’s Canadian setting, it made perfect sense to include songs exclusively from Canadian artists, making Bieber’s endorsement an ideal choice for the sequence.
Stella, upon learning that Bieber had seen the film, expressed a mix of excitement and apprehension, exclaiming, “Justin Bieber watched that, which makes me so ill.” Plaza, who attended the premiere, shared the story of how she decided to join the project after hearing its unique title, “My Old Ass.”
Produced by Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap, “My Old Ass” has been receiving positive reviews at the festival and is currently up for sale. The film’s success and the enthusiastic response from the audience solidify it as one of the standout projects at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
Overall, “My Old Ass” delivers a funny and charming coming-of-age story, anchored by stellar performances from Stella and Plaza. Park’s unique vision and inclusion of Canadian music add to the film’s appeal, making it a must-see among festival-goers and potential buyers alike.