Community Twilight Drive-in at UOP: Whirlybird, Presented by Sundance Institute

Soaring above the chaotic spectacle of ‘80s and ‘90s Los Angeles, a young couple revolutionized breaking news with their brazen helicopter reporting. Culled from this news duo’s sprawling video archive is a poignant L.A. story of a family in turbulence hovering over a city unhinged.

A pioneer of helicopter reporting, Zoey Tur, along with then-wife Marika Gerrard, forever changed broadcast news with their action-packed live coverage of monumental moments in the history of L.A., including the 1992 riots and the O.J. Simpson Ford Bronco chase in 1994. This intense work delivered a needed daily dose of adrenaline for Zoey (known then as Bob), but the thousands of hours spent chasing breaking news eventually took its toll. Through the meticulous digitization and restoration of Zoey and Marika’s sprawling video tape archive, this documentary brings to life the candid memories and reflections delivered by Zoey and Marika – as well as their kids, including their daughter, MSNBC host and author Katy Tur. In Matt Yoka’s feature debut, WHIRLYBIRD, he delivers an immersive L.A. epic through the intimate story of a relationship.

Join us for this free community screening presented by Sundance Institute, in collaboration with Park City Film. WHIRLYBIRD premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Please register here.

Please note: this film is not rated. It contains adult language and subject matter and is recommended for mature audiences.

The Sundance Institute’s Utah Community Screenings are supported by Principal Sponsor Zions Bank; Major Supporter State of Utah; and Community Supporters Peggy Bergmann; Summit County Recreation, Arts and Parks (RAP) Tax; and Promontory Foundation.

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