Sundance 2010: First Footage of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Natalie Portman in HESHER

The first footage from writer-director Spencer Susser's feature debut, Hesher, comes thanks to and in preview of, its upcoming premiere in-competition at Sundance 2010. Susser, known mostly for directing commercials, made a splash at Sundance 2008 with his zombie short I Love Sarah Jane. Now armed with an all-star cast -- which includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman, and Rainn Wilson --  Susser is taking on more serious (non-flesh eating) fare. 

The "Meet The Artist" featurette/reel is done as an interview with the up and coming director, shot on location at the DGA (Directors Giuld of America). Clocking in at nearly three and a half minutes, we also get plenty of looks at Gordon-Levitt and Portman to sink our teeth into... but again, in a non-flesh eating way.

After the tragic loss of his Mother, T.J., Along with his pill popping father (Wilson), are forced to live with his elderly Grandmother. A young man with with a troubled past named Hesher (Levitt) assumes the role as both mentor and tormentor, leading T.J into troubles he could never have imagined. A young grocery clerk named Nicole (Portman) steps in to protect T.J from a vicious attack, and becomes the object of T.J’s fantasies. And Hesher moves into Grandma’s home, although uninvited, he is somehow accepted.

Check out the Hesher footage below and let us know what you think.

(As a bonus, I've embedded Susser's short film beneath as well. I'm sure we can expect plenty of great things to come out of this guy, we look forward to watching his new film when we go up to Sundance later this week.)