Indie Film Release Guide: September 28th [An ONTD Original]
It's almost October! The leaves are starting to turn, a chill is in the air, and Oscar bait is on the way. This week in wide release, we've got a decidely non-Oscar baity release in Night School, and a kids flick called Smallfoot. But in indie films, there are a few docs, a wide release horror film and Robert Redford's last starring role.
The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Columbia and Disney. Note that some of the movies listed are in their first week or two of limited release in the USA, so it may take them a few more weeks (or months) to show up in your local arthouse theater or on VOD. Check out the posts from the past few weeks for more movies that may have just opened near you: September 21st, September 14th, and September 7th.
MATANGI/MAYA/M.I.A.
Click to viewDirector: Steve Loveridge
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Drawn from a never-before-seen cache of personal footage spanning decades, this is an intimate portrait of the Sri Lankan artist and musician who continues to shatter conventions.
What you should know: The film won the Special Jury Prize at Sundance in the World Cinema Documentary category.
Q&A’s: 9/27, 9/28 & 9/29 at IFC Center NYC, 9/29 at Arclight Hollywood
Opens in: NYC & LA
Hell Fest
Stars: Bex Taylor-Klaus, Reign Edwards, Amy Forsyth, Tony Todd
Writer: Seth M. Sherwood, Blair Butler, Akela Cooper, William Penick, Christopher Sey
Director: Gregory Plotkin
Genre: Horror
Plot: A masked serial killer turns a horror themed amusement park into his own personal playground, terrorizing a group of friends while the rest of the patrons believe that it is all part of the show.
What you should know: The company that designed the killer’s mask is the same company that designed the killer’s masks for Scream and Happy Death Day. Also, the trailer I included is a “throwback” style one, there is a regular one out there as well.
Opens in: Wide release
The Old Man and The Gun
Stars: Robert Redford, Casey Affleck, Sissy Spacek, Danny Glover
Written and directed by: David Lowery
Genre: Comedy, Crime. Drama
Plot: Based on the true story of Forrest Tucker and his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public.
What you should know: Based on a true story; more specifically an article written about the true story by David Grann.
Q&A’s: 9/28 and 9/29 at Landmark in LA, 9/29 at Arclight Hollywood
Opens in: NYC & LA
Free Solo
Director: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Follow Alex Honnold as he becomes the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite's 3,000ft high El Capitan Wall. With no ropes or safety gear, he completed arguably the greatest feat in rock climbing history.
What you should know:
Q&A’s: 9/27-9/30 at the Angelika in NYC, 9/28-9/30 at Arclight Hollywood
Opens in: Select cities
All About Nina
Stars: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Common, Chace Crawford, Camryn Manheim
Written and directed by: Eva Vives
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Nina Geld's passion and talent have made her a rising star in the comedy scene, but she's an emotional mess offstage. When a new professional opportunity coincides with a romantic one, she is forced to confront her own deeply troubled past.
What you should know: TFW the plot summary of your indie echoes your real life.
Opens in: Select cities
Summer ‘03
Stars: Joey King, Andrea Savage, Paul Scheer, Erin Darke
Written and directed by: Becca Gleason
Genre: Comedy
Plot: A 16-year-old girl and her extended family are left reeling after her calculating grandmother unveils an array of secrets on her deathbed.
What you should know: Nominated for a couple of awards at SXSW 2018.
Opens in: NYC & LA
Monsters and Men
Stars: John David Washington, Anthony Ramos, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Chanté Adams
Written and directed by: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Genre: Drama
Plot: The aftermath of a police killing of a black man, told through the eyes of the bystander who filmed the act, an African-American police officer and a high-school baseball phenom inspired to take a stand.
What you should know: This film marks a reunion for two Hamilton alumni - Anthony Ramos, who played John Laurens/Phillip Hamilton, and Jasmine Cephas Jones, who played Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds.
Q&A’s: 9/27 at Landmark in LA, 9/29 & 9/30 at the Angelika in NYC
Opens in: Select cities
Little Women
Stars: Lea Thompson, Melanie Stone, Sarah Davenport, Allie Jennings
Written and directed by: Clare Niederpruem
Genre: Drama, Family
Plot: A modern retelling of the classic novel, we follow the lives of four sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March - detailing their passage from childhood to womanhood. Despite harsh times, they cling to optimism, and as they mature, they face blossoming ambitions and relationships, as well as tragedy, while maintaining their unbreakable bond as sisters.
What you should know: Based on the book by Louisa May Alcott, this is NOT the Greta Gerwig version, which comes out next year.
Opens in: Semi-wide release
Queercore: How to Punk a Revolution
Director: Yony Leyser
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A documentary on Queercore, the cultural and social movement that began as an offshoot of punk and was distinguished by its discontent with society's disapproval of the gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender communities.
What you should know: Features John Waters, Beth Ditto, Kim Gordon, Kathleen Hanna and Peaches, among others.
Opens in: NYC & LA
Bad Reputation
Director: Kevin Kerslake
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A journey through Joan Jett's life and career, from her early years as founder of "The Runaways" and first collaborations with Kenny Laguna to her status as rock icon.
What you should know: Kathleen Hanna pops up in this doc as well.
Opens in: Select cities
Also opening: Black ‘47 (Trailer), Hold the Dark (Trailer), Domain (Trailer), At First Light (Trailer), The System (Trailer)
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See anything interesting lately? What are you looking forward to seeing?