Indie Film Release Guide: December 4th [An ONTD Original]

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A lot of movies are premiering this weekend, some after a few weeks in select theaters, others coming directly to digital or streaming. Two of the most notable home releases are Mank and Ammonite, both of which were featured individually in previous roundups. Presumed Oscar contender Nomadland is only making a week-long appearance in (virtual) theaters to fulfill award eligibility requirements, alongside potential International Feature Film contender Another Round from Denmark, so make sure to catch those this week if you’re interested.

The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Columbia/Sony and Disney. All films listed will be available at their respective sources on Friday unless otherwise noted. Check out the posts from the past few weeks for more movies that may have already come to VOD: November 25th, November 20th, and November 13th.

Sound of Metal

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Stars: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci, Mathieu Amalric
Writer: Darius Marder, Abraham Marder, Derek Cianfrance
Director: Darius Marder
Genre: Drama, Music
Plot: A heavy-metal drummer's life is thrown into freefall when he begins to lose his hearing.
What you should know: The film uses open captions, making it accessible for hearing and non-hearing viewers wherever they choose to watch.
Where to watch: Available on Amazon Prime, and in theaters



Nomadland

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Stars: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May, Charlene Swankie
Writer: Chloé Zhao, based on the book by Jessica Bruder
Director: Chloé Zhao
Genre: Drama
Plot: Follows a woman in her sixties who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.
What you should know: Won the People’s Choice Award at TIFF 2020.
Where to watch: In select virtual cinemas for a one-week qualifying Oscar run; will return to theaters in February, VOD date tbd.

Billie

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Director: James Erskine
Genre: Documentary, Music
Storyline: Crafted from extraordinary unheard interviews, and restoring key performances into color for the first time, this is the story of the singer who changed the face of American music, and the journalist who died trying to tell it.
What you should know: Director James Erskine has been helming documentaries since 1997.
Where to stream: Available VOD

Black Bear

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Stars: Aubrey Plaza, Sarah Gadon, Christopher Abbott, Lindsay Burdge
Writer/Director: Lawrence Michael Levine
Genre: Drama
Plot: A filmmaker at a creative impasse seeks solace from her tumultuous past at a rural retreat, only to find that the woods summon her inner demons in intense and surprising ways.
What you should know: Nominated for the NEXT Innovator Award at Sundance 2020.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Red, White and Blue

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Stars: John Boyega, Steve Toussaint, Joy Richardson, Antonia Thomas
Writer: Steve McQueen, Courttia Newland
Director: Steve McQueen
Genre: Drama
Plot: Spotlights the true story of Leroy Logan, who at a young age saw his father assaulted by two policemen, motivating him to join the Metropolitan Police and change their racist attitudes from within.
What you should know: Part three of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series of films, following earlier entries Mangrove and Lover’s Rock.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime; also available via BBC

Mayor

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Director: David Osit
Genre: Documentary
Plot: A look at the life of Musa Hadid, the charismatic mayor of Palestinian city Ramallah, who aspires to lead the city into the future.
What you should know: This is director David Osit’s first feature film since 2015’s Thank You For Playing.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas, available now

Wander

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Stars: Aaron Eckhart, Tommy Lee Jones, Katheryn Winnick, Heather Graham
Writer: Tim Doiron
Director: April Mullen
Genre: Thriller
Plot: After getting hired to probe a suspicious death in the small town of Wander, a mentally unstable private investigator becomes convinced the case is linked to the same 'conspiracy cover up' that caused the death of his daughter.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Another Round

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Stars: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, Lars Ranthe
Writer: Thomas Vinterberg, Tobias Lindholm
Director: Thomas Vinterberg
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Four friends, all high school teachers, test a theory that they will improve their lives by maintaining a constant level of alcohol in their blood.
What you should know: Achieved the biggest opening weekend in Denmark for a Danish drama in seven years, despite coronavirus restrictions.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas, for a one-week award qualifying run - will return to theaters February 5th.

Half Brothers

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Stars: Luis Gerardo Méndez, José Zúñiga, Connor Del Rio, Vincent Spano
Writer: Eduardo Cisneros, Jason Shuman, Ali LeRoi
Director: Luke Greenfield
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Renato, a Mexican aviation exec, is shocked to learn he has an American half-brother he never knew about, the free-spirited Asher. They are forced on a road trip together, tracing the path their father took from Mexico to the US.
What you should know: Filmed in various locations across New Mexico.
Where to watch: In theaters

Dear Santa

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Director: Dana Nachman
Genre: Documentary
Plot: Each year, hundreds of thousands of letters to Santa arrive at Post Offices around the country. Through Operation Santa, the United States Postal Service makes it possible for the public to safely adopt these letters and make children’s dreams come true. The film invites audiences along for the magic of this massive endeavor.
What you should know: Director Dana Nachman previously directed 2018’s Pick of the Litter, a documentary about guide dog training.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

More New Releases

All My Life (Trailer) from Universal
Ham: A Musical Memoir (Trailer)
Minor Premise (Trailer)
Baby God (Trailer)

New to Digital/Streaming

Mank (Trailer) on Netflix
Ammonite (Trailer) on VOD
She Dies Tomorrow (Trailer) on Hulu
The Secret Garden (Trailer) on Hulu
Valley Girl (Trailer) on Amazon
Bombay Rose (2019) (Trailer) on Netflix
Freaky (Trailer) on VOD
Ava (Trailer) on Netflix, November 7th

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?