Indie Film Release Guide: March 26th [An ONTD Original]

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This has the potential to be the biggest box office weekend in a while, with LA's theaters more fully opened than last week and Universal's well-reviewed action film Nobody appealing to a crowd that is likely to be the first group back in theaters in big numbers - men. But all of the indie films in this post are available via streaming, so if you're not feeling up to crowds just yet, check them out.

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: March 19th, March 12th, and March 5th.

Shoplifters of the World

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Stars: Helena Howard, Elena Kampouris, James Bloor, Nick Krause
Writer: Lorianne Hall, Stephen Kijak
Director: Stephen Kijak
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: 1987. Denver, Co. One crazy night in the life of four friends reeling from the sudden demise of iconic British band The Smiths, while the local airwaves are hijacked at gunpoint by an impassioned Smiths fan.
What you should know: This is star Helena Howard’s first feature film since her debut in 2018’s Madeline’s Madeline.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD



Tina

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Director: Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A revealing and intimate look at the life and career of musical icon Tina Turner, charting her improbable rise to early fame, her personal and professional struggles throughout her life and her even more improbable resurgence as a global phenomenon in the 1980s.
What you should know: Angela Bassett and Oprah Winfrey both appear in this documentary.
Where to stream: HBO Max

The Toll

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Stars: Jordan Hayes, Max Topplin, James McGowan, Rosemary Dunsmore
Writer/Director: Michael Nader
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: A socially awkward driver and a weary passenger try to make it to their destination while being haunted by a supernatural threat.
What you should know: This is writer/director Michael Nader’s feature directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Kuessipan

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Stars: Brigitte Poupart, Étienne Galloy, Sharon Ishpatao Fontaine, Yamie Grégoire
Writer: Naomi Fontaine, Myriam Verreault
Director: Myriam Verreault
Genre: Drama
Plot: Two girls grow up as best friends in an Innu community who promised each other to stick together no matter what. But their friendship is shaken when Mikuan falls for a white boy.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas

Six Minutes to Midnight

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Stars: James D'Arcy, Judi Dench, Eddie Izzard, Jim Broadbent
Writer: Eddie Izzard, Celyn Jones, Andy Goddard
Director: Andy Goddard
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: In the summer of 1939, influential families in Nazi Germany have sent their daughters to a finishing school in an English seaside town to learn the language and be ambassadors for a future looking National Socialist. A teacher there sees what is coming and is trying to raise the alarm. But the authorities believe he is the problem.
What you should know: Director Andy Goddard has worked mostly in television, directing episodes of Carnival Row, Luke Cage, and Downton Abbey, among others.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Senior Moment

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Stars: William Shatner, Jean Smart, Christopher Lloyd, Katrina Bowman
Writer: Kurt Brungardt, Christopher Momenee
Director: Giorgio Serafini
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Plot: After drag racing his vintage convertible around Palm Springs, a retired NASA test pilot loses his license. Forced to take public transportation, he meets Caroline and learns to navigate love and life again.
What you should know: William Shatner just turned 90.
Where to stream: In theaters, and available VOD

Bad Trip

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Stars: Eric André, Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish, Michaela Conlin
Writer: Eric André, Dan Curry, Kathryn Borel, Jenna Park, Kitao Sakurai
Director: Kitao Sakurai
Genre: Comedy
Plot: This hidden camera comedy follows two best friends as they go on a cross-country road trip full of hilarious, inventive pranks, pulling its real-life audience into the mayhem.
What you should know: Scored by Ludwig Göransson, the same composer behind the scores of Tenet and Black Panther.
Where to stream: Netflix

Francesco

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Director: Evgeny Afineevksy
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Pope Francis addresses issues related to climate change, the refugee crisis, peace and religious tolerance, economic equality, compassion and humanity.
What you should know: Director Evgeny Afineevksy has been directing documentaries since 2014.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas; available on discovery+ March 28th

Her Name is Chef

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Director: Peter Ferriero
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A documentary film by Pete Ferriero that spotlights six bad-ass, inspiring, sheroes of the kitchen. Each share their triumphs in cutting through the clichés of the restaurant industry, and explore how they broke down the doors to 'earn' the title of Chef.
What you should know: The chefs featured are Elizabeth Falkner, Fatima Ali, Hillary Sterling, Esther Choi, Juliet Masters, and Caroline Schiff.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas

Violation

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Stars: Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Anna Maguire, Jesse LaVercombe. Obi Abili
Writer/Director: Dusty Mancinelli, Madeleine Sims-Fewer
Genre: Drama, Horror
Plot: A troubled woman on the edge of divorce returns home to her younger sister after years apart. But when her sister and brother-in-law betray her trust, she embarks on a vicious crusade of revenge.
What you should know: [Content warnings] for sexual assault and rape. Won the Rising Stars Award at TIFF 2020.
Where to stream: Shudder

More New Releases

Nobody (Trailer) from Universal
The Vault (Trailer) from Paramount
A Week Away (Trailer) on Netflix
Spiked (Trailer)

New to Streaming

Collective (Trailer) on Hulu
The Hurricane Heist (Trailer) on Hulu
Words on Bathroom Walls (Trailer) on Amazon

New to Digital

The Father (Trailer)

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?