Indie Film Release Guide: April 30th [An ONTD Original]
The next couple of weeks represent a little bit of a lull in new releases - for example, Separation is the only wide release this week, and it’s not from a major studio. But once the end of May hits, the industry is going full speed ahead with major new releases. And the further we get into the year, the more packed the release schedule becomes, with many films that were supposed to be out in 2020 taking release dates in the latter half of 2021, when even more people can get back to theaters.
The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Columbia/Sony 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: April 23rd, April 16th, and April 9th.
Separation
Click to viewStars: Rupert Friend, Brian Cox, Madeline Brewer, Mamie Gummer
Writer: Nick Amadeus, Scott Braun
Director: William Brent Bell
Genre: Horror
Plot: A young girl finds solace in her artist father and the ghost of her dead mother.
What you should know: Director William Brent Bell also directed The Boy and its sequel.
Where to watch: In theaters
About Endlessness
Stars: Bengt Bergius, Anja Broms, Marie Burman, Amanda Davies
Writer/Director: Roy Andersson
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Plot: A reflection on human life in all its beauty and cruelty, its splendour and banality.
What you should know: Director Roy Andersson won the Silver Lion for Best Director at the 2019 Venice Film Festival for this film.
Where to watch: Select theaters and virtual cinemas
Things Heard & Seen
Stars: James Norton, Amanda Seyfried, Rhea Seehorn, Natalia Dyer
Writer: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Director: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Plot: An artist relocates to the Hudson Valley and begins to suspect that her marriage has a sinister darkness, one that rivals her new home's history.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Elizabeth Brundage.
Where to watch: Netflix
Limbo
Stars: Amir El-Masry, Vikash Bhai, Kwabena Ansah, Grace Chilton
Writer/Director: Ben Sharrock
Genre: Drama
Plot: Omar is a promising young musician. Separated from his Syrian family, he is stuck on a remote Scottish island awaiting the fate of his asylum request.
What you should know: Nominated for two BAFTA Awards.
Where to watch: Select theaters
Without Remorse
Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jamie Bell, Guy Pearce
Writer: Taylor Sheridan, Will Staples
Director: Stefano Sollima
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Plot: John Clark, a Navy SEAL, goes on a path to avenge his wife's murder only to find himself inside of a larger conspiracy.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Tom Clancy.
Where to watch: Amazon
Berlin Alexanderplatz
Stars: Welket Bungué, Albrecht Schuch, Jella Haase, Annabelle Mendang
Writer: Martin Behnke, Burhan Qurbani
Director: Burhan Qurbani
Genre: Drama
Plot: A man from Guinea-Bissau moves to Germany, where he is befriended by a drug dealer and two women.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Alfred Döblin.
Where to watch: Select theaters and virtual cinemas
The Virtuoso
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Abbie Cornish, Diora Baird, Anson Mount
Writer: James C. Wolf
Director: Nick Stagliano
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Plot: Danger, deception and murder descend upon a sleepy town when a professional assassin accepts a new assignment from his enigmatic boss.
What you should know: Director Nick Stagliano’s last feature film was 2011’s Good Day for It.
Where to watch: Select theaters, and available VOD
The Resort
Stars: Bianca Haase, Brock O'Hurn, Michael Vlamis, Michelle Randolph
Writer/Director: Taylor Chien
Genre: Horror
Plot: Four friends head to Hawaii to investigate reports of a haunting at an abandoned resort in hopes of finding the infamous Half-Faced Girl. When they arrive, they soon learn you should be careful what you wish for.
What you should know: This is writer/director Taylor Chien’s first feature since 2011’s Cornered.
Where to watch: Available VOD
Four Good Days
Stars: Mila Kunis, Glenn Close, Stephen Root, Carla Gallo
Writer: Rodrigo García, Eli Saslow
Director: Rodrigo García
Genre: Drama
Plot: A mother helps her daughter work through four crucial days of recovery from substance abuse.
What you should know: Premiered at Sundance 2020.
Where to watch: Select theaters; available VOD on May 21
Golden Arm
Stars: Mary Holland, Betsy Sodaro, Olivia Stambouliah, Eugene Cordero
Writer: Ann Marie Allison, Jenna Milly
Director: Maureen Bharoocha
Genre: Comedy
Plot: A tough lady trucker trains her wimpy best friend to compete in the National Ladies Arm Wrestling Championship.
What you should know: Nominated for the Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award at SXSW 2020.
Where to watch: Select theaters, and available VOD
More New Releases
Percy vs. Goliath (Trailer) from Paramount
The Mitchells vs The Machines (Trailer) on Netflix
Cliff Walkers (Trailer)
Dope is Death (Trailer)
What Drives Us (Trailer)
Paris Calligrammes (Trailer)
Best Summer Ever (Trailer)
Marighella (Trailer)
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?