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

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The only major studio new release this weekend is The Batman from Warner Bros. With no competition, it will easily dominate the box office, and it won’t have much else in the way of obstacles until the end of the month. But if you’ve had enough of the bat man and his numerous frenemies and adversaries, please read on for some alternative viewing options.

The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Studios, 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: February 25th, February 18th, and February 11th.

After Yang

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Stars: Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, Justin H. Min
Writer/Director: Kogonada
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Plot: In a near future, a family reckons with questions of love, connection, and loss after their A.I. helper unexpectedly breaks down.
What you should know: Based on the short story by Alexander Weinstein.
Where to watch: In theaters, and on Showtime



The Weekend Away

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Stars: Leighton Meester, Amar Bukvic, Iva Mihalic, Adrian Pezdirc
Writer/Director: Kim Farrant
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mystery
Plot: A weekend getaway to Croatia that goes awry when a woman is accused of killing her best friend. As she attempts to clear her name and uncover the truth, her efforts unearth a painful secret.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Sarah Alderson.
Where to watch: Netflix

Fresh

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Stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sebastian Stan, Jojo T. Gibbs, Andrea Band
Writer: Lauryn Kahn
Director: Mimi Cave
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller
Plot: The horrors of modern dating seen through one young woman's defiant battle to survive her new boyfriend's unusual appetites.
What you should know: Mimi Cave’s directorial debut made its debut at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
Where to watch: Hulu

Huda’s Salon

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Stars: Ali Suliman, Maisa Abd Elhadi, Kamel El Basha, Samer Bisharat
Writer/Director: Hany Abu-Assad
Genre: Thriller
Plot: A woman whose visit to a hair salon turns into a nightmare when she is blackmailed by its owner.
What you should know: Nominated for the 2021 Platform Prize at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Nightride

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Stars: Moe Dunford, Joana Ribeiro, Gerard Jordan, Ciaran Flynn
Writer: Ben Conway
Director: Stephen Fingleton
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Plot: A real time, one shot thriller about a dealer trying to pull off one last job in order to go straight.
What you should know: Director Stephen Fingleton’s last film was 2015’s The Survivalist.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Great Freedom

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Stars: Franz Rogowski, Georg Friedrich, Anton von Lucke, Thomas Prenn
Writer: Sebastian Meise, Thomas Reider
Director: Sebastian Meise
Genre: Drama
Plot: In post-war Germany, liberation by the Allies does not mean freedom for everyone. Hans is repeatedly imprisoned under Paragraph 175, which criminalizes homosexuality. Over the decades, he develops an unlikely bond with his cellmate Viktor.
What you should know: It’s in German and English.
Where to watch: In theaters

Lucy and Desi

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Writer: Mark Monroe
Director: Amy Poehler
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Explores the rise of comedian icon Lucille Ball, her relationship with Desi Arnaz, and how their groundbreaking sitcom I Love Lucy forever changed Hollywood, cementing her legacy long after her death in 1989.
What you should know: Premiered at Sundance 2022.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Dear Mr. Brody

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Writer/Director: Keith Maitland
Genre: Documentary
Plot: In 1970, Michael Brody Jr., a 21-year-old hippie millionaire, promised to give away his $25M inheritance in an effort to usher in a new era of world peace.
What you should know: Nominated for Best Documentary Film at Tribeca Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Asking for It

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Stars: Kiersey Clemons, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexandra Shipp, Ezra Miller
Writer/Director: Eamon O’Rourke
Genre: Thriller
Plot: After a small town waitress is sexually assaulted after a date with her old friend she befriends a mysterious stranger who introducers her to an all femme gang.
What you should know: This is writer/director Eamon O’Rourke’s first feature film.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom

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Stars: Sherab Dorji, Ugyen Norbu Lhendup, Kelden Lhamo Gurung, Pem Zam
Writer/Director: Pawo Choyning Dorji
Genre: Drama, Family
Plot: An aspiring singer living with his grandmother in the capital of Bhutan dreams of getting a visa to move to Australia.
What you should know: This Oscar nominated film was released on February 11th, but somehow missed the roundup, so it’s making an appearance today.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

More New Releases

The Batman (Trailer)
A Day to Die (Trailer)

New to Streaming

Benedetta (Trailer) on Hulu
Drive My Car (Trailer) on HBO
West Side Story (Trailer) on HBO
F9: The Fast Saga (Trailer) on HBO

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?