Indie Film Release Guide: June 7th [An ONTD Original]
With every recent big studio new release underperforming, this weekend’s box office hot potato is in the hands of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, who are starring in the fourth installment of the Bad Boys series from Sony. The only other big studio release comes from Warner Bros, who are releasing the feature directorial debut of M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter Ishana, The Watchers. If neither of those films is grabbing you, check out the list of indies that are being released (or re-released) this weekend.
The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Five” - Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Pictures, and Columbia Pictures. 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: May 31st, May 24th, and May 17th.
Run Lola Run (1998)
Click to viewStars: Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu, Herbert Knaup, Nina Petri
Writer/Director: Tom Twyker
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Plot: After a botched money delivery, Lola has 20 minutes to come up with 100,000 Deutschmarks.
What you should know: The film is being re-released for its 25th anniversary.
Where to watch: In theaters
Am I OK?
Stars: Dakota Johnson, Sonoya Mizuno, Jermaine Fowler, Kiersey Clemons
Writer: Lauren Pomerantz
Director: Stephanie Allynne, Tig Notaro
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: Lucy and Jane have been best friends their entire lives. Only when Lucy embarks on a personal journey, will she face a test of her friendship, and her sense of self, on a path she may not be entirely ready to take.
What you should know: This is the feature length directorial debut for directors Stephanie Allynne and Tig Notaro, who are also married.
Where to watch: Max
Longing
Stars: Richard Gere, Diane Kruger, Jessica Clement, Marnie McPhail
Writer/Director: Savi Gabizon
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: A business mogul runs into his old small town girlfriend while she is visiting the big city only to find out that they had a child together that he was unaware of.
What you should know: An English language adaptation of Ga'agua, a dramedy from writer director Savi Gabizon.
Where to watch: In theaters
Trim Season
Stars: Jane Badler, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Bethlehem Million, Alex Essoe
Writer: David Blair, Ariel Vida
Director: Ariel Vida
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: A group of young people go to a remote marijuana farm where they hope to make quick cash. But, they discover the location's dark secrets and now must try to escape the mountain on which they are trapped.
What you should know: Director Ariel Vida has most frequently worked as a production designer.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Under Paris
Stars: Bérénice Bejo, Nassim Lyes, Léa Léviant, Sandra Parfait
Writer: Yannick Dahan, Maud Heywang, Xavier Gens
Director: Xavier Gens
Genre: Action, Drama, Horror
Plot: To save Paris from a bloodbath, a grieving scientist is forced to face her tragic past when a giant shark appears in the Seine.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: Netflix
Someday We’ll Tell Each Other Everything
Stars: Cedric Eich, Felix Kramer, Marlene Burow, Silke Bodenbender
Writer: Emily Atef, Daniela Krien
Director: Emily Atef
Genre: Drama, History, Romance
Plot: Set in a warm summer in 1990 in former East Germany, it follows a young woman who begins a relationship with a charismatic farmer who is twice her age.
What you should know: It’s in German.
Where to watch: In theaters
Banel and Adama
Stars: Khady Mane, Mamadou Diallo, Binta Racine Sy, Moussa Sow
Writer/Director: Ramata-Toulaye Sy
Genre: Drama
Plot: A young couple in Senegal must contend with the disapproval of their remote village.
What you should know: This film was Senegal's official submission to the Academy Awards and the only debut feature in competition at last year's Cannes Film Festival,
Where to watch: In theaters
Late Bloomers
Stars: Karen Gillan, Malgorzata Zajaczkowska, Loni Ackerman, Danielle Alonzo
Writer: Anna Greenfield
Director: Lisa Steen
Genre: Comedy
Plot: An aimless 28 year-old Brooklynite lands in the hospital after drunkenly breaking her hip. An encounter with a cranky elderly Polish woman who speaks no English leads to a job caring for her. Neither likes it, but it's time to grow up.
What you should know: Nominated for the Grand Jury Award at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
I Used to Be Funny
Stars: Rachel Sennott, Olga Petsa, Jason Jones, Sabrina Jalees
Writer/Director: Ally Pankiw
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Sam, a stand-up comedian struggling with PTSD, weighs whether or not to join the search for a missing teenage girl she used to nanny.
What you should know: Director Ally Pankiw also directed the first season of Feel Good and the music video for MUNA’s “Silk Chiffon”.
Where to watch: In NYC; expands next week
Kill Your Lover
Stars: Paige Gilmour, Shane Quigley-Murphy, May Kelly, Joshua Whincup
Writer/Director: Alix Austin, Keir Siewert
Genre: Horror
Plot: When Dakota tries to break off her toxic relationship with Axel, it starts transforming him into a monster with increased aggression, a touch that melts skin and worst of all, he’s contagious...
What you should know: Filmed in the UK.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
The Watchers (Trailer)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Trailer)
Frank Miller: American Genius (Trailer)
Queen Tut (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Hit Man (Trailer) on Netflix
Perfect Days (Trailer) on Hulu
Mean Girls (2024) (Trailer) on Amazon
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?