Indie Film Release Guide: September 11th [An ONTD Original]

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Not sure if it’s because of the date, the pandemic, or the fact that September is generally a slow month at the theaters, but the only major studio release this weekend is Sony’s The Broken Hearts Gallery, and it is only available in theaters. Luckily, this week’s indie releases are all accessible from home.

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: September 4th, August 28th, and August 21st.

Unpregnant

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Stars: Haley Lu Richardson, Barbie Ferreira, Giancarlo Esposito, Mary McCormack
Writer: Rachel Lee Goldenberg, Bill Parker, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson; based on the novel by Jenni Hendriks and Ted Caplan
Director: Rachel Lee Goldenberg
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: A 17-year old Missouri teen named Veronica discovers she has gotten pregnant, a development that threatens to end her dreams of matriculating at an Ivy League college, and the career that will follow.
What you should know: This is at least the second film of 2020 about a young woman seeking an out-of-state abortion, following the excellent Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Where to stream: HBO Max, available now



Buoyancy

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Stars: Sarm Heng, Thanawut Ketsaro, Mony Ros, Saichia Wongwirot
Writer/Director: Rodd Rathjen
Genre: Crime, Drama
Plot: Spirited 14-year-old Chakra works the rice fields with his family. He yearns for independence and seeks out a local broker who can get him paid work in a Thai factory. Without telling his family, Chakra travels to Bangkok to make his fortune. But when he gets there, he and his new friend Kea realise the broker has lied to them. Along with other Cambodians and Burmese, they are sold to a fishing captain as slaves.
What you should know: This was Australia’s submission for Best International Film at the 2020 Oscars; it’s in Thai and Khmer.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas

Cuties

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Stars: Fathia Youssouf, Médina El Aidi-Azouni, Esther Gohourou, Ilanah Cami-Goursolas
Writer/Director: Maïmouna Doucouré
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Amy, an 11-year-old girl, joins a group of dancers named "the cuties" at school, and rapidly grows aware of her burgeoning femininity - upsetting her mother and her values in the process.
What you should know: Premiered at Sundance 2020, where it won the World Cinema - Dramatic Directing award and was nominated for the Grand Jury prize. Netflix’s marketing of the film caused a great deal of controversy for sexualizing its young stars.
Where to stream: Netflix, available now

Eternal Beauty

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Stars: Sally Hawkins, David Thewlis, Billie Piper, Penelope Wilton
Writer/Director: Craig Roberts
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: After Jane falls into a state of despair over her schizophrenia, she encounters new sources of love and life with surprising results.
What you should know: Sally Hawkins was nominated for Best Actress at the 2019 BFI Awards for her role in this film.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas

Sibyl

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Stars: Virginie Efira, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Gaspard Ulliel, Sandra Hüller
Writer: Arthur Harari, Justine Triet, David H. Pickering
Director: Justine Triet
Genre: Drama
Plot: A jaded psychotherapist returns to her first passion of becoming a writer.
What you should know: It’s in French, English and Italian.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas

Rent-A-Pal

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Stars: Brian Landis Folkins, Kathleen Brady, Wil Wheaton, Amy Rutledge
Writer/Director: Jon Stevenson
Genre: Thriller
Plot: A lonely bachelor named David searches for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his aging mother. While seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-A-Pal. Hosted by the charming and charismatic Andy, the tape offers him much-needed company, compassion, and friendship. But, Andy’s friendship comes at a cost, and David desperately struggles to afford the price of admission.
What you should know: This is writer/director Jon Stevenson’s first feature film.
Where to stream: In theaters, and available VOD

Residue

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Stars: JaCari Dye, Jamal Graham, Dennis Lindsey, Obinna Nwachukwu
Writer/Director: Merawi Gerima
Genre: Drama
Plot: A young filmmaker returns home after many years away, to write a script about his childhood, only to find his neighborhood unrecognizable and his childhood friends being scattered to the wind.
What you should know: This is writer/director Merawi Gerima’s first feature film.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas

I Am Woman

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Stars: Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Evan Peters, Danielle Macdonald, Matty Cardarople
Writer: Emma Jensen
Director: Unjoo Moon
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Plot: In 1966, Helen Reddy landed in New York with her three-year-old daughter, a suitcase and $230 in her pocket. Within weeks she was broke. Within months she was in love. Within five years she was one of the biggest superstars of her time, and an icon of the 1970s feminist movement, who wrote a song which galvanised a generation of women to fight for change.
What you should know: Helen Reddy, a Grammy-award winning recording artist, had a total of fifteen Top 40 singles in the USA.
Where to stream: Available VOD

Our Time Machine

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Director: S. Leo Chiang, Yang Sun
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: When artist Maleonn realizes that his father suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, he creates “Papa’s Time Machine,” a magical, autobiographical stage performance featuring life-size mechanical puppets.Through the production of this play, the two men confront their mortality before time runs out and memories are lost forever.
What you should know: The film won Best Cinematography in a Documentary Film at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas

Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President

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Director: Mary Wharton
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Part-rockumentary, part-presidential portrait, this film traces how rock music helped propel Jimmy Carter to the White House, and the significant role that music has played in President Carter’s life and work.
What you should know: Jimmy Carter was the 39th President.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available via virtual cinema

Additional releases:

Spy Cat (Trailer)
From the Vine (Trailer)
Red, White and Wasted (Trailer)
Space Dogs (Trailer)

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?