Indie Film Release Guide: March 12th [An ONTD Original]

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The winds are changing pretty rapidly in regard to COVID as of late: vaccine distribution is going up, and new cases are going down despite the emergence of new strains. This improved outlook has led to more theaters being opened (like in NYC) or on the verge of opening (like in LA), and will likely lead to more films premiering directly in theaters again before we know it. But for now, we still have plenty of options to watch at 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: March 5th, February 26th, and February 19th.

Quo vadis, Aida?

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Stars: Jasna Djuricic, Izudin Bajrovic, Boris Ler, Dino Bajrovic
Writer/Director: Jasmila Zbanic
Genre: Drama, History, War
Plot: Aida is a translator for the UN in the small town of Srebrenica. When the Serbian army takes over the town, her family is among the thousands of citizens looking for shelter in the UN camp.
What you should know: Official submission of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the Best International Feature Film category of the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021.
Where to watch: In select theaters and virtual cinemas now; available VOD on March 15th



The Human Voice

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Stars: Tilda Swinton, Agustín Almodóvar, Miguel Almodóvar, Pablo Almodóvar
Writer: Pedro Almodóvar, based on the play by Jean Cocteau
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Genre: Drama, Short
Plot: A woman watches time passing next to the suitcases of her ex-lover (who is supposed to come pick them up, but never arrives) and a restless dog who doesn't understand that his master has abandoned him.
What you should know: This is Pedro Almodóvar’s first English language film.
Where to watch: Great question!! SPC remains trash at marketing, I will update this if I ever figure it out.

The Inheritance

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Stars: Aurielle Akerele, Chris Jarell, Eric Lockley, Nyabel Lual
Writer/Director: Ephraim Asili
Genre: Drama
Plot: A young man inherits his grandmother's house and, with the encouragement of his girlfriend, turns it into a Black socialist collective where community forms the basis of family.
What you should know: This is writer/director Ephraim Asili’s first feature film.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas

Rocks

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Stars: Bukky Bakray, Kosar Ali, D'angelou Osei Kissiedu, Shaneigha-Monik Greyson
Writer: Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson
Director: Sarah Gavron
Genre: Drama
Plot: A young teenage girl finds herself struggling to take care of herself and her younger brother after being abandoned by their single mother with no choice but to live out on the streets.
What you should know: Not sure exactly when this premiered on Netflix, but it was recently nominated for several BAFTA Awards.
Where to stream: Netflix

Come True

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Stars: Landon Liboiron, Julia Sarah Stone, Tedra Rogers, Chantal Perron
Writer: Anthony Scott Burns, Daniel Weissenberger
Director: Anthony Scott Burns
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Plot: A teenage runaway takes part in a sleep study that becomes a nightmarish descent into the depths of her mind and a frightening examination of the power of dreams.
What you should know: Won several awards at the 2020 Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Cosmic Sin

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Stars: Frank Grillo, Bruce Willis, Brandon Thomas Lee, Corey Large
Writer: Edward Drake, Corey Large
Director: Edward Drake
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Plot: Seven rogue soldiers launch a preemptive strike against a newly discovered alien civilization in the hopes of ending an interstellar war before it starts.
What you should know: Director Edward Drake has several more movies starring Bruce Willis in various stages of production.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Trust

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Stars: Katherine McNamara, Victoria Justice, Matthew Daddario, Ronnie Chieng
Writer: Kristen Lazarian, K.S. Bruce, Brian DeCubellis
Director: Brian DeCubellis
Genre: Drama, Romance
Plot: In this sexy and twisty ride, New York gallery owner Brooke and her husband Owen each face exceptional temptations, with most unexpected results.
What you should know: Star Matthew Daddario is the younger brother of actress Alexandra Daddario.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Insight

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Stars: Ken Zheng, Madeline Zima, Sean Patrick Flanery, Tony Todd
Writer: Ken Zheng
Director: Ken Zheng, Livi Zheng
Genre: Action
Plot: Jian is a counter terrorism agent who blends his skills as a martial artist and clairvoyant to bring the world's most nefarious individuals to justice. This lone wolf is is forced to make an unexpected detour to Los Angeles upon receipt of the devastating news of a cover up surrounding his brother's alleged suicide. With the reluctant help of LAPD detectives, Abby, Carl, and Captain Duke, the unlikely group become involved in the investigation. Jian and Abby fight against a high-tech criminal looking to exploit the brothers' gifts in his own quest to power.
What you should know: This is writer/director/star Ken Zheng’s first feature film.
Where to stream: Available VOD

Kid 90

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Director: Soleil Moon Frye
Genre: Documentary, Biography,
Storyline: An intimate look at young Hollywood starlets growing up in the 1990s, using hundreds of hours of footage captured by Soleil Moon Frye.
What you should know: Director Soleil Moon Frye is probably best known for the 1980’s series Punky Brewster and its 2021 revival.
Where to stream: Hulu

Honeydew

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Stars: Sawyer Spielberg, Malin Barr, Barbara Kingsley, Stephen D'Ambrose
Writer: Dan Kennedy, Devereux Milburn,
Director: Devereux Milburn
Genre: Horror
Plot: Strange cravings and hallucinations befall a young couple after seeking shelter in the home of an aging farmer and her peculiar son.
What you should know: One of the leads, Sawyer Spielberg, is director Steven Spielberg’s son.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available via virtual cinemas

New to Digital

Dutch (Trailer)
Dark Web: Cicada 3301 (Trailer)
Stil Life in Lodz (Trailer)
The World to Come (Trailer)
Long Live Rock… Celebrate the Chaos (Trailer)
Long Weekend (Trailer) from Sony

New to Streaming

Yes Day (Trailer) on Netflix
Cherry (Trailer) on Apple TV+

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?