Indie Film Release Guide: July 9th [An ONTD Original]

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This weekend’s release of Black Widow marks Marvel’s return to the box office after a year-long drought, and other major studios have (probably wisely) decided to step aside and cede the box office. But if you’re not interested in seeing fighty-guy shenanigans, there are plenty of indies out this weekend, and you can check them out below.

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: July 2nd, June 24th, and June 18th.

Summertime

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Stars: Tyris Winter, Marquesha Babers, Maia Mayor, Austin Antoine
Writer: Paolina Acuña-González, Jason Alvarez + many more at source
Director: Carlos López Estrada
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Plot: Over the course of a hot summer day in Los Angeles, the lives of 25 young Angelenos intersect. A skating guitarist, a tagger, two wannabe rappers, an exasperated fast-food worker, a limo driver-they all weave in and out of each other’s stories. Through poetry they express life, love, heartache, family, home, and fear. One of them just wants to find someplace that still serves good cheeseburgers.
What you should know: Director Carlos López Estrada most recently directed Raya and the Last Dragon, and star of that film Kelly Marie Tran is a producer on this film.
Where to watch: In select theaters



The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52

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Writer: Lisa Schiller, Joshua Zeman
Director: Joshua Zeman
Genre: Documentary, Adventure
Storyline: A cinematic quest to find the “52 Hertz Whale,” which scientists believe has spent its entire life in solitude calling out at a frequency that is different from any other whale. As the film embarks on this engrossing journey, audiences will explore what this whale’s lonely plight can teach us - not just about our changing relationship to the oceans, but to each other.
What you should know: Noted nature lovers Leonardo DiCaprio and Adrian Grenier are executive producers on this film.
Where to watch: In select theaters, and available on demand July 16th

Fear Street Part II: 1978

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Stars: Sadie Sink, Emily Rudd, Ryan Simpkins, McCabe Slye
Writer: Zak Olkewicz, Leigh Janiak, Phil Graziadei
Director: Leigh Janiak
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Plot: Shadyside, 1978. School's out for summer and the activities at Camp Nightwing are about to begin. But when another Shadysider is possessed with the urge to kill, the fun in the sun becomes a gruesome fight for survival.
What you should know: Although this is the second film in the Fear Street trilogy, it was actually filmed last, after Part One: 1994 and Part Three: 1666.
Where to watch: Netflix

The Woman Who Ran

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Stars: Kim Min-hee, Song Seon-mi, Eun-mi Lee, Hae-hyo Kwon
Writer/Director: Hong Sang-soo
Genre: Drama
Plot: While her husband is on a business trip, Gamhee meets three of her friends on the outskirts of Seoul. They make friendly conversation but there are different currents flowing independently of each other, both above and below the surface.
What you should know: It’s in Korean, and was filmed mainly in Seoul.
Where to watch: In select theaters

The Price of Freedom

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Director: Judd Ehrlich
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A look into the inner workings of the NRA and its influence, featuring interviews with government leaders, NRA representatives and people whose lives have been personally touched by gun violence.
What you should know: The NRA is currently facing a lot of legal troubles - sad!
Where to watch: In select theaters

Dachra

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Stars: Yassmine Dimassi, Hela Ayed, Aziz Jebali, Bilel Slatnia
Writer/Director: Abdelhamid Bouchnak
Genre: Horror
Plot: An investigation into witchcraft leads a trio of journalism students to a mysterious town marked by sinister rituals. Inspired by true events.
What you should know: It’s a Tunisian film, and it’s in Arabic.
Where to watch: In select theaters and virtual cinemas

American 965

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Director: Tristan Loraine
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: An investigation that raises new questions about the tragic accident of American Airlines flight 965 on the evening of December 20th, 1995.
What you should know: Flight 965 went from from Miami to Cali, Colombia. The plane crashed on approach, killing 159 people onboard. Only four passengers and a dog survived the crash.
Where to watch: In select theaters

Platform

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Director: Sahar Mosayebi
Genre: Documentary, Sport
Storyline: Follows three Iranian sisters as they compete to become international champions of Wushu, a Chinese martial art. The sisters' thrilling underdog story explores not only their dedicated training, but also their surprising place in society as they challenge traditional gender roles on the path to success.
What you should know: This film is the first movie made about female sports in the cinema industry of Iran.
Where to watch: In select theaters

Scales

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Stars: Basima Hajjar, Yagoub Alfarhan, Abdulaziz Shtian, Ibrahim Al-Hasawi
Writer/Director: Shahad Ameen
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Plot: A strong-willed young girl, Hayat, lives in a poor fishing village governed by a dark tradition: every family must give one daughter to the mermaid-like sea creatures who inhabit the waters, to ensure the village can continue their fishing expeditions. When Hayat’s father refuses, the girl becomes a pariah, considered a curse by the village and urged to sacrifice herself - but Hayat has her own ideas about her destiny.
What you should know: Official submission of Saudi Arabia for the 'Best International Feature Film' category of the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021.
Where to watch: In select theaters

Rock, Paper and Scissors

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Stars: Agustina Cerviño, Valeria Giorcelli, Pablo Sigal
Writer: Martín Blousson, Macarena García Lenzi, Julieta García Lenzi
Director: Martín Blousson, Macarena García Lenzi
Genre: Thriller
Plot: Jesus and Jose Maria are siblings living in a closed-off world constructed of strange games and relentless madness. When their half-sister Magdalena returns home to inquire about her share of their inheritance, a strange and bloody affair ensues.
What you should know: It’s in Spanish.
Where to watch: Available VOD

Also Opening

Black Widow (Trailer) from Disney

New to Streaming

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (Trailer) on Hulu
The Hunt (Trailer) on HBO Max
Human Capital (Trailer) on HBO Max
Our Friend (Trailer) on Amazon Prime
Son (Trailer) on Shudder

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?