Indie Film Release Guide: September 2nd [An ONTD Original]
Many theaters are offering $3 admission on Saturday, September 3rd, and the new releases this weekend help to explain why that’s the case - theaters desperately need something to attract moviegoers. There are no new big studio films, just a Spider-Man: No Way Home rerelease, Jaws in IMAX, and a mixed bag of indie releases.
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: August 26th, August 19th, and August 12th.
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul
Click to viewStars: Regina Hall, Sterling K. Brown, Nicole Beharie, Conphidance
Writer/Director: Adamma Ebo
Genre: Comedy
Plot: In the aftermath of a huge scandal, Trinitie Childs, the first lady of a prominent Southern Baptist Mega Church, attempts to help her pastor-husband, Lee-Curtis Childs, rebuild their congregation.
What you should know: This is writer and director Adamma Ebo’s first feature film.
Where to watch: In theaters
Gigi and Nate
Stars: Charlie Rowe, Marcia Gay Harden, Jim Belushi, Zoe Margaret Colletti
Writer: David Hudgins
Director: Nick Hamm
Genre: Drama, Family
Plot: A young man's life is turned upside down after he is left a quadriplegic. Moving forward seems near impossible until he meets his unlikely service animal, Gigi - a curious and intelligent capuchin monkey.
What you should know: Writer David Hudgins has written and produced several television shows, including Parenthood and Friday Night Lights.
Where to watch: In theaters
Peter von Kant
Stars: Denis Ménochet, Isabelle Adjani, Khalil Ben Gharbia, Hanna Schygulla
Writer/Director: François Ozon
Genre: Drama
Plot: Peter Von Kant, a successful, famous director, lives with his assistant Karl, whom he likes to mistreat and humiliate. Through the great actress Sidonie, he meets and falls in love with Amir, a handsome young man of modest means. He offers to share his apartment and help Amir break into the world of cinema...
What you should know: Based on the film The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant by Rainer Werner Fassbinder (which is currently streaming on HBO Max).
Where to watch: In NYC theaters; expands beginning next weekend.
Love in the Villa
Stars: Tom Hopper, Kat Graham, Laura Hopper, Raymond Ablack
Writer/Director: Mark Stephen Johnson
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Plot: A young woman takes a trip to romantic Verona, Italy, after a breakup, only to find that the villa she reserved was double-booked, and she'll have to share her vacation with a cynical British man.
What you should know: Writer/director Mark Stephen Johnson also directed Daredevil (2003) and Ghost Rider, so you’ve been warned.
Where to watch: Netflix
Burial
Stars: Tom Felton, Harriet Walter, Charlotte Vega, Barry Ward
Writer/Director: Ben Parker
Genre: Thriller
Plot: A small group of Russian soldiers have the task of taking Hitler's discovered remains back to Stalin in Moscow.
What you should know: Writer and director Ben Parker last directed 2016’s The Chamber.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Waiting for Bojangles
Stars: Romain Duris, Virginie Efira, Grégory Gadebois, Solan Machado Graner
Writer: Olivier Bourdeaut, Romain Compingt, Régis Roinsard
Director: Régis Roinsard
Genre: Drama
Plot: A young boy, Gary, lives with his eccentric parents and an exotic bird in a Parisian apartment. And each night, Gary's parents Camille and Georges dance lovingly to their favorite song, Mr. Bojangles. There is only room for fun, fantasy, and friends at home. But as his mesmerizing and unpredictable mother descends deeper into her mind, it is up to Gary and his father to keep her safe.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: In theaters
Harbinger
Stars: Will Klipstine, Amanda MacDonald, Madeleine McGraw, Irene Bedard
Writer: Will Klipstine, Amy Mills
Director: Will Klipstine
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: When a family moves their troubled daughter to a small town and their neighbors start mysteriously dying, they fear something evil has followed them.
What you should know: Filmed in Minnesota.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Blind Ambition
Writer: Robert Coe, Paul Murphy, Warwick Ross
Director: Robert Coe, Warwick Ross
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Four Zimbabwean men form their country's first Wine Tasting Olympics team.
What you should know: Won the Audience Award at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Loving Highsmith
Writer/Director: Eva Vitija
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A unique look at the life of celebrated American author Patricia Highsmith based on her diaries and notebooks and the intimate reflections of her lovers, friends and family.
What you should know: Gwendoline Christie does the voiceover for the film.
Where to watch: In theaters
Kaepernick and America
Director: Ross Hockrow, Tommy Walker
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Ever since he started to oppose police brutality, civil rights activist and former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's actions have reverberated worldwide.
What you should know: While Colin Kaepernick appears via existing footage, he did not sit for an interview for this film.
Where to watch: Available VOD
More New Releases
Our American Family (Trailer)
One Way (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Elvis (Trailer) on HBO
We’re All Going to the World’s Fair (Trailer) on HBO
Cuttpulti (Trailer) on Hulu
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Are you heading to theaters this weekend?