Indie Film Release Guide: February 17th [An ONTD Original]
This weekend brings us the first Marvel release of 2023, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which is the third film in the Ant-Man series. Naturally, this is the sole big studio release of the weekend, but there are plenty of indies coming out, plus all of this year’s Academy Award nominated short films on the big screen.
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: February 10th, February 3rd, and January 27th.
Emily
Click to viewStars: Emma Mackey, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Fionn Whitehead, Alexandra Dowling
Writer/Director: Frances O’Connor
Genre: Drama, Romance
Plot: Imagines the transformative, exhilarating, and uplifting journey to womanhood of a rebel and a misfit, one of the world's most famous, enigmatic, and provocative writers who died too soon at the age of 30.
What you should know: Actress Frances O’Connor’s directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters
Of An Age
Stars: Thom Green, Elias Anton, Hattie Hook, Toby Derrick
Writer/Director: Goran Stolevski
Genre: Drama, Romance, LGBT
Plot: Set in the summer of 1999 as an 17-year-old Serbian born, Australian amateur ballroom dancer experiences an unexpected and intense 24-hour romance with a friend's older brother.
What you should know: Director Goran Stolevski’s last film was 2022’s You Won’t Be Alone.
Where to watch: In theaters
Unlocked
Stars: Si-wan Yim, Woo-hee Chun, Park Ho-San, Kim Ye-Won
Writer: Akira Shiga
Director: Tae-joon Kim
Genre: Mystery, Crime, Drama
Plot: An ordinary company employee begins to get her entire life threatened after she loses her smartphone containing all her personal information.
What you should know: It’s in Korean.
Where to watch: Netflix
Pacifiction
Stars: Benoît Magimel, Pahoa Mahagafanau, Marc Susini, Matahi Pambrun
Writer: Baptiste Pinteaux, Albert Serra
Director: Albert Serra
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: On an island in French Polynesia, the Haut-Commissaire, a man lives between the highest echelons of politics and the lowest social stratum of his co-citizens. Conflict as a way of life will lead him to take reckless decisions against his political status.
What you should know: An official selection of the 2022 Cannes Film Festival
Where to watch: In theaters
Marlowe
Stars: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, Jessica Lange, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Writer: William Monahan
Director: Neil Jordan
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: In late 1930's Bay City, a brooding, down on his luck detective is hired to find the ex-lover of a glamorous heiress.
What you should know: Based on the novel by John Banville.
Where to watch: In theaters
Lonesome
Stars: Josh Lavery, Daniel Gabriel, Anni Finsterer, Ian Roberts
Writer/Director: Craig Boreham
Genre: Drama, LGBT
Plot: Casey, a country lad running from a small-town scandal, finds himself down and out in big city Sydney. When he meets city lad Tib both men find something they have been missing but neither of them knows quite how to negotiate it.
What you should know: Nominated for an AACTA.
Where to watch: In theaters
A Radiant Girl
Stars: Rebecca Marder, André Marcon, Anthony Bajon, Françoise Widhoff
Writer/Director: Sandrine Kiberlain
Genre: Drama, History
Plot: Paris, summer 1942. Irene is Jewish and French. She is 19 and living a life of passions - Her friendships, her new love, her desire to be an actress - Nothing suggests that Irene's time is running out.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: In theaters
Devil’s Peak
Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, Jackie Earle Haley, Katelyn Nacon
Writer: Robert Knott
Director: Ben Young
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Plot: Set in North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains, eighteen-year-old Jacob McNeely is torn between appeasing his meth-dealing kingpin father and leaving the mountains forever with the girl he loves.
What you should know: Based on the novel Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy.
Where to watch: In theaters
88
Stars: Brandon Victor Dixon, Shellye Broughton, Jonathan Camp, Vinny Chhibber
Writer/Director: Eromose
Genre: Thriller
Plot: The Financial Director for a democratic super PAC behind a frontrunner presidential candidate investigates donations uncovering a conspiracy.
What you should know: Filmed in Los Angeles, CA.
Where to watch: In theaters
The First Step
Writer: Chris L. Jenkins
Director: Brandon Kramer
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: In a divided America, Van Jones attempts to pass a landmark criminal justice bill - and finds himself under fire from all sides.
What you should know: Director Brandon Kramer also directed 2015’s City of Trees.
Where to watch: In theaters
Academy Award Nominated Short Films
2023 Oscar Nominated Short Films (Trailer)
Animation: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and the Horse ⏐ The Flying Sailor ⏐ Ice Merchants ⏐ An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It ⏐ My Year of Dicks
Runtime: 95 mins
Live Action: An Irish Goodbye ⏐ Ivalu ⏐ Le Pupille ⏐Night Ride ⏐ The Red Suitcase
Runtime: 110 mins
Documentary: The Elephant Whisperers⏐ Haulout ⏐ How Do You Measure a Year? ⏐ The Martha Mitchell Effect ⏐ Strangers at the Gate
Runtime: 166 mins
More New Releases
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Trailer)
Hidden Blade (Trailer)
The Integrity of Joseph Chambers (Trailer)
The Other Fellow (Trailer)
Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Three Thousand Years of Longing (Trailer) on Amazon
Sharper (Trailer) on Apple TV+
Re/Member (Trailer) on Netflix
All The Places (Trailer) on Netflix
A Sunday Affair (Trailer) on Netflix
Rogue Agent (Trailer) on Hulu
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?