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

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After Spider-Verse’s utter domination last weekend, the new Transformers film has an uphill battle at the box office. But it will be the only major studio release brave enough to take on Spider-Man; all of this weekend’s other releases are independent films.

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: June 2nd, May 26th, and May 19th.

Blue Jean

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Stars: Rosy McEwen, Kerrie Hayes, Lucy Halliday, Lydia Page
Writer/Director: Georgia Oakley
Genre: Drama
Plot: In 1988, a closeted teacher is pushed to the brink when a new student threatens to expose her sexuality.
What you should know: Nominated for awards at the Venice Film Festival and the BAFTAs.
Where to watch: In theaters



Flamin’ Hot

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Stars: Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, Emilio Rivera
Writer: Lewis Colick, Linda Yvette Chávez
Director: Eva Longoria
Genre: Drama, History
Plot: Based on the story of Richard Montañez, the Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to turn the iconic Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into a snack that disrupted the food industry and became a global pop culture phenomenon.
What you should know: The film is based on the memoir of Richard Montañez, but Frito-Lay disputes some of his assertions, including his role in creating this snack.
Where to watch: Hulu

The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster

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Stars: Laya DeLeon Hayes, Denzel Whitaker, Chad L. Coleman, Reilly Brooke Stith
Writer/Director: Bomani J. Story
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Plot: Vicaria is a brilliant teenager who believes death is a disease that can be cured. After the brutal and sudden murder of her brother, she embarks on a dangerous journey to bring him back to life.
What you should know: Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD.

Scarlet

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Stars: Raphaël Thiery, Juliette Jouan, Louis Garrel,Noémie Lvovsky
Writer: Pietro Marcello, Maurizio Braucci, Maud Ameline, Geneviève Brisac
Director: Pietro Marcello
Genre: Drama, History, Romance
Plot: Shortly after World War I, veteran Raphaël returns home from the frontlines to find himself a widower, and father to an infant daughter. Raised by her father in rural Normandy, the child Juliette grows into a lonely young woman who dreams of greater possibilities. She seeks refuge in the nearby woods, where she meets a witch who promises scarlet sails will one day take her away from her village.
What you should know: It’s in French, and based on the novel by Alexander Grin.
Where to watch: In theaters

Mending the Line

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Stars: Brian Cox, Perry Mattfield, Sinqua Walls, Patricia Heaton
Writer: Stephen Camelio
Director: Joshua Caldwell
Genre: Drama
Plot: A Marine wounded in Afghanistan is sent to a V.A. facility in Montana where he meets a Vietnam Vet who teaches him how to fly fish as a way of dealing with his emotional and physical trauma.
What you should know: Won the Valor Award at the San Diego International Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters

Daliland

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Stars: Ben Kingsley, Barbara Sukowa, Ezra Miller, Christopher Briney
Writer: John Walsh
Director: Mary Harron
Genre: Biography, Drama
Plot: In 1973, a young gallery assistant goes on a wild adventure behind the scenes as he helps the aging genius Salvador Dali prepare for a big show in New York.
What you should know: Director Mary Harron is best known for directing American Psycho (2000).
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

97 Minutes

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Stars: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Alec Baldwin, MyAnna Buring, Jo Martin
Writer: Pavan Grover
Director: Timo Vuorensola
Genre: Thriller
Plot: A hijacked 767 will crash in just 97 minutes when its fuel runs out. Against the strong will of NSA Deputy Toyin, NSA Director Hawkins prepares to have the plane shot down before it does any catastrophic damage on the ground, leaving the fate of the innocent passengers in the hands of Alex, an undercover Interpol agent who has been embedded in the terrorist cell.
What you should know: Filmed in the UK.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Persian Lessons

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Stars: Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, Lars Eidinger, Jonas Nay, David Schütter
Writer: Ilja Zofin, Wolfgang Kohlhaase
Director: Vadim Perelman
Genre: Drama, War
Plot: A young Jewish man in a concentration camp has his life saved when executioners realize he owns a Persian book. Brought before a camp officer who wants to learn Farsi, Gilles agrees to teach him despite not knowing a word of the language.
What you should know: This was Belarus' official submission for the 'Best International Feature Film' category of the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021, but was disqualified by the Academy because the majority of individuals involved in making the film didn't come from Belarus. And no, I don’t know why it’s just being released now.
Where to watch: In theaters

Americonned

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Writer: Sean Claffey, David Pederson, Christopher Seward
Director: Sean Claffey
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Radical inequality has led to radicalization at every level of society, and this powerful documentary depicts what happens when America hits its tipping point by looking back through our history at similar critical moments of instability.
What you should know: This is director Sean Claffey’s first film.
Where to watch: In theaters

Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)

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Writer: Trish D. Chetty
Director: Anton Corbijn
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: The creative geniuses behind album art for Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Paul McCartney. Conjurers of impossible visuals, Hipgnosis were at the white-hot center of the maddest, funniest and most creative era in the history of popular music.
What you should know: Director Anton Corbijn has directed many music videos.
Where to watch: In theaters

More New Releases

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Trailer) from Paramount

New to Streaming

Avatar: The Way of Water (Trailer) on Max
American Pain (Trailer) on Max
The Amazing Maurice (Trailer) on Hulu

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?