Indie Film Release Guide: November 23rd [An ONTD Original]
It’s (American) Thanksgiving tomorrow, so this week’s new films have already begun showing, hence the early arrival of this weekly post. This weekend’s biggest openings are Ridley Scott’s Napoleon from Sony, and the latest animated venture from Disney, Wish. There are also plenty of Oscar hopefuls releasing this weekend, including documentary, international, and animated features.
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: November 17th, November 10th, and November 3rd.
Frybread Face and Me
Click to viewStars: Keir Tallman, Charley Hogan, Sarah H. Natani, Martin Sensmeier
Writer/Director: Billy Luther
Genre: Drama
Plot: Two adolescent Navajo cousins from different worlds bond during a summer herding sheep on their grandmother's ranch in Arizona while learning more about their family's past and themselves.
What you should know: Billy Luther also directed Miss Navajo, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and aired nationally on PBS’ Independent Lens that same year.
Where to watch: Netflix, on Friday
Maestro
Stars: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer, Vincenzo Amato
Writer: Josh Singer, Bradley Cooper
Director: Bradley Cooper
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Plot: Chronicles the lifelong relationship of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein and actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.
What you should know: The film was originally at Paramount before it went to Netflix.
Where to watch: In theaters; on Netflix December 20th
The Boy and the Heron
Stars: Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Robert Pattinson
Writer/Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Drama
Plot: A young boy named Mahito yearning for his mother ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. There, death comes to an end, and life finds a new beginning.
What you should know: Hayao Miyazaki originally hoped to finish and release the film in the summer of 2020 to coincide with the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, which were postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where to watch: In theaters
Smoke Sauna Sisterhood
Writer/Director: Anna Hints
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: In the darkness of a smoke sauna, women share their innermost secrets and intimate experiences, washing off the shame trapped in their bodies and regaining their strength through a sense of communion.
What you should know: Official submission of Estonia for the Best International Feature Film category of the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.
Where to watch: In theaters
Monster
Stars: Ando Sakura, Nagayama Eita, Kurokawa Soya, Hiiragi Hinata,
Writer: Yûji Sakamoto
Director: Kore-eda Hirokazu
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: A mother demands answers from teacher when her son begins acting strangely.
What you should know: Nominated for Best International Independent Film at the 2023 British Independent Film Awards.
Where to watch: In select NYC theaters; in LA December 1st
Leave the World Behind
Stars: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha'la Herrold
Writer: Rumaan Alam, Sam Esmail
Director: Sam Esmail
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: A family's getaway to a luxurious rental home takes an ominous turn when a cyberattack knocks out their devices, and two strangers appear at their door.
What you should know: Premiered at the 2023 edition of AFI Fest.
Where to watch: In theaters; on Netflix December 8th
Menus Plaisirs - Les Troisgros
Director: Frederick Wiseman
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: The Troisgros family Restaurant has been holding 3 Michelin stars for 55 years over four generations. An immersive experience, showing artistry, ingenuity, and imagination of the staff, creating and presenting meals of highest quality as Michel Troisros turns over responsibility to his son, César.
What you should know: It’s in French
Where to watch: In select NYC theaters; in LA December 1st
They Shot the Piano Player
Stars: Jeff Goldblum, Tony Ramos, Abel Ayala, Roberta Wallach
Writer: Fernando Trueba
Director: Javier Mariscal, Fernando Trueba
Genre: Animation, Drama, History
Plot: New York, 2010. Jeff Harris, a music journalist, sets out to uncover the truth about Francisco Tenório Júnior, a young Brazilian samba-jazz pianist who disappeared in Buenos Aires on March 18, 1976.
What you should know: The movie title pays tribute to François Truffaut's Shoot the Piano Player (1960).
Where to watch: In theaters
Cypher
Stars: Tierra Whack, Brian Alvarez, Chris Anthony, Vanya Asher
Writer/Director: Chris Moukarbel
Genre: Drama, Music, Thriller, Documentary
Plot: A fictional pseudo-music documentary about the artist Tierra Whack and the conspiracy theory that secret societies run the music world.
What you should know: Won the Founders Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.
Where to watch: Hulu, on Friday
American Symphony
Director: Matthew Heineman
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: It’s 2022 and musician Jon Batiste is at the peak of his music career while also embarking on his most ambitious challenge - composing an original symphony. In the midst of this meteoric rise, Batiste’s wife - best-selling author Suleika Jaouad - learns that her long-dormant cancer has returned.
What you should know: Director Matthew Heineman was previously nominated for an Oscar for 2016’s Cartel Land.
Where to watch: In theaters; on Netflix November 29th
More New Releases
Napoleon (Trailer) from Sony
Wish (Trailer) from Disney
Due Justice (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Leo (Trailer) on Netflix
Genie (Trailer) on Peacock
Good Burger 2 (Trailer) on Paramount+
The Naughty Nine (Trailer) on Disney+
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?