Independent Films are typically understood as those who finance their production outside of the major studio system. This gives filmmakers a certain degree of freedom to explore their subjects on their terms, and not the studios, and can result in bracingly fresh cinema.
Getting to see them on the big screen remains a challenge. Outside of the festival circuit, the vast majority of screens are dominated by major studio releases. Which is why venues like the Gateway Film Center, where the Spring Independent Film Showcase begins running this weekend, are such an invaluable treasure. Taking a chance on an independent film at the theater is nothing less than active engagement with the arts. Trust me, Iron Man III will run for many more weeks. These independent films are only in town for one week.
What am I planning on seeing?
Patang is first on my list. This film from Prashant Bhargava tells the story of six people returning to the old city of Amhedabad for its annual kite festival. The film has been well received on the festival circuit, and critics are offering high praise, including the late Roger Ebert, who described it as ‘hypnotically beautiful.’ Others offer words like lyrical, visual poetry and masterful.
The trailer offers up some of the visuals of the film set to music – no mention of story here. What I see, however, is something of a gritty, hand-held style, with enough focus shifts to convince me they’re shooting with small HD cameras (possibly DSLRs? I’ve been unable to find out). But the combination of this trailer and the high praise the film has earned has me eager to get in line.
Filmakers as Film Subjects
Have you ever noticed the number of novels that feature a protagonist who is a writer? No mistake there – many authors mistake art for expiation when creating their “fictional” scribes; few are successful. I was thinking of this as I looked through the other offerings at the showcase, and noticed three in which characters are somehow involved with Indy Filmmaking themselves:
He’s way More Famous than You (trailer) is a satirical comedy in which a fading indie film starlet (Halley Feiffer, aka,that girl from The Squid and the Whale) decides to make her own film (directed by Ryan Spahn, aka “the gay guy from Ugly Betty”), and “any A-list celebrities she can land along the way,” which I am overwhelmed to say includes Ralph Macchio, which is reason enough to see this film.
That girl from The Squid and the Whale
Red Flag (trailer) is a “tragicomedy about death and marriage” whose main character is an independent filmmaker (Alex Karpovsky, of Tiny Furniture), while Supporting Characters (trailer) features an editing duo trying to salvage a sinking indie film.
Documentaries
Three documentaries are playing as well – Ain’t In It For My Health: A Film About Levon Helm, a founding member of The Band and Woodstock veteran, Bert Stern: Original Mad Man, profiling advertising photographer Bert Stern, and You Don’t Need feet to Dance, the story of performing artist Sidiki Conde, who lost the use of his legs to polio at age 14.
You Don’t Need Feet to Dance: Trailer
These are just a few of the films slated this week. Check out the whole schedule here. If there were world and time enough, I’d like to see every one of these films. Break out of your summer blockbuster doldrums by taking in an indie film. I assure you that Iron Man 3 will be waiting for you when you get back.
