True Confessions (of an Indie Film Novice)

I have a confession.  I am like most people and, frankly, the mere mention of “independent film” conjures up images of artsy-fartsy movies about dour topics that (usually) have to be read.   Our kind breaks out in a cold sweat trying to figure out how to avoid going to an Indie with our friends, spouses and partners.  We wonder how long our relationships will have to endure before we can just say “no” to Indies.  A month?  A year?  Forever?

Well, we’ve been talking a lot about Indie movies lately and are surprised by what we have learned: Indie movies might actually be movies that we would like to see.  Seriously.  These films have top name actors and actresses, directors and writers like Indie icon Quentin Tarantino and subjects spanning every topic under the sun.

In a nutshell, Indie movies are completely or predominately produced outside of major film studios.  In English: the producer must independently secure the financing, work on a tight budget and talk an entire production staff into working for minimal compensation.   Oh, and the producer often works for free…on a film that might not be successful. 

The upside (which, depending on your point of view, could also be the downside)?    Consumers are exposed to more of the producer’s artistic energy, potentially controversial subject matter and, sometimes, edgy final cuts.  In other words, not mainstream.  But, here is the real zinger, there really is something for everyone…sci-fi, romance, humor, noir, dark and humorous, love, betrayal, sports, politics, family, etc, etc.

Below is a list of great Indie films (many of which won a major Oscar nod) that we have unknowingly watched, and loved:

Silver Linings Playbook

Django Unchained

Zero Dark Thirty

Juno

Little Miss Sunshine

Pulp Fiction

Lost in Translation

Reservoir Dogs

Clerks

The Terminator

Night of The Living Dead

Blood Simple

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

Million Dollar Baby

Brokeback Mountain


Slumdog Millionaire


The King's Speech


The Artist

Chicago

Milk


Adaptation

Have you seen any of these and liked them (don’t worry we won’t tell anyone)? If so, feel free to say yes to that Indie film next time.  It’s like routing for the underdog and who knows, you might even enjoy yourself!