In a first-ever for The Independent, at least since our reincarnation in 2007, we feature a poem. This “found poem” by Brian Burt lets Bill Murray talk about movie stars, golf, and his idea of paradise, something Murray thinks everyone should experience.
From two boxing documentaries to the viewpoints of Afghan photojournalists, much of the buzz during this year’s SXSW surrounded films by or about women. Steven Abrams offers up his observations of this festival, growing each year in every direction, as it struggles to keep the margins front and center.
With more than 240 offerings, even seasoned SXSW attendees like Steven Abrams can feel overwhelmed. Abrams took a step back and gleaned the best nuggets from the film panels so that those of us who couldn’t attend can get a sense of what’s what.
Is this how you want to be entertained? Senior critic Kurt Brokaw asks tough questions of a blatantly tough-on-the-senses program at this year’s New Directors/New Films. A handful of the full slate make his cut. The rest just cut.
The Independent kicks off a new series to aid would-be curators and filmmakers (seasoned and new) in their hunt for the best of indie film community gatherings. First up: Salem Film Fest, an all-documentary festival, growing in audience numbers and prestige, held in Salem, MA each March.
Technology always plays a key role in film innovation, featured for the last eight years in Sundance’s New Frontier section. This year, even more than in the past, New Frontier exhibits deployed technology in a way that allowed users to put themselves in the stories.
The film’s title is a strange dichotomy, writes Maddy Kadish from Sundance 2015, and the first part of Nasty Baby “is like a fantasy you don’t want to end.” She and a fellow audience member confer and decide that this film takes a dark turn, and doesn’t come back.
After 12,166 submissions turned into 10 days of festivities with 123 features and 60 shorts, the 2015 Sundance Film Festival wrapped another stellar showing. The Independent’s Maddy Kadish was on the scene and at the party where feature film winners picked up their awards.
DEADLINE EXTENDED! Help The Independent choose 10 (or more) outstanding filmmakers who have challenged themselves, the form, and the world. Nominations accepted thru February 18, 2015.