Author: Niklas Walker

The Fickleness of Love: An Interview with Student Director Nicholas Renteria on his film ‘Chester’

The Fickleness of Love: An Interview with Student Director Nicholas Renteria on his film ‘Chester’

At the beginning of the academic year, Emerson Independent Video (EIV) gave Nicholas Renteria the opportunity to write and produce his own film, propelling him into one of the most exhilarating–and most hectic–semesters of his career. The Independent’s Maggie Lu spoke with Nicholas Renteria about his experiences working on his film “Chester,” walking through the process of producing the film and exploring how he juggled both directing and his college studies, all at the same time. Read More >>

Remembering Kevin Conroy

Remembering Kevin Conroy

“Today is the day the clown cried,” eulogized the Joker after news that Batman was dead. “He cries for the passing of one man and the death of a dream.” Fans are remembering this line from episode “The Man Who Killed Batman” in memoriam as voice actor Kevin Conroy passed away from cancer on November 10, 2022. Conroy is most widely known for his iconic portrayal of Batman in many animated movies, series, and video games. Read More >>

In Conversation With: Lee Chia-Hua

In Conversation With: Lee Chia-Hua

The Independent’s Claire Fairtlough interviewed director Lee Chia-Hua about his documentary, “Me and My Condemned Son.” The documentary focuses on three prisoners in Taiwan who have been sentenced to death: one who is still serving his sentence, one who has taken his own life, and one who has already been executed. Read More >>

In Conversation With: Kurt Brokaw

In Conversation With: Kurt Brokaw

This week I got the chance to hold a digital conversation with Kurt Brokaw, a Senior Film Critic for The Independent. While Kurt now uses his time to review films covered at some of New York’s most acclaimed film festivals, such as Tribeca and New York Film Festival, his passion for cinema began in his youth; during high school, he worked at an Indianapolis movie theater, where he would change the marquee, popped popcorn, and usher patrons. Kurt even got the opportunity to watch advanced exhibitor screenings at this time. Read More >>

On the Ice: The Sundance Movie I Regret Walking Out Of

On the Ice: The Sundance Movie I Regret Walking Out Of

In middle school, I walked out of a film at the 2011 Sundance festival. My stepmother and I went to see On the Ice (2011), a film by Andrew Okpeaha MacLean that focuses on teenagers living in Barrow, Alaska (later renamed Utqiagvik in 2016). She invited me along because I lived in Alaska for most of the year, admittedly a bit further south than where the story takes place. Both of us entered the festival eager to see if On the Ice represented life in the “last frontier.” However, after about thirty minutes, the movie took a dark and violent turn. Read More >>