https://independent-magazine.org/2021/04/14/the-gravitational-pull-of-questioning-in-france-michelle-is-a-mans-name/
Obsessed with Independent Film Since 1976
Obsessed with Independent Film Since 1976
At the 2020 Outfest Film Festival, In France Michelle is a Man’s Name premiered and took home the Grand Jury Prize. The film was recently screened at the 2021 Slamdance Film Festival as a part of the Narrative Short category. Em Weinstein (they/them pronouns) wrote and directed the film, which stars Ari Damasco (his first… Read more »
Lupe is the directorial debut of Andrè Phillips and Charles Vuolo. Lupe tells the story of the film’s namesake, a young transgender Latinx woman who has recently immigrated to New York City from Cuba. During Lupe’s childhood, her sister Isabel went missing and was believed to have been taken to New York City, where she… Read more »
The sinister Christmas movie I Trapped the Devil was released on April 26, 2019, following its debut at the Imagine Film Festival. Josh Lobo wrote, directed, and edited this 80-minute seasonal horror film that centers around Steve (Scott Poythress), a paranoid man living alone who gets an unexpected visit from his brother Matt (AJ Bown)… Read more »
In the holy season of Passover, what could make a moviegoer feel more connected to the spirit of the season and their family traditions than a film about Jewishness, sex, family expectations, bisexuality, body image obsessions, sugar daddies, career choices, and cheating? First-time writer/director, Emma Seligman’s Shiva Baby brings us an intersection of all these… Read more »
Last April, the Human Rights Watch stated that the conditions in which El Salvador inmates live are inhumane. El Salvador’s prisons have a maximum capacity of just over 18,000 prisoners, but they are currently holding more than 38,000 individuals. Upon entering the penitentiary, you will notice thousands of individuals trickling out of cramped cells. Gang… Read more »
“It grows everywhere like weeds… rich or poor, anyone can enjoy it. Minari is wonderful,” says Soonja (Youn Yuh- Jung) to her grandson David (Alan Kim). They chant “Minari Minari, wonderful wonderful,” evoking a heartfelt sense of nostalgia that can resonate with anyone who has a specific comfort food tied to their family’s lineage.
Blow The Man Down, an Amazon original film written and directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy, was released on Amazon Prime on March 20, 2020. However, despite its critical success and 10 award nominations, which include a win for Best Screenplay at the Tribeca Film Festival , it never received the media attention… Read more »
An Ode to a Nuanced Existence The Sundance “Next” selection is always something to look forward to. As the name implies, these are the films that have been chosen due to their forward-thinking, boundary pushing, and are always refreshingly innovative. This selection often represents what I can look forward to as the blueprint for the… Read more »
Spring is busting out all over New York City, with cinemas scheduled to open March 5 (25% capacity, 50-seat maximum). Online, Film at Lincoln Center and UniFrance are showcasing 18 new vital and vibrant examples of contemporary French filmmaking. The 26th annual edition includes new work from returning filmmakers plus six debut dramas. All 18… Read more »
Before the viewing of We’re All Going to the World’s Fair starts, director Jane Schoenbrun instructs the audience attending the 2021 Sundance showing to get rid of our phones. Put them into the next room or throw them out the window; do anything to ensure that we aren’t tempted to pick them up during the… Read more »