We take a look at 5 new indie films from this past year that we can expect great things from – both the movies themselves, and from the directors and screenwriters who created them.
Rather than waiting for the critics to claim the best films at the end of the year, there’s no reason not to celebrate films all year long. Especially when there are great cinematic debuts happening every month!
Independent films have long been a source of artistry and demonstrate great talent for up-and-coming, or even some veteran filmmakers.
There are many reasons why these films really strike a chord with their audience, be it the beautiful and original music that moves us, or the striking cinematography and use of lighting to capture amazing moments.
Rocks (Sarah Gavron)
This film is a perfect choice for a coming-of-age genre. A drama with all the fixings: family betrayal, friends, independence.
The story follows a 15-year-old London girl, aptly nicknamed “Rocks” with a humble homelife, following the wake of yet another one of her own mother’s disappearance, she is forced to care for her brother while dodging social workers to keep them from being split up or forced into foster care. Taking on this added responsibility proves to be a difficult feat for someone so young.
This movie’s realism is the true mark of a masterpiece. Down to the last detail, everything about the plot feels genuine and realistic throughout, almost as if you’re watching a documentary.
The movie also features a carefully crafted group of characters – which suggests a well-earned nod to the screenwriter and director for the casting. We follow a diverse group of friends that properly reflects London’s population today. Finally, throughout all the hardships that the characters face, there are still moments with pointed humor, positivity, and even makeovers!
Waves (Trey Edward Shults)
Another good family drama that had to be included. This follows a young boy who has huge promise as a wrestler, but later craftily the story reveals the secrets he has that threaten to throw a wrench in all of his future plans.
There is so much more to the story that demonstrates the undeniable talent shown by Kelvin Harris Jr. in the starring role. But one of the coolest things that this independent film has is the musical score – composed by Trent Reznor (formerly of Nine Inch Nails) and Atticus Ross, who worked together previously to create the soundtrack for the film The Social Network.
There is a wide range in genres of music in Waves, featuring a compilation of contemporary rap, R&B, alternative, and experimental pop music.
Shults actually created the film with specific tracks in mind, and reached out to musicians directly with a rough cut of the film to convince them that their song should be featured. Many independent filmmakers don’t have the luxury of working with or reaching out to well-known musical artists, though. In which case, there are affordable options for finding and creating custom music for a movie, like utilizing licensed music from Marmoset.
This particular agency has both a music library for filmmakers to select from or the ability to commission custom music for a film.
The Assistant (Kitty Green)
This thriller features the day in the life of an assistant to a powerful executive, written and directed by Kitty Green.
Loosely showing hints similar to what sparked the #metoo movement, the film focuses on the character of the assistant herself as she discovers more and more the despicable actions, abuse, and unprecedented behavior that her boss portrays in the timeline of just one day.
This story is an important one to watch, due to its commentary on what women in the entertainment and filmmaking industry deal with when it comes to coercion and sexual harassment.
Last Night in Soho (Edgar Wright)
If you’re into psychological movies that have things like time travel and horror, this is a perfect choice for an interesting and twisted indie film.
Edgar Wright is no stranger to directing, having done the horror-comedy Shaun of the Dead in 2004 and Baby Driver in 2018. He wrote this screenplay with Kristy Wilson-Cairns, and it is his first non-comedic horror movie debut.
The star characters within the movie are not even from the same decade as the movie’s plot unfolds. With influences from Roman Polanski’s Repulsion, you can clearly see the 1960’s London scenes that reflect a similar outlook.
A young girl who has a passion for fashion is able to go back in time to meet her idol, a then-wannabe singer.
Things are clearly not what they seem and though the film is set to be released in 2021, it has piqued the interest of many critics and Wright fans who anticipate this intriguing story.
Parasite (Bong Joon-ho)
Though this was technically released in 2019, this film had to be included as it is a true work of Joon-ho’s talents. It broke through at the Academy Awards, winning four: Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best International Feature Film, and Best Picture, only missing the award for Best Soundtrack, since it featured an all-original music score that really helped unfold this incredible thriller.
Jung Jae-il was the composer, having worked with Joon-ho in other films, and for this movie he created a lot of great simplistic piano instrumental that added to the suspense and tension throughout.
One of the best things about this indie film besides its amazing music is the plot itself. Joon-ho really knew how to comment on class systems, particularly on the rich being easily manipulated, and the lower class being pitied. Joon-ho said that he thought about his past in where he had worked for a wealthy family, where he felt that he was almost infiltrating them, and got the idea of how fun it would be to have all of his friends also infiltrate the family, one by one. Thus Parasite was born.
We can’t wait to see what Joon-ho comes up with next.
There are many more great indie films to expect amazing things from both this year and in 2021, but this list definitely highlights some of the best, so be sure to add them to your list (if you haven’t seen them already).
It’s easy to see that these independent filmmakers have the ability to still find originality and organic storylines cultivated in a time where movies seem to come out like hotcakes from week to week, and storylines appear predictable.
It is wonderful to see the appreciation for finding new and interesting plots set to original music that moves its audience and provides those emotions that keep us coming back for more.
Indie Films article written by Nicole McCray
