All articles tagged with #indie film
Timothée Chalamet's 'Marty Supreme' achieved strong initial box office success with $875,000 from just six theaters, setting a record for per-screen average and generating significant buzz ahead of its nationwide release, driven by innovative marketing and Chalamet's star power.
Armie Hammer returns to film with the indie Western thriller 'Frontier Crucible,' starring alongside William H. Macy and Thomas Jane, set for release on December 5, after his career pause following misconduct allegations.
David Jonsson and Cooper Hoffman are set to star in the drama 'The Chaperones' for A24 and Plan B, directed by India Donaldson. The film follows two 'chaperones' tasked with transporting a troubled teen across the country, and filming will take place in Ohio and New Mexico. Both actors are currently featured in 'The Long Walk' and have developed a close working relationship.
Jim Jarmusch's latest film, 'Father Mother Sister Brother,' premiered at Venice, featuring a star-studded cast and exploring themes of family and estrangement. Critics have given mixed to positive reviews, praising its subtlety, humor, and emotional depth, though some found it less engaging. The film is described as a gentle, introspective piece that resonates with viewers who appreciate understated storytelling, with a domestic release scheduled for December.
Ron Howard's indie film 'Eden' starring Sydney Sweeney and Jude Law opened to $1M at 664 theaters, reflecting the challenges of theatrical survival for a $35M net budgeted film in the current post-pandemic market. Despite mixed reviews and a delayed distribution deal, the film's star-studded cast and international sales are key to its financial strategy, with hopes that ancillary and streaming revenues will help recoup costs.
Sydney Sweeney’s film Americana, despite a modest $500K opening at 1,100 theaters, is not a failure but a niche indie release expected to be profitable for Lionsgate through strategic distribution and low marketing costs, illustrating that small theatrical openings for indie films often serve broader industry and filmmaker development purposes rather than immediate box office success.
'The Life Of Chuck,' a TIFF People's Choice Award-winning indie film starring Tom Hiddleston, is testing the box office with a limited release and a unique gifting campaign, aiming for wider expansion amid a crowded market of indie and specialty films.
"Conclave," directed by Edward Berger, has become a standout indie box office hit, grossing $26.5 million domestically in four weeks, with projections to surpass $30 million. The film's success is attributed to its unique release strategy, strong reviews, and positive word-of-mouth, appealing primarily to an older audience. Unlike many post-pandemic films, "Conclave" opened nationwide rather than using a platform release, which has been less effective for adult-skewing films. The film's intriguing subject matter and star-studded cast have helped it maintain steady ticket sales.
Nicola Peltz Beckham's indie film "Lola," which she wrote, directed, and starred in, has faced heavy criticism for its portrayal of poverty and sex work, with some calling it "poverty porn" and exploitative. Critics have pointed out the stark contrast between Peltz Beckham's privileged background and the film's subject matter, leading to accusations of disconnect and insensitivity. Despite her intentions to tell a different story, the film has been widely panned for its portrayal of poverty and sex work.
A24's latest film "Civil War" has set a new record for the studio with its biggest opening weekend ever, raking in an estimated $26 million domestically. This success comes as A24 expands its release strategy and secures significant equity investment, leading to concerns about the studio losing its indie charm. However, the film's critical acclaim and audience reception suggest that A24 may be able to grow without sacrificing quality, although its long-term performance will determine its standing as the studio's highest-grossing movie.
A24, known for championing indie auteurs and mid-budget films, is making a foray into blockbuster territory with the upcoming release of "Civil War," a $50 million action movie directed by Alex Garland. The studio's success and future direction have been the subject of much speculation, as it recently secured significant investment and expressed interest in pursuing action and big IP projects. With potential projects like an MMA biopic and a film adaptation of a popular video game, A24's expansion into more commercial territory could mark a turning point for the studio, potentially reviving the mid-budget movie genre in Hollywood.
Vera Drew, director of The People’s Joker, discusses the making of her dark and funny coming-of-age film about a trans woman in Gotham City, the challenges faced after a potential intervention from Warner Bros. Discovery, and the eventual release of the movie at indie theaters. The film, a colorful Batman parody, reflects Drew's own experiences and relationships, and was made with the help of numerous volunteers and a crowdfunding campaign.
Director Rose Glass discusses the necessity of sex scenes in her new film "Love Lies Bleeding," emphasizing their importance in character-building and storytelling. The movie, featuring hot and ultraviolent sex scenes between Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian, explores the first thrusts of falling in love amidst a backdrop of brutal murder. Glass draws inspiration from David Cronenberg's "Crash" and believes that sex and violence are important cornerstones of cinema. The film's erotic realism is enhanced by the involvement of out queer stars and an intimacy coordinator on set, challenging the traditional portrayal of sex in films.
The 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards have begun, with early winners including Cord Jefferson for Best Screenplay and Da’Vine Joy Randolph for Best Supporting Performance. Other winners so far include Anatomy of a Fall for Best International Film and Four Daughters for Best Documentary. The Last of Us has also won twice on the TV side, with Nick Offerman and Keivonn Montreal Woodard taking home awards. The event is hosted by Aidy Bryant and features nominees such as Past Lives, May December, and American Fiction.
NFL player Travis Kelce is set to make his film producer debut with the indie film "My Dead Friend Zoe," utilizing President Biden's renewable energy tax credits to fund the project. The film, costing less than $10 million to make, stars Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales, Ed Harris, and Morgan Freeman, and is set to premiere in March. Kelce, along with green energy entrepreneurs Mike Field and Ray Maiello, is also producing a documentary about Jean-Michel Basquiat. This marks Kelce's first foray into the film industry, following his previous ventures in reality TV and podcasting, and comes amid his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift.