My Top 3 Independents for Independence Day
With barbecues being lit across the nation yesterday to celebrate our nation's independence, I thought it appropriate to simultaneously celebrate the independence of a handful of filmmakers whose unbeatable DIY attitudes have influenced the path of American independent cinema as we know it. All 3 of these filmmakers continue to push the envelope, both inside & outside of the studio system...on their own terms. All three of them also have highly anticipated films arriving in theaters later this year, so we'll all be able to continue to support their work! Happy Independence Day!
-- Loren Hammonds (Manager of Operations, Tribeca Cinemas)
My Top 3 Independents for Independence Day
She's Gotta Have It
This film by a young Spike Lee made a tremendous impact on American independent cinema when it was released in 1986. It also made a huge impact on me. I remember sitting down with my family to watch a VHS copy of the film, only to end up being shuffled out of the room by my older sister as Lee's protagonist Nola Darling embarked on her journey to sexual self-discovery & empowerment. Needless to say, I eventually snuck a screening in when no one was watching. Lee's Red Hook Summer hits theaters next month, and was extremely divisive when it premiered earlier this year at Sundance. Luckily, Spike continues to avoid playing it safe when it comes to his craft.
Reservoir Dogs
This talkative crime drama announced the arrival of Quentin Tarantino, a talented filmmaker whose uncanny ear for pop-culture-laced dialogue, cinematic references and ultraviolence made him one of the posterboys for the 90's indie-film boom. His upcoming slavery-revenge epic Django Unchained is sure to cement his reputation as an enfant terrible with a flair for style.
Memento
It's always important to remember that the director of the most highly anticipated film of the summer started with this small-scale indie thriller that led with story and structure, and followed with style. Though not technically an American, Christopher Nolan spent a good portion of his childhood in Chicago, being inspired by American cinema. With this film, Nolan introduced his unique attention to detail, as well as his ability to draw great performances out of his actors within a genre setting. Something tells me this summer's The Dark Knight Rises will bring more of the same.