Indie films offer a unique perspective into the film industry, offering perhaps unconventional storytelling and a keen ability to challenge the mainstream media. Often operating on smaller budgets, meaning they have to make up for it by utilizing intense creative vision and often very daring concepts. In recent years, there has been a surge in the popularity of indie films, and it’s easy to see why. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best indie films that you ought to watch.
Moonlight (2016)
Moonlight is a unique indie film that details a coming-of-age drama that explores the themes of race, identity, and sexuality. It shares the story of a young black man growing up in Miami who is struggling internally with his sexual identity. The film was so acclaimed that it won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2017, making it one of the first LGBTQ+-themed indie films to win the award.
The Florida Project (2017)
The Florida Project is an intense drama that follows the life of a six-year-old girl named Moonee and her mother, who live in a hotel near Disney World in Florida. This inspirational indie film explores the themes of childhood innocence, poverty, and the struggle for a family to survive. The Florida Project features a powerful performance by an acclaimed actor, Willem Dafoe, who provides a stunning performance as the hotel manager.
Lady Bird (2017)
Another coming-of-age comedy-drama follows a quirky high school senior named Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, who has big dreams of leaving her sleepy hometown of Sacramento and going to college in New York City. The film focuses heavily on the themes of teenage angst, family relationships, and the search for personal identity. It features a stellar performance by Saoirse Ronan, who plays the starring role of Lady Bird.
The Farewell (2019)
The Farewell is a heart wrenching family drama that tells the story of a Chinese-American woman named Billi who travels to China with her family to say farewell to her grandmother, who is dying of cancer. Where the story takes a turn is the family’s decision not to tell the grandmother of her diagnosis, and instead plan a fictional wedding as an excuse for the family to gather. The film explores the theme of cultural identity, familial relationships, and the meaning of love and loss.
Eighth Grade (2018)
Eighth Grade is a comedy-drama that follows the life of a 13-year-old girl named Kayla, who is struggling with the challenges of middle school in the age of social media. The film explores the concepts of self-esteem, friendship, and the struggle to fit in. Elsie Fisher offers a breakout performance, she plays the main character, Kayla.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Little Miss Sunshine is a hilarious and shocking road trip comedy-drama that follows the lives of a dysfunctional family as they travel from Albuquerque to California in order to allow the youngest daughter to participate in a beauty pageant.
These are just a small sample of excellent indie films for your consideration. If anything, they show that indie cinema can pack just as much of a punch as traditional cinema. The next time you need a movie fix, maybe you can consider some of these indie films.