Indie Film Weekly [EP 12]: On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (2025) & Grandma (2015)
Hey there! Welcome to Indie Film Weekly, your insider guide to new independent film releases. I’m Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Films, where we specialize in helping indie filmmakers get their stories to film festivals and indie film distributors.
Each week, we spotlight new indie films hitting theaters. For these films, I suggest searching for them on Fandango or Google to see if they are showing in your city. And if you have to travel a bit, please do. It's important to support indie films by getting to the theater.
In addition, we highlight recent standout indie films that you can rent or download on platforms like Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube Movies, and Fandango at Home. Supporting indie films on these platforms is crucial, as not every indie film gets a Netflix deal.
Finally, we focus on one classic indie film that you can stream or rent, celebrating the timelessness of independent cinema.
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New in Theaters
Mark your calendars for March 7th, as we have three intriguing films hitting theaters:
First up is On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, directed by Rungano Nyoni. This Zambian-UK-Ireland co-production is a surreal and darkly humorous drama. The story follows Shula who, after discovering her uncle's body, uncovers buried family secrets. The film explores the absurdity of mourning an unlovable person and delves into the pervasive silence surrounding sexual assault in Zambia. Notably, Nyoni won the Best Director prize at the Cannes Film Festival for this work.
The film was shot primarily at night, creating a haunting atmosphere that mirrors Shula's internal turmoil. Nyoni, known for her distinctive voice and style, has a history of tackling heavy themes such as abuse and powerlessness in her work. Despite challenges during filming in Zambia, she insisted on casting local actors to ensure cultural accuracy. The film is primarily in English and Bemba, with English subtitles available.
Also in theaters, we have The Rule of Jenny Pen, directed by James Ashcroft. This New Zealand horror film tells the story of Judge Stefan Mortensen, played by Geoffrey Rush, who, after suffering a stroke, is confined to a retirement home. There, he encounters Dave Crealy, played by John Lithgow, a disturbed resident who terrorizes others with a sinister doll-based game. The film promises a chilling experience, blending psychological horror with intense performances.
The film premiered at Fantastic Fest in September 2024, where it garnered critical acclaim, winning Best Director for Ashcroft and Best Actor for Rush. The narrative delves into themes of aging, power dynamics, and the psychological impact of isolation, offering a unique perspective on horror within the confines of a retirement home.
Finally, Eephus, directed by Carson Lund. This American comedy-drama centers on two adult baseball teams playing one final game on their beloved field before it's demolished to make way for a new school. Set in a small Massachusetts town during the 1990s, the film captures the camaraderie and bittersweetness of an era coming to an end.
The title "Eephus" refers to a rare baseball pitch known for its slow speed, often catching batters off guard—a fitting metaphor for the film's reflective pace and nostalgic tone. The writers drew inspiration from films like Goodbye, Dragon Inn, aiming to create a story about spaces fading away and the passage of time. The film premiered in the Directors' Fortnight section of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, earning critical acclaim for its portrayal of small-town life and the end of an era. If you're a fan of character-driven stories that explore the nuances of time, community, and change, this film is a must-see.
So, look for these films in a theater near you: On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, The Rule of Jenny Pen, and Eephus.
Films to Rent or Download
Looking for something to rent or download this week? Check out Radioactive: The Women of Three Mile Island. This award-winning documentary delves into the 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear meltdown, the worst commercial nuclear accident in U.S. history. Directed by Heidi Hutner, the film uncovers the untold stories of four homemakers who took their community's case against the plant operator to the Supreme Court, and a young female journalist caught in the radioactive crossfire. The documentary also features activist and actor Jane Fonda, whose film The China Syndrome eerily premiered 12 days before the real disaster. Radioactive is available on Prime Video, Apple TV, Kanopy, and DVD.
Indie Classic
This week, we're revisiting the 2015 indie gem, Grandma. While it doesn't reinvent the wheel, the film masterfully employs classic indie motifs: a young woman coming of age, a road trip, a free-spirited outsider, and a healthy dose of comedic irreverence. Even the protagonist's homosexuality is presented in a refreshingly matter-of-fact manner. So, what makes Grandma feel so fresh and engaging? The answer lies in its secret weapon: Lily Tomlin.
Tomlin delivers a tour-de-force performance, relishing every nuance of her character's dysfunction and neurosis. She portrays an unemployable academic, initially perceived as incapable of commitment, yet imbued with wit and humanity that make her profoundly relatable.
The plot centers on Tomlin's character assisting her granddaughter, played by a young Julia Garner in one of her early roles, as they navigate the complexities of securing an abortion after an unexpected pregnancy. The film tackles this loaded premise with a startlingly light touch, delivering moments of farcical humor—like Tomlin's character kicking a stoner in the groin—that make it a highly recommended watch. And the best part? Grandma is currently streaming for free on Tubi.
And that’s a wrap for this episode of Indie Film Weekly! Thanks for spending some time with me as we explore the world of independent cinema. You can also read about these films in our weekly email newsletter, which you can sign up for at theindieigniter.com.
If a film we discussed caught your interest, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review—it’s a great way to support the indie film community. Until next week, keep watching, keep supporting indie film, and I’ll see you back here soon!