Indie Film Weekly [EP 16]: The Luckiest Man in America (2024) & Before Sunrise (1995)
Indie Film Weekly
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
First up is The Luckiest Man in America, directed by Samir Oliveros which is a sharp, satirical drama about a man whose lottery jackpot win turns his life upside down. What starts as a dream quickly spirals into chaos as he grapples with sudden wealth, newfound fame, and an unraveling sense of reality. It’s a fascinating look at the double-edged sword of luck.
You might not know this: To prepare for the film, the director interviewed past lottery winners to understand the psychological toll of sudden wealth, and several real-life accounts directly inspired the plot. In addition, the film's cinematography was intentionally structured to shift in tone—starting with bright, expansive shots and gradually becoming tighter and more claustrophobic as the protagonist's life spirals out of control.
Next, we have Eric Larue, marking the directorial debut of actor Michael Shannon. Based on a stage play, the film explores the aftermath of a school shooting from the perspective of the shooter’s mother, played by the amazing Judy Greer. It’s a gut-wrenching drama that examines the weight of facing the families affected by her son’s actions.
Here's an interesting detail: Shannon insisted on shooting several key scenes in real locations rather than on a soundstage. And even though it’s his first film as a director,—he previously directed live theater productions and has been preparing for film-directing for years.
Lisa Cholodenko’s 1998 indie drama High Art is back in theaters for a special re-release. The film follows a young aspiring magazine editor, played by Radha Mitchell, who falls under the spell of an enigmatic and reclusive photographer, played by Ally Sheedy. It’s a deeply atmospheric meditation on art, ambition, and addiction that left a lasting impact on indie cinema.
A lesser-known fact: The film’s cinematography, with its muted tones and dreamlike aesthetic, was inspired by the work of real-life photographer Nan Goldin, whose images capture raw, intimate moments of countercultural life. Additionally, Sheedy’s character was partially based on Goldin, adding another layer to the story.
Films to Rent or Download
This week’s VOD highlight is 3 Day Weekend, a psychological thriller from Wyatt McDill. Told from multiple perspectives like the great Kurosawa film Rashomon, the film follows a weekend getaway gone wrong, where shifting viewpoints reveal new layers of the mystery. The film has almost no dialogue and it’s a mind-bender that plays with audience expectations in every scene.
Something worth noting: The film was shot using only natural light, which not only enhanced the realism but also required the actors and crew to work in carefully scheduled time windows to capture the right mood. And because of its non-linear narrative, actors were often performing scenes out of order without knowing the full story—adding to its sense of confusion and paranoia. The film originally premiered on Showtime but you can find it now on Tubi and for rental on Amazon.
Indie Classic
Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise turns 30 this year, and it’s back on VOD. This 1995 romance follows Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, two strangers who meet on a train and spend one night together in Vienna, exploring the city and their connection before parting ways. It’s a minimalist masterpiece that captures the magic of fleeting moments.
A cool behind-the-scenes detail: Much of the film’s dialogue was shaped through rehearsals and improvisation, but Linklater meticulously mapped out the characters’ walking routes through Vienna to ensure every conversation flowed naturally between locations. And while the film ends on an ambiguous note, fans had to wait nine years for Before Sunset (2004) to find out what happened next.
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!