Indie Film Weekly [EP 3]: The Damned (2024) & Sideways (2004)
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 will first spotlight new indie films that are hitting theaters. For these films, I would suggest searching for them on Fandango or Google to see if they are showing in your city. And if you must travel across town, please do. It’s important to support indie films by getting to the theater.
In addition, we will also highlight some recent standout indie films that, are not on a streaming service like Netflix, but you can rent or download them on Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube Movies and Fandango at Home. It is also important to support indie film on these platforms. Not every indie film gets a Netflix deal.
Finally, we will also focus on one classic indie film that you can stream right now on Netflix, Hulu, Max or some other subscription service.
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New in Theaters
Let’s start with some films that will be in theaters this weekend!
First up, we have The Damned, directed by Thordur Palsson. It’s a horror film set in a 19th-century Icelandic fishing village during a brutal winter. A shipwreck leaves a crew stranded near this isolated community and the villagers must decide if they should aid the survivors or worry about their own survival because their own supplies are running out. In fact, behind the scenes, the production team braved a real Icelandic winter to capture the film’s chilling authenticity, with cast and crew often battling subzero temperatures and harsh winds on location. The premiered to great reviews out of the Tribeca Film Festival last June and also played at Sitges which is a great genre festival in Spain. The buzz is that it’s an intriguing horror film that creatively showcases the damaging effects of guilt.
Next, also in theaters, there’s Vermiglio, directed by Maura Delpero. It is an Italian drama set in the small Alpine village of Vermiglio during the final days of World War II. The story follows a family grappling with the hardships of war when their already strained existence is disrupted by Pietro, a mysterious Sicilian soldier. As tensions rise, secrets from the past resurface, forcing the family to confront old wounds and new alliances. It is said that its intimate portrayal of family dynamics is what earned it the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival back in August. And it’s now nominated for a Golden Globe as best non-English speaking movie.
Also in theatres this weekend, another horror/thriller film set in a small town entitled The Monster Beneath Us, directed by Sophie Osbourne. This time we are delving into the fears and secrets lurking in a small town in 19th century Yorkshire England. When unexplained disappearances plague the community, a group of locals bands together to confront the unknown entity responsible. This film premiered at Frightfest in the UK and it is said that the film’s suspenseful narrative and atmospheric setting promise to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Look for these films in a theater near you: The Damned, Vermiglio, and The Monster Beneath Us.
Films to Rent or Download
Looking for something to rent or download this week? Here are some standout options you can find on Amazon, AppleTV, or YouTube Movies:
First, A Different Man, directed by Aaron Schimberg, and starring Sebastian Stan. I was lucky enough to see this film at Sundance 2024. Stan plays a man who is undergoing facial reconstructive surgery and becomes obsessed with an actor portraying him in a stage production. As he attends rehearsals and watches the actor’s every move, his fixation grows, leading him to question what is real and what is performance. The film explores the psychological toll of identity crises, self-worth, and the masks we wear in society. What makes this film even more compelling is its intricate storytelling and the nuanced way it portrays Edward’s unraveling mind. Stan’s haunting performance earned him one of his two Golden Globe nominations this year, cementing the film’s place as a must-watch.
Next film found on demand is Lady Like, directed by Luke Willis, a documentary that offers an intimate look into the life of RuPaul’s Drag Race star, Lady Camden. The film explores her journey from a small-town performer to international fame, focusing on her resilience and creativity. Through candid interviews and archival footage, viewers gain insight into her personal struggles, including overcoming a traumatic past, and her triumphant rise in the drag world. With its mix of humor and raw emotion, Lady Like is a heartfelt celebration of self-expression and authenticity.
Finally we have, Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom, directed by Matt Busch. It’s a futuristic reimagining of the classic Arabian Nights tale, set in the year 3477. The film follows a resourceful Hong Kong thief whose obsession with the Princess of India propels him on a globe-trotting odyssey, where he crosses paths with an enigmatic ancient sage. Despite being very independent, this ambitious sci-fi adventure stands out for its stunning visual effects and richly detailed world-building. It’s the first installment in a planned trilogy, and Busch’s darker, more grounded approach gives the story a fresh and intriguing edge. For fans of epic adventures, this one’s not to be missed.
To recap, check out A Different Man, Lady Like, and Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom on your preferred rental or download platform.
Indie Classic on SVOD
And now on to our Indie Classic. This week, we’re highlighting Sideways, directed by Alexander Payne. This dramedy, which premiered the Toronto International Film Festival in 2004, follows two middle-aged men, Miles and Jack, on a week-long road trip through California’s wine country. Along the way, they cross paths with Maya and Stephanie, two women who challenge their perspectives on love and life. The film is about friendship, love, and personal failure. Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church deliver standout performances, with Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh adding depth and charm to the story. Fun fact: Giamatti’s character Miles talks with great passion in the film about Pinot Noir. After the release of the movie, Pinot Noir sales rose by 20 percent over the previous year. And Miles’ deeply disparaging view of Merlot caused its sales to drop. The power of cinema! Anyway, you can stream Sideways on Hulu and probably a few other streaming services.
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 on our weekly email newsletter. You can sign up for it 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 the Indie Film Weekly podcast —it’s a great way to support the indie film community. Until next week, keep watching, keep supporting indie film by going to the theater or renting these films, and I’ll see you back here soon!