The Circle
When: Now Available
Where: DVD/VOD
Director: Stefan Haupt
Starring: Matthias Hungerbruhler, Peter Jecklin
Why We’re Excited: In Zurich during the late 50’s, a gay organization, “DER KREIS” (The Circle), was known in the whole of Europe as groundbreaking movement in gay emancipation. Documentary filmmaker Stefan Haupt’s latest film is a combination of interviews and scripted, re-created footage, telling the love story of Ernst Ostertag and transvestite star Robi Rapp. The film has drawn acclaim and grabbed awards on the festival circuit, including the Panorama Audience Award at Berlin and Best Documentary at Outfest.

The Salt of the Earth
When: Now Playing
Where: Theaters
Directors: Wim Wenders, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado
Why We’re Excited: A standing ovation at Cannes is no small feat. Wim Wenders’ latest won over the notoriously tough audience at its premiere on the French Riviera (where it also won the Special Jury Prize) and been celebrated at every turn, earning Best Doc nominations at the Oscars and Film Independent Sprit Awards. Celebrating the life and work of photographer Sebastiao Selgado, Wenders teamed up with Selgado’s son Juliano, who traveled the world with his insanely talented and passionate father. The film is a portrait of a man who traveled through the continents over a span of 40 years, collecting unforgettable and timeless images.

Manos Sucias
When: April 3
Where: Theaters
Director: Josef Kubota Wladyka
Starring: Cristian James Abvincula, Jarlin Javier Martinez
Why We’re Excited: It’s been an exciting time for Film Independent Fellow Josef Kubota Wladyka. If it weren’t cool enough to have his debut feature executive produced by Spike Lee, the young filmmaker also was named Best New Narrative Director at the Tribeca Film Festival where this thrilling drama premiered.
 

The Girl Is in Trouble
When: April 3
Where: Theaters/DVD/VOD
Director: Julius Onah
Starring: Wilmer Valderrama, Columbus Short
Why We’re Excited: While Julius Onah was a grad student in NYU’s film program, the wheels were set in motion for his first feature film to begin shooting. Co-written and produced by Film Independent Fellow Mayuran Tiruchelvam, the New York crime drama was a selection of Tribeca Film Festival’s All Access Program and is another Fellow project executive produced by Spike Lee. The murder mystery is available on VOD now (iTunes, Amazon, and more), opens in select theaters on April 3 and hits DVD and  on May 11.
  

Clouds of Sils Maria
When: April 10
Where: Theaters
Director: Olivier Assayas
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart, Chloe Grace Moretz
Why We’re Excited: French filmmaker Olivier Assayas’ satirical portrait of an actress who struggles with growing older in the movie industry features three killer performances from the females cast. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Juliette Binoche take on such a multi-faceted character—(Binoche herself who pitched the idea to Assayas.), but it was Stewart’s performance as her assistant that  generated the most buzz after the film premiered at Cannes. Stewart became the first American actress to win a César Award (Best Supporting Actress).

Goodbye to Language
When: April 14
Where: DVD/VOD
Director: Jean-Luc Godard
Starring: Heloise Godet, Kamel Abdeli
Why We’re Excited: At age 83, Jean-Luc Godard is still at it, enticing audiences with his philosophical and visceral aesthetic—further cementing his reputation as a true pioneer in the art of independent filmmaking and innovative storytelling. The iconic artist’s latest film is unlike any other has ever made: During its (3D!) Cannes premiere, where it won two Jury prizes, the entire audience applauded mid-screening.

Alex of Venice           
When: April 17
Where: Theaters
Director: Chris Messina
Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Derek Luke, Don Johnson
Why We’re Excited: We love a good indie with a strong female character at the fore. After premiering at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival, actor Chris Messina’s directorial debut hits theaters this month. The drama features a breakthrough performance by Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a successful attorney who has to reinvent herself and undergo major life changes when her husband suddenly leaves her.  The cast also features Messina himself, Don Johnson and Spirit Award Winner Derek Luke.
 

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
When: April 21
Where: DVD/VOD
Director: Ana Lily Amirpour
Starring: Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi
Why We’re Excited: It’s not every-day you can recommend an Iranian vampire/spaghetti western movie. This genre-blending first feature from an innovative new female voice in indie filmmaking gained momentum on the festival circuit after its Sundance debut last year. Buzz quickly built for Film Independent Fellow Ana Lily Amirpour, who wrote and directed what came to be considered one of the coolest, most original projects of 2014. The film earned three Film Independent Spirit Award nominations this year, including Best First Feature and the Someone to Watch Award.
 

Eden
When: April 24
Where: Theaters
Director: Mia Hansen-Løve
Starring: Felix de Givry, Pauline Etienne, Greta Gerwig,
Why We’re Excited: In her latest feature, Mia Hansen-Løve brings to life the experiences of her brother Sven (who co-wrote the film), one of the pioneering DJs of the French rave scene in the early 90’s. Stimulating for the eyes and ears, the drama focuses on a romance between the French DJ responsible for inventing the house music style “French touch”  and his girlfriend. Featuring appearances by indie “it girl” Greta Gerwig and Brady Corbett, music lovers (especially fans of EDM) will definitely want to check this one out.

Last Days in Vietnam
When: April 28
Where: DVD/VOD
Director: Rory Kennedy
Why We’re Excited: Documentary filmmaker Rory Kennedy is known for her informative, fascinating true-life stories, and Last Days in Vietnam is no exception. The film focuses on the 1975 evacuation of the American Embassy just before the fall of Saigon. Last year, it screened at the LA Film Festival,  earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary and praise from New York Times reviewer A.O. Scott, who wrote: “the story is full of emotion and danger, heroism and treachery, but it is told in a mood of rueful retrospect rather than simmering partisan rage.”
 

Chris Lombardi / Film Independent Blogger

Key
Film Independent Fellow or Member 
Los Angeles Film Festival Alum  
Spirit Award Winner  
First-time Filmmaker 
Microbudget 
Female Filmmaker 
Filmmaker of Color 
LGBT Filmmaker