Mothers and Daughters

When: May 6

Where: Theaters, iTunes

Director: Paul Duddridge

Starring: Susan Sarandon, Selma Blair, Courtney Cox

Why We’re Excited: Mother’s Day is right around the corner and this first feature from Paul Duddridge is a celebration of the unique bond that exists between mothers and daughters. Selma Blair stars as Rigby Gray, a photographer who captures more with her camera than just images. Through the perspectives of her latest photo project, Rigby learns what being a mother is actually all about—whether she likes it or not. Told through the interwoven stories of Rigby’s subjects, Mothers and Daughters features an exciting, all-star cast that includes Susan Sarandon, Courtney Cox, Sharon Stone, Christina Ricci and Mira Sorvino. The film was was originally titled Mother’s Day before undergoing a last-minute change to avoid being confused with the upcoming big-budget Hollywood holiday movie of the same name by Garry Marshall. It’s the perfect choice for the indie film lover to watch with Mom this Sunday—and you can do so on iTunes if isn’t playing on a big screen near you.

 

 

Creative Control

When: May 10

Where: DVD/VOD

Director: Benjamin Dickinson

Starring: Benjamin Dickinson, Nora Zehetner

Why We’re Excited: Benjamin Dickinson writes, directs, produces and stars in this innovative, stylish, super-low budget first feature. In his inventive debut, Dickinson plays David, an ad exec living in a futuristic New York City where technology is advancing faster than ever. David’s latest project is a campaign for an “augmented reality system”. Allowed to test the product ahead of time, he decides to use this groundbreaking new hardware to carry on an illicit affair with his best friend’s girlfriend—making for one twisted, comedic, thrilling, sci-fi infused erotic drama. The film’s bold vision shows promise for Dickinson, who won a Special Jury Award at the film’s SXSW premiere in 2015. Dickinson also get major film nerd bragging rights, as none other than legendary filmmaker Woody Allen himself hailed the filmmaker’s debut as “a very funny and original movie.”

 

 

Eisenstein in Guanajuato

When: May 10

Where: Netflix, DVD

Director: Peter Greenaway

Starring: Elmer Back

Why We’re Excited: The latest from the multi-talented artist and indie filmmaker Peter Greenaway is yet another bizarre and eccentric visual experience to be added to director’s extensive resume of experimental shorts and features. In this biographical dramedy, Greenaway brings the life of legendary Russian filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein to the big screen. Focusing on the period of his life in which Eisenstein was invited to U.S. after making his revolutionary Battleship Potemkin, the film explores the renowned auteur’s rejection by Hollywood, his struggles with his own homosexuality, and failed attempt to mount a new film in Mexico funded by an American pro-communist group headed by a rabble-rousing Upton Sinclair. The sexually explicit film premiered at Berlin before playing countless other Festivals, including the Toronto LGBT Film Festival.

 

 

Last Days in the Desert

When: May 13

Where: Theaters

Director: Rodrigo Garcia

Starring: Ewan McGregor

Why We’re Excited: Film Independent Member (and award-winning filmmaker) Rodrigo Garcia’s latest project is an imaginative interpretation of the biblical Jesus’ 40 long days fasting and praying in the desert. Ewan McGregor stars as both Jesus and Lucifer, sharing the screen with only four other actors. Jesus travels through the desert and goes head-to-head with the Devil over a family in crisis. Fatigued, Jesus is further exhausted by a demonic woman who appears to have designs on haunting his journey. Garcia’s films tend to rely on strong characters, multi-layered plot lines and rich dialogue as opposed to visual effects, which makes this one of his most ambitious projects to date. And who better for Garcia to team up with as his cinematographer than Film Independent Spirit Award winner Emmanuel Lubezki—who, in addition to his Spirit Award bona fides, has been the man to take home the Best Cinematography Oscar for the last three ceremonies. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and Film Independent Member Julie Lynn is one of its producers.

 

 

Queen Mimi

When: May 13

Where: Theaters

Director: Yaniv Rokah

Why We’re Excited: Queen Mimi director Rokah was living in Los Angeles working as a barista when he met the subject of what would become his first feature. This charming, inspirational documentary follows 89-year-old Mimi—a homeless woman who lives between the washers at a Laundromat across the street from Yaniv’s café. Filmed over a period of five years, the movie chronicles the events leading to Mimi’s homelessness as well as Mini’s remarkably positive, resilient attitude. A former fashion maven who’s befriended Hollywood A-listers such as Renee Zellweger and Zack Galifianakis, Mimi is an unsung hero—proving you should never give up and never give in. Film Independent Member Elliot V. Kotek is one of the film’s producers, bringing Mimi’s story to the world.

Love & Friendship

When: May 13

Where: Theaters

Director: Whit Stillman

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny

Why We’re Excited: A trifecta of talented collaborators have reunited to bring Jane Austen’s witty (and underrated) classic Lady Susan to the big screen. Spirit Award winner Whit Stillman first worked with Beckinsale and Sevigny on the observant and biting 1998 comedy The Last Days of Disco. Nearly two decades later, the two leads and their director have reunited to take on 18th Century high society with a similarly wry eye. Beckinsale headlines as the beautiful widow Lady Susan Vernon, who returns to the estate of her in-laws only to be greeted by a town full of salacious gossip regarding her marriage. The rumor mill seems to be of no concern to Lady Susan, who is determined to secure a husband for her debutante daughter—and possibly a new one for herself as well. Sevigny’s Alicia recalls her Disco character, once again following Beckinsale’s lead, forever at her side taking notes on how to improve her social status, all while constantly questioning whether or not they’re actually even friends. If you love Austen, quick wit and big costumes this Friendship is definitely going to be your cup of tea.

 

 

Maggie’s Plan

When: May 20

Where: Theaters

Director: Rebecca Miller

Starring: Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, Julianne Moore

Why We’re Excited: With every film she makes, Spirit Award winning filmmaker Rebecca Miller has been carving out an important space to showcase the voice of powerful female characters. An observant storyteller drawn to controversial subjects and flawed individuals, Miller’s latest is a whole lot lighter than any of her previous films. The comedy places Greta Gerwig’s titular Maggie at the tip of an inevitably complicated love triangle. Maggie’s home-wrecking heart beats for Jon (Ethan Hawke), who is married to the seemingly perfect Georgette (Spirit Award Winner Julianne Moore). Clearly drawn to interpersonal conflict, Maggie attempts to ruin Jon’s marriage at the same time she begins to move forward with a plan to have a baby all on her own. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was co-produced by Film Independent Member Jonathan Shoemaker.

Ma Ma

When: May 27

Where: Theaters

Director: Julio Medem

Starring: Penelope Cruz, Luis Tosar

Why We’re Excited: Celebrated Spanish filmmaker Julio Medem’s latest drama stars Spirit Award winner Penelope Cruz, in a performance being hailed as one of the finest of her career. The Oscar-winning actress plays a rejuvenated woman struggling with tragedy and humbled by miracles. The emotionally charged story follows Cruz’s Magda as she’s diagnosed with breast cancer and (simultaneously) meets a mysterious man coping with his own unspeakable loss. Together, they provide each other with the strength, love and other necessary ingredients to find peace and move toward contentment and happiness. Medem’s “slice of life” writing and filmmaking style champions the human spirit, delving deeply into the psyche and connecting viewers to characters in which they can see parts of themselves. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and is a labor of love for Medem, who wrote it over eight years ago and finally decided it was time to make it when Cruz reached out to express her desire to work with him.

 

 

Presenting Princess Shaw

When: May 27

Where: Theaters, VOD, iTunes & Amazon

Director: Ido Haar

Why We’re Excited: By day, 38-year-old Samantha Montgomery takes care of the elderly and dreams of escaping the unsafe New Orleans neighborhood where she resides. By night, Samantha transforms into Princess Shaw: a singer-songwriter who longs for her moment to shine, performing at local open mic nights where barely anyone shows up. One day Princess Shaw posts a video of her music to YouTube—getting just a handful of views. But despite the lack of interest from everyone around her, Princess Shaw remains determined and optimistic. A twist of fate occurs when Kutiman, an Israeli mash-up artist, stumbles upon one of Princess Shaw’s YouTube videos. Practically overnight everything changes, and Princess Shaw is given proof that anything is possible. A must-see for anyone out there with a dream, this uplifting documentary is a fascinating illustration of how passion is elevated when combined with collaboration—an important lesson for any filmmaker.

 

 

The Ones Below

When: May 27

Where: Theaters

Director: David Farr

Starring: Clemence Poesy, David Morrissey, Stephen Campbell Moore

Why We’re Excited: David Farr, writer of the 2011 thriller Hanna, makes his directorial debut with this suspenseful drama, which premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival—a taut, psychological thriller that follows a married couple expecting their first child, who (little do they know) are about to have the happiest time of their lives severely unhinged. Upon moving into a duplex to prepare for the arrival of the newborn, the couple soon discovers that the couple living below them is expecting their first baby as well. Paranoia and fear ensue as the upstairs couple is sideswiped by a series of events that prove you never really know who your neighbors are. The film (particularly its ending) was said to be quite a shock for audiences at the Toronto, London and Berlin International Film Festivals, and shows promise for Farr as someone to watch.

 

Key

   Film Independent Fellow or Member
   LA Film Festival Alum
   Film Independent Spirit Award Winner or Nominee
   First-time Filmmaker
   Microbudget 
   Female Filmmaker 
   Filmmaker or Lead Characters of Color  
   LGBT Filmmaker or Lead LGBT Characters