How Indie Films Become Important

Introduction:

Still from SLC Punk!, James Merendino, 1998

How many films, out of all the films you've seen in your life, do you remember? Which ones stuck with you? What movies do you consider important in your life? Chances  are its not a big Hollywood blockbuster, but rather an indie film. Even if its not there's almost definitely an indie film you've connected to and enjoyed. When I asked my friends, family and even some strangers what movie was most important to them I got answers like La Haine, The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Whiplash, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Velvet Goldmine, SLC Punk! etc. Why is it this way? What is it about these films that make us love them so dearly?

I think it important to define what an indie film is before I write a whole blog post about them. Indie films or independent films are movies produced outside of the usual major film studios created by independent filmmakers. They typically have a lower budget and are usually unconventional and distinct. In an article titled, "What is an Indie Film — Definition & History Explained" by Kyle Deguzman, he adds, "Indie films can offer a high degree of innovation and originality, often making a significant cultural impact."

Representation of the Underrepresented:

As humans we like to feel seen and represented. It helps us all feel a little less alone on this planet. Indie films often focus on underrepresented groups or feelings or experiences, Its as if the screen is looking back at you while saying, "Your story deserves a theater." 

There are many obvious examples of this with movies like Call Me by Your Name (2017) representing struggling with your sexuality, and films like Minari (2020) showcasing the struggles of a family who immigrated to the United States. But there are probably examples you wouldn't think of, like Napoleon Dynamite (2004). 

Still from Napoleon Dynamite, Jared Hess, 2004

Napoleon Dynamite has representation for different family dynamics, growing up in a small town, and not fitting in. Napoleon is raised by his grandma and later his uncle providing some screen time for a non nuclear family dynamic. The film is set in a small town in rural Idaho. I was born in Washington on the border of Idaho, an area that doesn't get the spotlight to often. Its got dry heat and wheat fields and that's about it. As a kid it was cool to see a landscape that felt very familiar in Napoleon Dynamite. Finally, Napoleons odd ball nature is representation for everyone who doesn't quite fit in.  

Novelty:

After a while a Hollywood blockbuster action comedy gets bland. Our palettes ache for something new and different. Uniqueness is valued very highly in art, sometimes even more than execution. Indie films are often very unique because they are created for the sake of creation and artistic expression rather than what will make the most money.

A great example of this innovative uniqueness found in indie films comes from David Lynch's 1977 film Eraserhead. Its a black and white surreal film with no clear meaning or message. Some call it beautiful and others say its grotesque, but everyone can agree its unique. It has become a beloved film for many enthusiasts and has continued to stand the test of time because of its novelty. 

Connection to the Human Experience:

As cool and funny movies like Mission Impossible, Avengers and anything Adam Sandler makes are, they tend to lack strong connections to everyday life and the human experience. This isn't a bad thing of course, I love putting on a cheesy movie like Johnny English and forgetting about all the things I'm supposed to remember, but what makes a movie feel important to us is how it represents or interprets being human.

In his article, "Why Independent Films Matter" Dandy Aditya interviews Julio Rionaldo, a Indonesian independent filmmaker, where he has this to say about indie films, "They delve into the deeper nuances of the human experience, portraying emotions and situations with a raw authenticity." That's just a pretentious way to say that indie films show complex experiences in a personal, down to earth way.

A good example of this would be the dynamic between the Mother and Daughter in Greta Gerwig's film Lady Bird. As we all probably know relationships with parents can be very complicated. Lady Bird does a good job of representing the complexities in their relationship from a perspective that feels human. In a interview with NPR Gerwig says, "Her acceptance that she's both in some ways exactly like her mother and also a separate entity - it's painful and necessary." This quote says to me she knows exactly how that feels and that's how she was able to create a movie that connects with so many people. If Lady Bird was created by a big studio it wouldn't have the same personal, human touch that makes it special.

Final Thoughts:

situations with a

raw authenticity.

delve into the deeper nuances of the human experience, portraying emotions and situations with a

raw authenticity.Last Thoughts: 

In his article, "Why we Watch Movies" Dr. Rami Gabriel says, "We understand something about ourselves by becoming other, by being taken in by the story and coming out the other end in a slightly different form." This is especially true for indie films. They expose us to different and new stories but also familiar tales that mirror our own. We can learn a lot about others and ourselves by watching indie films. Its like watching the lives or thoughts of other humans. Filmmaker Taika Waititi has a quote which I think represents the charm indie films have that make them so important, "At the end of the day, the reality is we're all losers, and we're all uncoordinated. We're the worst of all of the animals on earth, and there's something quite endearing about that."