The Lunchbox When: July 1 Where: DVD Director: Ritesh Batra Starring: Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur Why We’re Excited: A lonely widower and unhappy housewife are brought together when a mistaken delivery arrives by the lunchbox service. Set in Mumbai and made for only $1 million, this is an exciting debut feature from Ritesh Batra. Life Itself When: July 4 Where: Theaters Director: Steve James Featuring: Roger Ebert, Martin Scorsese, Werner Herzog, Errol Morris, Gene Siskel, Ava Duvernay, Chaz Ebert Why We’re Excited: A celebration of the life and work of world-renowned film critic Roger Ebert, directed by Spirit Award-winning documentary filmmaker Steve James. Anyone who appreciates the art form of filmmaking is sure to be inspired by the life story of a man who taught us so much about what makes a movie great. Boyhood When: July 11 Where: Theaters Director: Richard Linklater Starring: Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane Why We’re Excited: A trailblazer of indie filmmaking in his own right, Linklater’s latest project breaks new ground as audiences get to experience a coming-of-age story where the main character literally grows up before our eyes. This timeline of blossoming adolescence and the challenges of parenthood were filmed over a period of 12 years with the same cast, all of whom kept the production details completely mum. Land Ho! When: July 11 Where: Theaters Director: Aaron Katz, Martha Stephens Starring: Earl Lynn Nelson, Paul Eenhoorn, Daniel Gylfason Why We’re Excited: This adventurous comedy follows a pair of former brothers-in-law who embark on a road trip through Iceland in an attempt to recapture their youth. The film was produced by Film Independent Fellows and Members Emily Ting and Mynette Louie and screened at this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival. The Battered Bastards of Baseball When: July 11 Where: Netflix Director: Chapman Way, Maclain Way Starring: Kurt Russell, Todd Field, Rob Nelson, Frank Peters, Caren Woods Why We’re Excited: Brothers Chapman and Maclain Way made this documentary about their grandfather, actor Bing Russell, and his foray into the wild world of professional minor-league baseball in the 1970s with his independent single-A team, the Portland Mavericks. Russell’s son Kurt was among the misfit band of ballplayers, who shared a certain disregard for authority, a talent for making a scene and a genuine love of the game. The Battered Bastards premiered at Sundance in January and also screened at this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival. Under the Skin When: July 15 Where: DVD/VOD Director: Jonathan Glazer Starring: Scarlett Johansson Why We’re Excited: Scarlett Johansson is soon to be seen in the sexy, science fiction-esque, suspenseful Summer blockbuster Lucy, but this is for those of you who want to avoid the multiplex and see her on a smaller, indie-film scale. We won’t give away too much of the plot, as it’s one of those movies that’s more fun to watch, the less you know. Middle of Nowhere When: July 23 Where: BET Director: Ava DuVernay Starring: Emayatzy Corinealdi, David Oyelowo, Lorraine Toussaint Why We’re Excited: Winner of Best Director at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, this powerful drama tells the story of a woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery when her life and career goals are shattered by her husband’s incarceration. The film also took home the John Cassavetes Award at the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Happy Christmas When: July 25 Where: Theaters Director: Joe Swanberg Starring: Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Mark Webber, Lena Dunham Why We’re Excited: An irresponsible twentysomething moves in with her brother, his wife and their young child, interrupting their happy home with her quarter-life crisis in this comedy that premiered at Sundance. It’s also always nice to see Girls creator/star Lena Dunham make appearances on the big screen, as she has mainly stuck to HBO since her Spirit Award-winning directorial debut, Tiny Furniture. Magic in the Moonlight When: July 25 Where: Theaters Director: Woody Allen Starring: Emma Stone, Colin Firth, Marcia Gay Harden, Eileen Atkins Why We’re Excited: It’s always delightful to see which characters Spirit Award-winning director Woody Allen will introduce us to next. In his latest romantic comedy, Allen revisits themes from previous works such as mystery and intrigue, and time-warps to Europe in the 1920s. In typical Woody fashion, the film boasts a big, talented cast and combines genres of comedy, suspense and romance. Half of a Yellow Sun When: July 29 Where: DVD Director: Biyi Bandele Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose Why We’re Excited: A romantic drama set in 1960’s Nigeria, this is the tale of two sisters who return home as a civil war breaks out and the citizens fight to establish an independent republic. If Chiwetel Ejiofor stole your heart in 12 Years A Slave, surely you’ll want to watch him sweep Thandie Newton off her feet in a first-time feature by Biyi Bandele. Chris Lombardi / Intern Blogger Symbol Key Film Independent Fellow or Member: Los Angeles Film Festival Alum: Spirit Award Winner: First-time Filmmaker: Microbudget: Female Filmmaker: Filmmaker of Color: LGBT Content:
