The Hunting Ground When: Now Playing Where: Theaters Directors: Kirby Dick Why We’re Excited: Spirit Award Winning filmmaker Kirby Dick, who delivered the powerful documentary, The Invisible War, tackles another controversial and gritty subject for his latest expose. This startling examination of rape crimes on college campuses features a heart-wrenching look inside the homes of the victims and their families, revealing the destructive effects these heinous acts have. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and will surely be an eye-opening viewer experience that ignites a fight for change.
Futuro Beach When: Now Playing Where: Theaters Director: Karim Ainouz Starring: Wagner Moura, Clemens Schick Why We’re Excited: After a failed attempt to save a drowning man, Donato meets Konrad, a friend of the victim, and attempts to lay down new roots in Berlin. Despite being in a land of man candy, with prospects of new romantic and sexual relationships, he will soon find his past may be catching up with him. Not just an LGBT film with pretty faces, the drama premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and also played Hong Kong and Paris’ Gay and Lesbian fests.
The Mind of Mark DeFriest When: March 6 Where: Theaters Director: Gabriel London Why We’re Excited: This mind-boggling documentary definitely left audiences with a lot to talk about at last year’s Los Angeles Film Festival. It’s a fascinating look at the life of Mark DeFriest, an infamous con-artist who was also known as “Houdini” for his multiple prison outbreaks. After 30 years in prison, where he was sentenced for faking a mental illness, DeFriest is presented a chance for freedom; his past, present and future are all deconstructed by Film Independent Fellow Gabriel London.
It Follows When: March 13 Where: Theaters Director: David Robert Mitchell Starring: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist Why We’re Excited: After premiering at the Cannes Film Festival last year, this under-the-radar horror flick (co-produced by Film Independent Fellows Rebecca Green and Laura D. Smith) continued to scare up buzz on a lengthy festival run, Mitchell’s second feature film follows a 19-year-old girl who is convinced someone, or something, is following her ever since a seemingly innocent sexual encounter. It’s one of those movies you’ll probably want to know as little about as possible before sitting down to watch, so it’s all the more frightening!
Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter When: March 18 Where: Theaters Director: David Zellner Starring: Rinko Kikuchi Why We’re Excited: This Sundance darling finally hits theaters this month, after playing just about every major, awesome festival you can think of. Rinko Kikuchi (Spirit Award Nominee for Best Female Lead) plays a lonely woman who is convinced the 1996 Coen Brothers’ film Fargo is real, and goes on mission to find a buried stash of money. The quirky film earned David Zellner a Spirit Award Nomination for Best Director.
She’s Lost Control When: March 18 Where: Theaters Director: Anja Marquardt Starring: Brooke Bloom, Marc Menchaca Why We’re Excited: In Anja Marquardt’s feature debut, the personal and professional life of a sex surrogate unravels when she starts working with a new client. It’s a psychologically driven character study from the fresh female perspective of Marquardt, featuring a breakthrough performance by Brooke Bloom. The film was nominated for Spirit Awards for Best First Feature and Best Screenplay, and is co-produced by Film Independent Fellow Mollye Asher.
Backcountry When: March 20 Where: Theaters Director: Adam MacDonald Starring: Missy Peregrym, Eric Balfour Why We’re Excited: Adam MacDonald’s suspenseful first feature pins up man against man, and against nature. When an urban couple decides to go camping in the Canadian wilderness, they get more than they bargained for. Not your typical “couple gets stalked in the woods” horror flick, audiences at the film’s Toronto Film Festival premiere were on the edges of their seats.
While We’re Young When: March 27 Where: Theaters Director: Noah Baumbach Starring: Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, Amanda Seyfried Why We’re Excited: The latest from the sharp and observant Spirit Award nominated writer/filmmaker Noah Baumbach was a hit at the past year’s Toronto Film Festival and features a delightful ensemble. Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts play a middle-aged married couple that is stuck in a rut, but have some old sparks re-ignited when they meet a younger couple, played by Adam Driver and Amanda Seyfried.
White God When: March 27 Where: Theaters Director: Kornél Mundruczó Starring: Zsófia Psotta Why We’re Excited: One of the most buzzed about films from the Cannes Film Festival is the bittersweet tale of a 13 year old girl and the love she has for her dog, Hagen. When her father sets Hagen loose, the teenager braves the big world on her own, embarking on a mission to find and save her beloved pet. The film took home two prizes at Cannes, including the Un Certain Regard Award for director Mundruczó.
12 Years a Slave When: March 31 Where: Netflix Director: Steve McQueen Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o Why We’re Excited: Whether you want to revisit, or if you somehow missed Steve McQueen’s masterful epic 12 Years a Slave, now is your chance to make the most of your Netflix subscription. This powerful drama took home three Oscars, including Best Picture, and was a big winner at the 2014 Spirit Awards, where it picked up Best Feature, Best Director and more.
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
