The awards season is finally (some say blessedly) coming to a close. The acronym awards (WGAs, SAGs, and BAFTAs) have all been handed out, the Golden Globes have been given away, and all that remains are the Oscars -- oh, and the Independent Spirit Awards, which are presented by the organization I lead, Film Independent.
This is the 25th Anniversary of the Spirit Awards, and while important milestones are always a great excuse for a party (ours is Friday night), they are also a time to reflect and remember. At the moment, the independent film world is on the verge of reinvention and restructuring. The cameras may be cheaper and the distribution options more varied, but filmmakers today still face some of the same difficulties that independent directors faced in the 80's -- raising money and finding an audience. We face these challenges every day at Film Independent, as we strive to give these emerging filmmakers a leg up so they can keep creating original work.
With nominal arts funding in the U.S., and limited diversity in Hollywood, the Spirit Awards are as vital as they were in 1986, when little-known filmmakers such as Joel & Ethan Coen garnered wins for Blood Simple. Twenty-five years from now, we will be looking back at the 2010 nominees, and recall how their early films paved the way for a new generation of filmmakers.
Because this year is our 25th anniversary, I was curious about which independent films would be considered the "Greatest of All Time." Of course, what's "greatest" is in the eye of the beholder. Is it the film that had the most impact on the independent movement? A "gateway" film that introduced mainstream audiences to the world of independent cinema? Or the one that will stand the test of time to be a great film on its own merits?
Around our office, the three most frequently cited "great" independent films were:
And all of these films had their passionate supporters as well:
The interesting thing about the exercise is that it reminded me yet again that the qualities people admire about independent films (as diverse as they are) do ultimately define a unique genre that has far-reaching influence well beyond your local theater. They give shape to our culture and expand what's possible in movies.
So, help us further define the genre. What's your favorite independent movie of all time? And why?
[See the greatest independent films of this year Friday night, March 5, on IFC -- live, uncut, and uncensored -- 8 p.m. Pacific Time, 11 p.m. Eastern Time]
Una LaMarche: Oscars: The Live Blog
David Wallechinsky: Academy Awards: Live Action Shorts 2010
John Wellington Ennis: Oscars Red Carpet: Best Doc Nominee The Cove Dazzles!
I just don't see Pulp Fiction as an Indie film when you had a famous director and all star cast. Was it out of the ordinary? Sure, but by then Tarantino was a pretty well-known guy. Maybe Resevoir Dogs could be considered Indie...but Pulp Fiction? Nah.
And I can't believe you didn't mention 'The Crying Game'....there was so much brouhaha about that film but I loved it, it was such a sweet twisted love story.
Chaplin made his legendary feature films as an independent: Modern Times, The Great Dictator, City Lights, etc.
Goldwyn and Chaplin were Hollywood's great mavericks: no partners, no stockholders, no home office in New York to report to. They were two lone wolves with guts enough to put up their own money to realize their vision. In many ways, today's independent film movement stands on the shoulders of these giants.
Hollywood still producing rip-offs and now the re-makes.
Wings of Desire
Tarantino is about as mainstream as film gets.