Opinion: Go watch indie movies
The 2022 Acadamy Awards should be remembered forever, but sadly, not for the reason everyone is talking about.
The Oscars are the one night a year where the best and greatest in Hollywood are recognized and rewarded. And every year it usually awards films from the past year that were made by a big-budget studio that stars big-name actors. But this year one movie took home the top prize of the night, one that few people have seen, with virtually zero big-name stars. “CODA” won best picture of the year.
“CODA,” a wonderful movie about a non-deaf daughter in an all-deaf family, first premiered in Park City at the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2021. The Sundance Film Festival is an extremely popular event in the film industry where independent and (mostly) unknown filmmakers can submit their pieces of work to showcase to the public, and to potential buyers. Last year, Apple TV+ bought the rights to “CODA” for nearly $25 million.
That price paid off during this year’s Oscars where it won best picture, best supporting actor, and best original screenplay.
But almost no one saw it outside the film community. And that’s a problem.
In 2021, the box office made $21.3 billion. A large chunk of this money was made from superhero movies like “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” “Black Widow,” “Eternals” and even “Venom: Let There Be Carnage.” It is safe to say that if you are reading this, you have seen at least one of those movies previously listed.
The independent movie scene is crucially important to the films we see in the future and the movie industry in general. Almost every single one of the directors of the films listed above started out directing films that premiered at indie film festivals like Sundance, South by Southwest, and the Toronto International Film Festival.
Chloé Zhao, director of Eternals (which had a budget of $200 million), won two Oscars last year for her film “Nomadland,” including best director and best picture. But even before her Oscar wins, she was the first in line to direct one of Marvel’s newest projects. Back in 2017, Zhao directed a smaller film called “The Rider” which premiered at some film festivals. Some people over at Marvel saw this movie and sought her out to see if she would want to direct a Marvel movie. And the rest is history.
Zhao was able to bring a new taste and feel to a Marvel movie with sweeping landscapes and minimal CGI. Something that I believe should be standard moving forward.
Through indie filmmakers, we are able to see the new standard in upcoming films. All great directors had to start somewhere. And even if a director or an actor does not get their “big break,” their movie sets a new standard of what audiences will like.
Some of my favorite movies and films that I have related to the most have come from films that started out small.
As I list some of my recommendations, I encourage you to seek out more that you might like. Google limited viewings for upcoming movies and search for independent films on Netflix or Hulu. Indie filmmakers have a way of interacting with and connecting with the audience that no other blockbuster movies can do.
I am sure you have seen or at least heard of a lot of these movies, but that isn’t the point. Go support and watch:
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is based on the book of the same name. Though you might see some familiar faces, this coming-of-age story packs an emotional punch. It will make you feel something very strong and heavy. It premiered at Sundance in 2012.
“Sing Street” is a personal favorite of mine few people have heard of. “Sing Street” takes place in Ireland in the 1980s and is about a boy going to a Christian school with some friends. While another coming-of-age story, this one revolves around the theme of music. It is a musical (somewhat). Please, if possible, give this one a chance.
My final recommendation is a film that came out just two years ago, called “Minari.” “Minari” is about a Korean family that moves to America in search of hope and change. It is a great family and feel-good movie and will make you grin from cheek to cheek.
Now, go look up the film schedule for the Utah Theatre on Main Street and Center, and go watch a good movie.
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Kaden Schipaanboord is studying journalism at Utah State. He has a passion for movies and loves anything outdoors.
— A02331363@usu.edu