Indie film news, reviews, commentary, interviews, podcasts and more, updated throughout the week.
Trailer Premiere: "I'll Come Running"
By IFC on 11/04/2009
Here's an exclusive first look at the trailer for "I'll Come Running," the debut feature from Spencer Parsons, a multi-continent romance starring Melonie Diaz ("Be Kind Rewind," "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints") and Jon Lange. The official synopsis: Pelle (Lange) wants a change of scenery. Another day, another place, another postcard, another girl... But is Veronica (Diaz) really just another girl? It was only supposed to be a stolen, sweaty day together in Texas, and all they have in common is too many hours watching "The Simpsons." But when circumstance brings Veronica to Pelle's door in Denmark, this "casual"... MORE »
-
- Comment
Claire Denis Returns to Africa
By IFC on 10/20/2009
Filed under: VideosWith "White Material," director Claire Denis goes back to Africa, where she was raised and where, over 20 years ago, she located her first film, "Chocolat." Set in an unnamed country on the verge of civil war, "White Material" follows Maria (Isabelle Huppert), the manager of a coffee plantation, as she struggles to pull together a harvest despite signs of impending violence and chaos around her. IFC's Alison Willmore sat down with Denis at the New York Film Festival, where "White Material" had its U.S. premiere.... MORE »
Harmony Korine on Humping Trash
By IFC on 10/13/2009
Filed under: Videos"'Trash Humpers' is very much, literally, what the title says it is. It's a movie about people who liked to hump trash." Harmony Korine, one time enfant terrible of the indie film scene, sits down with IFC's Alison Willmore to talk about VHS, famous hunchbacks and, of course, his new film "Trash Humpers." MORE »
Inside the Head of Mathieu Amalric
By IFC on 10/05/2009
Filed under: Videos"The film is really about the fact that you never know what's in the head of somebody else," muses Mathieu Amalric about "Wild Grass," the vibrant new film from director Alain Resnais, in which he plays an unconventional policeman. "I think that's what's amazing about getting old. When you see Alain Resnais, you don't think about wisdom -- he's not this sort of Buddha. No, it's crazy to do a film like that at 85 years old. It's good news!" The French actor (and unlikely Bond villain) was one of three of the film's stars in town for the festival.... MORE »
Jean-Pierre Jeunet versus Goliath
By IFC on 10/01/2009
Filed under: Videos"You know, each time I tell the same story. It's little guys against the monster, the ogre -- or David against Goliath," says Jean-Pierre Jeunet of his new film "Micmacs," a comedy about a video store clerk (Dany Boon) who seeks revenge on two major weapons manufacturers with help from a group of quirkily talented friends, including a human cannonball and a contortionist. The "Amelie" director sat down with his star to tell us about his new film and what inspires him. "Micmacs" will be released by Sony Pictures Classics.... MORE »
Trailer Premiere: "Better Things"
By IFC on 09/22/2009
Filed under: VideosCheck out this exclusive first look at the trailer for "Better Things," the debut feature from up-and-coming UK filmmaker Duane Hopkins, a multi-strand look at life in rural England that made its premiere at Critics' Week at Cannes 2008. The official synopsis: "A new voice in British cinema, Duane Hopkins' feature debut is a lyrical and honest look at intersecting lives, losses and loves in the heart of rural England. Gail's agoraphobia keeps her inside where she escapes into romance novels. She shares a house with her nan, recently back from the hospital. Gradually, they both try to reach out... MORE »
Comic-Con: The "Iron Man 2" Panel
By IFC on 07/28/2009
Filed under: Videos"You're the people we wanted to show this to first," director Jon Favreau told adoring Comic-Con crowds at the panel for "Iron Man 2," who were a-buzz after their first glimpse of footage from the sequel. Star Robert Downey Jr. was there for another of his two appearances at the convention, and he and Favreau were joined by Don Cheadle (taking over for Terrence Howard as Col. Rhodes) and Scarlett Johansson, who'll play the Black Widow. Check out video highlights from the panel below.... MORE »
Comic-Con: The "Sherlock Holmes" Panel
By IFC on 07/28/2009
Filed under: VideosCrowd favorite Robert Downey Jr. made one of his two appearances at Comic-Con 2009 at the panel for director Guy Ritchie's update of "Sherlock Holmes," in which Downey stars as an action-friendly version of Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective, with Jude Law playing Dr. Watson. "He was probably the first superhero..." mused the actor. "He was an intellectual superhero." Downey was joined by co-star Rachel McAdams (who plays Irene Adler) and producers Susan Downey and Lionel Wigram. Watch video highlights from the panel below.... MORE »
Comic-Con: "The Book of Eli" Panel
By IFC on 07/28/2009
Filed under: VideosDenzel Washington saves the world in the upcoming "The Book of Eli," set in an apocalyptic American and directed by identical twins Albert and Allen Hughes (of "From Hell,") with Mila Kunis co-starring and Gary Oldman playing, of course, the baddie. The story reminded the Hughes brothers of the original "Planet of the Apes," mixing messaging with story, but what the crowd seemed more excited about was the prospect of Washington doing his own martial arts-inspired stuntwork. Watch video highlights from the panel below.... MORE »
Comic-Con: The "Tron Legacy" Panel
By IFC on 07/27/2009
Filed under: Videos"If you guys are anything like me, I like to know as little about a film that I want to see as possible," said Jeff Bridges at the panel for "Tron Legacy," the much-anticipated sequel to the 1982 film "Tron." One imagines that Bridges is somewhat missing the point of Comic-Con with a statement like that, but he did go on to share that the film is about "a son's search for his father," and that everything is going to be "superized." Patton Oswalt moderated the panel, which featured Bridges and co-star Olivia Wilde, director Joseph Kosinski and producers Sean... MORE »
Comic-Con: The "New Moon" Panel
By IFC on 07/24/2009
Filed under: Videos"I've been stalking Rob Pattinson for the last ten years, so when I got a chance to get within touching distance of him, I jumped at the opportunity," drawled Chris Weitz, the director of "About a Boy" and, now, the man in charge of the latest film installment of the "Twilight" series, "New Moon," when asked about why he took on the project. He's apparently not alone in that sentiment. At what's surely going to go down as the shriekiest panel at Comic-Con 2009, Weitz, stars Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and Ashley Greene face the Twihard masses -- watch... MORE »
Robert Pattinson Knows "How To Be"
By IFC on 05/13/2009
Filed under: VideosRobert Pattinson, the star of "Twilight," talks about going indie and playing music in his new film "How To Be," which recent made its premiere on VOD. The flash 8 plugin was not detected. var so = new SWFObject("http://media.ifc.com/swf/ifc_generic_blog.swf", "robertpattinsonhowtobe", "500", "375", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addParam("wmode", "transparent"); //change player width so.addVariable("pwidth", 500); //change player height so.addVariable("pheight", 375); //distinguish between different videos so.addVariable("s_movieID", "robertpattinsonhowtobe"); //insert brightcove title id here so.addVariable("bctid", 22924577001); so.write("robertpattinsonhowtobe"); __AD__ MORE »
SXSW 2009: Arm Wrestling in Austin
By Alison Willmore on 03/24/2009
Filed under: VideosJohn Brzenk, legendary professional arm wrestler and subject of the doc "Pulling John," takes on all challengers on the street of Austin before sitting down with us to explain the ins and outs of the sport with director Sevan Matossian and producer Navid Khonsari. The flash 8 plugin was not detected. var so = new SWFObject("http://media.ifc.com/swf/ifc_generic_blog.swf", "pullingjohninterview", "500", "375", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addParam("wmode", "transparent"); //change player width so.addVariable("pwidth", 500); //change player height so.addVariable("pheight", 375); //distinguish between different videos so.addVariable("s_movieID", "pullingjohninterview"); //insert brightcove title id here so.addVariable("bctid", 16669268001); so.write("pullingjohninterview"); __AD__... MORE »
Takashi Miike on "Yatterman"
By Alison Willmore on 02/10/2009
Filed under: VideosTakashi Miike, the both famous and infamous director of such beloved family-unfriendly fare as "Audition," "Ichi the Killer" and "Visitor Q," takes a step toward the Japanese mainstream with his new film "Yatterman," which had its world premiere at this year's New York Comic Con. Starring pop star Sho Sakurai, the film's an adaptation of a late '70s anime series that pits a teenage couple against a thieving gang in a war of giant mechas. I got a chance to sit down with prolific filmmaker on the eve of "Yatterman"'s debut to talk about the films and how to deal... MORE »
The Yes Men Fix... The Boiler?
By IFC on 01/25/2009
Filed under: VideosAndy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, otherwise known as the Yes Men, stopped by our comfy utility closet to talk about the Sundance premiere of their new documentary "The Yes Men Fix The World." The flash 8 plugin was not detected. var so = new SWFObject("http://media.ifc.com/swf/ifc_generic_blog.swf", "yesmencloset", "500", "375", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addParam("wmode", "transparent"); //change player width so.addVariable("pwidth", 500); //change player height so.addVariable("pheight", 375); //distinguish between different videos so.addVariable("s_movieID", "yesmencloset"); //insert brightcove title id here so.addVariable("bctid", 8415475001); so.write("yesmencloset"); MORE »
Cary Fukunaga and "Sin Nombre"
By IFC on 01/24/2009
Filed under: VideosHow does a first-time filmmaker get Focus Features to fund a Spanish-language thriller with a cast of actors unknown to the U.S.? Cary Fukunaga, director of "Sin Nombre," explains. The flash 8 plugin was not detected. var so = new SWFObject("http://media.ifc.com/swf/ifc_generic_blog.swf", "caryfukunaga2009", "500", "375", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addParam("wmode", "transparent"); //change player width so.addVariable("pwidth", 500); //change player height so.addVariable("pheight", 375); //distinguish between different videos so.addVariable("s_movieID", "caryfukunaga2009"); //insert brightcove title id here so.addVariable("bctid", 8725376001); so.write("caryfukunaga2009"); MORE »
RJ Cutler, Sundance Fashion Critic
By IFC on 01/24/2009
Filed under: VideosRJ Cutler, director of "The September Issue," a documentary about Anna Wintour and the production of Vogue magazine's most important issue in the year, takes to the Park City streets to critique fashion at the Sundance Film Festival. The flash 8 plugin was not detected. var so = new SWFObject("http://media.ifc.com/swf/ifc_generic_blog.swf", "rjcutlerfashion", "500", "375", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addParam("wmode", "transparent"); //change player width so.addVariable("pwidth", 500); //change player height so.addVariable("pheight", 375); //distinguish between different videos so.addVariable("s_movieID", "rjcutlerfashion"); //insert brightcove title id here so.addVariable("bctid", 8556220001); so.write("rjcutlerfashion"); MORE »
The Broken Lizard Strikeforce
By IFC on 01/23/2009
Filed under: VideosThe Broken Lizard comedy group returns to their indie roots and to Park City, where they premiered their first two films, for the Slamdance premiere of their new film "The Slammin' Salmon." The flash 8 plugin was not detected. var so = new SWFObject("http://media.ifc.com/swf/ifc_generic_blog.swf", "brokenlizard2009", "500", "375", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addParam("wmode", "transparent"); //change player width so.addVariable("pwidth", 500); //change player height so.addVariable("pheight", 375); //distinguish between different videos so.addVariable("s_movieID", "brokenlizard2009"); //insert brightcove title id here so.addVariable("bctid", 8480938001); so.write("brokenlizard2009"); MORE »
Putty In Their Hands: How to Give Yourself a Black Eye
By IFC on 10/31/2008
Filed under: VideosFor the final day of our Halloween celebration of horror movie makeup, IFC.com's Alison Willmore meets up with Rachel Pagani, a makeup and special effects artist who, among her many credits, did creature effects work on Larry Fessenden's "Wendigo," to learn from an expert how to make it look like you're sporting a wicked shiner -- perfect for costumes or for just scaring your parents. The flash 8 plugin was not detected. var so = new SWFObject("http://media.ifc.com/swf/ifc_generic_blog.swf", "blackeye", "500", "375", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addParam("wmode", "transparent"); //change player width so.addVariable("pwidth", 500); //change player height so.addVariable("pheight", 375); //distinguish between different videos so.addVariable("s_movieID", "blackeye");... MORE »
Video: Lars Ulrich Loves Indie Film
By IFC on 10/17/2008
Filed under: VideosApropos of nothing in particular, here's Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich talking with IFC's music blogger Jim Shearer about indie film, of which he's a huge fan, his friendship with Thomas Vinterberg and why there's still hope for low-budget cinema. For the record, he's thinks "Man on Wire" is "one of the best documentaries I've seen in years," he borrows Academy screeners from friends, he's seen "Control" four times and he believes that '07 was the best year for independent film. The flash 8 plugin was not detected. var so = new SWFObject("http://media.ifc.com/swf/ifc_generic_blog.swf", "larsulrichonfilm", "500", "375", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addParam("wmode", "transparent"); //change... MORE »
Video: "A Christmas Tale" at the New York Film Festival
By IFC on 10/13/2008
Filed under: Festivals, Videos"It could be sort of a slogan for this family: 'Let's get rid of melancholy'... They don't have time for melancholy. All of them are good fighters," said French director Arnaud Desplechin of his new film, an at turns lighthearted and deeply dramatic portrait of a family during the holidays that he compared in structure to an advent calendar. At the New York Film Festival press conference for "A Christmas Tale," Desplechin was joined by the legendary Catherine Deneuve, who plays the matriarch in the family and who affectionately compared the filmmaker to a "child in a playroom." The flash... MORE »
Video: "Waltz With Bashir" at the New York Film Festival
By IFC on 10/06/2008
Filed under: Festivals, Videos"This film was always meant to be an animated film. I never thought there was a chance to do it any other way -- not as a fiction film, and definitely not as a classic documentary film." Ari Folman, the writer/director of "Waltz with Bashir," described his unconventional and powerful doc about the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre and his personal involvement and memories of the incident to the press at the New York Film Festival. The flash 8 plugin was not detected. var so = new SWFObject("http://media.ifc.com/swf/ifc_generic_blog.swf", "waltzwithbashirnyff", "500", "375", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addParam("wmode", "transparent"); //change player width so.addVariable("pwidth", 500);... MORE »
Video: "Changeling" at the New York Film Festival
By IFC on 10/06/2008
Filed under: Festivals, Videos"I didn't know anything about it until I read the script," admitted Clint Eastwood at the New York Film Festival's press conference for "Changeling," his highly anticipated film based on the 1920s Wineville Chicken Murders and an incident in which the police tried to convince a single mother that the boy they had brought to her was her missing son, when he was actually a runaway looking for a free trip to California. Angelina Jolie plays the mother, while John Malkovich is the reverend who comes to her aid. Eastwood discussed making modern day L.A. look antique and how he... MORE »
Video: "Ashes of Time Redux" at the New York Film Festival
By IFC on 10/06/2008
Filed under: Festivals, Videos"It was almost like an odyssey, because we spent five years -- the first few years we had to retrieve material from different parts of the world." Wearing his signature sunglasses, Wong Kar-wai addressed the press after a New York Film Festival screening of "Ashes of Time Redux," the restored and recut version of his 1994 martial arts film "Ashes of Time," starring an unbelievable cast that includes Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung, Leslie Cheung and Brigitte Lin, who also appeared at the press conference. Cinematographer Christopher Doyle shared some memories of the original production, while Wong described visiting various locations... MORE »
Video: "The Wrestler" at the New York Film Festival
By IFC on 10/02/2008
Filed under: Festivals, Videos"If I knew it was going to take me 15 years to get back in the saddle and work again because of the way I handled things, I really would have handled things differently... Change, for me, didn't come easily. I didn't want to change, until I lost everything." Mickey Rourke's role as faded professional wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson in "The Wrestler" is rightly being hailed the comeback, and one of the best performances, of the year. At the film's U.S. premiere at the New York Film Festival, he, co-star Marisa Tomei and director Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a... MORE »
Video: "Che" at the New York Film Festival
By IFC on 10/02/2008
Filed under: Festivals, Videos"It wasn't until the film was finished, right around Cannes, that I realized... it was about engagement versus disengagement," Steven Soderbergh told the press after a screening of his four-hour bio-epic "Che," which will make its U.S. premiere at the New York Film Festival later this week. In the video below, he speaks about the process of making the film and presenting a figure who's retreated into an icon for t-shirts and dorm room posters. The flash 8 plugin was not detected. var so = new SWFObject("http://media.ifc.com/swf/ifc_generic_blog.swf", "soderberghchenyff", "400", "300", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addParam("wmode", "transparent"); //change player width so.addVariable("pwidth", 400); //change... MORE »
Video: "Happy-Go-Lucky" at the New York Film Festival
By IFC on 09/30/2008
Filed under: Festivals, VideosPoppy, the main character of Mike Leigh's latest film, "Happy-Go-Lucky," is a 30-year-old elementary school teacher who lives in London and who's irrepressibly, almost unnaturally cheerful. As played by Sally Hawkins, she's a fascinating and divisive figure, endearing to some and grating to others. In the video below, Leigh and Hawkins, taking questions from the press at the New York Film Festival, insist that simply writing the character off as chipper is to be unfair to what Leigh has called his "anti-miserablist film": "The thing about Poppy is that to describe her as being unadulterated[ly] happy is not really to... MORE »
Video: "Hunger" at the New York Film Festival
By IFC on 09/30/2008
Filed under: Festivals, VideosSteve McQueen (not to be confused with the late "Bullitt" star) went from Turner Prize-winning artist to lauded filmmaker with his directorial debut "Hunger," about the 1981 Irish hunger strike in which IRA prisoners, led by Bobby Sands, tried to win political status by refusing food. "Hunger," which won the Caméra d'Or prize at Cannes, made its U.S. debut at the New York Film Festival, where McQueen sat down with moderator J. Hoberman of the Village Voice to address the press. In the video below, he talks about the origins of the film -- he was 11 years old when... MORE »
Ludivine Sagnier Gets Cut in Two
By Alison Willmore on 08/22/2008
Filed under: VideosLudivine Sagnier is a superstar in her native France who has in her young career worked with the country's most prominent directors, including François Ozon, for whom she's been a bit of a muse, playing memorable roles in films like "Swimming Pool." But in the U.S., the only role she's chosen to take was one as Tinkerbell in P.J. Hogan's adaptation of "Peter Pan." Sagnier's most recent roles are as the star and title pulled-apart character in Claude Chabrol's "A Girl Cut in Two" and the upcoming "A Secret." I got a chance to talk with her about the roles... MORE »
Video: "The Wolf Man" at Comic-Con 2008
By IFC on 07/28/2008
Filed under: Festivals, Videos"I've been making myself up as a wolf man since I was ten years old," claimed legendary make-up artist Rick Baker, who's won six Oscars for his work in films as varied as "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Ed Wood" and "An American Werewolf in London." He's a natural fit, then, for director Joe Johnston's update of the 1941 Universal horror film starring Lon Chaney Jr. Those classics "were the films that made want to do what I do," Baker announced at the Comic-Con panel for the new film. "When I heard they were doing 'The Wolf Man,' I actually... MORE »
