The fact that this top 10 list doubles as its own investigation into what it means to be an "indie film" is a genius. Every spot on the list fits a different definition.
Cinefix was acquired by IGN, but they were originally their own thing. But I like the acquisition because they have better funding and can make more videos every month. We used to only get one, but now it’s at least 2 or 3
Gotta love this channel. The writing and the choices are always on point. In a era flooded with superhero movies, Cinefix reminds me whats to love in films.
A24 is without a doubt the current master of the indie scene. At this point Indies are the only new films worth actually watching. The studio system has devolved so much into the routine that you rarely get anything new.
I think limited series have taken up the helm of good studio movies. These days, like you said, studio films feel so formulaic, but then you get shows like Severance and Succession and Our Flag Means Death, so so good.
A24 literally produce mostly shit, most of their movies are elevated "deep, symbolic" horror or quirky annoying Garden State core comedies. the only great movie they've ever released are is Under the Silver Lake. also their fans who act as if A24 make the movies and don't credit the real directors are the worst
It’s too bad that Repo Man from 84 wasn’t on the list.. but maybe we can get a “ top 10 cult movies “ or something like that anyway great work as always keep on going 😎
@@alejandrovargasaguilar6180 The musical from 2008 is called Repo! The Genetic Opera. Repo Man is the cult classic from 1984 starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton. Also not to be confused with Repo Men, the 2010 film starring Jude Law and Forrest Whitaker.
Pulp Fiction was the first indie film I saw that people would consider indie, and it blew my 14 year old mind. I had just never seen anything like that before. I got very into movies after that, so I always have this soft spot for it whenever any of these lists crop up.
Lola Rennet (Run, Lola, Run) is my pick for best indie film, such an innovative action film of how outcomes change based on the slightest decisions, all while set to a techno beat and shot entirely in Berlin.
Another excellent list, though it would have been nice to directly explore the world of indie comedy, from classics such as "Monty Python and The Holy Grail" and "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" on to modern classics like "Small Apartments" and "Crystal Fairy & the Magical Cactus".
I discovered "Cassavetes" movies only recently... and it was a shock . All of his movies feel alive, chaotic and honest. I think the last one "Love Streams" is his great achievement and masterpiece !
Killing of a Chinese Bookie and A Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown are probably both among my 100 all-time fav's. Bonus: his daughter, Xan, made a documentary about the obsessed owner-manager of a 1970s-era independent cable channel showing movies in LA ("Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession") and the documentary is a cinephile's kaleidoscopic candy store of superlative clips and masterful storycraft. Highly, highly recommended.
@@haplosdog3265 Yes, absolutely -- and in fact as I was typing it I had the distinct feeling that something wasn't right. I remember thinking, "Wow, I never realized how on-the-nose that title is."
I love your work, the depth and variety of research, the coherence of the argument, and the care with which the script draws conclusions and expresses appreciations of different films. As a serious reader/spectator, I honestly thank this channel for providing quality content. I want this these type of friends in my life. :')
Thanks! I was getting a little bit worried, and disappointed you weren't talking about Cassavetes. And I was so excited to see my two favorites: Jarmusch and Linklater!
reservoir dogs was the first that came to my mind. after seeing all the possible candidates in this video I would say In Bruges and Memento. masterpieces that are among my favourite movies of all time.
Man CineFix videos always make me want to get my shit together and start writing my own scripts/storyboards. This one even more than most! Cinema, and channels that make good videos about it, are truly magical.
12:26 "We have to concede that plenty of indies are perfectly-comfortable to watch with your mother." and _Blue Velvet_ pops up on screen. If there's one person you don't want to be sitting next to when Dennis Hopper starts screaming "BABY'S COMIN' HOOOOOMMEE!", it's your mother.
I'm so glad you guys are starting to recognize Harmony Korine as the brilliant director that he is, albeit a very acquired taste. The same goes for Jim Jarmusch with Stranger Than Paradise.
Check out "CineMetal" T-Shirts. There's a design juxtaposing Korine with the logo for the band "Korn". No design yet for Jarmusch; maybe "Jane's Addiction" would work.
It nice seeing Memento getting the recognition it deserves. Christopher Nolans best film to date, imo. And my favorite film of all time. Would be nice to see Guy Pearce and Christopher Nolan work together again.
I agree with the fact that indie = fresh, but to me a key element that you did not discuss (although indirectly when talking about budget) is that indie movies are usually not advertised a lot (they work more with word of mouth) and especially the lack of A-list actors
Stranger Than Paradise - dir. Jim Jarmusch REALLY deserves one of these top 10 spots. Happy it got a mention in the final slot, but man, what an influential piece of cinema
damn... that last monologue from shadows was something else. Its rare you see such a modern performance in a movie from that era. That ones going on the watchlist for sure.
I was expecting Clint to say the most shocking sight in Night of the Living Dead was the fact it was the first film that cast a Black man as the hero. True many films had Black men who were not villains up to this point, Romero placed a Black man solely in the position of hero.
Actually, there were films with black heroes before Night of the Living Dead, Sidney Poitier starred in several and with "Lillies of The Field" in 1963 won an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Indies are like the first 1-2 albums from a great band, a not overly polished vision from an individual or small group of minds. Giving a clear look into their reality. Very necessary to keep things fresh and evolving.
SL&V might be important, since it's arguably the movie that began the indie boom that followed in the 90's... but the movie itself sucked. It sucked powerful hard. Spike Lee threw a fit when SLV beat out Do The Right Thing for the Palm D'or, and I'm inclined to side with him in this instance.
I was just thinking a few days ago about indie movies and what the label really meant, then BAM! Great timing indeed, and also great to see the correct number one pick. 🙂
My favorite Cassavetes films aren't the ones he directed but starred in, like The Dirty Dozen and The Tempest. That's a decent list, saw almost all of them.
I’ve loved the feeling indie films give me watching them since I was a kid. And finding a new good indie film always excites me. Cinefix has put together this list that has spoken to in detail why I’ve always loved them. 🙏 best RU-vid channel for films
for me, its: 1. Good Time 2. Oldboy 3. Reservoir Dogs 4. O Lucky Man! 5. Leon the Professional 6. Amelie 7. Memento 8. Fantastic Planet 9. About Time 10. Uncut Gems
Thank you. Thank you for staying true to yourselves and us (your fans). Thanks for not following the flock and steadily dumbing down your writing and content to appeal to an ever increasing amount of simpletons and huge numbers of those whom can't speak or define words with more than 3 syllables! This series has stayed amazing because of the spot on writing and the amazing work of the voice talent. You and this series are amazing and I love it!
How did "Halloween" not make the list? Not only was it the most profitable indie film for a while but it gave true birth to the Slasher genre after Psycho and Peeping Tom paved the way. And it was a truly collaborative indie production with Carpenter doing his own music and getting most of the supplies for the film from wherever he could find them and even building some of his own rigs when needed. It absolutely deserved a spot on this list.
How do we talk about "indies" and international cinema? Is "indie" a label that only has meaning within the US cinema industry? (This isn't an accusation against this video for not including international cinema. I'm genuinely curious.)
International cinema unfairly gets labeled as indie too often in our typically US based Hollywood obsessed mentality regarding cinema. There are certainly international indie films, but we must consider what is an international indie film based on if it is considered an indie film in its country of origin based off of their common filmmaking themes and styles.
Another question: is a film still indie if it was funded by the government? They mentioned Bad Taste, but the New Zealand Film Commission invested a sizable amount of cash for that film.
@@erakfishfishfish I would say it is still an indie if it is a filmmakers vision without major studio interference or major studio budgeting. Many indies have to scrimp and save and beg for small investments from countries and distributors and the like or take advantage of major tax credits from filming havens such as Canada or Georgia.
Fantastic list! Very much enjoyed how it explored what it means to be an indie and you cited so many wonderful films. Loved the point that a good indie seems fresh and a great one seems timeless- what an insight. The whole time I was waiting to see Cassavetes so glad Shadows landed at one.
I need to watch Shadows, Most of the movies on the list I watched when they came out, and I was too young to comprehend most of them. Time for a rewatch of a few of those.
Thank you so much for including "Killer of Sheep" - when I watched it for the first time, it truly struck me as maybe the most intelligent film I had ever seen, and that without even trying to be. Amazing piece of art!
god damn what a masterclass of a video and top list, probably one of the best top tens i've ever seen in my life, even tho i don't agree with half of the list, i totally understand the picks
You need to keep making more of these kinds of videos! My suggestion is Top 10 movies from countries that don't have a prominent movie scene like the Philippines
That’s a cool idea. What would disqualify a country for having a prominent movie scene? Obviously US, UK, France, Japan, India, China would be out. Would New Zealand qualify, or is the work of Peter Jackson and Taika Waititi enough to declare it “too prominent”?
Great list! Much better than the movie musical list from a little while ago as far as I'm concerned. I thought of "Escape from Tomorrow" as a uniquely independent film, but it obviously doesn't match those on the list in terms of quality and influence.
Thank fuck a Cassavettes film is no.1. I was ready to make a comment about why Cassavettes wasn't on the list lol. He's one of the most important directors ever
You missed the Wayne Wang classic, Chan is Missing from 1982. Its easily a top 10 indie film of all time. It didn't even get a mention here. So much for a top 10 Indie list.
I think the best period of movie making was before the 2000s, mostly due to the independent film studios. Now, everything is so CG heavy, reboots, and comic-book fantasy. I think, it's good to find directors/actors that you like as they will probably have a style you like. For example, mostly anything from Kubrick, Tarantino, Coen brothers. I like Terminator2, Back to the Future series, Clerks, Green Mile, Things to Do When You're Dead in Denver Glengarry Glen Ross, Shawshank Redemption
I'm so glad to see sex, lies and videotape on this list. It's completely captivating, with most of the real story told in subtext; rather than reacting to each other directly, the characters respond to Spader's influence and videotaping by rethinking their own choices and then revisiting their relationships with each other. I wanted to direct this for the stage once, and I still think it could be a great stage play. But it's perfect in its current firm, and an amazing first film by a director who continually reinvents himself.
When I saw the title, I knew straight from the start a John Waters film would appear. Though I expected just an honorable mention, it's nice to see Pink Flamingos get a pick
Somehow I predicted Shadows in the top slot from the beginning of the video. I guess you have been in my life long enough that I can see where you're going, and that's a new kind of warm and fuzzy.
It's interesting that you touch on Structure in position #2... because this "Top 10" (they are not actually coundowns, and we're on to you) illustrates better than most the structure you *are* imposing on these pieces which are not really countdowns. And they are both so well written -- and so well narrated -- that I'm willing to go without another "7 things you didn't know" video, for another little while. Still missin' those, though, dude.
My gosh Momentos, one of my favorite movies of all time I had absolutely no idea it was considered independent like I always thought. Independent movies were small and cheap and it’s certainly not that at all.
There's a "CineMetal" T-shirt juxtaposing "Todd Solondz" with the logo of the band "Twisted Sister". No Jarmusch T-shirt so far. "Jane's Addiction" would be a good choice.
Love all the choices, but I would be doing a disservice if I didn't correct your mistakes. Amazing choice for number one with Shadows, BUT, the plot you've described is literally just a five or so minute part of a much larger character study, as it's about all three of the siblings and their struggles equally, and he wasn't her boyfriend, he was just a fling who happened to take her virginity, and literally as soon as that scene you described is over, he never sees her again for the rest of the film.
Night of the living dead scared the crap out of me. By those days standards it looked so real, the way those zombies ate parts of human flesh. Damn it was horrifying.
Awesome video thanks so much for going into how complicated the film industry really is. I've heard many directors like Edgar Wright talking about how independent movies don't really exist at all.
I see indie cinema as something with low production values, small (normally unknown) cast members, limited crew and budget. Indie to me is films like Primer, Clerks and Nolan's Following. There is a fine line between indie and cult classic but the two are still different to me. Some films can be both and many normally end up that way. The most indie of all indie movies are the ones you have and may never hear of. These are the movies like The Battery (2012), Resolution (2012), Day 66 (upcoming as of 2022) and Black Fields (2021).
