While we’re stuck at home, there’s no better opportunity to catch up on some independent films that have recently been released, or will be shortly. Here’s a short selection that have come across our radar that we felt you should know about. All easily streamed from the comfort of your home. Enjoy!

BACURAU

A few years from now… Bacurau, a small village in the Brazilian sertão, mourns the loss of its matriarch, Carmelita, who lived to be 94. Days later, its inhabitants (among them Sônia Braga) notice that their village has literally vanished from online maps and a UFO-shaped drone is seen flying overhead. There are forces that want to expel them from their homes, and soon, in a genre-bending twist, a band of armed mercenaries led by Udo Kier arrive in town picking off the inhabitants one by one. A fierce confrontation takes place when the townspeople turn the tables on the villainous outsiders, banding together by any means necessary to protect and maintain their remote community. The mercenaries just may have met their match in the fed-up, resourceful denizens of little Bacurau.

This plays out like a sci-fi adventure, with a few interesting plot twists, but for the two-hour long run time it drags on much too long to keep one’s attention.

Spanish with subtitles.

Online Screenings

STRAIGHT UP

Todd is a hyper-articulate, obsessive compulsive gay twentysomething whose fear of dying alone leads him to a baffling conclusion: he might not be gay after all. When he meets Rory, a whip-smart struggling actress with her own set of insecurities, the two forge a relationship that’s all talk and no sex. Writer-Director-Star James Sweeney delivers a razor sharp rom-com that’s equal parts Classical Hollywood and distinctly 21st century, exploring just how elastic our definitions of love and sexuality can get.

Classic teen rom-com which is great for short series episodes, but easily tires as a plot for a feature length movie. Some good content and mediocre acting offer a good attempt at a different take on the typical “gay” storyline, but not really a necessity to know.

Streaming Platforms

 

FAIRY TALE

United States, the 50s. Set among stuffed poodles, whiskey-infused teas, sinful mambo lessons, and threats of alien invasion, Mr(s). Fairytale spends her days locked in her dream home and without a moment to breathe. A surreal world where anyone can finally be who they want to be, but behind which hides another upsetting reality.

This is full of typical Italian humour, from the surreal house where the entire film is centered around, to the overly-campy scenes that play throughout, this is one weird movie…but in a good way. Watch for “Baby” to make several appearances throughout as the stuffed white poodle. Light fare to get you through the pandemic.

Italian with English subtitles.

More Info

15 YEARS

Yoav, a successful architect, has everything he’s ever wanted: Dan, his lover of 15 years—a younger lawyer who adores him; and his best friend, Alma—a successful artist, who is like a mother and a sister to him. However, when Alma announces she is pregnant, it ignites Dan’s desire to become a father himself. But Dan’s parental urges have the opposite effect on Yoav who is haunted by long buried demons. Yoav’s tight grasp on his life begins to come apart, leading to self-destructive behavior that threatens to destroy his life with Dan, unravel his friendship with Alma, and cost him everything.

Interesting plot twist of a gay couple who have been together sometime, where one partner appears to be giving more of themselves than the other. When the topic of parenthood comes up, it’s the beginning of the end, but all is not what it seems….until the end of the film. Worth a watch.

In Hebrew with English subtitles.

More Info

QUEEN OF PARADIS

After the success of artist Reine Paradis’ breakout photo series ‘Jungle’, filmmaker Carl Lindstrom follows her on a surreal journey across the United States as she works to complete her highly anticipated second series ‘Midnight’.

This one is for all the creative minds trapped in isolation right now thinking about all they want to do once we are allowed back outdoors. Watch with an open mind.

Watch Here

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.