Independent Films By Matt This article is about 'Independent Films' those films which are not normally shown at your local MGM, UCI or ODEAN. I'm not talking about weird surrealist films from Hungary or dodgy 3 minute animations from Mongolia though, what I want to tell you about is the more 'cool' side of Independent Film Making. Independent Films have become much more popular lately, this is probably because they don't seem to be so restricted in their artistic freedom such as a lot of mainstream big-business films. Perhaps in a similar way demo makers can write what they want in their scroll texts, but commercial games makers have to be conservative and restrictive in what they produce. These films are not made for mainstream audiences, but for a more broad-minded audience who aren't afraid to watch films which might be considered shocking or 'off-beat'. Tarentino's 'Resevoir Dogs' is one example of a very popular film produced without the interference of the influences of large film companies. If you live in a largeish city then there is probably a cinema which screens these sort of films. In Southampton near where I live there is a great independent cinema which has just recently opened near the MGM. So here's a few of the best films to look out for: 'Clerks' This film has to be the funniest film I have seen this year if not ever. It is set in a One-Stop style shop in America and focuses on a day in the life of the people who work there. It is shot in black and white and the actors are all the director's friends, some of whom still work at the shop in the film. The entire film is basically based around the conversations of clerks. You have to see this film! It's an 18 though and contains a lot of swearing but without the swearing it would definitely lose a lot. 'Hoop Dreams' This is a THREE HOUR film which shows 7 years of the lives of two young basketball players who are trying to escape the slum areas where they live to turn Pro. I fell asleep during the film and missed 20 minutes but it's worth seeing if you like Basketball. 'Beyond Sunrise' This film has won loads of awards and if you watch it then you'll find out why. It begins on a train speeding through central Europe when Ethan Hawke meets Julie Delpy and after a long chat he convinces her to spend a day with him in Vienna. It's a sort of romantic comedy but it's very intelligent. But it's probably best watched with your girl/boy friend than with your massive rowdy posse. 'Kiss of Death' OK, this isn't exactly an Independent Film but it wasn't shown at the MGM, only at the 'Harbour Lights' (the independent cinema). It's got half the cast of 'Pulp Fiction' in it along with Nicolas Cage and the Ginger from NYPD Blue. It's sickeningly violent at times and Nic Cage (who I'd only seen in comedies before) is one of the most scary villains in cinema history. Worth watching. 'Fun' It's about two girls who are 'in care' (in America) who have gone on the rampage in Suburban America (YES!!!). They knock on doors and take the piss out of the strangers who open them and end up killing an old woman who they decide randomly to kill. I doubt it will go on general release properly because it is pretty disturbing. The murder scene is a bit gruesome so if you've spent a few weeks in your car stuck behind some dodering old woman doing 35 in a 40 limit (this REALLY pisses me off!) then go and see this film, it will release some of the stress! 'Arizona Dream' This film is weird. Jonny Depp stars as a disillusioned 20 something who gets conned into going to Arizona to go to his Uncle's wedding. There, he falls in love with Faye Dunnaway, dreams of flying fish and eskimos and tries to kill himself. Its pretty surreal, but if you like 'Taxi Driver' and 'Raging Bull' there are some great de Niro-esque scenes. Go and see it if you like 'off-beat'. Well I hope you get to see some of these films and I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.