Tag Archives: Independent Film

Saturday Matinee: Henry Fool

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“Henry Fool” (1997) is an independent dark comedy written, produced and directed by Hal Hartley (b. 9/3/59). The plot centers on downtrodden garbage-man Simon Grim (James Urbaniak) who, with the encouragement of rebellious writer Henry Fool (Thomas Jay Ryan), becomes a celebrated poet. As Simon’s writing career ascends, Henry loses himself to drinking and hedonism until his mysterious past catches up to him and he needs Simon’s help. The film won the best screenplay award at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival and spawned two sequels: Fay Grim (2006) and Ned Rifle (2014).

Watch the full film here.

Saturday Matinee: Trust

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“Trust” (1990) is an independent comedy written and directed by Hal Hartley about the relationship between misfits Maria (Adrienne Shelly) and Matthew (Martin Donovan) who are equally alienated in their stifling Long Island town. Equal parts stylized and realistic with a focus on the struggle to live with intelligence and integrity in a society hostile towards such traits, Trust is a quintessential Hal Hartley film.

Watch the full film on Hoopla here: https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/11374855

Saturday Matinee: Collective Unconscious

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From CollectiveUnconsciousFilm.com:

A man and his grandmother hide out from an ominous broadcast. A suicidal Grim Reaper hosts a children’s TV show. The formerly incarcerated remember and reinterpret their first days of freedom. A suburban mom’s life is upturned by the beast growing inside of her. And a high school gym teacher runs drills from inside a dormant volcano.

Welcome to collective:unconscious, a new collaborative feature in which five of independent film’s most adventurous and acclaimed filmmakers join forces to adapt each other’s dreams for the screen.

Featuring new work by Lily Baldwin (Sleepover LA),  Frances Bodomo (Afronauts), Daniel Patrick Carbone (Hide Your Smiling Faces), Josephine Decker (Thou Wast Mild and Lovely), and Lauren Wolkstein (The Strange Ones), collective:unconscious pushes at the boundaries of narrative and surrealism, inviting viewers to immerse themselves inside a literal dream state. It’s “like nothing you’ve ever seen with your eyes open.” (Rolling Stone).