Triskele Press: Issue 1

The Importance of
By: Andrew Avak November 25, 2015
Indie
Sometimes less is more, especially
when it relates to independent films. Over the
last three decades, we’ve seen a massive rise in
films being produced with a flare for cognitive
aesthetics, rather than the vanity of Hollywood
glamour. The subjective term for independent
or indie films is when the production is completed
at a low budget or has not been financed
by a major blockbuster enterprise. Examples
of such production empires are Paramount or
Warner Brothers. However, films can also be
distinguished as an indie film based on the
level of thought and artistry depicted by the
film crew and how influential the film’s message
is conveyed to the audience. By definition,
independent films focus on substance
and style and the intent in which the artist’s
personal vision is illustrated onto the screen. In
2014, we witnessed a conglomeration of films
like The Imitation Game, Boyhood, Whiplash,
and many others, where the scale of innovative
brilliance was uncanny thanks to their high
budget, but more importantly, the thematic intent
signified in the film. One of most euphoric
films that year, Birdman, not only won Best
Picture (along with Best Director, Best Original
Screenplay, and Best Cinematography), but
also exemplified the superfluous manner of
cinema in which independent films embody.
Cinematic marvels can come from
all facets of entertainment, and the big blockbusters
are no longer the only films that carry
a large financial support to allure moviegoers.
People have different definitions of a good
film. There are some movie fans that enjoy
seeing CGI, and there are those who get a thrill
out of watching and hearing loud explosions,
while others go see a film for the purpose
of witnessing something bigger (metaphorically
speaking). If you’re like me, you go to
the theaters to see a film with rich dialogue,
artistic cinematography, phenomenal acting,
and a poignant musical score to accompany
the work. Sure, a little action here and there
would be nice, but only if it appropriates itself
with the theme or plot. Nothing is worse than
to witness an extraordinary action scene, or
a moment of overzealous emotion, splurging
onto the screen without a thematic purpose.
Luckily, films like Birdman appealed to indie
film fans for its drama, comedy, but also to its
methodical action and a dash of fiction for the
fans who enjoy suspending their disbelief for a
few hours.
You never know until you see it
My first experience with an independent
film was at the age of fourteen—as I bought
a VHS copy from a long forgotten music and
film store named Warehouse—when I watched
Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs. That video
tape has long vanished, but I still remember the
title in crimson letters standing out, four sketched
men in suits in the lower foreground, and a
fragmented picture in the top of two extended
arms, with weapons defensively pointed at each
other. The film had a $1.2 million budget, which
is small even for the 90’s, but it had a great cast,
which included Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi,
Tim Roth, and several other favorites. It was the
first time that I watched a film and distinguished
one of the fundamental traits of an effective indie
film, and that was dialogue and camera angles.
It would be downright naïve to simply describe
indie with two basic elements, however, for the
sake of emphasis I’d like to add that that was
what allured me to the film. It had great music—
Grateful Dead’s “Stuck in the Middle” playing in
the background while Michael Madsen proceeds
to amputate an officer’s ear—and the wonderful
direction of Tarantino capturing unique scenes
and executing with meticulous detail, that may
have been missed by a less skillful director. Right
in the beginning scenes, we see an example of
raw dialogue that defines indie films, where we
get a three-and-a-half minute take of Mr. Pink
(Steve Buscemi) engaged in a socio-economic
discussion with the rest of the gentlemen sitting
around a table, on what constitutes the waitress
from earning a tip if the service was unsatisfactory.
Congruent to the subject of dialogue, the
debate between Mr. Pink and the remaining crew
over the etiquette of tipping and the justification
of leaving nothing for the waitress was portrayed
as though the audience was in the scene, sitting
right beside the actors in a heated discussion.
Tarantino’s touch of the unexpected, ambiguous
dialogue—not knowing where and which way
the plot’s angle dictates—introduced an impeccable
mode of direction that has made the film a
classic within indie circles.
The importance of an indie film does
not always have to be great, in order to leave an
impression. Often a great film emerges onto the
screen that is merely appreciated for its merits
in a certain area of expertise (e.g. acting,
direction, cinematography). However, when
all areas of film are handled with mastery and
great detail, regardless of size of the budget, it
leaves the mark that compels the audience to
ponder the universal message of the film strives
to achieve, leaving those in wonder, even as
the ending credits have begun and the film has
finished.
Sadly, that is not the case with most
films and their method of admittance to the big
screen. So many great films with a potential
to become a cult classic get turned down due
to budget issues or lack of funding. However,
this is an exciting time because indie film fans
are beginning to see more films get released
frequently, in comparison to former generations.
Every year, a fresh new film gets released
that aims to ponder the metaphysics, challenge
social issues, or address political upheaval
without being turned down due to greedy notions
of profit, or for fear of financing the next
box office disaster.
There is hope for all indie cinemas
Who says that indie simply revolves
around films? To the remaining lot that succumbs
to the fate of denial by major production
companies, streaming sites such as Netflix
and Amazon Prime have become their saviors,
taking the leftover scripts under their wings
and preserving the essence of films that may,
perhaps, demonstrate a successful prospect.
A few years ago, Netflix began purchasing
scripts that were stored away and forgotten. But
Netflix acquired the rights and brought to life
works that have won numerous Emmy Awards
including House of Cards, Orange is the New
Black, and Narcos, the drama series that has
been receiving promising reviews for an Emmy
in theforthcoming year. By the same rights,
Amazon Prime acquired Transparent (winner of
5 Emmys), paving the way for production companies
to reevaluate their method of production
approval. With so many noteworthy films and
shows, rich with dialogue and direction, Netflix,
Amazon Prime, and other global enterprises
are now taking the time to review soon-to-be
films and mini-series compilations.
After realizing its potential, Netflix
has now begun their own production, where
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TRISKELEPRESS.COM • FEBRUARY 2016