Summer Movie Preview 2015: 'Far From the Madding Crowd,' 'Testament of Youth' Among Most Anticipated Indie Films
While summer season is well known for its blockbusters and high profile films, this season will also include a number of acclaimed and high profile Indie films.
The season will kick off with Thomas Vinterberg's critically acclaimed film "Far from the Madding Crowd." The drama stars Carey Mulligan and is based on the acclaimed novel by Thomas Hardy. Fox Searchlight is releasing the film and based on reviews, this could be an awards player in the coming months.
Claudia Llosa's follow-up to her Oscar-nominated film "La Teta Asustada" will also be released in May. The film entitled "Aloft" premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and stars Jennifer Connelly and Cillian Murphy.
Other high profile May indie releases include the Ethan Hawke starrer "Good Kill," the French film "Saint Laurent" about the fashion designer and the Sundance hit "The D Train." Guy Pearce's "Results" and "Maggie" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger will also be released.
June kicks off with the Venice Film Festival winner "Hungry Hearts" starring Adam Driver. The movie won the Venice Film Festival's top acting prizes and later went on to play at the Tribeca Film Festival. Sony Pictures Classics will also release "Testament of Youth," a searing period drama starring Alicia Vikander. The drama looks like awards bait and is already being compared to the 2007 Best Picture nominee "Atonement."
The Sundance winner "Me & Earl & the Dying Girl" will also get a release on the second weekend of June. The film's trailer recently premiered and looks to be a moving drama that could easily be the breakout hit of the summer. Fox Searchlight is releasing the Indie hit.
Shortly after, Sony Pictures will unveil "Infinitely Polar Bear," starring Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana. The film premiered at Sundance two years ago and is scoring Ruffalo the best reviews of his career.
The Ukrainian Cannes hit "The Tribe" will also get a release after a successful festival run while "Manglehorn," starring Al Pacino, will come out on the same day.
In July, The Orchard will release the festival documentary "Cartel Land" about the Mexican Drug cartel. Magnolia will release "Tangerine," the intriguing Sundance film that was shot on an iPhone 5 and had critics raving.
Sony Pictures Classics will also release Woody Allen's "Irrational Man" after its Cannes premiere. The dramedy stars Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone and promises to be one of the director's better efforts.
Meanwhile, Roadside Attractions will release "Mr. Holmes" starring Ian McKellen. The Bill Condon-directed drama premiered at Berlin to formidable reviews and obtained major awards buzz for McKellan.
The month concludes with Lionsgate and Pantelion's "The Vatican Tapes" and A24's "The End of the Tour" directed by James Ponsoldt.
The month of August will have a limited amount of Indies, but the quality will not stop. Sony Pictures Classics will release "The Diary of a Teenage Girl" starring Alexander Skarsgard and Kristen Wiig. The film premiered at Sundance where Sony acquired the rights.
Meanwhile, Lionsgate will release the animated film "Shaun the Sheep Movie." The animated film will get a limited release and it will most likely be an awards contender in the fall season.
Lilly Tomlin's film "Grandma" will also be released by Sony Pictures Classics in August. The film receieved raves for Tomlin's performance and if the movie breakouts at the box office, Tomlin could be headed towards an Oscar nomination.
Radius-TWC will also release Chris Evans' directorial debut "Before We Go," while Tri Star will close out the season with the faith-based drama "War Room."