This year’s indie list at Cannes was burgeoning with big-star films: Clouds Of Sils Maria by director Olivier Assayas starring Juliette Binoche, Chloë Grace Moretz and Kristen Stewart, David Cronenberg’s Maps To The Stars with Julianne Moore and John Cusack , Two Days, One Night by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardennes starring Marion Cotillard and Olivier Gourmet, The Homesman with Tommy Lee Jones (also director), Hillary Swank and Meryl Streep, The Rover with Robert Pattinson and Guy Pearce…that is one list that seems to go on.
Did you just read indie and big stars in one breath? Yes you did. But how would you expect a ‘big star’ to get on to a small, medium-budget indie film that offers no fancy, or even basic, perks that they are used to? The deal is that they get to shift out of their cushioned performances and largely stereotyped commercially-viable roles and prove that they can act. Nothing like a bit of liberation, eh? But who really benefits from this conjunction is a classic example of the chicken or egg dilemma. Do Indie films benefit from the presence of big stars or do the stars benefit from the validation that an indie film offers? For indie films, the benefit certainly comes from being able to reach out to a larger audience (read a more marketable proposition). Take, for instance, this year’s Dallas Buyers Club . The film was one dark horse at the recent award season and it not just helped Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto but also got the visibility it deserved.
Almost on cue, there are more films working out indie’s big-star formula. Keep your eyes out for these:
Chef
Directed by: John Favreau
Starring: John Favreau, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr, Dustin Hoffman, Sofia Vergara
John Favreau sticks to the lead in this comedy (released), but has an illustrious cast for company. While the Hollywood biggies may not be in very large roles, the movie definitely seems to be riding on the big names, at least in the Indian territory. Chef has already opened in the U.S. last month and has got very positive reviews. It tells the story of a Miami chef who takes his skills on to a food truck after losing his prestigious job following a showdown with a food reviewer.
The Homesman
Directed by: Tommy Lee Jones
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Hailee Steinfeld, William Fichtner and Meryl Streep
Based on Glendon Swarthout’s book of the same name, The Homesman is the story of George Briggs (Tommy) and Mary Bee Cuddy (Hilary Swank). Mary helps George, an established claim jumper, and in return wants him to assist in escorting three insane women from Nebraska to Iowa.
Maps To The Stars
Directed by: David Cronenberg
Starring: Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, John Cusack and Robert Pattinson
Just as the title says, the film is a map to the minds of stars or at least looking for some route. Maps To The Stars has already won its actress Julianne Moore the Best Actress Award at Cannes. The satire drama revolves around the Hollywood Weiss ‘dynasty’ and the complications involved in the lives of those living in the entertainment industry.
Clouds of Sils Maria
Directed by: Olivier Assayas
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart, and Chloë Grace Moretz
Yet another film based on the make-believe world of entertainment and the false hopes and promises it gives rise to. Actress Maria Enders (Juliette) was a successful actress having risen to fame as the youthful Sigrid in a play. Her charm had led to the suicide of her boss, the older Helena. Now Maria has been invited to play Helena in a revival of the same while a young Hollywood scandalous starlet is set to play Sigrid. What happens when one comes face to face with a mirror image of the self?
Foxcatcher
Directed by: Bennett Miller
Starring: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo
Foxcatcher is the tragic story of schizophrenic millionaire John du Pont, friends with the medal-winning brothers Dave and Mark Schultz, and supporter of the U.S. Olympic wrestling team. The killer cast is already being hailed high and this is one indie film that’s high on the must-watch list.
The Rover
Directed by: David Michôd
Starring: Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson goes for a double delight this year with two indie films — Maps To The Stars and The Rover . The Rover is also among the must-watch list of cine-goers this year. The dystopian crime drama is about Eric (Guy) who combats a criminal gang after his last possession following the economic meltdown, his car, is stolen by them. En route he enlists the naïve and injured Rey (Robert).
