Indies Need a Reboot

Ted Hope and Jeff Lipsky recently spoke during IFP Film Week:

Hope and Lipsky warned that independent film today is increasingly aimed at older audiences, namely white women over the age of 45. He wants to counter the shift with his latest film, “Super” (which was just sold to IFC Films at the Toronto fest).

“How do we make sure we are not relegated to the land of dance and chamber orchestras?” asked Hope, “That’s where indie film is heading.”

...Where are the movies that connect sex, drugs, rock-n-roll, anger and rebellion? How come independent film has nothing that represents Public Enemy or The Clash?”

Hell to the yes, it's about time someone pointed this out (not that there's anything wrong with white women over 45). You can read the whole recap here from Indiewire.


We've been told that TWM isn't a "real" indie film because it's genre. The project has been noted as "youthful" and "weird." We've even been advised to produce with an older age demographic in mind (because that's who is going to art houses these days). We appreciated these notes, thinking long and hard about them. In the end, that would be a movie none of us wants to make.

Move along people...We're making something fun, poignant and poppy. Thanks for the encouragement, Ted and Jeff.

Recommended Viewing: Never Let Me Go

Over the course of many development meetings, one film was consistently mentioned as an off-the-cuff comparison to TWM called Never Let Me Go. We read the acclaimed book by Kazuo Ishiguru, we followed the talent that was attached and couldn't wait to see how this would be translated for the screen by director Mark Romanek. It's quite different from TWM, but at its core, there are underlying themes that are shared when dealing with characters who are clones. Now in theaters, it's one of the best films of the year thus far, a touching tearjerker that is stark and austere as only British school children do best.



Romanek is so restrained, he deftly allows Ishiguru's story to shine. The film really is the novel through and through. For those who didn't read the book, some of the reveals may be confusing. Nevertheless, it is haunting and beautiful and so very, very sad. Never Let Me Go proves there is such a rich depth to the characters because of what they are and the performance by the cast is outstanding.

Don't miss this one.

Watch BBC's Humans v2.0

One aspect of TWM discusses Transhumanism. For some, this concept seems far-fetched -- more science fiction than what is in reality in our world today. Back in 2006, the BBC aired a program titled Humans v2.0 and I just found the full episode on Google Video. It's a probing look at what lies in the future -- not coming soon to a theater near you, but what your children's children will face.

Here's what the BBC said about Humans v2.0 when it was first broadcast:

Meet the scientific prophets who claim we are on the verge of creating a new type of human - a human v2.0.

It's predicted that by 2029 computer intelligence will equal the power of the human brain. Some believe this will revolutionise humanity - we will be able to download our minds to computers extending our lives indefinitely. Others fear this will lead to oblivion by giving rise to destructive ultra intelligent machines.

One thing they all agree on is that the coming of this moment - and whatever it brings - is inevitable.