We Get It!

I see a lot of hate on these boards toward the whole indie movement - if you can call it that. I guess that since there are many sub-par films that share similar qualities people have blamed the genre. First, I think it's wrong to blame the genre - if it even can be considered one. Indie characterizes the size of production not story. So, though Tiny Furniture is indie, the genre is drama, not indie. Secondly, you must understand that because this is a small sized production and the risks are not as great as compared to a studio film, a lot more people are able to make their own little films. And most of the time it's not gonna be good. However, when it is good, indie films give you something that big Hollywood movies can't. They emote a great sense of raw, artistic enthusiasm. It can be pretty entertaining to see underdogs make a great movie (i.e. Reservoir Dogs). And it's always exciting to see where a big time filmmaker started with his small movie (i.e. Mean Streets). But like anything else, once something fresh is discovered, we're flooded with imitations and ripoffs. That is just like Hollywood. It's not necessarily the genre but the success. I think a lot of people are confusing that. Clearly, indie films about slices of life made a big splash on popular culture. And, surely, there is a whole "culture" behind the film. It doesn't matter if you contain some personal fondness for that aspect we're going to be bombarded with an influx of copies no matter what. You know why? Because people are trying to capture lightning in a bottle twice. It happens all the time. As a current example take the comic genre. That was a genre pretty much dormant until a few years ago and now there's a movie for every superhero. My point is, though it may seem like it, the genre is not limited by story. Not every "indie" film has to be about over-privileged 20 somethings trying to figure out their life. So don't bash the indie movement. Bash the filmmakers. As harsh as that may sound, these people don't give us their film to be critiqued with kindness.

And for those complaining that these people live sheltered lives and have no idea of what poverty means all I have to say to that is, "Really?" You may be right, but are filmmakers restricted by the criteria that they must be poor and not rich? Disadvantaged and not privileged? Okay, how some people handle their wealth may be obnoxious and aggravating to us but don't group everyone together. If there was a massive amount of people ruing over their unfortunate circumstances I bet you'd get annoyed of that too. I'm not being insensitive, it's just that the constant approach to tired material gets annoying. And that is my point: It is not the genre (or movement) at fault, it's the filmmakers. So let's place the blame at appropriate spot.

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the war room!