Hard to believe that the 2015 movie year is almost over and there have been some terrific indie films over the last twelve months... and there are more to come this December.

Sunset Song

Sunset Song

December is going to be an exciting month if you are a blockbuster and animation fan, but if indie movies are more your thing, there will be plenty for you to enjoy as well.

We take a look at some of the indie movies that you cannot afford to miss this month if you are a fan of this great genre of film.

- Sunset Song - released 4th December

Over the last couple of years, Agyness Deyn has been making the transition from model to actress and she is set to return to the big screen this December with Sunset Song.

Sunset Song is a big screen adaptation of the novel by Lewis Grassic Gibbon and sees Terence Davies on both writing and directing duties. Davies has brought us films such as The House of Mirth and The Long Day Closes and this is his first feature film since The Deep Blue Sea back in 2011.

Deyn is set to take on the central role of Chris Guthrie in this coming of age drama and is joined on the cast list by Peter Mullan, Kevin Guthrie, Ian Pirie, Jack Greenlees, and Niall Greig Fulton.

Set in the rural community of Kinraddie, Sunset Song is driven by the young heroine Chris and her intense passion for life, for the unsettled Ewan and for the unforgiving land. As the approaching war brings the modern world to bear on the rural community, Chris must endure against the hardships of rural Scottish life and draw strength from this ancient land.

Sunset Song was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year and it - and Deyn's performance - has been winning over the critics. Sunset Song is unlike anything else that will hit the big screen this December and is promising to be an indie film treat.

Sunset Song

- Krampus - released 4th December

Of course, this time of year means there are plenty of festive films to check out on the big screen and Krampus is just one that we are going to be treated to this December.

Krampus is a black-comedy horror movie that is based on the Krampus character from Alpine folklore and I am looking forward to checking out a festive horror film this week; I have to say, it makes a nice change from all of the usual Xmas movies that tend to come our way.

Krampus is only the second feature film for director Michael Dougherty and comes eight years after he made his debut with Trick 'r Treat.

Adam Scott and Toni Collette are set to take on the central roles of Tom and Sarah and are joined on the cast list by David Koechner, Allison Tolman, Emjay Anthony, Stefania LaVie Owen, and Krista Stadler.

When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max (Anthony) is disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know, this lack of festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers.

All hell breaks loose as beloved holiday icons take on a monstrous life of their own, laying siege to the fractured family's home and forcing them to fight for each other if they hope to survive.

So, if you are looking for a festive film with a bit of a twist, Krampus could definitely be the movie that you have been looking for.

Krampus

- Grandma - released 11th December

We haven't seen Lily Tomlin in a lead role in nearly thirty years but she is back this December with new comedy/drama Grandma.

Paul Weitz is back in the director's chair for Grandma, which sees him reunite with Tomlin; whom he directed in his last film Admission. As well as being in the director's chair, Weitz has also penned the film's screenplay.

A terrific cast has been assembled for the new film as Tomlin is joined by Julia Garner, Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer, Laverne Cox, Nat Wolff, and Sam Elliott.

Elle Reid (Tomlin) has just gotten through breaking up with her girlfriend when her granddaughter Sage (Garner) unexpectedly shows up needing 600 dollars before sundown.

Temporarily broke, Grandma Elle and Sage spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash as their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets.

Grandma premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and critics have been praising Tomlin's central performance all year. It is good to see her back in a major leading role.

Grandma

- Hector - released 11th December

One of the indie films that I am really looking forward to comes in the form of Hector - I am a huge fan of Peter Mullan and it is great to see him back on the big screen.

Hector is the second film for Mullan this December - he is also set to star in Sunset Song - and will see him take on the title role in the film.

Hector is written and directed by Jake Gavin as he makes his feature film directorial debut with the project - Hector is also his first writing project that has been made into a movie.

Mullan is set to take on the central role of Hector McAdam and is joined on the cast list by Keith Allen, Gina McKee, Stephen Tompkinson, Natalie Gavin, and Sarah Solemani.

Hector McAdam is embarking on his annual journey from Scotland to a London shelter, where Christmas cheer and a turkey dinner await him. But, aware this might be his last, Hector opts to reconnect with his past and reunite with those he left behind.

Life without a home isn't easy but Hector is resilient, accepting of people, and life, as they come. He meets with friendship and kindness, disappointment and cruelty, discomfort and joy. His cross-country odyssey brings chance encounters, companions old and new who need his support as much as he needs theirs.

Hector

- Sparks and Embers - released 18th December

Kris Marshall has teamed up with Annelise Hesme this December for new British romantic comedy Sparks and Embers - taking on the central roles of Tom Sanger and Eloise Martin.

Gavin Boyter is another filmmaker who is making his directorial debut this December as he has penned the film's screenplay as well as being in the director's chair.

Kris Marshall is Tom Sangster who has just been made redundant from his marketing role at a music company. But before he can leave, Tom finds himself trapped in a lift with the HR consultant who had him fired. Tom would really love to hate her... the trouble is the consultant is French and hot... Feisty and strong-willed, Eloise (Annelise Hesme), 27, is uncomfortable being forcibly confined with someone she has fired. But Tom's juvenile attitude to their predicament helps her hide the embarrassment under a mask of contempt. Secretly, she's vulnerable, claustrophobic, and attracted to Tom despite his childishness.

As the temperature in the lift begins to rise, so do their tempers. Tom and Eloise seesaw between war and truce, but eventually hostilities subside as mutual attraction takes hold. Christmas Eve. Five years on. Tom and Eloise meet on London's South Bank for the last time. They've had a four-year relationship, which broke up six months ago. Tom says he's meeting her to say goodbye - Eloise is moving back to France and a seemingly perfect new life with a perfect new fiancé. Against the backdrop of a crisp evening, Tom and Eloise amble towards the train station and reminisce about their four years together.

But as the pair rake over the remains of their relationship, old memories evoke feelings that both have tried to squash. Subtly they interrogate each other's true motives for this final meeting. Is Eloise's life as perfect as she makes out? And does Tom have a hidden agenda? If so, he has just 45 minutes to win Eloise back before she gets on her train and is gone forever. Is this new spark strong enough to rekindle the embers of their relationship?

If you are looking to miss the madness of Star Wars on this particular weekend, Sparks and Embers is promising to be a touching and funny rom-com.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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