Frank

Frank

It has already been a terrific year for indie cinema, with the likes of Only Lovers Left Alive, Locke, and Blue Ruin all being terrific.

This trio of films are not the only indie films that we are excited about this year, as there are a whole host of other movies not to be missed.

We take a look at some of the other indie films that we cannot wait to see.

- Frank (out now)

Frank is a movie that has been lighting up the festival circuit so far this year, and promises to be one of the most original films of 2014.

Frank marks the return of Michael Fassbender, as he takes on the title role in the Lenny Abrahamson directed film.

The movie follows Jon, a young wanna-be musician, discovers he's bitten off more than he can chew when he joins an eccentric pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank.

Domhnall Gleeson and Maggie Gyllenhaal make up an exciting and experienced cast list.

The comedy/drama has already won over the critics, with Fassbender's central performance heavily praised.

So, if you are looking for a movie that is a little different this summer, this is definitely the film for you.

- Enemy (released 16th May)

Enemy is a movie that I have been looking forward to for some time, as it marks the return of Jake Gyllenhaal to the big screen.

Enemy sees Gyllenhaal team up with director Denis Villeneuve for the second time: the pair worked together on the fantastic Prisoners last year.

Enemy follows a man (Gyllenhaal) who is on the hunt for his exact look-alike after seeing him in a movie: it is based on the novel The Double by Jose Saramago.

A great cast has been assembled around the actor, as Melanie Laurent, Isabella Rossellini and Sarah Gadon are all also on board.

We have already been treated to one doppelganger movie this year - in the form of The Double - but I am excited to see what Gyllenhaal delivers with this interesting role.

- Run & Jump (released 23rd May)

Steph Green has made a name for herself with the shorts such as New Boy and Push Hands under her belt, but now she is making the leap into feature film.

Run & Jump will mark her feature film directorial debut this month, having teamed up with Ailbhe Keogan to also pen the screenplay.

An American doctor travels to Ireland to study the Casey family after 38-year-old Conor suffers a stroke, which changes his personality, leaving dynamo wife and mother Vanetia to run the show.

Maxine Peake takes on the central character of Vanetia - this is one of the strongest central female characters that you will see on screen all year. Will Forte, Edward MacLiam and Sharon Horgan are all also on board.

There are a handful of female filmmakers to watch out for this year, and Steph Green is set to be one of them. Run & Jump is set to be an emotional and powerful watch.

- Joe (released 25th July)

Nicolas Cage is back on the big screen this summer with Joe, a movie that sees him team up with director David Gordon Green.

Joe is an adaptation of the novel by Larry Brown, and it something a little different from what we have come to expect from Green.

Green has been behind comedy movies such as Your Highness, Pineapple Express & The Sitter in recent years, but Joe is set to show off a different side to him as a filmmaker.

Cage takes on the title role of hard-living, hot-tempered, ex-con Joe Ransom, who is just trying to dodge his instincts for trouble - until he meets a hard-luck kid, (Tye Sheridan) who awakens in him a fierce and tender-hearted protector.

Joe sees Cage return to his indie roots, and we could see another powerful performance from the Oscar winning actor.

- The Immigrant

We haven't seen James Gray in the director's chair since Two Lovers back in 2009, but now he is back with The Immigrant.

The movie sees him reunite with Joaquin Phoenix for the fourth time, while Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Renner are also on board.

Written by Ric Menello & James Gray, the movie is inspired by the recollections of Gray's grandparents who went to the United States in 1923: it is Gray's most personal film to date.

The film follows Eva, who comes to America looking for a new life. However, with nowhere to go she is forced into prostitution by Bruno. However, Bruno's cousin Orlando could be her only way out of this nightmare.

Phoenix, Renner, and Cotillard make a formidable trio of actors, and I can't wait to see them all to share the screen for the first time.

However, no UK release date has yet been announced for the film.

- Ida (released 26th September)

Pawel Pawlikowski has been behind movies such as My Summer of Love and Last Resort and now returns with new film Ida.

I had the chance to see Ida when it screen at the BFI London Film Festival last year - where it won the Grand Prix prize for Best Film - and it really is a terrific watch.

Ida is a movie that is a coming of age tale that explores the ideas of identity and faith, but it is shot in black and white and set in 1960s Poland.

Agata Trzebuchowska takes on the central role of Anna, and she really does give a terrific central performance as a young woman who has her world turned upside down by revelations about her past.

The film is also set to be one of the most beautiful as Ida has been shot in stunning black and white: the minimalistic feel really does work incredibly well.

- Cesar Chavez

Michael Pena has worked on an eclectic series of films in recent years, and now he is set to return with Cesar Chavez.

Directed by Diego Luna, the movie is a biopic picture about the civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.

Cesar Chavez is only the second feature film for Luna as director: he made his debut back in 2010 with Abel.

Pena will take on the title role in the film, while America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson, and Wes Bentley are just some of the other names on board.

This is perhaps one of the most important roles in Pena's career so far, and it really does kick off a very busy year for the actor.

No UK release date has yet been announced for the biopic film.

Frank is out now.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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