There’s something special about an indie film that Hollywood blockbusters simply can’t replicate. As independent and often low-budget productions, indie films tackle controversial and heart-warming topics in a way that’s fresh and honest.
Far from your run-of-the-mill rom-com or action movie, indie films stray from the beaten path and capture our imagination. They’re about more than just entertainment. To get you off to a great start with your to-watch list in 2019, here are seven indie movies from around the world that have had enormous success and are a must-watch for the twenty-first-century movie buff.
1. The Artist (2011) – France/U.S.
This 2011 film is set in 1930s Hollywood, but its French director (Michel Hazanavicius) and French leading actors (Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo) place it squarely in the category of being a French film. Produced as a modern-day, black-and-white silent movie, The Artist was nominated for six Golden Globes, three of which it won. The film grossed $133.4 million worldwide.
Synopsis
The story of The Artist follows the life of silent-film actor George Valentin and his relationship with the rising Hollywood star Peppy Miller at a time when silent films were beginning to be replaced by the “talkies.”
Valentin and Miller initially meet by accident as Valentin is being photographed outside the premiere of his latest film and Peppy bumps into him by mistake. The incident leads to Peppy being invited to act in the next production of Kinograph Studios and from there she rises through the industry to stardom in the new “sound” films. The relationship between the two becomes more complicated after Valentin’s next silent movie nosedives and he is left at the mercy of the newly-rich Peppy.
2. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) – India/U.S.
Based on the book by Vikas Swarup and adapted for screenplay by Simon Beaufoy, the story of Slumdog Millionaire follows Jamal Kalik (Dev Patel)—a boy who grew up in the slums of Mumbai. After years of hardship and trauma, Jamal shocks the nation by answering every question correctly on India’s (fictional) version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. However, it’s not the money he’s after. Jamal is hoping that by appearing on national television, he will be able to be reunited with the love of his life.
Slumdog Millionaire received an astounding number of awards and nominations with 153 wins and 129 nominations for its direction, screenplay, soundtrack, and acting talent.
3. La Vita è Bella (1997) – Italy
It takes a true genius to create a tasteful romantic comedy set against the background of the Holocaust, but that is exactly what Roberto Benigni has achieved with this 1997 Italian indie film La Vita è Bella. After its showing at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival, La Vita è Bella won the Grand Prix and went on to receive a total of 70 wins and 51 nominations for its acting, musical score, direction, and excellence as a foreign film in general.
Synopsis
The story is set in 1939 Italy where a young Jewish man (Benigni) arrives to work at his uncle Eliseo’s restaurant. The young man, Guido, falls in love with an Italian teacher named Dora (played by Benigni’s wife, Nicoletta Braschi) and wins her over with a series of hilarious “coincidental” incidents. They marry and have a son, Giosuè, and all appears to be well until World War II breaks out and Guido, Giosuè, and Eliseo are seized to be taken to a concentration camp. Dora decides to accompany her family to the concentration camp but is separated from her husband and son upon arrival.
At the camp, Guido explains to Giosuè that it is all a big game and that by completing tasks like staying quiet and refraining from asking for more food, he will be able to accrue 1000 points and win a tank. The movie ends with the tragic death of Guido on the night before a unit of American soldiers arrives to liberate the camp, signaling that the war is over.
While some reviewers have criticized the use of humor with such a serious subject, the genuine sentiment, poignancy, and sincerity of the film make Benigni’s work a success.
4. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) – China
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a Chinese wuxia film that was based on a novel of the same name by Wang Dulu, and directed by Ang Lee. This traditional martial-arts themed film features an international Chinese cast, spectacular scenery, and has won over 40 awards.
Synopsis
Set in the 18th-century Zing Dynasty, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon tells the story of Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi), the daughter of a powerful governor who is about to get married but really wants to pursue her passion for Wudang swordsmanship. Aided by the swordsman Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-fat) and Yu Shu Lie (Michelle Yeoh)—the woman he won’t admit he loves—young Jen Yu escapes from her family before the wedding night.
Once freed from her family and governess, Jen becomes intoxicated with youthful arrogance and begins to set about proving that she is the best Wudang master alive. However, the reappearance of her past flame and a hot pursuit by her governess Jade Fox (Cheng Pei-pei) play a large role in shaping the outcome of her journey.
5. Amélie (2001) – France
When the French film Amélie (Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain) was released<, critics did not anticipate its wide-reaching appeal and international box-office success. However, the charm and playfulness of Amélie Poulain and the whimsical musical score soon put this film among the top French movies that are known internationally. Amélie is currently the highest-grossing French film in the United States.
Synopsis
This 2001 French movie is set in the Parisian neighborhood of Montmartre where a young waitress by the name of Amélie Poulain (played by Audrey Tautou) struggles with feelings of isolation. In an attempt to find more meaning in life, Amélie sets about doing kind deeds to improve the lives of those around her. Her actions are eventually rewarded when a series of mysterious clues lead her to a young man as eccentric as herself.
6. The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980) – South Africa
In a flashback from the past, The Gods Must be Crazy from South Africa (released in 1980) continues to maintain popularity and has even surpassed more recent films in its takings—including Amélie—with a gross total of $200 million worldwide. The film was made with financing from purely local sources and is set in Botswana with selected scenes in South Africa.
Synopsis
At the beginning of the film, Xi (Nǃxau ǂToma), a Kalahari bushman, is living a peaceful and happy existence within his San tribe and has no knowledge of the outside world. One day, a glass Coca-Cola bottle falls—unbroken—from an airplane and lands near the tribe as if it were a “gift from the gods.” The tribespeople soon finds multiple uses for this handy object, but fights break out when several people want to use the bottle at once. After a meeting with the elders, Xi is sent on a mission to dispose of this “cursed thing” by throwing it off the Earth’s edge.
On his travels, Xi meets a number of people, including a biologist, a mechanic, a school teacher, a safari guide, and a band of guerrilla fighters. After a long journey with several challenges and misunderstandings, Xi arrives at God’s Window and is convinced that the clifftop is the end of the world. He throws the bottle off the edge and goes back to his tribe.
This film is rather unique in the way that it contrasts modern civilization with the simplicity of tribal life. For its cultural and historical perspectives, this comedy movie is well worth watching!
7. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) – United States
This feel-good romantic comedy was written by Nia Vardalos and directed by Joel Zwick. An independent American film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding became a huge success (grossing $368.7 million worldwide) despite never hitting number one at the box office.
Synopsis
In the fictional plot which was inspired by Vardalos’ own life, Fotoula “Toula” Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) is the 30-year old daughter of Greek immigrants to Chicago. To her very traditional family, she appears to be a lost case as she hasn’t yet married and had a family.
However, Toula surprises everyone when she unexpectedly falls in love with a non-Greek school teacher called Ian Miller (John Corbett). After the initial shock has passed, Ian sets about winning the approval and acceptance of Toula’s family—and plenty of cross-cultural hilarity results! It’s a scenario that immigrant families all around the world can relate to as they struggle to adjust to the realities of living in a mixed society.
The Tip of the Iceberg
There are so many excellent indie films produced around the world that it’s impossible to mention all of them. However, this selection of some of the highest-grossing independent films can get you started with your 2019 watch list and provide an inspiring introduction to the world of global indie films. If you prefer watching indie films that are only in English, you can find a list of popular English-language indie films on IMDb.
For more cultural entertainment, be sure to check out The Top 5 Exhibits for the Non-Art Enthusiast and The Best Jazz Clubs in NYC. Happy viewing!
Katie Tejada is a writer, editor, and cinephile. She loves French film and enjoys covering everything from indie pictures to the most beloved blockbusters. In addition, she also writes about travel, events, home trends, HR, finance, and CRM solutions.
