Sundance 2015: Diverse Independent Films That Defined a Year
56 titles
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Cartel LandMovie · 2015 · 100m · Drama, DocumentaryIn Michoacán, Mexico, Dr. Jose Mireles, a respected local doctor known as "El Doctor," leads a popular movement against the Knights Templar, a brutal drug cartel that has plagued the area for years. Simultaneously, in Arizona's Altar Valley – a 52-mile desert region called Cocaine Alley – Tim "Nailer" Foley, a veteran, commands Arizona Border Recon, a small paramilitary group dedicated to preventing the Mexican drug wars from spreading into the United States.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 2
HellionsMovie · 2015 · 80m · HorrorA teenager experiences a terrifying night when three menacing individuals disguised as trick-or-treaters appear at her home.IMDb 4.2TMDB 3.9 - 3
The Diary of a Teenage GirlMovie · 2015 · 102m · Drama, Romance, ComedyIn 1970s San Francisco, fifteen-year-old Minnie Goetze dreams of becoming a comic-book artist and navigates typical teenage life. However, her world takes an unexpected turn as she secretly has a relationship with her mother's boyfriend.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.6 - 4
Me and Earl and the Dying GirlMovie · 2015 · 105m · Drama, ComedyGreg is drifting through his senior year, deliberately staying out of the spotlight and only connecting with his best friend, Earl, through their odd filmmaking projects. This carefully constructed quiet life is disrupted when his mother insists he befriend a classmate who has leukemia.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.5 - 5
Z for ZachariahMovie · 2015 · 97m · Drama, Romance, Science FictionAfter a nuclear war, a young woman lives alone, believing she is the only woman left alive. Her solitude shatters when she finds another person: a scientist, deeply affected by radiation and desperate to find other survivors. A tentative trust forms between them. However, the arrival of a stranger threatens to destroy their fragile connection.IMDb 6.0TMDB 5.7 - 6
I Am MichaelMovie · 2015 · 98m · DramaThis is the true story of a gay activist who later rejects his identity and becomes a Christian pastor.IMDb 5.6TMDB 5.5 - 7
The D TrainMovie · 2015 · 101m · Comedy, DramaAs his 20th high school reunion approaches, Dan is haunted by lingering insecurities. Hoping to demonstrate his growth, he reconnects with his former classmate, the school's popular kid. However, a night of revelry escalates unexpectedly, forcing Dan to fight for something more important than just his image.IMDb 5.1TMDB 4.9 - 8
DopeMovie · 2015 · 103m · Crime, Drama, ComedyIn a challenging Los Angeles neighborhood, Malcolm navigates the pressures of college applications, academic interviews, and the SAT. An unexpected invitation to an underground party presents him with an opportunity to break free from his perceived limitations and discover who he truly is.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 9
BrooklynMovie · 2015 · 111m · Romance, Drama, HistorySet in the 1950s, the story follows young Eilis Lacey as she faces a difficult decision between two men and the contrasting worlds of Ireland and New York.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.3 - 10
The TribeMovie · 2014 · 132m · Drama, CrimeSergey, who is deaf and mute, arrives at a boarding school for the deaf. He navigates the school's social structure and discovers a criminal element within it called The Tribe. As he participates in increasingly risky robberies, Sergey rises through the ranks. He then meets Anya, one of the leader's concubines, and unintentionally violates the group’s unspoken rules.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.7 - 11
Pervert ParkMovie · 2014 · 77m · Crime, DocumentaryFlorida Justice Transitions houses 120 convicted sex offenders. As is common in many U.S. states, these offenders are prohibited from living within 1000 feet of areas where children gather. Consequently, many reside in isolated locations like under bridges or in wooded areas – or in Palace Mobile Home Park, nicknamed "Pervert Park." The offenses committed by the residents range from minor crimes to truly horrific acts.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.4 - 12
UmrikaMovie · 2015 · 98m · Drama, ComedyA young man learns his brother, thought to be in America, has disappeared. To shield their mother from grief, he starts writing letters from his brother, while secretly trying to find him.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.0 - 13
The Summer of SangaileMovie · 2015 · 88m · Drama, RomanceSeventeen-year-old Sangaile is spending the summer at her family's lakeside home when she meets a spirited girl at an air show. As the two girls bond, Sangaile starts to overcome her anxieties and embrace a relationship that inspires her to follow her dream of flying.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.4 - 14
The Second MotherMovie · 2015 · 112m · DramaVal left her daughter Jessica in Pernambuco as a child, entrusting her to family. For the next 13 years, Val works as a nanny for Fabinho in São Paulo, achieving financial security but living with the constant ache of missing out on raising Jessica herself. As Fabinho prepares for university entrance exams, Jessica unexpectedly reappears, offering Val a chance to reconnect. But Jessica, having been raised differently, challenges Val's carefully constructed life and exposes the fragile foundations of social class. With wit and insight, the story explores how young people might disrupt deeply ingrained societal structures.IMDb 7.8TMDB 8.0 - 15
Knock KnockMovie · 2015 · 99m · Horror, ThrillerA family man spending a weekend alone at home finds his quiet solitude disrupted when two young women seeking assistance unexpectedly arrive at his door. What begins as an act of kindness quickly escalates into a dangerous attraction, ultimately leading to a perilous and deadly situation.IMDb 4.9TMDB 5.4 - 16
Mistress AmericaMovie · 2015 · 84m · ComedyFeeling lost and isolated as a new college student, a young woman finds connection by embracing the unconventional plans of her future stepsister.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.5 - 17
PartisanMovie · 2015 · 98m · Thriller, DramaIn a decaying city's outskirts, 11-year-old Alexander lives in a secluded community with other children, their mothers, and the influential leader, Gregori. Gregori instructs the children in farming, community living, and lethal skills. With the arrival of a new baby brother, Alexander starts to doubt Gregori’s control over the children and their training as assassins. As Alexander resists Gregori's demands, the leader becomes unpredictable and hostile. The once close relationship between them deteriorates, and the community fears a violent outcome.IMDb 5.8TMDB 6.1 - 18
ExperimenterMovie · 2015 · 97m · Drama, HistoryYale University, 1961. Stanley Milgram conducts a psychology experiment that remains impactful today: participants believe they are administering painful electric shocks to a friendly stranger in another room. Despite the stranger's pleas to stop, most subjects continue the experiment, delivering what they perceive as lethal shocks because they are instructed to do so. As the trial of Nazi Adolf Eichmann is broadcast nationwide, Milgram’s work deeply resonates with both the public and the scientific world, exploring human obedience to authority. While lauded by some, he faces accusations of deception and manipulation, but his wife Sasha remains a steadfast supporter.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.5 - 19
Don VerdeanMovie · 2015 · 96m · ComedyArchaeologist Don Verdean, who specializes in biblical history, is hired by a church pastor to locate relics that will strengthen people's faith in the Holy Land. When his search proves unsuccessful, Verdean resorts to unconventional methods in this comedic story about belief and deception.IMDb 5.4TMDB 4.9 - 20
Dark HorseMovie · 2015 · 86mThis is the true story of a woman working in a pub in a struggling Welsh mining town. She persuades her neighbors to combine their money to breed and train a racehorse, and then enter it in the prestigious horse racing circuit.IMDb 7.3TMDB 5.3 - 21
GrandmaMovie · 2015 · 78m · Comedy, DramaElle Reid, a woman who prefers solitude, has her carefully constructed world disrupted when her 18-year-old granddaughter, Sage, unexpectedly needs her. They embark on a day trip together, a journey that forces Elle to face her history and Sage to consider what lies ahead.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.5 - 22
AloftMovie · 2014 · 112m · DramaA mother and son are haunted by a past accident that fractured their relationship. The mother later becomes a celebrated artist and healer, while he develops into an unconventional falconer marked by profound loss. A young journalist's investigation brings them together, forcing them to confront fundamental questions about life and art, and consider embracing life's uncertainties.IMDb 5.3TMDB 5.3 - 23
The Stanford Prison ExperimentMovie · 2015 · 122m · Thriller, Drama, HistoryIn 1971, Stanford professor Philip Zimbardo stages a controversial psychology experiment where college students role-play as prisoners and guards. The experiment quickly spirals out of control. Based on a true story.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.8 - 24
EdenMovie · 2014 · 131m · Drama, MusicIn early-1990s Paris, Paul, a teenager, starts a DJ group with his friends. Together, they immerse themselves in the city's vibrant nightlife, exploring a world of sex, drugs, and non-stop music.IMDb 6.4TMDB 5.8 - 25
Digging for FireMovie · 2015 · 83m · Comedy, DramaTim and Lee, a married couple with a young child, get the opportunity to spend a weekend in a luxurious Hollywood Hills home. Their plans change when Tim discovers a bone and an old gun in the yard, sparking his interest in a mystery. Lee, however, wants him to prioritize their overdue family taxes. This difference in priorities leads them down separate paths over the weekend: Tim investigates the mystery with friends, while Lee grapples with questions about her marriage and role as a parent.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.2 - 26
MeruMovie · 2015 · 89m · Adventure, DocumentaryMeru tells the gripping story of three top American climbers – Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and Renan Ozturk – determined to conquer a seemingly insurmountable peak.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4 - 27
True StoryMovie · 2015 · 99m · Crime, Drama, HistoryThis drama explores the unusual connection between journalist Michael Finkel and Christian Longo, a man on the FBI's Most Wanted List. For years, Longo lived in hiding outside the United States, using Finkel's identity.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.3 - 28
Lila & EveMovie · 2015 · 94m · Thriller, DramaFollowing her son's murder, Lila is consumed by grief and attends a support group. There, she encounters Eve, who encourages Lila to pursue justice independently and find her son's killers.IMDb 5.9TMDB 6.1 - 29
DreamcatcherMovie · 2015 · 104mLonginotto's documentary focuses on Brenda Myers-Powell, a Chicago advocate who works to combat sexual exploitation and support sex workers. Brenda’s work is deeply personal; she overcame a difficult past involving teenage prostitution and abuse, a stark contrast to her current determined spirit and hopeful outlook.IMDb 7.1TMDB 5.4 - 30
The End of the TourMovie · 2015 · 106m · DramaThis film chronicles a five-day interview between Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky and celebrated novelist David Foster Wallace. The interview occurred shortly after the release of Wallace's influential novel, 'Infinite Jest,' in 1996.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.0 - 31
GlasslandMovie · 2015 · 93m · DramaA young taxi driver risks everything to bring his fractured family back together, drawing him into a dangerous world of crime.IMDb 6.0TMDB 4.9 - 32
The WolfpackMovie · 2015 · 89m · DocumentaryIsolated in a Lower East Side apartment, the Angulo brothers discover the world through cinema. Known as "The Wolfpack," they recreate their favorite movies with homemade props and costumes. Their lives are disrupted when one brother escapes, leading to unforeseen consequences.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 33
(T)ERRORMovie · 2015 · 93m · DocumentaryThis film offers an inside look at FBI counterterrorism work, showing both the perspective of the government informant and the individual being targeted.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.1 - 34
10,000 SaintsMovie · 2015 · 113m · Comedy, Drama, MusicThis multigenerational story unfolds in the vibrant, chaotic New York City of the late 1980s. It's a poignant tale of a young man, the son of devoted hippies, navigating the intense world of adoption, teenage pregnancy, drug use, and hardcore punk rock. The film explores the boundless optimism and impulsive choices of both young and old as he journeys through the extremes of late 20th-century youth culture.IMDb 5.9TMDB 6.0 - 35
It FollowsMovie · 2015 · 101m · Horror, MysteryAfter a sexual encounter, a young woman finds herself relentlessly pursued by an unseen supernatural presence.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.6 - 36
3 ½ Minutes, 10 BulletsMovie · 2015 · 98m · Documentary, Thriller, TV MovieOn Black Friday, November 2012, four teenage boys in a red SUV stop at a gas station after a day of shopping. While one boy gets a soda and gum, a couple arrives next to them for wine. An argument erupts when the couple asks the boys to lower their music. The situation escalates, resulting in a deadly exchange of gunfire: three and a half minutes and ten bullets later, one of the boys is dead. *3½ MINUTES* examines the consequences of this tragic event.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.3 - 37
How to Change the WorldMovie · 2014 · 110m · Documentary, HistoryIn 1971, a group of friends sail into a nuclear test zone, and their protest captures the world's imagination. Using never-before-seen archival footage, *How to Change the World* tells the story of the pioneers who founded Greenpeace and shaped the modern environmental movement.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.1 - 38
GirlhoodMovie · 2014 · 112m · DramaFeeling trapped by her family, limited educational options, and the local boys' influence, Marieme begins a new life when she connects with a group of three independent girls. She alters her name and appearance, and drops out of school to join the gang, believing it will offer her liberation.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.4 - 39
James WhiteMovie · 2015 · 87m · DramaJames White, a troubled young man in his twenties, struggles to cope with life in bustling New York City. He increasingly seeks escape in a self-indulgent lifestyle, but his mother's worsening health throws him into a situation where he must take on greater responsibility. As the pressure intensifies, James must discover inner strength or face complete breakdown.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.6 - 40
The BronzeMovie · 2016 · 108m · Drama, ComedyHope Ann Greggory achieved national recognition in 2004 as part of the bronze medal-winning women's gymnastics team. Now, she remains in her hometown, feeling disillusioned and resentful. Trapped by her memories, Hope is forced to confront her present when a talented young gymnast emerges, challenging her long-held position as a local icon.IMDb 6.1TMDB 6.0 - 41
Listen to Me MarlonMovie · 2015 · 103m · DocumentaryThis documentary offers an unprecedented look into Marlon Brando's life and career. Using exclusive access to his personal archive – including hundreds of hours of audio recordings – the film charts his remarkable journey as an actor and explores his life outside of the spotlight. Brando himself guides the audience through his story, sharing his perspective directly in his own voice. The film features no interviews or commentary; it's solely Brando speaking about himself and his experiences.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.5 - 42
Last Days in the DesertMovie · 2016 · 98m · Adventure, Drama, HistoryAs Jesus leaves the wilderness, he confronts the Devil over a family facing hardship, initiating a significant trial for him.IMDb 5.6TMDB 5.8 - 43
AdvantageousMovie · 2015 · 92m · Science Fiction, DramaIn a city of extreme wealth built on a foundation of poverty, Gwen and her daughter, Jules, strive to maintain their happiness as cracks begin to appear in their world.IMDb 6.0TMDB 6.0 - 44
I Smile BackMovie · 2015 · 85m · DramaLaney is a seemingly perfect suburban wife and mother to two young children. She has a supportive husband, a beautiful home, and everything appears idyllic. But beneath the surface, Laney struggles with depression and unhappiness, leading her down a path of dangerous obsession. Only a genuine threat will force her to confront the painful reasons behind her destructive behavior and the damage it's causing to her family.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.1 - 45
Wild TalesMovie · 2014 · 122m · Drama, Thriller, ComedyThe pressures of everyday life can push people to the breaking point. This story follows several individuals who reach their limit: a waitress dealing with a demanding loan shark, a road rage incident between two drivers, a disastrous wedding reception, and a wealthy man attempting to resolve his family's problems with money.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.9 - 46
The Chinese MayorMovie · 2015 · 89mDatong, once Imperial China's vibrant capital, is now a city in decline, plagued by pollution, crumbling infrastructure, and economic hardship. Mayor Geng Yanbo unveils an ambitious plan to restore Datong to its historical cultural prominence. This plan, however, demands a heavy price: the demolition of thousands of homes and the relocation of half a million residents. His success hinges on managing volatile workers and a concerned government. With unprecedented access, the film captures a pivotal moment as China races towards an uncertain future.IMDb 7.7TMDB 8.0 - 47
The WitchMovie · 2016 · 92m · Horror, Drama, MysteryIn 1630, a farmer moves his family to a secluded farm bordering a forest, where unsettling events begin to occur. As suspicion grows, the family's faith, loyalty, and love are severely tested by shocking circumstances.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.0 - 48
ResultsMovie · 2015 · 105m · ComedyThe lives of two very different personal trainers are thrown into chaos when they get a new, affluent client.IMDb 5.5TMDB 5.0 - 49
Cop CarMovie · 2015 · 88m · Crime, ThrillerTwo teenagers are caught in a dangerous pursuit after stealing a police car. They become targets in a high-stakes game of chase.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.0 - 50
EntertainmentMovie · 2015 · 113m · Drama, ComedyThe film follows a struggling comedian traveling through the American Southwest, performing in small clubs as he journeys towards Los Angeles to reconnect with his daughter, with whom he has a strained relationship.IMDb 5.7TMDB 5.6 - 51
WesternMovie · 2015 · 93mEagle Pass, Texas, and Piedras Negras, Mexico, have always shared a border defined by the Rio Grande. But when night falls on these close-knit communities, a cowboy and a lawman confront a dangerous situation that endangers everything they hold dear.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.0 - 52
The Russian WoodpeckerMovie · 2015 · 80m · Documentary, HistoryAmidst revolution and war in Ukraine, a man who survived the Chornobyl disaster uncovers a disturbing secret. He is then faced with a difficult choice: risk everything to reveal this secret and become involved in the fight for change.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.3 - 53
Mississippi GrindMovie · 2015 · 108m · Comedy, DramaGerry, a skilled but struggling gambler, finds a turning point when he meets Curtis, a younger, captivating poker player. They quickly become friends, and Gerry convinces Curtis to join him on a road trip to a famous high-stakes poker game in New Orleans. Traveling down the Mississippi River, Gerry and Curtis explore countless bars, racetracks, casinos, and pool halls, experiencing both triumphs and setbacks. Through it all, they develop a strong and lasting friendship.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.0 - 54
A Walk in the WoodsMovie · 2015 · 104m · Adventure, Comedy, DramaAfter two decades living in England, Bill Bryson returns to the United States and decides to reconnect with his roots by hiking the Appalachian Trail with a longtime friend.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.1 - 55
Slow WestMovie · 2015 · 84m · Western, Drama, ThrillerIn the Old West, a 17-year-old Scottish boy joins forces with a shadowy gunslinger to locate the woman he loves.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.7 - 56
The HallowMovie · 2015 · 97m · Fantasy, HorrorIn the secluded forests of rural Ireland, an ancient evil lurks. Local villagers, steeped in superstition, believe cursed creatures haunt the area, preying on those who get lost. Their secrets have remained hidden from the outside world. When a London conservationist and his family move to survey the land for development, their presence awakens these demonic forces. Isolated in the wilderness, he must now protect his family from their relentless attacks.IMDb 5.7TMDB 5.7
