Sundance 2020: Diverse Gems from Independent Films

Eli

2019 • 11 min

Based on a true story, this film explores themes of extraordinary experiences, intense belief, and psychological instability.

3.5

6.2

The Courier

2020 • 112 min • Box office $26M

Thriller, History, Drama

During the Cold War, British businessman Greville Wynne secretly works with a Soviet contact to help avert the Cuban Missile Crisis.

7.0

7.2

13+

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Wood Child and Hidden Forest Mother

2020 • 10 min

Lost in the woods, a hunter comes across an unusual animal that he is unable to defeat.

3.5

5.7

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Wendy

2020 • 111 min • Budget $5M • Box office $235K

Fantasy, Drama

This is a new take on Peter Pan, told from Wendy Darling's perspective. Lost on a strange island where time doesn’t work as it should, she must fight to protect her family, her own independence, and the carefree joy of…

5.7

13+

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See You Next Time

2019 • 7 min

A Chinese nail technician and her Black client share quiet moments in a Brooklyn nail salon.

—

5.6

Palm Springs

2020 • 90 min • Budget $5M • Box office $1M

Comedy, Romance, Science Fiction

At a wedding in Palm Springs, easygoing Nyles and hesitant bridesmaid Sarah discover they're trapped. They can't leave the wedding, they can't escape each other, and they're stuck together.

7.3

7.4

17+

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Narcissister Breast Work

2020 • 9 min

This film examines women's activism around the right to expose their breasts in public. It explores the roots of laws prohibiting female toplessness, revealing how these prohibitions often stem from a fear of, and a need to control, the female…

—

Sh_t Happens

2020 • 13 min

Overwhelmed by life, a weary caretaker finds himself sharing his despair with his frustrated wife and a profoundly depressed deer. Their shared hopelessness leads them into a series of increasingly bizarre situations, because life is unpredictable.

4.6

7.0

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Place

2019 • 11 min

The existing inhabitants of a house are displeased by the unexpected arrival of a new family.

2.8

6.6

Ema

2019 • 107 min

Drama

Ema is a captivating and spontaneous dancer with a reggaeton group. Her marriage to choreographer Gastón has broken down completely after they decided to relinquish their adopted son, Polo. Determined to reclaim him, Ema is willing to do whatever it…

6.7

17+

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+21

Come Away

2020 • 94 min • Box office $1M

Fantasy, Adventure

Before Alice found Wonderland and Peter flew to Neverland, she and her brother were close. Their oldest sibling dies in an accident, and Alice and Peter try to help their parents cope with grief. Ultimately, they must choose between the…

5.8

5.7

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Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

2020 • 99 min • Budget $45M

Family, Mystery, Comedy

An 11-year-old boy considers himself the greatest detective around and operates his agency, Total Failures, with his best friend – a 1,200-pound polar bear who isn't actually there.

6.2

6.0

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Relic

2020 • 89 min • Budget $1M • Box office $3M

Horror, Mystery

When Edna, an elderly woman, suddenly disappears, her daughter goes to the family home. There, she discovers signs of Edna's worsening dementia left behind in the house.

6.1

6.0

17+

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+14

A Love Song for Latasha

2019 • 18 min

Documentary

This film explores Latasha Harlins' story through a series of dreamlike conversations that blend past and present. It uses personal memories from those who knew and loved her to create an intimate portrait.

7.1

6.8

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Impetigore

2019 • 106 min

Horror, Mystery

A woman inherits a house in her ancestral village, unaware that the community has been secretly searching for her. They believe she is the source of a curse that has afflicted them for years, and some members intend to kill…

6.7

6.6

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+10

Dream Horse

2021 • 113 min • Budget $20M • Box office $6M

Comedy, Drama

This is the inspiring true story of Dream Alliance, a racehorse raised by Jan Vokes, a bartender from a small town. With limited funds and no prior experience, Jan rallies her neighbors to pool their savings and help raise Dream,…

7.0

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Charm City Kings

2020 • 125 min

Drama

Mouse longs to be accepted by The Midnight Clique, a notorious group of dirt bike riders who dominate Baltimore's summer. When Blax, the Clique's leader, takes 14-year-old Mouse under his protection, Mouse is pulled between a conventional life and a…

7.8

6.6

17+

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Max Richter's Sleep

2020 • 99 min

This film offers a quiet escape from today's hectic pace, exploring the shared human experience of sleep.

7.3

7.2

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And Then We Danced

2019 • 113 min • Box office $416K

Drama, Romance

Merab, a dedicated dancer, has spent years preparing with his partner Mary for a place in the National Georgian Ensemble. The arrival of Irakli, another male dancer, ignites a fierce rivalry and unexpected romantic feelings that threaten Merab's career and…

7.3

7.6

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+20

Sylvie's Love

2020 • 114 min

Romance, Drama

In 1950s Harlem, a young woman falls in love with a saxophone player who dreams of making it big. Their passionate romance endures despite the challenges of different worlds, changing locations, and the pursuit of their individual ambitions.

6.2

6.8

13+

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Bad Hair

2020 • 12 min

Leo, feeling insecure about his appearance, isolates himself in his apartment to try a hair growth product. As he attempts to manage the changes to his body, the evening spirals into unexpected chaos.

7.3

6.9

Farce

2019 • 11 min

This absurdist animated film presents a darkly comedic story of romance, blending courtly love with graphic violence. The animation uses mixed media to depict a riotous and perverse tale of love and mayhem.

5.0

7.1

Baldwin Beauty

2020 • 11 min

Fresh to Los Angeles, Farrah uses the mobile styling app Get Glam to find clients. At her first appointment, she discovers a group of young women getting ready for a party, potentially offering her new friends.

4.2

5.4

Are You Hungry?

2019 • 12 min

A single mother finds it difficult to bond with her adopted son, convinced he is gay. Her preconceived notions about his needs and desires trigger a series of unfortunate events.

4.4

6.5

Blocks

2020 • 11 min

This is a comedy exploring the absurd realities of motherhood. A mother with two young children experiences a bizarre and inexplicable phenomenon: she begins to involuntarily vomit plastic toy blocks.

6.2

6.9

Dirty

2020 • 10 min

Marco skips class to spend the afternoon with his boyfriend, Graham, but their plans fall apart.

4.3

6.2

Vitalina Varela

2019 • 124 min

Drama

In Lisbon, a Cape Verdean woman searches for remnants of her late husband, uncovering a hidden side of his life.

6.7

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He's the One

2020 • 10 min

A woman experiences a passionate romance, but a startling revelation challenges her perception of their relationship. This dark comedy explores the complexities of love found with someone she was meant to despise.

—

5.4

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Buck

2020 • 14 min

Lynn, struggling with deep depression, seeks fleeting pleasure through reckless behavior. She soon learns that true happiness is not as simple as she thought.

—

5.6

How Did We Get Here?

2020

This film visually examines the gradual process of progressive atrophy. It explores how subtle, microscopic changes accumulate unnoticed over time, leading to significant alterations that we often fail to perceive.

—

Lance (in a Neck Brace)

2020 • 9 min

Following a painful breakup, Lance turns to self-help, listening to cassette tapes offering advice on recovering from heartbreak.

—

6.9

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E-Ticket

2019 • 13 min

"E-Ticket" is a film created from sixteen thousand individual pieces, a meticulous re-examination of a personal collection of images and a chance for forgotten pictures to be reborn. 35mm photographs and film are obsessively cut apart, rearranged, and painstakingly pieced…

4.0

6.2

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Little Chief

2020 • 12 min

On a reservation in Oklahoma, the lives of a Native woman and a troubled young boy become connected during a single school day.

8.5

6.9

Kajillionaire

2020 • 105 min • Box office $829K

Crime, Drama, Comedy

For twenty-six years, a pair of con artists have meticulously trained their daughter in the arts of deception. During a rushed and ill-planned robbery, they persuade a stranger to join their crew, inadvertently disrupting their carefully constructed lives.

6.3

6.4

17+

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-Ship: A Visual Poem

2020 • 13 min

On the day of his cousin's funeral, a young Black boy experiences conflicting ideas about what it means to be a man.

6.0

6.6

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Pillars

2020 • 18 min

Amber, who has a crush on a boy she sees before church, sneaks away to the Sunday school bathroom during the service and shares her first kiss.

7.0

6.9

Three Deaths

2020 • 14 min

This film updates a classic tale by Leo Tolstoy, exploring how three people grapple with mortality in the contemporary world.

—

5.8

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T

2019 • 14 min

A film crew documents three individuals grappling with loss as they participate in Miami's annual T-Ball. At this event, people gather to showcase R.I.P. T-shirts and creative costumes made in memory of loved ones who have passed away.

6.7

6.9

Backpedal

2019 • 4 min

This film presents a collection of an American poem, focusing on the shared experiences of women across cultures and time.

—

6.1

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Olla

2019 • 28 min

Drama, Comedy

Olla, a Ukrainian woman, travels to France after seeing an online ad from men seeking Eastern European partners. She takes a room with Pierre and his mother in a peaceful French suburb, hoping for love and a better future, leaving…

6.5

6.7

Benevolent Ba

2020 • 9 min

Driven by a deep desire for righteousness, a deeply religious woman inadvertently leads her family to a devastating and immense sacrifice.

4.0

4.8

Former Cult Member Hears Music for the First Time

2020 • 12 min

Following her escape from an abusive family, a woman is approached by a magazine for a unique journalistic experiment: to experience music for the very first time.

5.8

6.8

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Regret

2020 • 16 min

After his father's death, a man struggles to cope as his internal struggles begin to manifest around him throughout a bleak night.

6.7

6.9

So What If the Goats Die

2021 • 23 min

In the mountains, young Abdellah, a shepherd, must risk the blizzard to find food and save his herd. Reaching the village, he encounters a strange, otherworldly event.

6.5

6.7

Song of Clouds

2020 • 15 min

This is a visually stunning film exploring the journey to the afterlife and the lingering impact on those left behind. It's a dreamlike experience that contemplates what remains of us when we transition to the next world.

—

7.7

Sticker

2019 • 19 min

When Dejan fails to renew his car registration, he becomes entangled in a bureaucratic nightmare that challenges his resolve as a dedicated father.

7.3

7.5

14+

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A Thousand Sails

2019 • 16 min

In a fading fishing village, where young people have moved to the city, the older generation remains. Ren, a widow, assists her neighbor, Mrs. Wah, in delivering a gift to her son, Chung, who lives in the city. Ren discovers…

4.0

5.6

Arabian Alien

2020

Saad, a Muslim man who is married, overcomes his depression following the arrival of an extraterrestrial being in his life.

—

5.4

Danny's Girl

2020 • 13 min

Danny meets his online girlfriend for the first time and unexpectedly uncovers a disturbing secret she possesses, turning their initial encounter into a chaotic and unsettling night.

4.4

5.2

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Meats

2020 • 12 min

A pregnant woman who follows a vegan diet unexpectedly develops a strong craving for meat, leading her to grapple with this surprising change.

—

5.6

14+

Hot Flash

2019 • 9 min

In Thea Hollatz's animated comedy, a news anchor experiences a sudden hot flash right before a live broadcast. The film follows her as she navigates a series of increasingly bizarre and disruptive physical reactions, struggling to maintain composure.

3.3

7.2

I'll End Up in Jail

2019 • 23 min

Feeling trapped, a woman who stays home to raise her family impulsively flees her quiet town. Her decision quickly leads her into unforeseen complications.

5.3

6.9

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Siempre, Luis

2020 • 95 min

This documentary tells the story of Luis A. Miranda Jr., a dedicated activist who has spent decades fighting for Latino communities. He's been a significant figure in New York and national politics, and a devoted father to three children, including…

6.3

6.7

We Are Freestyle Love Supreme

2020 • 90 min

This documentary chronicles the 15-year journey of the original members of the improv hip-hop group Freestyle Love Supreme. They look back at the significance of the show in shaping their personal lives, creative development, and careers—from its beginnings in the…

7.4

7.0

17+

Stream on

Now Is the Time

2019 • 16 min

Fifty years after its raising, a Haida filmmaker revisits a pivotal moment in history. In August 1969, internationally acclaimed carver Robert Davidson, then just 22, unveiled the first new totem pole on British Columbia's Haida Gwaii in nearly a century.…

—

7.8

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maɬni—towards the ocean, towards the shore

2020 • 80 min

This film explores the origins of the Chinookan people's beliefs about death in the Pacific Northwest. It follows two individuals as they grapple with their connection to the spirit world and their position in the realm between life and death.

5.0

6.6

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Lost Girls

2020 • 95 min

Drama, Mystery, Thriller

After her daughter Shannan vanishes, Mari Gilbert becomes frustrated with the police response and begins her own search in the exclusive Long Island community where Shannan disappeared. Her investigation uncovers a disturbing pattern: over a dozen prostitutes have been murdered.

6.1

6.2

17+

Stream on

Yalda

2020 • 89 min • Budget $700

Drama

Maryam is sentenced to death after accidentally killing her husband, Nasser. His daughter, Mona, is her only hope. The path to saving Maryam lies in appearing on a television program and offering forgiveness. However, the process of forgiveness becomes complicated…

6.2

6.4

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Sandlines, the Story of History

2020 • 61 min

In a village nestled in the mountains near Mosul, children act out a century of Iraqi history. Their play takes them from the secret Sykes-Picot agreement of 1916 to the terror of the Islamic State in 2016. Through these reenactments,…

6.5

—

Jumbo

2020 • 93 min

Fantasy, Romance

Jeanne, a reserved young woman, works as a night security guard at an amusement park and shares a close bond with her mother. She has never known a man to compare with this important relationship, but Jeanne starts to experience…

5.7

6.1

Stream on

Uncle Frank

2020 • 95 min

Drama, TV Movie

In 1973, Frank Bledsoe and his 18-year-old niece Beth travel from Manhattan to Creekville, South Carolina for a family funeral. They unexpectedly encounter Frank's lover, Walid, and he joins their journey.

7.3

17+

Stream on

Worth

2021 • 118 min • Box office $106K

History, Drama

Kenneth Feinberg, a prominent Washington lawyer, is appointed Special Master of the 9/11 Fund. He navigates the challenges of managing government funds, battling cynicism, bureaucratic hurdles, and political pressures. Through this work, he comes to understand the value of human…

6.7

6.8

13+

Stream on

Sadla

2019 • 6 min

A teenage boy undertakes a series of errands while constantly watched by authorities. He recounts these events to his friends, and the film is a tightly drawn drama that examines how victimization impacts the community as a whole.

—

6.0

Exam

2019 • 15 min

A teenage girl is drawn into a drug delivery, finding herself caught in a series of strange and unsettling events.

7.2

7.1

Slug Life

2018 • 7 min

A young woman tries a unique approach to finding love: she cultivates the ideal partner – a large, beautiful slug. This unlikely couple seems perfect until the slug is exposed to the world beyond her home, where he unexpectedly develops…

3.0

5.6

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Nine Days

2021 • 124 min • Budget $10M • Box office $969K

Drama, Fantasy

A government official interviews five candidates to determine who will be granted a life on Earth. However, he unexpectedly confronts a personal crisis of meaning.

6.8

17+

Stream on

Shirley

2020 • 107 min • Box office $230K

Drama, Thriller, Mystery

A celebrated horror author discovers the spark for her latest novel when she and her husband welcome a young couple into their home.

6.1

17+

Stream on

Never Rarely Sometimes Always

2020 • 101 min • Box office $407K

Drama

Two teenage girls from rural Pennsylvania go to New York City for medical care after becoming unexpectedly pregnant.

7.1

7.3

13+

Stream on

Minari

2021 • 115 min • Budget $2M • Box office $12M

Drama

A Korean American family relocates to a farm in Arkansas, pursuing the American dream. Navigating the difficulties of a new life in the unfamiliar Ozarks, they find strength in their family bonds and discover the true meaning of home.

7.3

7.4

13+

Stream on

Character

2020 • 17 min

Mark Metcalf, known for portraying stern authority figures throughout his Hollywood career, reflects on his life in the industry. In this film, the actor in his 70s examines themes of power, privilege, and the challenges of being defined by a…

—

7.5

Stream on

Abortion Helpline, This Is Lisa

2019 • 13 min

The Philadelphia abortion helpline is overwhelmed with calls from women and teens seeking abortions they can't afford, highlighting how economic hardship and restrictive laws shape access to abortion in the United States.

7.0

7.2

Stream on

Lichen

2019 • 12 min

This film explores lichen, a species that continues to puzzle scientists. Ancient and varied, lichen thrives in harsh conditions, demonstrating a remarkable ability to adapt. The film unveils the hidden beauty of this fascinating life form and considers what lessons…

—

7.4

This Is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection

2020 • 120 min

Drama

In the mountains of Lesotho, an 80-year-old widow prepares for her end. However, when her village faces forced relocation for a reservoir project, she rediscovers her determination and inspires her community to fight back.

7.5

7.3

Stream on

Church and the Fourth Estate

2020 • 33 min

A reporter discovers a file detailing disturbing allegations of child abuse within Idaho's Boy Scout organization. The revelations shock the community and draw connections to the Mormon Church. The investigation uncovers a history of abuse that puts the future of…

9.0

7.9

Cuties

2020 • 96 min • Box office $692K

Drama

Eleven-year-old Amy joins a dance group called "the Cuties" at school and quickly becomes aware of her own developing womanhood, which creates conflict with her mother and the mother's beliefs.

5.1

3.6

17+

The Perfect Candidate

2020 • 104 min • Box office $1M

Drama

A young doctor in Saudi Arabia runs for a seat on the city council, gaining self-assurance as she faces discrimination.

6.7

Stream on

+12

BLKNWS

2018 • 30 min

BLKNWS is a multimedia project exploring new ways to understand news. It combines journalism and art, presenting information as a two-channel video installation. The work examines how news can be more than just reporting current events, looking at how information…

—

Día de la Madre

2020 • 5 min

A group of young people spend a day and night committing burglaries and creating disturbances in homes.

5.0

—

The Deepest Hole

2020 • 12 min

During the Cold War, the world knew about the competition for space and weapons. But few are aware of the United States and Soviet Union's secret race to excavate the deepest hole ever dug. In the process, they may have…

5.0

6.4

La Llorona

2019 • 97 min • Box office $294K

Thriller, Horror, Drama

Retired General Enrique is confined to his mansion by large protests, accused of genocide against the Mayan people. Abandoned by his staff, the angered general and his family are forced to confront the consequences of his actions as they experience…

6.4

6.6

Stream on

+12

The Night House

2021 • 107 min • Box office $14M

Horror, Mystery

Grief-stricken after her husband's sudden death, Beth finds herself isolated in the lakeside house he designed. As she settles in, she starts to discover unsettling secrets about her late husband.

6.6

6.4

17+

Stream on

Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind

2020 • 100 min

Documentary

This film explores the life of actress Natalie Wood, focusing on her successes and struggles both as a person and in her career, which have frequently been overshadowed by the circumstances of her death.

6.4

7.1

14+

Stream on

Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets

2020 • 98 min

This film explores the interconnected lives of the people who frequent and work at a typical American bar. It offers a glimpse into their everyday experiences, revealing the diverse stories and relationships that unfold within this familiar setting.

6.7

7.2

Stream on

Miss Americana

2020 • 85 min

Documentary, Music

This film offers an intimate portrait of a celebrated artist as she navigates a pivotal moment in her life. It follows her journey toward self-discovery, as she evolves from songwriter and performer into a woman finding strength and agency through…

7.8

7.4

17+

Stream on

The Evening Hour

2021 • 114 min

Cole Freeman carefully manages his life in a rural Appalachian town, caring for the elderly and selling their leftover painkillers to people with addictions. His carefully constructed stability is threatened when an old friend returns with plans that disrupt everything.…

4.0

5.4

Stream on

Save Yourselves!

2020 • 93 min

Comedy, Science Fiction

A young couple from Brooklyn travels upstate seeking a digital detox to reconnect. Isolated from their phones and technology, they unknowingly miss the news of an impending global crisis.

5.8

17+

Stream on

The Nowhere Inn

2021 • 92 min

Music, Comedy, Thriller

St. Vincent wants to make a documentary about her music, aiming to show the real person behind her stage image. However, things get complicated when she asks a close friend to direct. As the film progresses, the line between reality…

6.0

5.7

Stream on

Binti

2019 • 86 min

Binti, a 12-year-old Congolese girl, aspires to be a popular vlogger like her idol Tatyana. However, a police raid that threatens to deport her and her father Jovial forces them to flee. Binti befriends Elias, and while helping him create…

5.9

6.4

Stream on

Dick Johnson Is Dead

2020 • 89 min

Documentary

Director Kirsten Johnson uses filmmaking to explore how to keep her 86-year-old father, Dr. Dick Johnson, alive in her mind. With humor and creativity, she documents his final years by playfully imagining scenarios of death and what comes after. Father…

7.1

7.4

13+

Stream on

Downhill

2020 • 87 min • Box office $7M

Drama, Comedy

During a ski trip in the Alps, a couple narrowly survives an avalanche. The event disrupts their lives, compelling them to reconsider their relationship and their individual feelings for one another.

5.2

4.9

17+

Stream on

The Assistant

2020 • 88 min • Box office $1M

Drama

This film offers a stark portrayal of a day in the life of an executive assistant. Jane navigates her demanding schedule while becoming acutely aware of the subtle and pervasive abuse inherent in her role.

6.3

17+

Stream on

+10

Falling

2020 • 112 min • Box office $9K

Drama

John Peterson lives in Southern California with his partner Eric and their adopted daughter. His life changes when his aging father, Willis, visits from Los Angeles, looking for a place to retire. This brings together their very different perspectives on…

6.5

17+

Stream on

+16

Feels Good Man

2020 • 94 min

Documentary

The creation of a character, Pepe the Frog, from an independent comic unexpectedly transforms him into a symbol of hate. His creator, artist Matt Furie, then works to reclaim Pepe from this negative association while grappling with the deep divisions…

7.1

7.5

—

Stream on

Welcome to Chechnya

2020 • 107 min

Documentary

This powerful investigative film follows a group of activists who face extreme danger as they fight against a harsh anti-LGBTQ campaign in a closed-off region of Russia. With unique access and careful protection of their identities, the film reveals this…

6.8

7.9

17+

Stream on

+21

Charter

2020 • 94 min

Drama

Following a painful divorce, Alice hasn't seen her children for two months while awaiting a custody decision. Late one night, a call from her son prompts Alice to make a drastic choice: she takes the children on a secret trip…

6.4

6.2

Stream on

High Tide

2020 • 103 min

While overseeing the construction of a barbecue shed at her beach house, Laura has a brief affair with the lead builder, who then disappears. The remaining workers repeatedly show up at her home, escalating until Laura becomes fiercely protective.

4.6

5.3

Spaceship Earth

2020 • 115 min

Documentary

In 1991, a group of idealistic innovators constructed Biosphere 2, a massive replica of Earth's ecosystems. Eight people lived sealed within it, confronting ecological disasters and facing accusations of cult activity. This is their extraordinary story – a warning about…

6.1

6.4

Stream on

Summer White

2020 • 85 min

Rodrigo is a withdrawn teenager who lives a secluded life with his mother. Her decision to bring her new boyfriend home disrupts their carefully constructed world. Rodrigo is then faced with a difficult choice: defend his isolated existence, potentially destroying…

6.3

6.5

Stream on

Surge

2020 • 100 min

Thriller

A man embarks on a daring and impulsive journey of self-discovery through London. Following a bank robbery, he unleashes a more untamed side of himself, finally experiencing the intensity of life.

5.4

6.2

17+

Stream on

+10

100

Into the Deep: The Submarine Murder Case

2020 • 87 min

Documentary, Crime

In 2016, a young Australian filmmaker documented amateur inventor Peter Madsen for a year. Then, Madsen brutally murdered Kim Wall aboard his homemade submarine. The film reveals the shocking story of a killer and the young people who assisted him,…

6.6

6.5

17+

Stream on

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