We're one month into Hollywood's summer blockbuster season and brave distributors continue to lob independent firecrackers into theatres.
Some of the titles I picked last month are now in the process of expanding throughout the U.S., but what's on the horizon for June? I've picked a new handful of the most intriguing indies that will be receiving theatrical releases this month, films that I haven't seen yet. You're invited to share your picks in the comments section. If you live outside the U.S., what are the local titles you're most anticipating?
Call Me Kuchu (June 14)
The legality of gay marriage is a hot-button issue in the U.S., but in Uganda, "a new bill threatens to make homosexuality punishable by death." That's enough to grab anyone's attention. Revolving around activist David Kato, the first openly gay man in the country, and retired Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, the documentary bears witness to a shocking crime. Advance word has been extremely positive.
Berberian Sound Studio (June 14)
Toby Jones plays a British sound engineer who travels to Italy to work on a giallo and quickly gets freaked out.
The Guillotines (June 14)
Secret assassins! Flying weapons! Andrew Lau's period drama is not really the action spectacle it appears to be from the promotional material, according to our own James Marsh when he saw the film last December. Still, we have so few opportunities to see Asian movies on the big screen that I'm still quite intrigued to see what Lau has cooked up.
Maniac (June 21)
So much advance promotional material has been made available that I feel like I've already seen Franck Khalfoun's remake of the 80s sleaze classic. I'm still compelled to see it, though, if for no other reason than to form my own opinion and behold the sight of Elijah Wood as a nasty serial killer.
A Band Called Death (June 28)
Detroit. 1970s. "Hard-driving rock 'n' roll." Those descriptions in Lainna Fader's review immediately put this documentary on my radar. Add the endorsement of selective distributor Drafthouse Films, and I'm sold.
More indie releases of note (opening dates subject to change):
06/07: Much Ado About Nothing
06/07: Syrup
06/07: Tiger Eyes
06/14: 20 Feet From Stardom
06/14: The Bling Ring (pictured above)
06/14: Far Out Isn't Enough
06/14: In the Fog
06/14: The Stroller Strategy
06/14: Vehicle 19
06/14: Storm Surfers 3D
06/21: The Attack
06/21: The Haunting of Helena
06/21: Somm
06/28: Byzantium
06/28: Detention of the Dead
06/28: I'm So Excited