This is a great quote, although for me I can take all the Independent film the market has to offer (this is probably why I write for a film focusing on Independent filmmaking). As with any area of film though, some Independent films are excellent, some are poor. Like yourself, I’m pretty fed-up with the absolute dross Hollywood spews out on a regular basis and I’m currently particularly angered by their need to remake every successful ‘non-English language’ film. Only in the last 24 hours I have seen a trailer for the US remake of Tomas Alfredson’s Let the Right One in and a blatant rip-off of Shinya Tsukamoto’s Haze. I’m not really bothered if a film is classed as ‘Independent cinema’, ‘World Cinema’ or ‘Hollywood Blockbuster’, all I ask for is a bit of originality and that a director can make the film they want to make (I know this often isn’t the case).

I understand where you’re coming from with your “itch you can’t quite reach to scratch” comment, often Independent films can be too ambiguous and leave too many questions for its audience to solve. Although, I believe this is a more an indication of a bad film, than a reflection on the genre. At the end of the day, I’m sure many of us would always pick too many unanswered questions, over the Hollywood regime of leaving no stone unturned, no thought needed.

Saying this, only the other day I went to see Christopher Nolan’s Inception at the cinema, which for me was an over-complicated film and at times was trying to be too clever for its own good. However, as a cinematic spectacle, I totally enjoyed it and as a “Hollywood” film (ok, from a director with his roots in Independent film) it was interesting to see something trying something somewhat fresh and inventive and leaving a lot of questions unanswered. Yet I know for a fact, when I look back over the films I’ve seen this year, although Inception will be one of the best “Hollywood” films I see, I will see a lot better Independent films.

Two things about this article caught me. The quote by Heneke: “I’m trying to find ways to show violence as it really is: it is not something that you can swallow. I want to show the reality of violence, the pain, the wounding of another human being.” and the mention of The Piano Teacher.

I’ve lost count of how many Saw movies Hollywood has turned out. I’ve seen a small part of the very first one and found it to be disgusting. One night my husband and I wanted a night out at the movies. Nine out of ten at the theater required I.D. because of the amount of gruesome violence contained in them. Why do so many American films contain such gruesome violence? It’s disgusting, and anything but entertaining.

I found The Piano Teacher one night on my search for an enjoyable movie night. The thing about movies like the Piano Teacher, thought provoking movies, is that they leave me feeling unsatisfied. For sure I never forget them and forever question what the directer was really trying to say. You’d said, “Personally, I think the director’s films don’t leave you with any choice but to read them through your own point of view and form your own unique interpretation.”. I think you’re spot on. I didn’t feel satisfied after the movie and couldn’t stop analyzing this or that, because I NEEDED to know. lol I like that is got me thinking, but at the same time it’s like an itch you can’t quite reach to scratch.

The piano teacher in the movie comes across as severely sexually repressed, but there’s more to it than just that. Ruining the carreer of a talented young piano player out of petty jealously, and the suicide at the end. Usually some sort of other mental or emotional illness must be present. (See I still wonder.)
The director, or creator of the story, doesn’t ever confirm if we’re right or wrong about our conclusions so we’re usually only left with questions. Perhaps that’s what why some don’t seek out Independent films as much as common, less brain work, Hollywood movies. A little Independent film goes a long way. Like an ice cold glass of water. A little is refreshing, but too much gives you a cold headache.