Indie Film Weekly

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This week on Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds highlights five indie films worth knowing about: three in theaters, one on demand, and one classic.

🎥 Indie Film Reviews:
Closure (2026)
On the Road (2026)
Christmas at the Kringles (2026)
Never After Dark (2026)
Lone Star (1996)

Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/

Companies:
Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/
Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

Listen:
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0
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Watch:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeekly

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On this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with filmmaker Michal Marczak about his documentary Closure, which follows Polish father Daniel searching the Vistula River after his teenage son Chris disappears, a quest that leads him to help other families living with uncertainty. Marczak explains the film began when Daniel unexpectedly helped his family dock a raft trip on the Vistula; moved as a father himself, he joined the search and proposed filming, beginning a year-long journey. 

Marczak discusses balancing being a human helper and a one-person crew, filming minimally, and navigating ethical choices while documenting grief. He describes his cinematic, no-talking-head approach, custom lightweight gear, and the Polish documentary tradition. He recounts strong festival reactions, the protagonists’ approval, and the film’s message of presence and appreciating what you have, plus the IFC Center premiere.

Closure opened in limited theaters on October 28.

00:00 Welcome and Premise
00:50 Meeting Daniel on the River
04:33 Choosing to Make the Doc
05:15 Trust and Responsibility
06:40 Filming While Helping
10:17 Meaning of Closure
11:21 Cinematic Doc Craft
14:34 Immersion and Shooting Style
17:04 Gear Hacks and One Man Crew
17:59 Adding Other Families
19:55 Festival Reactions and Release
22:08 Personal Grief Connection
23:39 Quick Cuts Segment
27:13 The Last Cut Reflection
28:10 Where to Watch and Farewell

Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/

Companies:
Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/
Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

Listen:
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0
Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/

Watch:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeekly

Connect:
Glen Reynolds - [email protected]
Indie Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/

#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

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On this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with director Kevin Lewis and actor/executive producer Don Worley about the holiday horror-comedy Christmas at the Kringles, in which year-round Christmas-obsessed neighbors become increasingly sinister while a family tries to reconnect. 

Lewis describes receiving Zack Imbrogno’s script four years earlier, protecting its ensemble horror-comedy tone, and finally producing it with Tom and Andrew Wartenberg; Worley joined through them, helped raise financing, and acted in the film after a career pivot from acting and stand-up to law. They discuss balancing comedy and scares through extensive prep, improvisation, “Kringle cut” editing rhythms, and a Beetlejuice/Amblin-style tone, plus casting Ron Livingston, Thomas Lennon, Arden Myrin, Donald Faison, and Rob Riggle as Drunk Santa. They explain releasing October 30 to catch Halloween audiences ahead of Christmas streaming, touch on potential sequels, and end with rapid-fire theatergoing questions and the film’s message about being present.

Christmas at the Kringles is scheduled to release in theaters on October 30.

00:00 Show Intro and Premise
01:01 Origins of the Script
01:38 Don Joins as EP
02:53 Second Chance Careers
03:51 Why This Holiday Mashup
05:09 Nailing the Horror Comedy Tone
06:42 Casting and Improv Energy
14:24 Directing Under Indie Constraints
16:53 Production Design and Team Vibe
18:26 On Set Problem Solving Stories
21:06 Rob Riggle as Santa
21:55 Finding the Heart
22:25 Halloween Release Strategy
24:35 Racing Post Production
25:23 Festival Crowd Reactions
27:43 Sequels and Next Projects
30:00 Quick Cuts Theater QandA
35:02 How Movies Get Made
36:51 Final Cut and Where to Watch

Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/

Companies:
Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/
Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

Listen:
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0
Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/

Watch:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeekly

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Indie Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/

#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

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This week on Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds highlights five indie films worth knowing about: three in theaters, one on demand, and one classic.

🎥 Indie Film Reviews:
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York (2026)
Wicker (2026)
Fatherland (2026)
Cold War in Philly (2026)
Bound (1996)

Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/

Companies:
Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/
Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

Listen:
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0
Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/

Watch:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeekly

Connect:
Glen Reynolds - [email protected]
Indie Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/

#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

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On this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with filmmaker Segan about his film The Only Living Pickpocket in New York. The film stars John Turturro as Harry Layman, an aging pickpocket whose old-school skills are fading in a changing city; after stealing from the wrong person, he races across New York’s five boroughs to recover something unexpectedly valuable, risking his life and his family, including his invalid wife Rosie.

Segan explains building empathy for a flawed criminal, balancing humor and tension, and drawing inspiration from filmmakers including Lumet, Spike Lee, Jonathan Demme, and films like Friends of Eddie Coyle and Mikey and Nicky. He recounts casting Turturro (plus Buscemi, Esposito, Maslany), pickpocket training with Apollo Robbins, shooting challenges in real neighborhoods and on the subway, editor Hilda Rosula’s role in pacing, and music choices featuring Gary Lionelli’s score, LCD Soundsystem, “Native New Yorker,” and Bobby Short. Segan describes premieres at Sundance and Toronto, and securing distribution with Sony Pictures Classics.

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York opens in NY & LA October 23 and nationwide on October 30.

00:00 Show Intro And Premise
01:07 Meeting Noah Segan
01:37 Building Harry Layman
03:05 New York Film Influences
04:36 Family Blind Spots Theme
05:42 Casting John Turturro
07:20 Ensemble Chemistry
08:47 Pickpocket Training
09:56 Rosie Relationship Craft
11:15 Shooting In The Boroughs
13:46 Editing Pace And Tone
15:59 Dylan Comic Contrast
17:11 Music Score And Needle Drops
20:18 Dancing for Rosie
20:40 Landing the Opening Song
21:30 Designing the Ending
23:00 Sundance Premiere Rush
24:53 Audience Love and Awards
25:50 Sony Classics Deal
27:56 Quick Cuts Theater Habits
30:14 Movie Memories and Favorites
32:53 Final Cut New York Legacy
34:03 Release Dates and Goodbye

Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/

Companies:
Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/
Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

Listen:
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0
Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/

Watch:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeekly

Connect:
Glen Reynolds - [email protected]
Indie Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/

#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

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On this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with filmmaker/distributor Joe Amodei about his documentary Cold War in Philly: Flyers versus Russia 1976, recounting the Philadelphia Flyers’ Broad Street Bullies facing the Soviet Red Army team in a widely watched Cold War-era game. Amodei explains how the Ukraine war and a Flyers alumni event sparked the idea, his goal of preserving the players’ stories, and his access to nearly all surviving Flyers from the game. 

He describes the Flyers’ coach studying Soviet hockey, the controversial Ed Van Impe hit that preceded the Russians leaving the ice, and the film’s humor and archival footage process with Comcast/NBC and Flyers archives. Amodei discusses sold-out Philly-area screenings with player Q&As and distribution realities.

Cold War in Philly is available on Apple TV, Amazon, and YouTube.

00:00 Show Intro and Setup
00:56 Joe Origin Story
02:20 Why This Game Mattered
04:13 Building the Documentary
05:27 Miracle on Ice Connection
07:46 Coaching and Game Plan
08:46 The Hit and Walkout
10:56 Getting Rights and Footage
12:50 Wild Off Ice Stories
15:43 Interviewing Childhood Heroes
18:59 Distribution Reality Check
19:40 Finding the Film’s Humor
21:04 Turning Screenings Into Events
23:01 Beyond Philly Screenings
25:24 Marketing in a Crowded World
26:55 Quick Cuts Theater Habits
28:21 First Movies and Favorites
30:50 Lessons as Filmmaker Distributor
32:42 Where to Watch and Wrap

Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/

Companies:
Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/
Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

Listen:
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0
Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/

Watch:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeekly

Connect:
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Indie Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/

#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

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This week on Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds highlights five indie films worth knowing about: three in theaters, one on demand, and one classic.

🎥 Indie Film Reviews:
Trust Me, I’m a Doctor (2026)
You Can See Everything (2026)
Once Upon a Time in Harlem (2026)
Let’s Have Kids! (2026)
Swingers (1996)

Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/

Companies:
Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/
Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

Listen:
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0
Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/

Watch:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeekly

Connect:
Glen Reynolds - [email protected]
Indie Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/

#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

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On this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with filmmaker Thane Economou about his dark-comedy true-story film Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, starring Kal Penn as Dr. Kapoor amid the Anna Nicole Smith media circus, with Linda Hamilton and Abbie Cornish. 

Economou explains discovering the project through Kapoor’s memoir, shaping an unreliable-narrator structure with lawyer interruptions, and balancing heartbreak with humor inspired by films like Goodfellas, The Social Network, I, Tonya, plus thematic touchstones Quiz Show and Shattered Glass. He details extensive research into Smith’s life and court records, casting Penn and Hamilton, directing key scenes like the diary reading, and filming inside the actual WeHo Pride Parade. He discusses mixed-media visuals, a 2005–2007 soundscape with composers Daniel Stockdale and Niles Dwyer (DJ KASHMIR) and Briarcliff’s theatrical release plan of hitting around 600 screens.

Trust Me, I’m a Doctor opens October 16.

00:00 Welcome and Premise
00:41 Finding the Story
02:02 Choosing Dark Comedy
03:14 Unreliable Narrator Setup
04:21 Film Inspirations
06:27 Deep Research Process
08:01 Casting Kal and Linda
09:49 Directing the Diary Scene
11:01 Shooting Pride Parade
14:34 Narration Rules and Edit
15:55 Building the Soundtrack
17:15 Nailing the 2000s Look
18:56 Distribution and Briarcliff
19:46 Briarcliff Takes the Risk
21:11 Mixed Media and Poking Bears
21:37 Is Kapoor Sympathetic
23:56 Quick Cuts Theater Habits
24:49 The Vista Theater Memories
26:06 Repeat Watches and The Room
27:46 IMAX Odyssey and Parenting
29:34 Final Cut Family Secrets
32:12 Where to Watch and Farewell

Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/

Companies:
Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/
Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

Listen:
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0
Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/

Watch:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeekly

Connect:
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Indie Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/

#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

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On this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with filmmaker Kasia Adamik about Winter of the Crow, a political thriller set in Warsaw during martial law in 1981, starring Lesley Manville as British professor Joan who witnesses a secret-police murder and becomes trapped in a shut-down country. 

Adamik explains the film’s long development from adapting Olga Tokarczuk’s seven-page novel, the challenge of capturing Tokarczuk’s absurdity and humor, and the decision to tell the story subjectively rather than with detailed political factography. She describes changing the protagonist from male to female after earlier script versions stalled, which clarified Joan’s vulnerability, ambiguity with students, and Thatcher-era context. 

Adamik details recreating 1981 Warsaw largely in Luxembourg with slightly exaggerated realism influenced by Brazil, using Polaroids as proof and a “reality check,” and reflecting on her storyboard career before discussing the film’s themes of normalized oppression, lost freedoms, empathy, and audience reactions after its Toronto premiere.

Winter of the Crow opened in limited theaters October 9.

00:00 Show Intro and Setup
00:55 Origins of the Adaptation
02:53 Tokarczuk Tone and Subjective Approach
04:44 Why Joan Became a Woman
08:06 Casting Lesley Manville
10:09 Building Warsaw 1981
13:03 Polaroids as Proof and Paranoia
14:53 From Storyboards to Directing
16:29 Themes of Oppression and Empathy
18:38 Festival Premiere and Audience Reactions
20:49 Quick Cuts Moviegoing Q&A
24:03 Final Cut and Where to Watch

Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/

Companies:
Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/
Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

Listen:
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0
Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/

Watch:
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Connect:
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Indie Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/

#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

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This week on Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds highlights five indie films worth knowing about: three in theaters, one on demand, and one classic.

🎥 Indie Film Reviews:
Misty Green (2026)
California Schemin’ (2026)
Double Trouble (2026)
Ballroom (2026)
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/

Companies:
Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/
Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

Listen:
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0
Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/

Watch:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeekly

Connect:
Glen Reynolds - [email protected]
Indie Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/

#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds