One of the most important developments in American culture in the last two decades of the 20th century, is the emergence of independent cinema as a viable alternative to Hollywood. This text provides a comprehensive chronicle of contemporary independent movies from the late 1970s up to 1999. Documenting the socio-economic, political and artistic forces that led to the rise of American independent film, the book depicts the pivotal role of indie guru Robert Redford and his Sundance Film Festival in creating a showcase for indies, the function of film schools in supplying talent, and the continuous tension between indies and Hollywood as two distinct industries with their own structure, finance, talent and audience. Levy describes the major cycles in the indie film movement, and bases his information on research of over 1000 films made between 1977 and 1999. Levy evaluates some 200 quintessential indies including "Choose Me", "Stranger Than Paradise" and "Reservoir Dogs".

Reviews

As most contemporary moviegoers are aware, the indies (independent films) have been booming recently, with many like Pulp Fiction, Metropolitan, and Boogie Nights becoming major critical and box office hits. Levy (film and sociology, Arizona State Univ. West), a film critic for Variety magazine, first tries to define exactly what distinguishes the indie from a major American studio production and then examines the specific circumstances that have favored the indie boom. But the bulk of the book is a look at the directors or creators of these films and their work, both good and bad, and a survey of the various types of indie films being made. As the author hopes, this engaging look at the indies of the last 22 years will appeal to "educated people who go to the movies and are interested in knowing more about them." Highly recommended for public libraries and subject collections.ÄMarianne Cawley, Charleston Cty. Lib., SC Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

"Levy gives us a comprehensive examination of the American independent film movement, with a level-headed, in-depth assessment of the movies it has produced. This is an indispensable text for anyone who wants to understand the independent world."-David Ansen, "Newsweek"