Best Independent Films, 2015: A Culture Whisper Guide
Arthouse lovers, experience the best independent films 2015, as curated by Culture Whisper.
Diary of a Teenage Girl
Marielle Heller's coming-of-age '70s is a hilarious, heartbreaking and deeply personal account of a teenage girl's affair with her mother’s older boyfriend. Stunningly honest, endlessly contemporary, Marielle Heller's Diary of a Teenage Girl warrants discussion on changing notions of consent, ultimately asking what it means to be a woman.
We can't get enough of Carol Morley's ethereal coming-of-age story about mass psychogenic illness in a sleepy Oxfordshire town. We fell in love with its picture of disillusioned '60s youth: read our interview with the director here).
Whiplash
Independent film from Damien Chazelle depicts a young Jazz musician's struggle to achieve greatness. Despite a cast of relative unknowns, this is an exhilarating gem.
London Road
London Road film, 2015: first staged at the National Theatre, Alecky Blythe's verbatim musical is just as arresting on the big screen.
Mr Holmes
We've seen scores of actors inhabit the role of the notorious detective, but there's originality in this new film. Sherlock Holmes, at 92, is brought to life by Sir Ian McKellen in Bill Condon's Mr Holmes.
Appropriate Behavior
Director writer and actress Desiree Akhavan brings her first debut to UK screens, a refreshingly honest look at the rise and decline of a relationship.
Love is Strange
Ira Sach's latest romantic comedy-drama, Love is Strange stars John Lithgow and Alfred Molina and is a subtly drawn portrait of love and loss.
Slow West
Michael Fassbender stole the screen in Slow West – a brilliant, wonderfully shot take on the traditional Western from debut director John Maclean.
45 Years
From Andrew Haigh, director of Weekend, came the gut-wrenching 45 years, which takes a tragic look at daily life from a rarely visited perspective, and boasts incredible performances from Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling.
Tangerine
Brilliant new film from director Sean Baker is a vibrant and unapologetically honest look at life on the backstreets of L.A. – shot, astonishingly, on none other than an iPhone.
