The Independent (2000)

A notorious B-movie director tries for a comeback by seeking out the film rights to the life story of a serial killer who wants his biography film to be a musical.

Director:

Stephen Kessler

Writers:

Mike Wilkins, Stephen Kessler

Stars:

Jerry Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, Max Perlich

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jerry Stiller	...	Morty Fineman
Janeane Garofalo	...	Paloma Fineman
Max Perlich	...	Ivan
Ted Demme	...	Himself
Roger Corman	...	Himself
Ron Howard	...	Himself
Karen Black	...	Herself
Peter Bogdanovich	...	Himself
Fred Williamson	...	Himself
Nick Cassavetes	...	Himself
Paul Logan	...	Son
Stacy Fuson	...	Daughter
Herb Marcus	...	Old Man / Mr. Witz
Julie Strain	...	Ms. Kevorkian
Stephen Kessler	...	Steve

Storyline

Documentary look at Morty Fineman, a prolific maker of schlock independent films, who's down on his luck. Actors, directors, and writers, including Ron Howard and Karen Black, comment on his work, we see clips from some of his 427 titles, and we watch Morty try to get financing for a film about a serial killer. He hires his daughter, Paloma, as his business manager. His A.D., the long-suffering Ivan, stays by his side. Morty owes the bank $10 million from his one blockbuster failure. Can he find the financing, or is it time for Morty to retire. Meanwhile, Ivan hooks Morty up with a new film festival, in Chaparral, Nevada. Is this the ticket to renewal?

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Plot Keywords:

film director | fictional film festival | serial murder | independent filmmaking | musical filmmaking | 

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Taglines:

Morty Fineman. Artist. Visionary. Madman.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some violence and sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

"Fineman Films"

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 March 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Independentul

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,695, 2 December 2001, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$238,431, 5 May 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Lotus Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Paul's last film.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ted Demme: I think Morty is a visionary.
Roger Corman: I think Morty was and is an artist.
Ron Howard: He's an innovator.
Karen Black: Very persistent. And you have to love him for that.
Peter Bogdanovich: Morty would try things, and then 2 years later someone would copy it and win an Oscar for it.
Fred Williamson: This is the only man that I've ever worked with that I feel I can't take.

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Crazy Credits

The titles of all 427 of Morty Fineman's films are shown along with the end credits.

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Connections

References 12 Angry Men (1957)

User Reviews

A great movie!!!

I saw this movie on Sunset at the screening. It was a great movie. It was a very funny, very quirky movie. It kind of reminded me of Ed Wood. And it was really fabulous because there are so many different cameos in the movie! When you least expect them! Hysterical. Great lines. Funny jokes. I highly recommend this movie.