A24 Films Prove That Remaining Independent and True Artistry Go Hand I

A24 Films Prove That Remaining Independent and True Artistry Go Hand In Hand

Written by: Sterfrii

Whenever I hear the word “film,” I can’t help but think about A24 and their impressive rise over the years. What’s more impressive, is that they are still considered “independent,” which is hard to believe when you look at their impact, their reach and their ever-growing presence in the world of cinema. The company exemplifies what can be possible whenever true art is given a space to exist. When you give creatives the ability to dive into their process and utilize their skillsets without the worry of some overseer or investor or producer coming in to wreck their flow, you enable those creatives to push forward the artform into unchartered territory.

Albeit a stretch, A24 is considered independent in the movie industry still. They got their start by distributing films, many of which were overlooked by mainstream companies and the giant corporations that control much of Hollywood (and by default the dissemination of film). Between picking up already finished films to distribute and quickly growing with handfuls of directors, actors, etc. who were either familiar or “newer” talent, A24 took their first steps to becoming the giants they are today.

Springbreakers was one of the first movies to give A24 Films widespread attraction after being founded in 2012. They pressed on over the next couple years to introduce not only a TV division, but eventually went on to start producing their own works as well around 2016 with their first original production Moonlight. By this time they had already gotten into deals with Amazon Prime and multiple other streaming services as they were set on the path to being an unstoppable force. The company proved rather quickly that they weren’t going to pump any brakes especially when it came to competing amongst the major studios. Today, A24 movies have earned countless awards and they are continuing to create instant classics – all while growing their ever-loyal fanbase.

What appeals to me about a lot of their films is the unique storytelling elements found from film to film. It’s a vast range of categories and niches, however the movies often capture the everyday life of relatable humans and characters whose stories feel like they need to be told by the end. Especially when the structure is a little more traditional, A24 takes the seemingly ordinary or the mundane and gives the viewer a transformative experience.

Oftentimes they are layered with emotion and are super funny. And/or “artsy.” And/or sexy. And/or brutal. And/or a mix of all the above. The use of vibrant colors and lighting make the words “visually captivating” seem vague for a lot of their offerings. Sometimes I’m reminded of Wes Anderson when seeing an A24 movie because of their use of engaging color palettes and beautiful aesthetics. Or, I’m on the edge of my seat for a thriller, a horror or a film that sits somewhere in between other conventional genres.

The way the films are shot tend to compliment each storyline. When the storylines are more “artsy” in their approach, there tends to be a more ominous or funny tone. Flicks like Swiss Army Man and Tusk skew on the comedy side, while others like Ex-Machina, Hereditary, Midsommar & the Maxxxine trilogy are refreshing, thought-provoking takes on the thriller and horror genres. Then you’ve got the super artsy films like A Ghost Story, which make me feel like I’m back in college taking cinema studies classes upon seeing it a second time. There’s so much raw emotion and out of the box thinking involved in some of their catalog. Regardless of the story arch and events that take place, A24 movies take the audience on a roller coaster that feels as fresh as it does familiar.

I just watched The Whale for the first time and it has all the tale-tale signs of one of my favorite studios. My first knowing interaction with A24 was Uncut Gems with Adam Sandler. The comedian plays a hardened New York jeweler with a crippling gambling addiction. It’s shot in such a realistic way, just following him around watching him make both good and desperate decisions. You’re quickly sucked into his world and aren’t let go until a somewhat abrupt ending.

Once I discovered the company from that and did some digging, I recognized just how many incredible films they were involved with. Between The Whale to Everything Everywhere All At Once, the company has flexed their muscles, won awards and proven that you can remain independent even in the unprecedented age of streaming. Here are three more of my favorites from the company (as of right now!).

American Honey

Sasha Lane and Shia Labeouf co-star in this one. It’s fun and stressful and touches on a bunch of relatable themes. After Star (Sasha) runs away from home, she runs into a traveling troupe of misfits that sell magazines in order to provide for themselves. It’s definitely a roller coaster with hidden bits of passion and bits of romance. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend this one. Shia’s performance is spectacular.

The Florida Project

Here’s another one that feels like it just drops you off in the middle of an everyday family’s life in Orlando, Florida – an everyday family in poverty. The kids are hilarious and as you get familiar with the characters, the story begins to reveal more and more as you’re able to zoom out and get a grasp on the reality of their lives. Willem Dafoe is great in The Florida Project, making this another standout A24 movie.

Good Time

The soundtrack is great and plays a part in dragging you to the edge of your seat – just as we saw with Uncut Gems. This is directed by the same Safdie Brothers and also stars Benny Safdie, alongside Robert Pattinson. Between the fast pacing, quick story telling and even a similarly somewhat abrupt ending, what else is there to say? If you liked Uncut Gems chances are you’ll enjoy this one too.

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