NEON - The Next Great Indie Studio

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In a time of combined cinematic universes and billion dollar franchises, the indie has quietly found a new sense of life as well. While the independent film studios only have a fraction of the money available to big studio movies, they’ve found a strong - and more importantly - loyal fanbase. Despite its relatively limited finances, A24 has established a brand for itself through award-winning and audience favorite films like Moonlight, Lady Bird and Room. When that A24 logo appears in front of a movie, it attracts independent film fans the way the Marvel logo lures in comic book lovers. That being said, they aren’t the only player in this burgeoning indie scene. Studio’s such as Annapurna (Her, If Beale Street Could Talk), The Orchard (What We Do in the Shadows, American Animals), Bleecker Street (Leave No Trace, Logan Lucky), and even Netflix (Roma, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs) are producing and distributing incredible independent films. But there’s another company with a catalog of critically acclaimed films and gems coming out in the near future poised to become the next great indie studio.

NEON was founded in 2017 by Tom Quinn and Tim League. In their first year, they released Colossal, Ingrid Goes West, Beach Rats, and I, Tonya. Each of these titles was released to critical acclaim. I, Tonya received three Oscar nominations including Best Editing, Outstanding Lead Actress in Margot Robbie, and winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Allison Janney. NEON also partnered with Blumhouse to manage Blumhouse Tilt (Sleight, Upgrade).

In 2018, the company sought to establish their voice in the kinds of movies they would release. According to co-founder Tom Quinn, NEON’s films are for audiences who “skew under 45, that have no aversion to violence, no aversion to foreign language and to non-fiction.” This ethos was shown through the subsequent NEON releases. Revenge and Assassination Nation are ultra-violent stories, not for the faint of heart. NEON also released foreign films like Border, which later secured a Best Makeup and Hairstyling nomination at the Academy Awards. Additionally, NEON distributed Three Identical Strangers, a Sundance favorite that went on to be 2018’s 5th highest grossing documentary.. They also released Monsters and Men, and Vox Lux in 2018, which have found very loyal followings.

Within two years NEON have put themselves on the map. The question is, do those two years solidify them as a great indie studio? Even better than A24? That is what Arturo Zurita thinks. In a very short and to the point tweet, Arturo said that he prefers NEON over A24.

This prompted a lot of confusion from followers, but what they may not know, is Art’s already seen a lot of what NEON has to offer later this year. At this year's Sundance Film Festival, they were one of the biggest buyers, purchasing five films, including the Grand Jury Prize winner, Clemency. NEON has a lineup of movies this year that perfectly aligns with there aforementioned release strategy and provides something for just about everyone.

Here is a rundown of NEON’s scheduled releases for 2019 (so far)

Matthew McConaughey in The Beach Bum (2019)


The Beach Bum (dir. Harmony Korine) - March 29

If you aren’t familiar with director Harmony Korine, know that his films lean a lot on the experience you get more than anything else. Best known for directing Spring Breakers (2012), NEON’s acquisition of The Beach Bum gives them a movie that will most likely receive a similar cult following. It premiered at SXSW where it received a mixed reception from audiences, but that’s to be expected from a Korine movie. Korine is unapologetic in his storytelling, and with the drug-infused, boat partying getaway trip starring Matthew McConaughey that is The Beach Bum, it doesn’t seem like he is stopping now.

Amazing Grace (dir. Sydney Pollack) - April 5

Amazing Grace (2019)

When Aretha Franklin passed away in August of 2018, the world lost a truly wonderful soul. In Amazing Grace, audiences will get to witness her belt out gospel music at the New Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. This documentary was directed by legendary filmmaker Sydney Pollack but the footage was never released, until now. With Amazing Grace, NEON has a film that will attract lovers of gospel music, documentaries to witness the beautifully restored footage, and most importantly lovers of Aretha Franklin, both old and new.

Little Woods (dir. Nia DaCosta) - April 19

A smaller, more dramatic story, Little Woods follows two sisters played by Tessa Thompson and Lily James as they try to pay off their mother's mortgage after she dies. This is the feature debut of director Nia DaCosta, who has been tapped by Jordan Peele to direct the Candyman reboot. Little Woods, with 22 critic reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, currently stands at 100% fresh. With an impressive cast that also includes James Badge Dale and Lance Reddick, this will more than likely be an indie darling in the vein of Monsters and Men for NEON.

The Biggest Little Farm (2019)

The Biggest Little Farm (dir. John Chester) - May 10

Los Angeles isn’t necessarily known for its farm life, but when director John Chester and his wife Molly got evicted from there LA apartment, they take the country roads and on 200 acres, set out to build a farm. Well, not just any farm, but one of the most diverse farms of its kinds. What they didn’t know was that the land they have is depleted of nutrients thanks to a massive drought. The Biggest Little Farm takes place over an eight-year span of hard labor and love. For NEON, it seems like this documentary, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, will lend itself to warm the hearts of its audience and show just how brutal but also magical nature truly is.

Wild Rose (dir. Tom Harper) - June 14

An English tale of musical desires. Wild Rose stars Jessie Buckley fresh off the heels of her BAFTA-winning performance in Beast as a ex-con turned country music singer as she tackles life trying to get to the heart of country music, Nashville, Tennessee. Director Tom Harper has worked in television most prominently, directing episodes of War & Peace and Peaky Blinders. A film with music at its core, it seems like Wild Rose will play to English audiences more than American, but Buckley’s performance is being celebrated, and if the film is good enough, NEON should have another indie hit.

Luce (2019)

Luce (dir. Julius Onah) - August 2

One of the films that Arturo could not stop talking about coming out of Sundance, Luce is a story of race, privilege, and trust. This will be an indie summer hit for NEON, filled with stellar performances from Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Octavia Spencer, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. Luce is also an indication of what second chances can do for a filmmaker as director Julius Onah was first introduced to audiences with the infamous Cloverfield: Paradox last year. Out of Sundance, it garnered stellar reviews and NEON was smart to pick it up. This is a film that challenges its audience, is timely, and definitely makes you think.

Monos (dir. Alejandro Landes, Alexis Dos Santos) - TBA

This is a war epic set in the jungle of Colombia following a group of teenage guerilla fighters. Think of a mix between Lord of the Files but in Spanish and with war elements. Monos is a beautiful film both in its story and craft and that is due to directors Alejandro Landes and Alexis Dos Santos. The film picked up the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award while at Sundance. They cast a mix of actors and non-actors and was able to bring out some incredible performances. Most notably from Julianne Nicholson, and Moises Arias (most well known as Rico from Hannah Montana, but trust me, he goes to some dark places in this film). The film is also scored by Mica Levi (Under the Skin, Jackie) who put together a haunting score to accompany the film. NEON could possibly have a strong foreign film nominee contender on their hands.

Parasite (2019)

Parasite (dir. Bong Joon-Ho) - TBA

After directing two English language films in Snowpiercer and Okja, Bong Joon-Ho returns to Korea for his next feature. Parasite is a family drama with a stellar cast of Korean actors, a lot of whom have worked with Joon-Ho in the past. NEON was able to secure distribution for a film from one of the most exciting directors working today. Most people will be familiar with his English films, but Joon-Ho has also directed one of the best crime thrillers in Memories of Murder and the monster horror movie The Host. The verdict is still unknown whether this will be a foreign film contender, but with Boon Joon-Ho at the helm, anything is possible.

The Lodge (dir. Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala) - TBA

A single location horror film set in the snow, The Lodge comes from the directing duo behind the acclaimed Goodnight Mommy. Sharing a lot of comparisons with 2018’s Hereditary (including a slot in Sundance’s Midnight section), it follows a brother and sister trying to come to terms with their Father's new girlfriend. While not as well put together as Hereditary, The Lodge still offers horror fans a chilling environment and bleak imagery a lot of people will eat up. Having a genre film is just another excellent addition to NEON's lineup.

Alfre Woodard in Clemency (2019)

Clemency (dir. Chinonye Chukwu) - TBA

The winner of the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Award, Clemency tells the story of a veteran prison warden and her psychological battle with handing out years of death sentences. That prison warden is played by Alfre Woodard and her performance is being hailed as one of the best from Sundance. The film is the debut feature form director Chinonye Chukwu who seems to have a paved a good path with Clemency. Possibilities of best actress are high, but it's still very early to set anything in stone. NEON should see that potential and try to release this closer to award season and make another push towards the Oscars.

This One’s for the Ladies (dir. Gene Graham) - TBA

A documentary centered around the world of exotic dancing within the black American community. Think of a real-world Magic Mike, not as glossy and specifically looking at the impact dancing has on black communities. The trailer shows director Gene Graham’s examination on a couple of dancers and how there life decision has changed them, changed their families and friends. It also takes a look at the community of women who put together and attend these dances and the joy they bring. Another documentary to add to NEON’s wide array of films that will find an audience.

Lupita Nyong’o in Little Monsters (2019)

Little Monsters (dir. Abe Forsythe) - TBA

A hilarious zombie apocalypse movie following a kindergarten class. Yes, I am serious, and yes it is rated R. Director Abe Forsythe wanted to tell a story for his son and highlight how important teachers are and he was able to pull that off, plus zombies. The teacher of the class is played by Lupita Nyong'o who, with the addition of little monsters, is going to have a ridiculous year. Every single child actor puts on a show and will make you laugh uncontrollably. NEON picked this one up in a partnership deal with Hulu, so distribution hasn't been exactly worked out. Hopefully this will end up in theaters because it has huge box office potential. An incredible heartfelt movie with the addition of blood and guts, what can beat that!