Subculture became a viewpoint to reckon with through writing such as Hunter S. Thompson’s “Hells Angels”, women based magazines like “Ms.” as well as films from Fonda,Hopper, Van Peebles, Romero and Bogdanovich. An all encompassing view of life pushed forward on film. The Hollywood system died and a path was yet unclear for telling an outsider’s story so filmmakers made it up as they went along. Regardless of angle or genre, the new American cinema wanted to tell the every day story. A personal yet post modern bit of life not yet labeled. The back story was not as important as the present moment. Filmmakers Hopper and Fonda were not trying to create a movement but to capture a single feeling in its most current position.

The MPAA rating system is flawed. When it comes to extreme content, the MPAA is far more lenient with violence than it is sex, and other adult oriented images. Therefore, an independent film that wants to explore a sexual taboo is often cursed with an NC-17 rating.Confused? Here ‘s a little help . This rating is a kiss of death. Once a film receives an NC-17 rating there is little hope that it will be properly distributed. In other words, it will not make any money, and be sent straight to DVD. The MPAA rating system does a disservice to independent cinema; scenes often need to be cut in order for a film to receive an R rating. This has always been the case in American cinema. Big budget violence is acceptable, and low budget sex is unfit for our eyes.

Because of using a smaller budget, many of these independent films will have a different look to them than the major films of the same era. This usually comes from inadequate lighting, less expensive camera and less of a post production cycle. This does not have to detract from the “quality’ of the movie.

A lot of times, a starting film maker will produce several independent films. One or more of these may catch the eye of a larger studio or the revenue from the independent films may be the start up cost the film maker needs to go further with their career. These independent films are a great way for a film maker to showcase their talent. An independent film is a great way for a director, actor or any type of film maker to get started in their career.

1. How to Die in Oregon. This 2011 Grand Prize-winning documentary is a shocking look at the state of Oregon’s “Death with Dignity” act, which allows terminally ill patients to seek out doctors to end their lives with medication. It poses many questions regarding assisted-suicide in this country.

2. Waiting For Superman. This 2010 documentary won a prize for Directing in the 2010 Sundance awards. It follows a few underprivileged students around to show the misgivings and failures in our nation’s current educational system.

3. Precious. This controversial film follows a young woman named precious around in hopes of shedding light on the turmoil that many poverty-level African American youths must endure. It won the 2009 Audience award.

4. The Cove. This 2009 documentary won the 2009 Sundance audience award. It serves to examine the nature of Japan’s dolphin-hunting culture.

5. The Wackness. This film won the 2008 audience award for Drama. It is about a troubled teen who seeks to offer Marijuana in exchange for therapy from his Psychiatrist.

6. Murderball. This 2005 film won the audience award for Documentary in 2005. It follows a group of quadriplegic athletes who play rugby.

7. American Splendor. This 2003 film is a biographical portrait of Harvey Pekar, author of the American Splendor comics. It won the 2003 Grand Jury prize for Dramatic film.

8. Clerks. This 1994 film by world-renowned director Kevin Smith is about a day in the life of a pair of convenience store clerks. It won the Filmmakers Trophy for Dramatic film in 1994.

9. Welcome to the Dollhouse. This film won the 1996 Grand Prize for Drama.

10. In The Company of Men. This film stars Aaron Eckhart. It won the 1998 Filmmakers Trophy award for Dramatic film.

That first festival included such films as Midnight Cowboy, The Sweet Smell of Success, Deliverance, and A Streetcar Named Desire. A few of the luminaries that made up that festival’s first jury or panel included Katherine Ross, Anthea Sylbert, Gary Allison, and Verna Fields.

The festival was held for several years in Salt Lake City before being moved to Park City, Utah in 1981. The festival also spawned the Sundance Institute, formed back in 1979 by Sterling Van Wagenen as a pilot project that would later become the institute.

The festival has been responsible over the years to start breakout careers of such actors/filmmakers as Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, and Steven Soderbergh just to name a few. And the festival was also responsible for featuring such films as Saw, Reservoir Dogs, sex, lies, and videotape, and The Blair Witch Project. These films may not have received the attention that they did had it not been for those involved in this festival.

The festival has also garnered popularity in modern American culture over the years as evidenced by its inclusion in an episode of the animated series South Park and has also been a part of an episode of the HBO series Entourage.

10. Dreams, released in 1990. Dreams is 119 minutes long and is a good movie for anyone who appreciates art and imagery. This movie is more about visuals than a sequential story.

9. The Blair Witch Project, release date was 1999. This movie was a pioneer in the art of shooting a shaky, documentary style horror film. It was one of the first, if not the first.

8. My Own Private Idaho, released in 1991. This movie is a story of self exploration and controversial subject matter such as sexuality.

7. Barton Fink, released in 1991. This film about a Hollywood screenwriter won several awards.

6. Chungking Express, released in 1994. This film received a lot of praise when it was released. The movie uses odd camera angles and other film techniques to create an interesting movie.

5. Slacker, released in 1991. This movie was not widely released but has gained a large cult following. It chronicles the life of young adult misfits in Texas who live a bohemian lifestyle. Great movie.

4. Pi, released in 1998. This is a psychological thriller about a genius who becomes unhinged as he attempts to solve all the mysteries of life by the use of numbers.

3. Pulp Fiction, released in 1994. Pulp Fiction has had a huge impact on American culture and is one of the most successful independent films ever. It’s one that everyone should watch.

2. But I’m a Cheerleader, released in 1999. This is a satirical movie that deals with issues of homosexuality and gender roles in society. Not all critics enjoyed the movie, however it is well received by many fans.

1. Clerks, released in 1994 is the top independent film of the nineties, possibly of all time. This low budget, black and white comedy was written by Kevin Smith. This movie introduces us to some unforgettable movie characters. It is loaded with brilliant, hilarious dialogue and captures the attitudes of many working in the service industry. Everyone should watch this movie at least once.

The magic of these films lies in their independent roots. With a studio budget, “Paranormal Activity” would have failed to terrify audiences with its clever special effects and unique approach to filming; had “Lost in Translation” been taken over by Hollywood, Bill Murray might never have been cast in the role that is arguably the best in his career.Didn’t catch that? This explains it.

Listed by year, these cinematic underdogs will make you laugh, cry, and leave you craving more Pinot Noir.

1.”Mulholland Drive” (David Lynch, 2001)
2.”Lost in Translation” (Sofia Coppola, 2003)
3.”Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (Michel Gondry, 2004)
4.”Sideways” (Alexander Payne, 2004)
5.”Brokeback Mountain” (Ang Lee, 2005)
6.”Paranormal Activity” (Oren Peli, 2007)
7.”Frozen River” (Courtney Hunt, 2008)
8.”Rachel Getting Married” (Jonathan Demme, 2008)
9.”An Education” (Lone Scherfig, 2009)
10.”The Kids Are Alright” (Lisa Cholodenko, 2010)