The Independent (2001)

Synopsis: Morty Fineman (Jerry Stiller) is an independent schlock film producer-star-director with a problem. He's broke, and he can't finance his new film about a singing serial killer. The bank offers to... Morty Fineman (Jerry Stiller) is an independent schlock film producer-star-director with a problem. He's broke, and he can't finance his new film about a singing serial killer. The bank offers to buy his film library (a whopping 427 films!) but they're only willing to pay him $8 a pound. "We've weighed them," the bankers tell him, "and it's an impressive body of work." Fineman enlists the aid of his estranged daughter, Pamona (Janeane Garofalo) and his long-time assistant Ivan (Max Perlich). They try to rekindle interest in his films by getting Fineman a retrospective at the High Desert Film Festival in the remote town of Chaparral, Nevada, a haven for legal prostitution. Stephen Kessler co-wrote and directed THE INDEPENDENT, a hilarious but affectionate homage to B-movie visionaries like Roger Corman, Russ Meyer, and Herschell Gordon Lewis. The consistently funny film includes appearances by Ben Stiller, Andy Dick, Jonathan Katz, porn star Ginger Lynn Allen, and rock legend John Lydon. There are also cameos by Hollywood luminaries like Ron Howard and Peter Bogdanovich (who sing Morty's praises), but the comedic highlights are the clips of Fineman's hysterically awful films, including such wonders as "The Foxy Chocolate Robot" and "Bald Justice." [More]

Starring: Jerry Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, Ben Stiller, Andy Dick

Starring: Jerry Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, Ben Stiller, Andy Dick, Ethan Embry, Billy Burke, Jonathan Katz, Fred Dryer, Anne Meara, Max Perlich, Roger Corman, Nick Cassavetes, Ron Howard, Fred Williamson, Peter Bogdanovich, Ted Demme, Karen Black

Director: Stephen Kessler

Director: Stephen Kessler
Screenwriter: Mike Wilkins, Stephen Kessler
Producer: Mike Wilkins
Composer: Ben Vaughn
Studio: Arrow Releasing

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