Independent film fans unite! One of the better movie theater-going experiences one can have is heading to an indie film house and seeing a movie not many people are going to see at the same time as you. You go to an independent film to be impressed with the story and the acting rather than the overall spectacle of going to a film.
Independent films are not always the easiest to track down, unless you make trips to an independent movie theater or attend a film festival. Ever since streaming services became a bigger part of the culture, the reach of independent films has grown. Many streaming services highlight independent films, including Fandor. I realized I was overpaying for Hulu, a streaming service that has a few nice shows but nothing I was really interested in movie-wise. Fandor scratched my indie film-loving itch and then some.
Fandor has an extensive library
There are plenty of films you’ve likely never heard of
What impresses me the most about Fandor is the number of films that it has. There are plenty of other streaming services that feature independent films. But Fandor celebrates them unlike any other platform I’ve come across.
After I signed up for a free trial, I began using both the browser version of the platform and the Roku app on my smart TV. I was impressed with the colorful interface and how easy it is to read about each film. Some platforms minimize the descriptions of the films and the titles. Fandor uses the movie posters as an easy way to know which film it is, and has the descriptions prominently displayed in its interface.
Just scrolling through the homepage, you’re met with a lot of recommendations and highlighted films from the platform. Some are available for free with a free trial, while others are exclusively meant for paid customers, giving you a bigger incentive to sign up for a full membership.
The more genres, the better
This didn’t just fall under action and drama
I am a fan of horror films and really enjoy the giallo subgenre. I was ecstatic to see an entire section of giallo films to view, with offerings more than just Suspiria (one of the most well-known giallo films, which is on the platform). There were some I hadn’t heard of, some I hadn’t seen in years, and others that had never been able to track down on a streaming service before.
What’s fun is that the genres are not labeled as something simple. Fandor goes out of its way to differentiate the film selections. Categories range from “Waking Dreams: Cinema’s Lyrical Gaze” to “Every Shade of Us: Queer Lives in Motion,” providing audiences with distinct choices for each. There’s even an entire section of only silent films titled “Silence is Golden.”
Other listings include “The Future is Female,” “Beyond the Frame: Black Lives in Cinema,” and “Distorted Lives, Fractured Psyches.”
Fandor proves it’s an underrated streaming platform by also highlighting specific directors, such as the current listing of “Punk and Paranoia: The Films of Joel Potrykus.” As my subscription extends with the streaming service, I’m interested to see which other directors it singles out. As a film buff (I studied film in college), I’m always eager to expand my movie knowledge and ability to discuss history and those who have influenced not only Hollywood films but also smaller films.
A celebration of the film festival
Come see some of the most famous festival hits
When I started to learn more about films when I was younger, I was drawn to the history of film festivals. The process of movies premiering at festivals and earning larger distribution or helping springboard awards campaigns has always fascinated me. Fandor gives audiences a chance to look back at some of the more notable festival films ever with its pointed collections.
It has a Festival Focus segment and highlights movies known for their premieres at the Cannes, Berlinale, Toronto, Slamdance, and Sundance Film Festivals, as well as Fantastic Fest. From the quirkier offerings that made their way to Park City, Utah, for Sundance, like Afternoon Delight, The Fits, and After Tiller, to the international flavors and controversial picks at Cannes, like The Baby of Mâcon and Holy Motors, there are options for all kinds of fans.
This is a particularly good streaming service because it gives you the ability to watch films that may not have been released widely in your area of the world. There are plenty of movies that I’ve heard of but have never had the chance to watch before on Fandor.
Fandor has other offerings as well
Movies aren’t the only thing it shows
Besides narrative films, Fandor has an extensive collection of documentaries as well. One of its most prominent options in that space is a docuseries called Women Make Film. It is a 14-episode series exploring the role women have played as filmmakers in cinema history.
It is currently the top TV show available on the service. While Fandor does offer TV shows, the number of series to watch is incredibly limited. As of now, there are only eight series. They are:
- Women Make Film
- Interpol Investigates
- 13 Nights of Elvira
- Being Human (UK)
- Extraordinary Stories
- The New Detectives
- The FBI Files
- Jo Frost on Killer Kids
I hope Fandor will expand these more, as there are many fewer TV series than other streaming services offer.
Fandor impressed me with its movie options
All in all, it was hard not to be pleased with the number of independent films on Fandor. As someone who has sought out many independent films, finding a lot of them in one place makes my search a lot easier. For only $4.99 per month, this affordable streaming service is worth the price of admission to be able to see this collection of independent films all in one place. While I hope Fandor can expand its TV offerings, I’m pleased that I can sit back and check out some of the best independent films of all time.