List independent films you love
courtesy of Film Listography : Your Life In (Play)Lists
Have a listen to my Top 30 Movies in Music here on Spotify

Editor’s Note: All one needs to do is look at my last movie list to realize that the majority of films I love are considered “independent films”, thus this list is nearly as hard as the all-time movie list. I will do my best, trimming off films that hurt to exclude, but I want to keep this at 30 like the previous list. My apologies to those films that got cut, it doesn’t mean I love you any less.

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
(most likely going to be # 1 on almost all my lists)
Written by Charlie Kaufman, Pierre Bismuth & Michel Gondry
Directed by Michel Gondry

“This is it, Joel. It’s going to be gone soon.” ~ Clementine

“I know.” ~ Joel

“What do we do?: ~ Clementine

“Enjoy it.” ~ Joel

2. Lost in Translation (2003)
Written & Directed by Sofia Coppola

“I don’t want to leave.” ~ Bob

“So don’t. Stay here with me. We’ll start a jazz band.” ~ Charlotte

3. Garden State (2004)
Written & Directed by Zach Braff

“What are you doing?” ~ Sam

“Remember that idea I had, about working stuff out on my own, and then finding you once I worked stuff out?” ~ Andrew Largeman

“The ellipsis?” ~ Sam

“Yeah, the ellipsis, it’s dumb. It’s dumb. It’s an awful idea. I’m not gonna do it, okay? Cause like you said, this is it. This is life. And I’m in love with you… I think that’s the only thing I’ve ever really been sure of in my entire life. And I’m really messed up right now, and I got a whole lot of stuff I have to work out, but I don’t want to waste any more of my life without you in it. And I think I can do this. I mean, I want to. I have to, right?” ~ Andrew Largeman

“Yeah. Yes!” ~ Sam

“So what do we do? What do we do?” ~ Andrew Largeman

4. Daydream Nation (2010)
Written & Directed by Michael Goldbach

“I’m not here to save you. I’m the main character of my life.” ~ Caroline Wexler

5. Broken English (2007)
Written & Directed by Zoe R. Cassavetes

“Most people are together just so they are not alone. But some people want magic. I think you are one of those people.” ~ Jean Paul Clement

6. Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006)
Written by Goran Dukic and Etgar Keret
Directed by Goran Dukic

“Being here with you reminds me of what I was like before my suicide.” ~ Zia

“What were you like?” ~ Mikal

“I was happy…” ~ Zia

7. Me Without You (2001)
Written by Sandra Goldbacher & Laurence Coriat
Directed by Sandram Goldbacher

“There’s no me without you!” ~ Marina

8. Take This Waltz (2011)
Written & Directed by Sarah Polley

“Life has a gap in it. It just does. You don’t go crazy trying to fill it like some lunatic.” ~ Geraldine

9. The Anniversary Party (2001)
Written & Directed by Alan Cumming & Jennifer Jason Leigh

“Would you like a lolly? You’re never too old for a lolly.” ~ Joe Therrian

10. Before Sunrise (1995)
Written by Richard Linklater & Kim Krizan
Directed by Richard Linklater

“I believe if there’s any kind of God it wouldn’t be in any of us, not you or me but just this little space in between. If there’s any kind of magic in this world it must be in the attempt of understanding someone sharing something. I know, it’s almost impossible to succeed but who cares really? The answer must be in the attempt.” ~ Celine

11. Chasing Amy (1997)
Written & Directed by Kevin Smith

“No, idiot. It was a mistake. I didn’t hate her. I wasn’t disgusted with her. I was afraid. At that moment, I felt small, like… like I’d lacked experience, like I’d never be on her level, like I’d never be enough for her or something like that, you know what I’m saying? But, what I did not get, she didn’t care. She wasn’t looking for that guy anymore. She was… she was looking for me, for the Bob. But, uh, by the time I figure this all out, it was too late, man. She moved on, and all I had to show for it was some foolish pride, which then gave way to regret. She was the girl, I know that now. But I pushed her away. So, I’ve spent every day since then chasing Amy… so to speak.” ~ Silent Bob

12. Drinking Buddies (2013)
Written & Directed by Joe Swanberg

“I just needed a smaller place because my place is meant for two, and I am meant for one, so I am moving to a little place. It’s good; it’s got just enough room for me and my imaginary cat.” ~ Kate

13. All Over Me (1997)
Written by Sylvia Sichel
Directed by Alex Sichel

“Open your eyes...” ~ Claude

14. Run Lola Run (Lola rennt) (1998)

“What if I were in a coma, and the doc says, ‘One more day?‘” ~ Manni

“I’d throw you into the ocean… Shock therapy.” ~ Lola

15. Wild At Heart (1990)
Written by David Lynch & Barry Gifford
Directed by David Lynch

“This whole world’s wild at heart and weird on top.” ~ Lula

16. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Written by Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avery
Directed by Quentin Tarantino

“Don’t you hate that?” ~ Mia

“What?” ~ Vincent

“Uncomfortable silences. Why do we feel it’s necessary to yak about bullshit in order to be comfortable?” ~ Mia

“I don’t know. That’s a good question.” ~ Vincent

“That’s when you know you’ve found somebody special. When you can just shut the fuck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence.” ~ Mia

17. Begin Again (2013)
Written & Directed by John Carney

“You can tell a lot about a person by what’s on their playlist.” ~ Dan

“I know you can. That’s what’s worrying me.” ~ Greta

18. Trainspotting (1996)

“Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance. Choose fixed interest mortgage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisurewear and matching luggage. Choose a three-piece suit on hire purchase in a range of fucking fabrics. Choose DIY and wondering who the fuck you are on Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing fucking junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pissing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked up brats you spawned to replace yourselves. Choose your future. Choose life… But why would I want to do a thing like that?”” ~ Mark “Rent-boy” Renton

19. Short Term 12 (2013)
Written & Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton

“Why are you so nice to me?” ~ Grace

“You being serious now? Well, it’s easy. It’s because you are the weirdest, most beautiful person that I’ve ever met in my whole entire life.” ~ Mason

20. Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
Written by Tom Jankiewicz, D.V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink & John Cusack
Directed by Tom Jankiewicz

“I’m sorry if I fucked up your life.” ~ Marty

“It’s not over yet.” ~ Debi

21. Dream for an Insomniac (1996)
Written & Directed by Tiffanie DeBartolo

“Anything less than mad, passionate, extraordinary love is a waste of your time.” ~ Frankie

22. Blue Valentine (2010)
Written by Derek Cianfrance, Joey Curtis & Cami Delavigne
Directed by Derek Cianfrance

“What are you thinking about?” ~ Cindy

“I wish they would hurry up so you can’t change your mind. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.” ~ Dean

23. Ruby Sparks (2012)
Written by Zoe Kazan
Directed by Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris 

“I have you. I don’t need anyone else.” ~ Calvin Weir-Fields

“That’s a lot of pressure.” ~ Ruby Sparks

24. Adventureland (2009)
Written & Directed by Greg Mottola

“Are we doing this?” ~ James Brennan

“Yeah, I think we are.” ~ Em Lewin

25. The Good Girl (2002)
Written by Mike White
Directed by Miguel Arteta

“As a girl you see the world as a giant candy store filled with sweet candy and such. But one day you look around and you see a prison and you’re on death row. You wanna run or scream or cry but something’s locking you up. Are the other folks cows chewing cud until the hour comes when their heads roll? Or are they just keeping quiet like you, planning their escape.” ~ Justine

26. My Life Without Me (2003)

“Without dreams you can’t fucking live.” ~ Ann

27. Desert Blue (1998)
Written & Directed by Morgan J. Freeman

“What’s wrong? We’re okay.” ~ Blue Baxter

“I know. Just having a fun time dying with you.” ~ Skye Davidson

28. Gas, Food, Lodging (1992)
Written by Allison Anders & Richard Peck
Directed by Allison Anders

“If it weren’t for Elvia Rivero, this story wouldn’t even be worth telling. Whenever Elvia came to this litte town, well, it’s like she woke the place up. My home town, Laramie New Mexico, it came alive. Elvia Rivero was the one who made me laugh when I needed to laugh. She made me cry when no one was looking. But most of all, Elvia was able to put into to words what I was thinking.It was Elvia who first gave me the idea. It was decided then and there, I knew what was missing from my life, a man.” ~ Shade

29. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

“I don’t know, I just… I love records. I mean, they’re not for everyone, you know? You really have to take care of vinyl. It’s very delicate, it can get wrecked so easily. You really have to love it. Do you hear how full it sounds? Now, what you want to buy is a thicker record. They’re more stable. The grooves in them are sort of deeper and wider. You get more detail. I mean, they’re harder to carry around ’cause they’re heavier, but they’re worth it. You know, my parents have this… It’s an amazing turntable. It’s vintage, cherry wood Victor 45. Oh! Perfect tone. All the original parts. I can’t wait to hear it again.” ~ Penny

30. Fish Tank (2009)
Written & Directed by Andrea Arnold

“You need sortin’ out, you do.” ~ Connor

“So you keep sayin’ But you’re nothing to me, so why should I listen?” ~ Mia