Cinema of outsiders : the rise of American independent film

One of the most important developments in American culture in the last two decades of the 20th century, is the emergence of independent cinema as a viable alternative to Hollywood.

This text provides a comprehensive chronicle of contemporary independent movies from the late 1970s up to 1999.

Documenting the socio-economic, political and artistic forces that led to the rise of American independent film, the book depicts the pivotal role of indie guru Robert Redford and his Sundance Film Festival in creating a showcase for indies, the function of film schools in supplying talent, and the continuous tension between indies and Hollywood as two distinct industries with their own structure, finance, talent and audience.

Levy describes the major cycles in the indie film movement, and bases his information on research of over 1000 films made between 1977 and 1999.

Levy evaluates some 200 quintessential indies including "Choose Me", "Stranger Than Paradise" and "Reservoir Dogs".