Sparrows Dance Written and directed by Noah Buschel USA, 2013 While constant corporate factors are frequent roadblocks to the success of independent filmmaking – budget, marketing, and star power to name a few – other, creative factors encourage a noticeable foundation in marking a calling card for small-time directors and actors: poignant settings, modestly strong …
Set in modern-day New York City, Noah Buschel’s Sparrows Dance follows the day-to-day life of an agoraphobic former-actress (a drabbed down Marin Ireland, Homeland). Hitting a decent amount of the Mumblecore check points, the film is low budget (an estimated $175,000 production) and uses naturalistic dialogue and pacing. At the beginning of the 82 minute film, a good fifteen minutes or so is dedicated to establishing that the female lead is indeed agoraphobic and that her life revolves around bodily functions such as going to the bathroom (the film starts with her on the toiler), exercising (on a vintage-looking stationary bike) and eating (takeout: the agoraphobic’s choice).