Problem
Since the 1960s, American independent cinema has persevered and sometimes thrived. In this essay, chart its evolution between the 1960s and the present. What enabled it to emerge initially on a national stage and to become a force in due time? How does its rise impact the majors, then and into the 1990s, for instance? What are the inflection points during this time period, and what are some of its influences, whether domestic or foreign?