chlotrudis

CHLOTRUDIS CO-PRESENTATIONS WITH IFFB

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:11:34 GMT

CHLOTRUDIS CO-PRESENTS ELLEN PAGE IN ‘TRACEY FRAGMENTS’ and GUY MADDIN’S ‘MY WINNIPEG’ AT INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL OF BOSTON

Boston MA - The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is pleased to join with the Independent Film Festival of Boston once again to co-present two films as part of the festival’s 6th year. MY WINNIPEG, the latest from director Guy Maddin, will play on Monday April 28th, with the director in attendance, and THE TRACEY FRAGMENTS, starring recent Academy Award nominee Ellen Page, will screen on Friday April 25th and Sunday April 27th.

Showcasing his signature use of silent and early sound era cinema, MY WINNIPEG is legendary director Guy Maddin’s loving tribute, or what he calls a ‘docu-fantasia’ to his hometown in Manitoba. The Toronto Film Festival, where it premiered last fall, describes the film as “equal parts mystical rumination and personal history, city chronicle and deranged post-Freudian proletarian fantasy, it blends local myth with childhood trauma”, eventually “morphing into a meditation on belief and truth, memory and myth.” The film will have only one screening, at 8pm on Monday April 28 at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline. Guy Maddin will be in attendance to present the film and participate in a post-film Q&A session.

Presented almost completely in split-screen frames, THE TRACEY FRAGMENTS is a film that uses its fractured visual design to convey the chaos and emotion that catapults a disturbed teenaged girl as she navigates her broken world. Director Bruce McDonald pushes the split-screen technique to bursting point, “virtually tearing the screen apart in an effort to capture Tracey’s headspace”, playing with the film’s tone “wildly as Tracey struggles to deal with events that move from schoolgirl fantasies to quasi-surreal encounters to frenzied accounts of high-school persecution. Ellen Page carries the weight of this film with extraordinary confidence; her performance as the troubled Tracey is electric and compelling. THE TRACEY FRAGMENTS will be shown Friday April 25 at 9:45pm at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, and again on Sunday April 27 at 10pm at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, Somerville.

Celebrating its 6th year, the IFFB has become the premiere film festival in Boston, bringing dozens of independent films and filmmakers together each spring to showcase the best and brightest to an ever-growing, appreciative Boston audience. Thanks to its continued success and popularity, the festival extended its run by two days this year. Check the IFFB website for more information on these and all other film and film events that will be part of this year’s festival.

The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit group devoted to honoring and supporting independent and foreign films and their audiences. For more than ten years, the group has worked with film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers. Check our website for announcements of upcoming events, and for regular weekly independent film listings.

CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY CO-PRESENTS MODERN-DAY ‘PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY’ AT BOSTON GAY & LESBIAN FILMFEST

Wed, 02 May 2007 23:07:20 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boston MA - The CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY FOR INDEPENDENT FILM (CSIF) is pleased to announce its participation in this year’s Boston Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, as a co-presenter of THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, screening on Saturday, May 19, at 8:45pm at the Museum of Fine Arts. Now in its 23rd year, the Gay and Lesbian Film/Video Festival is one of the longest running film festivals in the state. This year’s twenty-one-program slate contains feature films and documentaries from around the world, as well as women’s, men’s, youth, and transgender short film programs.

Directed by Duncan Roy, whose debut feature-length film AKA played Sundance and gained him much attention, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY is a modern retelling of Oscar Wilde’s classic tale. Set amidst the excesses of New York’s art world of the 1990s, it is the story of young Dorian - while playing a game one night with friends, he swears he would never “betray a friend, kill someone, or have sex with a man.” As the story unfolds, Dorian seems to stay forever young and innocent, while a hidden video portrait holds the dark truths and secrets of what he has truly become, and what promises he has broken. David Gallagher (‘Seventh Heaven’) stars as Dorian, and the cast is stocked with other familiar TV faces, including Michael Bellasario (‘JAG’) and Christian Camargo (‘Dexter’).

The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit group devoted to honoring and supporting independent and foreign films and their audiences. For over a decade, the group has worked with film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers. Check our website for announcements of upcoming events, and for regular weekly independent film listings.

CHLOTRUDIS CO-PRESENTS CANADIAN FILMS ‘MONKEY WARFARE’, ‘AWAY FROM HER’ AT INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:14:55 GMT

Boston MA - The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film (CSIF) is pleased to join with the INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL OF BOSTON (IFFB) for the third time to co-present both what is sure to be one of the festival’s highlights, MONKEY WARFARE, as well as Julie Christie’s return to the big screen in AWAY FROM HER. These Canadian gems garnered raves at last fall’s Toronto Film Festival, and Chlotrudis is honored to help bring the director and cast members of MONKEY WARFARE to Boston for its New England premiere.

MONKEY WARFARE stars Don McKellar, Tracy Wright and Nadia Litz. Dan (McKellar) and Linda (Wright) are a once political activist couple now living off the grid and getting by on temp work and reselling found items online, for just enough money to keep a roof over their heads and to supply their pot habit. Their new supplier, Susan (Litz), a young radical activist enters into their lives, and she awakens inspirations, passions and ghosts from Dan and Linda’s past that could prove incendiary. Director Reg Harkema manages both a playful and poignant vibe, hearkening back to Godard’s La Chinoise while updating its 60s themes to fit postmodern activist life in the big city, with a great soundtrack and evocative Toronto locations that make this a hip and funny film. It will be shown Friday April 27 at 9:45pm at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, and again on Sunday April 29 at 7:30pm at Harvard Square’s Brattle Theatre.

Julie Christie makes an unforgettable return in AWAY FROM HER, the feature length directorial debut for Sarah Polley, one of Canada’s brightest and most accomplished young actors. Adapted by Polley from Alice Munro’s short story ‘The Bear Came Over the Mountain’, the film stars Christie as Fiona, suffering from early onset Alzheimers. Married for years and now happily retired with husband Grant(Gordon Pinsent), Fiona is determined to spare Grant from the onus of caretaking, and insists on going to a rest home, a decision which carries with it a different sort of pain for Grant, who is resolved to make his wife comfortable, even at the cost of his own
happiness or peace. It is ultimately a story of continued unfolding over a lifetime of passion, love, friendship and devotion. Screenings are Friday April 27 at 7pm at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, and Saturday April 28 at 6pm at the Somerville Theatre.

Celebrating its 5th year, the IFFB has become the premiere film festival in Boston, bringing dozens of independent films and filmmakers together each spring to showcase the best and brightest to an ever-growing, appreciative Boston audience.

The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit group devoted to honoring and supporting independent and foreign films and their audiences. Check our website for announcements of upcoming events, and for regular weekly independent film listings.

Winners and Highlights from Sunday's Chlotrudis Awards

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 14:12:04 GMT

NO BIG WINNER AMONG SURPRISES AT 13TH ANNUAL CHLOTRUDIS AWARDS

Boston MA - This year’s crop of Chlotrudis Award winners was among the biggest, with only one film winning multiple awards and one category ending with a tie. In perhaps the night’s biggest surprise, despite leading with the most nominations, David Lynch’s INLAND EMPIRE didn’t wind up winning in any of its four categories.

Michael Haneke’s CACHE won for Best Movie and Director, while in the prestigious Buried Treasure category Iran’s IRON ISLAND, and THE NIGHT OF TRUTH, from the first female director of a feature film in sub-Saharan Africa, tied for top honors. Other notables: amid tough competition, Michel Gondry’s THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP pulled out a win for Visual Design, while performer/songwriter Nick Cave’s beginners’ luck held out as THE PROPOSITION won for Original Screenplay. A complete list of winners follows this announcement.

The winners from last fall’s 7th Annual Chlotrudis Short Film Festival were also officially announced during the show. TRINA’S COLLECTIONS, by Ellen Lake, won Best Film, while the Audience Award went to THE WINE BAR, directed by Christian Remde, who made the trek from New York to accept in person. Lake’s film is a documentary that celebrates Trina Robbins (writer/producer of Go Girl! Comics) and her eclectic collections. THE WINE BAR’s premise is deceptively simple: on a winter night in New York City, an average guy, Henry, wanders into an upscale wine bar looking for a beer.

Presenters and guests included many members of the Boston film community, among them nationally respected film scholar Gerald Peary, Peter Keough, film editor for The Boston Phoenix, and novelist Chris Castellani, who also heads the Grub Street Writing Center. Staff members of the event's major sponsor, the Canadian Consulate of Boston, were also in attendance. In addition, representatives from the Independent Film Festival of Boston, the Boston Jewish Film Festival, the Boston Latino International Film Festival, Women in Film/Video New England and the Harvard Film Archive participated in the night’s festivities.

The traditional musical number this year poked fun at the Best Movie nominees to the tune of Dreamgirls, and kicked off the show. Thanks to a video glitch that prevented key visual hints to explain the performers’ odd appearances the first time around, the song was reprised at the end of the program, to many approving hoots and applause. Other memorable highlights of the night included Eric Jausseran of the French Consulate’s homemade subtitle cards, with comments, as he read out the Best Actor nominations - Eric claimed they were necessary because of his French accent, which mysteriously grows thicker the longer he lives in Boston!

But the big highlight of the night was the surprise announcement made by the night’s honorees, Don McKellar and Tracy Wright, who drew inspiration from the cat-centric history of Chlotrudis, enough to inaugurate (make up) their own special award, The Pinky Award, presented to ‘the film group that supports independent film, regularly honors Canadian film talent, and has a close affinity with all things feline’. After much fanfare, upon opening the winning envelope they were chagrined to find that Chlotrudis did not, in fact, win - however, the group placed second, and Chlotrudis’ president Michael Colford was thrilled to accept the second prize certificate, emblazoned with a picture of Don and Tracy’s cat, Pinky.

Earlier, both had been visibly moved by their respective tributes, Ms. Wright jokingly thanking the society on behalf of her therapist, while Mr. McKellar turned the spotlight back upon Chlotrudis’ work, lauding in particular the importance of the Buried Treasure category of films, at a time when the challenges of distribution make it ever more difficult for truly independent work to get seen.

The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit group that teaches people to view film actively and experience the world through independent film, and encourages discussion. The group works with film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers. Visit its website for more information.

BEST MOVIE
Cache

BEST DIRECTOR
Michael Haneke - Cache

BEST ACTOR
Vincent Lindon - La Moustache

BEST ACTRESS
Robin Wright Penn - Sorry, Haters

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jackie Earle Haley -Little Children

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Carmen Maura - Volver

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE CAST
Little Miss Sunshine

BEST VISUAL DESIGN
The Science of Sleep

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Proposition

BEST DOCUMENTARY
This Film is Not Yet Rated

BURIED TREASURE (tie)
Iron Island
The Night of Truth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 19:38:08 GMT

PROLIFIC CANADIAN DON MCKELLAR TO BE HONORED BY AT CHLOTRUDIS INDIE FILM AWARDS CEREMONY

Boston MA - For over a decade, the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film has highlighted its commitment to independent and foreign film in style by holding its own black-tie CHLOTRUDIS AWARDS ceremony in early spring. The 13th edition will be held Sunday March 18th at the historic Brattle Theatre, and the public is invited to join Chlotrudis members, nominees and special guests in the celebration. And on the occasion of its lucky thirteenth celebration, the Chlotrudis Society is thrilled to present its Body of Work award this year to Don McKellar.

Recently described by the New York Times as “a Renaissance man of the Toronto indie film scene“, Don McKellar has earned accolades as a director, actor and writer in television, film and theatre. He made his film acting and co-writing debut in ROADKILL, the first of director Bruce MacDonald’s legendary trio of road movies. This also marked the first of many times McKellar would work with other young Toronto artists, fruitful collaborations over the years that have continued up to present-day, including the Broadway musical THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, for which McKellar won a Tony for Best Book.

While he has been most prolific as an actor and a writer, McKellar is perhaps most beloved for his 1998 directorial debut film (which he also authored and starred in), LAST NIGHT, a melancholy comedy about a young man just trying to be alone during the last night of the world. In 2004’s CHILDSTAR, McKellar once again was a director/writer/actor triple threat, in this sardonic take on the film industry. Lately, he has been winning new fans as a high-strung theatre director in the critically acclaimed TV series, SLINGS AND ARROWS, now beginning its third season on the Sundance Channel.

Some of McKellar’s other highlights include appearing in and/or co-writing films such as WHEN NIGHT IS FALLING, THE RED VIOLIN, starring Samuel L. Jackson, and Atom Egoyan’s EXOTICA and WHERE THE TRUTH LIES. Last but not least is his iconic role as Curtis, the slacker lead of TWITCH CITY, a cult Canadian series now on DVD.

For the competitive award categories, 38 films were nominated, with INLAND EMPIRE leading the pack, coming away with 5 nods, including Best Movie, Director and Actress. Among the others were nominations representing over a dozen countries’ films, across five continents. Three films placed second, with 4 nominations apiece: Michael Haneke’s paranoia fraught French film CACHE; Nick Cave’s debut screenwriting effort about the Wild West Down Under, THE PROPOSITION; and the widely acclaimed comedy DUCK SEASON from Mexico.

Another highlight of the night is the Buried Treasure category, in which attention is bestowed upon those films which earned less than $250,000 in the U.S., and which Chlotrudis members feel deserve a second look. Singled out this year are Doug Block’s highly personal documentary 51 BIRCH STREET; THE AURA, an Argentinian film noir; the latest from director Claire Denis, THE INTRUDER; from Iran, IRON ISLAND; the first feature film directed by a sub-Saharan woman, NIGHT OF TRUTH, and Boston-based Andrew Bujalski’s sophomore effort, MUTUAL APPRECIATION.

The show begins at 5 pm, and tickets are $20 ($15 for members). Visit the group’s website , for more information on this year’s list of Chlotrudis Award nominees.

The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit group that encourages discussion and teaches people to view film actively and experience the world through independent film. For more than ten years, the group has worked with film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers. Check the group’s website often for announcements of upcoming events, and for regular weekly independent film listings.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 22:51:33 GMT

BRATTLE THEATRE AND CHLOTRUDIS PRESENT 7TH SEMESTER OF SUNDAY ‘EYE-OPENER’ FILM SERIES

Boston MA - The CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY FOR INDEPENDENT FILM (CSIF), in conjunction with the BRATTLE FILM FOUNDATION, begins their latest semester of The Sunday Eye-Opener at 11am Sunday, March 4th at the historic art-house theatre in the heart of Cambridge’s Harvard Square.

As well as the latest independent releases coming to town, the Sunday Eye-Opener features cutting-edge films that are seeking distribution, classic re-releases, and the work of local filmmakers. Highlights of previous Eye Opener semesters include Lars Von Trier’s EPIDEMIC, BUBBA HO-TEP, Yimou Zhang’s HERO, documentaries such as TARNATION, OVERNIGHT, and THE AGRONOMIST, and an early Ingmar Bergman classic, SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT.

Each screening will be introduced with some background on the art of cinema which the film highlights in eye-opening fashion. In past seasons screenings have included the filmmaker or a guest presenter from the local film community. Come early for the complimentary continental breakfast, stay late for the often spirited post-film discussion. Admission for the entire 8-week series is $50 for the general public, or $30 for members of the Brattle or Chlotrudis.

The Brattle Film Foundation runs the Brattle Theatre, and has been dubbed “Boston’s unofficial film school.” The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit group devoted to honoring and supporting independent and foreign films and their audiences. For more than ten years, the group has worked with film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers. Check http://www.chlotrudis.org for announcements of upcoming events, and for regular weekly independent film listings.

CHLOTRUDIS PRESENTS SPECIAL WEEK ENGAGEMENT OF SHORT FILMFEST FINALISTS IN MARCH AT COOLIDGE CORNER

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 18:50:22 GMT

Boston MA - This past October’s Chlotrudis Short Film Festival has once again been invited to screen the finalists’ films for a weeklong run at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, in its Screening Room. This exclusive return engagement begins Friday March 2nd, through the 8th, with nightly 7pm showtimes. Tickets are $9.50.

The eleven finalists comprise a diverse lot, including the documentaries TRINA’S COLLECTIONS, from California filmmaker Ellen Lake; PORTRAIT AS, a visual portrait of disabled filmmaker Stephen Dwoskin, by Claire Fowler; and FORGETTING BETTY, about a grandson spending a day with his grandmother. Once again an animated film, PUPPET, made the cut, directed by Patrick Smith whose HANDSHAKE was a standout in last year’s festival.

Other interesting pairs are the comedies THE STORY OF BUBBLEBOY and SOME DREAMS COME TRUE, both offerings from Australian filmmakers. SOME DREAMS COME TRUE also figures in another movie pair, this time sharing a theme: TIL DEATH DO US PART explores the over the top elements of wedding stress and emotions in over the top fashion, while SOME DREAMS mines the same territory more with a droll eye for details.

A new addition this year is a promotional video sneak peek of the films, which can be found on YouTube, here

The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit group that teaches people to view film actively and experience the world through independent film, and encourages discussion. The group works with film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers. Visit its website,here for more information.

Announcing Our 2006 Chlotrudis Award Nominations!

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:27:03 GMT

Lynch's INLAND EMPIRE Dominates!
Nominations for the 13th annual CHLOTRUDIS AWARDS were finalized by the film group’s nominating committee this past weekend. Among the 38 films receiving nominations, INLAND EMPIRE (left) led all films, coming away with 5 nods, including Best Movie, Best Director and Best Actress. Directed by David Lynch, INLAND EMPIRE is perhaps one of the most truly independent films represented this year, being 100% distributed by the legendary director himself.

Among the others were nominations representing over a dozen countries’ films, across five continents. Three films placed second, with 4 nominations apiece: Michael Haneke’s paranoia-fraught French film CACHÉ; Nick Cave’s debut screenwriting effort about the Wild West Down Under, THE PROPOSITION; and the widely acclaimed comedy DUCK SEASON from Mexico.

Singled out in a special category called Buried Treasure are Doug Block’s highly personal documentary 51 BIRCH STREET; THE AURA (right), an Argentinian film noir; the latest from director Claire Denis, THE INTRUDER; from Iran, IRON ISLAND; the first feature film directed by a sub-Saharan woman, NIGHT OF TRUTH, and Boston-based Andrew Bujalski’s sophomore effort, MUTUAL APPRECIATION. Buried Treasure nominations are bestowed upon those films which earned less than $250,000 in the U.S., and which Chlotrudis members feel deserve a second look and shout-out.

For over a decade, the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film has highlighted its commitment to independent and foreign film in style by holding its own black-tie CHLOTRUDIS AWARDS ceremony in early spring. The 2007 edition will be held Sunday March 18th at the historic Brattle Theatre, and the public is invited to join Chlotrudis members, nominees and special guests in the celebration.

In addition to the competitive categories, Chlotrudis also presents special awards that honor individuals or films for particular distinction. Past recipients Genevieve Bujold (Chloe Award for acting), Kerry Washington (Breakthrough Award), Thom Fitzgerald (Gertrudis Award for direction) and Philip Seymour Hoffman (first Hall of Fame inductee) are among those who have made the trek to Boston to be honored for their contributions to independent film. This year’s recipients are still being finalized at press time.

Members this year were struck by the depth of potential nominees in the acting categories, making those final rosters particularly difficult. Nevertheless, Michael Colford, Chlotrudis founder, commented, “The Chlotrudis mission was truly exemplified," adding “the films represent so many different countries, genres, release patterns, box office…it’s a wonderful cross-section.”

A complete list of the nominations for the 13th Annual Chlotrudis Awards :

BEST MOVIE
Caché
Duck Season
Half Nelson
Inland Empire
Shortbus
Sorry, Haters

BEST DIRECTOR
Pedro Almodóvar - Volver
Fernando Eimbcke - Duck Season
Michael Haneke - Caché
David Lynch - Inland Empire
Deepa Mehta - Water

BEST ACTOR
Daniel Auteuil - Caché
Gael García Bernal - The Science of Sleep
Ryan Gosling - Half Nelson
Vincent Lindon - La Moustache
Guy Pearce - The Proposition
Ray Winstone - The Proposition

BEST ACTRESS
Maggie Cheung - Clean
Laura Dern - Inland Empire
Shareeka Epps - Half Nelson
Sandra Hüller - Requiem
Ellen Page - Hard Candy
Robin Wright Penn - Sorry, Haters

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Enrique Arreola - Duck Season
Robert Downey, Jr. - A Scanner Darkly
Jackie Earle Haley - Little Children
Richard Griffiths - The History Boys
Danny Huston - The Proposition
Nick Nolte - Clean

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Carmen Maura - Volver
Grace Zabriskie - Inland Empire
Charlotte Gainsbourg - The Science of Sleep
Catherine O’Hara - For Your Consideration
Zoe Weizenbaum - Twelve and Holding

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE CAST
Duck Season
For Your Consideration
The History Boys
Little Miss Sunshine
Russian Dolls

BEST VISUAL DESIGN
Brothers of the Head
Inland Empire
Iron Island
The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes
The Science of Sleep
Water

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
A Scanner Darkly
Brothers of the Head
The History Boys
Little Children
La Moustache
Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Caché
Old Joy
The Proposition
Requiem
Sorry, Haters

BEST DOCUMENTARY
10th District Court
49 Up
Jesus Camp
Shut Up and Sing
Sisters In Law
Street Fight
This Film Is Not Yet Rated

BURIED TREASURE
51 Birch Street
The Aura
The Intruder
Iron Island
Mutual Appreciation
Night of Truth

SHORT FILM FESTIVAL COMES TO THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY IN OCTOBER

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 20:54:02 GMT

The CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY FOR INDEPENDENT FILM (CSIF) will present its 7th annual Short Film Festival on Thursday October 19, 2006, for the first time at the historic Boston Public Library in Copley Square. At this competitive one-night event, a cash prize winner will be selected for Best Film, and viewers will vote to decide the Audience Favorite. The show begins at 6:30 pm, in the Rabb lecture hall, and there is no admission charge.

Commended in 2004 by the Boston Society of Film Critics for being one of the year’s best film series or film events, the Chlotrudis Short Film Festival has over the years screened shorts from around the corner and all over the world. The short film festival is one way the film-lovers of CSIF honor and support the short film genre, as well as the filmmakers who devote their passion and energy into this lesser seen cinematic art form. At the same time, it has been an opportunity for Boston area audiences to enjoy a night of some of the best short films out there.

Building on our previous success, however, this year we will present an encore screening of the festival program at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in February 2007, giving Boston audiences a second chance to see the latest and greatest on the short film scene. And as always, the winning film-maker will also be honored at the annual Chlotrudis Awards ceremony in mid-March.

Over the years, films in competition have come from as far away as Australia and Israel, and winning films and filmmakers have gone on to greater acclaim. Last year’s Audience Award winner DARLING DARLING went on to screen at such noted film festivals as Ann Arbor, Newport, Montreal’s Just for Laughs, and Boston’s own Independent Film Festival. In addition, the festival on occasion has shown out of competition some favorite shorts seen at other festivals - last year, Boston was the first US city to see Don McKellar’s digital cellphone shorts, thanks to Chlotrudis’ efforts.

CSIF is a Boston-based non-profit group devoted to honoring and supporting independent and foreign films and their audiences. For over ten years, the group has worked with film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers. Check the group’s website often for announcements of upcoming events, and for regular weekly independent film listings.

CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY SPONSORS FAKE ROCK DOC ON CAPE

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 17:27:40 GMT

BROTHERS OF THE HEAD at PROVINCETOWN FILM FEST

The CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY FOR INDEPENDENT FILM (CSIF) is pleased to announce its sponsorship of BROTHERS OF THE HEAD, part of this year’s PROVINCETOWN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (PIFF), to be held June 14 - 18. The film will have two screenings, 10pm on Thursday 6/15 and 4:30pm on Sunday 6/18. Check PIFF's website, or pick up a festival schedule for more details. Now in its eighth year, PIFF “presents a vibrant and nostalgic selection of films and programs that reflect Provincetown's rich tradition of diversity, creative expression, and enlightenment”, this year with over 50 films plus special events, panels and parties.

BROTHERS OF THE HEAD is the narrative debut for directors Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe, who first garnered attention with LOST IN LA MANCHA, which chronicled Terry Gilliam’s nightmare attempt to make his dream Don Quixote film. Fulton & Pepe play to their strength in BROTHERS OF THE HEAD, using a documentary framework to tell the story of conjoined twin brothers Tom and Barry Howe circa 1974, based on a novel by Brian Aldiss.

Hidden away in a remote corner of England, the brothers are discovered by a music promoter who grooms them, under lock and key, for pop stardom. As they gain their chops, the Howes connect with a more visceral musical style, the success of which leads to both trouble and glory. Told in flashback, the requisite insider and medical expert talking heads provide latter day context as clips from ‘making of’ home movies are interspersed with haunting, provocative dreamscape images, all to a rousing and riveting soundtrack.

Join Chlotrudis members at one of the most vibrant and friendly film festivals in the area. After years of attending the festival and having a great time, Chlotrudis members are thrilled to be working with PIFF to promote independent film. Enjoy a weekend of sun, sand, surf and film with Chlotrudis at the Provincetown International Film Festival.

CHLOTRUDIS BRINGS CONTROVERSIAL FILM ‘SORRY HATERS’, AND DIRECTOR, TO BOSTON

Fri, 19 May 2006 21:42:58 GMT

The CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY FOR INDEPENDENT FILM (CSIF) is pleased to bring to the Boston area on Tuesday May 30th a special presentation of SORRY HATERS, starring Robin Wright Penn, featuring a Q&A with director and screenwriter Jeff Stanzler immediately after. The film will screen in Cambridge at the Brattle Theatre at 7pm, and tickets are $10. Call the box office at (617) 876-6837 for directions or more information.

SORRY HATERS, as described by the film’s website is “a psychological thriller with political and social undertones set in today’s New York. It’s a story of anger, revenge and retribution so timely it could be true.” An official selection at2005’s Toronto Film Festival, the film has engendered passionate response from myriad critics and reviewers ever since. Perhaps because of the intensity of reactions, both positive and negative, the film has found the distribution process even more uphill than most truly independent films have faced lately.

This despite a truly astonishing performance by Robin Wright Penn, whose portrayal of Phoebe, a seemingly hard-nosed cable TV programming executive, has garnered universal critical acclaim. One night Phoebe climbs into the back of a cab and strikes up conversation with the Muslim driver (Abdellatif Kechiche), leading them both on a journey of twists and turns that will be life-changing. Join Chlotrudis to view this thought-provoking film which leaves you to ponder the dark primal edges of Phoebe’s beliefs and emotions, as well as your own.

The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit group devoted to honoring and supporting independent and foreign films and their audiences. For over a decade, the group has worked with film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers. Check http://www.chlotrudis.org for announcements of upcoming events, and for regular weekly independent film listings.

Chlotrudis and the IFFB

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 04:12:21 GMT

Boston MA - For the second year in a row, the CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY FOR INDEPENDENT FILM (CSIF) is pleased to join with the INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL OF BOSTON (IFFB) to co-present what is sure to be one of the festival’s film highlights, THE GREAT NEW WONDERFUL, on Thursday April 20th, at 7pm at the Museum of Fine Arts

THE GREAT NEW WONDERFUL takes place in during the days leading up to the one-year anniversary of 9/11, weaving multiple narratives against the backdrop of a melancholy and uncertain New York City. Directed by Danny Leiner, the film features an impressive ensemble cast that includes Maggie Gyllenhaal (HAPPY ENDINGS, SECRETARY), Edie Falco (The Sopranos), Steven Colbert (The Colbert Report), Olympia Dukakis and Tony Shalhoub (Monk, and longtime A.R.T. favorite).

In an interview during its world premiere last spring, appropriately at New York’s Tribeca Film festival, Leiner spoke about his hopes and vision for the film. "We really didn't want to make a film that was about 9/11, what actually happened. I really was much more interested in the aftermath, and how people dealt with it emotionally."

Only in its fourth year, the IFFB has become the must-see event on the Boston film calendar, bringing dozens of independent films and filmmakers together each spring to showcase the best and brightest to an ever-growing, appreciative Boston audience.

The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit group devoted to honoring and supporting independent and foreign films and their audiences. For more than ten years, the group has worked with film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers. Check our website for announcements of upcoming events, and for regular weekly independent film listings.

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 23:13:25 GMT

Boston MA - Truman got the lion’s share of attention during Sunday’s 12th Annual Chlotrudis Awards held at the Brattle Theatre, with CAPOTE winning 3 Trudies, including Best Movie. Previous Chlotrudis honoree Philip Seymour Hoffman was not present to accept his Best Actor win, however his mother was on hand via cellphone to pass along a thank you to Chlotrudis, with a promise that her next call would be to tell Phil the good news! The film’s third award went to Catherine Keener in the Best Supporting Actress category.

The other multiple winners were BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, for Best Director and Adapted Screenplay, and ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW for Best Ensemble Cast and Original Screenplay. Best Documentary ended in a tie, with BORN INTO BROTHELS and MURDERBALL each going home a winner.

Presenters and guests included many members of the Boston film community, among them Gerald Peary and Peter Keough, film critic and arts editor for The Boston Phoenix, respectively as well as representatives from the Independent Film Festival of Boston, the Boston Jewish Film Festival, the Boston Latino International Film Festival and Women in Film/Video New England. Also in attendance was Matthew Lessner director of DARLING DARLING, which won the Audience Award at the 6th Annual Chlotrudis Short Film Festival, held earlier in the year.

Along with category winner, THE EDUKATORS, all Buried Treasure nominees were feted in song throughout the night. The traditional Chlotrudis parodies this year had a ‘karaoke club’ theme, which provided many of the night’s biggest laughs, as society members warbled while clips from the films played behind them.

The highlight of the night was the presentation of the society’s special awards, to the great character actor Maury Chaykin, who received the honor to recognize achievement in his career so far, and to the Brattle Film Foundation on behalf of the historic Brattle Theatre, which was inducted into Chlotrudis’ Hall of Fame. Mr. Chaykin spoke with engaging humor and passion about the difficulties and joys facing actors in film today, while Brattle directors Ivy Moylan and Ned Hinkle recovered from their surprise award to update the audience with optimistic news on the Preserve The Brattle Legacy fundraising campaign, and to encourage continued support.

The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit group that teaches people to view film actively and experience the world through independent film, and encourages discussion. The group works with film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers. Visit its website, http://www.chlotrudis.org for more information.

BEST MOVIE
Capote

BEST DIRECTOR
Ang Lee - Brokeback Mountain

BEST ACTOR
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Capote

BEST ACTRESS
Marilou Berry - Look At Me

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jeff Daniels - The Squid and the Whale

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Catherine Keener - Capote

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE CAST
Me and You and Everyone We Know

BEST VISUAL DESIGN
2046

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Brokeback Mountain

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Me and You and Everyone We Know

BEST DOCUMENTARY (tie)
Born Into Brothels AND Murderball

BURIED TREASURE
The Edukators

The Latest Info on the 12th Annual Chlotrudis Awards, Sunday 3/19

Tue, 07 Mar 2006 04:17:20 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BOSTON’S CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY HONORS CHARACTER ACTOR MAURY CHAYKIN AT ANNUAL INDIE FILM AWARD CEREMONY

Boston MA - On Sunday March 19th, the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film will honor the prolific and well-regarded character actor, Maury Chaykin, during its 12th Annual Chlotrudis Awards ceremony at the historic Brattle Theatre. Mr. Chaykin will be in attendance to accept his special award from Chlotrudis, to honor his long and varied career, and to celebrate his achievements in the field so far. The show begins at 5 pm, and tickets are $20 ($15 for members).

The year’s slate of nominees is diverse and wide-ranging; 36 films received nominations, representing 10 different languages and 17 countries. CAPOTE led all films, coming away with 5 nods, including Best Actor for Philip Seymour Hoffman’s acclaimed portrayal. Nipping at CAPOTE’s heels with 4 nominations each is Wong Kar Wai’s 2046, and three of the most talked-about American ‘indie’ films of the year, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, ME & YOU & EVERYONE WE KNOW, and THE SQUID AND THE WHALE. Among other multiple nominees are Asian films such as TONY TAKITANI and 3-IRON, and two French films with a strong showing in the acting categories, KINGS AND QUEEN and LOOK AT ME.

The quintessential ‘hey, it’s that guy!’ journeyman actor, Maury Chaykin has had over 130 roles across four decades and two mediums, film and television. Brooklyn-born and a SUNY-Buffalo graduate, Mr. Chaykin has become one of Canada’s acting treasures since moving to Toronto over 30 years ago. A recipient of multiple Canadian award nominations, he has won a Genie (film) for his lead performance in WHALE MUSIC, and a Gemini (TV) for his guest appearance in the series LA FEMME NIKITA.

Among the many films Mr. Chaykin has made his mark in are Oscar winners DANCES WITH WOLVES, MY COUSIN VINNY and BEING JULIA ; Diane Keaton’s underappreciated directorial debut UNSTRUNG HEROES; WILBY WONDERFUL and OWNING MAHOWNY with past Chlotrudis winners Daniel MacIvor and Philip Seymour Hoffman, respectively; and THE SWEET HEREAFTER and WHERE THE TRUTH LIES, two of several of his with director Atom Egoyan. As for television, Mr. Chaykin has played NERO WOLFE, and spun cameo gold in such classic series as ENTOURAGE, DUE SOUTH, TRACEY TAKES ON, and CSI.

The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit group that encourages discussion and teaches people to view film actively and experience the world through independent film. Visit the group’s website, http://www.chlotrudis.org for more information on this year’s list of Chlotrudis Award nominees.

Or email info@chlotrudis.org!

Our 12th Annual Awards to Celebrate the Best of Indie Film in 2005!

Fri, 03 Mar 2006 17:51:49 GMT

It's that time! Sunday March 19th, come on down to the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square to join in the fun at the biggest night for the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film! Tickets at $20 and the show starts at 5pm. Celebrate with Chlotrudis members, Boston critics, local art-house and film festival programmers and other filmbuff friends!

Check here for more information about one of our special award recipients, Maury Chaykin, and click here for the complete list of nominations!

Special Week Engagement Of Short Filmfest Finalists During February At Coolidge Corner

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 05:31:46 GMT

Thanks to a strong slate of competitors from this past Chlotrudis Short Film Festival, held in October at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, the programmers invited Chlotrudis to re-screen the entire night’s program in its Screening Room. This exclusive return engagement begins Friday the 17th, through the 23rd, 7:00 p.m., with tickets $9.50/$6.50 for Coolidge and Chlotrudis members.

Included among the ten finalists is DARLING, DARLING, in which a shy teenager must face down a gauntlet of eccentricities on the way to picking up his date for the prom. The film stars Michael Cera, of the critically acclaimed sitcom ‘Arrested Development’ as the hapless but always polite prom date.

Two films from across the pond, JELLYBABY (Ireland) and TOM-CAT (UK) gleefully upturn relationship and family expectations and situations, while MY SCARLET LETTER and TARAHA illuminate more poignant or darker sides of the human experience.

Meanwhile, animation lovers have not been forgotten, with HANDSHAKE illustrating a common anxiety in surreal fashion, while DISPOSITION plays with the idea of visual perception being affected by mood or temperament.

As a special treat, the festival will open and close with short films by Canadian filmmaker Don McKellar. Their inclusion in October's 6th Annual Chlotrudis Short Film Festival marked their U.S. premiere, and they make a return engagement here out of compeition.

Finally, Chlotrudis encourages all who attend the screenings to vote for your favorite films. Everyone who votes at the week-long screening will be helping to choose the Chlotrudis Short Film Audience Award. The Chlotrudis Award for Best Short Film and the Audience Award will both be announced at the 12th Annual Chlotrudis Awards, held Sunday, March 19 at the Brattle Theatre. Mark your calendars now.

The Latest Update From Chlotrudis

Tue, 27 Sep 2005 18:38:15 GMT

Boston MA - The CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY FOR INDEPENDENT FILM (CSIF) is pleased to announce that its 6th annual Short Film Festival will open and close with short films by Don McKellar, acclaimed Canadian director/writer/actor. Most recently screened at the Toronto Film Festival, the Monday October 3, 2005 showing at the Coolidge Corner Theatre will mark the shorts’ U.S. premiere, and will be shown out of competition.

Ten films have been selected to compete in this year’s festival. From experimental films, including one from a 14-year-old filmmaker and another shot in Iceland, to powerful narratives covering such topics as female genital mutilation and teen-aged girls coming of age, this year’s selections should appeal to a wide range of viewers.

As an added treat, DVDs of the Academy-award winning documentary BORN INTO BROTHELS will be given out as door prizes to audience members, courtesy of Lions Gate Home Entertainment. BORN INTO BROTHELS chronicles the transformative journey of a group of extraordinary children in Calcutta¹s red light district. Ebert & Roeper give the film "two thumbs up," and Newsweek calls it "a remarkable and moving story about the power of art to transform lives." The DVD contains loads of extra features, including updates on each of the children.

Prior to and immediately after the screening, a silent auction fundraiser will be held for such items as passes to area film festivals, theatre tickets, and local business gift certificates. Tickets for the Chlotrudis Short Film Festival are $9, and the short films begin at 7:30pm.

Last year, the festival was awarded a special commendation by the Boston Society of Film Critics. Over the years, films shown at the Chlotrudis Short Film Festival have spanned the world, with entries from as far away as Australia and Israel, and as nearby as a neighborhood bowling league in Boston, like last year’s double winner DWAINE'S BIG GAME. The winning film-maker is also honored at the group’s annual Chlotrudis Awards ceremony in March 2006.

CSIF is a Boston-based non-profit group devoted to honoring and supporting independent and foreign films and their audiences. For more than ten years, the group has worked with film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers. Check the group’s website often for announcements of upcoming events, and for regular weekly independent film listings.

Check here for more information on this year's slate of short films.