Films

In 2009, at our 15th annual awards ceremony, Chlotrudis honored Tim Cawley's WELL-FOUNDED CONCERNS, about an unapologietic germophobe facing a devastating plague and the first blooms of love, with our Best Short Film award.  Now Tim is back on the big screen in Boston with his first feature film, FROM NOTHING, SOMETHING.  Tim's documentary profiles creative thinkers across a variety of disciplines and finds common methods, habits, mindsets and neuroses that help bring breakthrough ideas into being.  It is a thoughtful, intimate, often funny look at the creative process -- straight from the brains of some of our culture's most accopmlished and inspiring talents. | Read more »

Nominations for the 18th annual Chlotrudis Awards were finalized by the film group’s nominating committee last weekend.  At the top of the heap, collecting Best Film, Director, Actor and Actress nods among its 7 nominations was the silent people can’t stop talking about, THE ARTIST.

Four other films received 4 or more nominations, including fellow Best Movie nominees ANOTHER YEAR, director Mike Leigh’s latest, and the low-budget independent WEEKEND (pictured left), both clear-eyed studies of relationships in today’s England, featuring acting tour de forces. The other front runner films are Lars von Trier’s dystopian MELANCHOLIA and MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE, with its impressive directorial and lead actress debuts. | Read more »

Every year at this time, the members of the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film publish a new list detailing their members favorite films in a certain category.  Past categories have included such topics as Best Scary Films of all time, Best Remakes and Sequels, Funniest Films of All Time, Foreign Language Films and Documentaries to name a few.  You can find all of these lists by checking out Our Favorite Films section of the website. | Read more »

For its annual year-end Top Film category, the CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY FOR INDEPENDENT FILM (CSIF) this year has compiled a list of the top 100 films of the decade among its 100+ membership. Being the opinionated contrarians that we are, however, we decided to include 2000 in the mix - call it a baker's decade! Topping the list was Wong Kar Wai's masterful film, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. A dozen directors scored 2 or more on the list with Michael Haneke winning that prize (#4 CACHE, #8 THE PIANO TEACHER and #58 THE WHITE RIBBON). Almost half of the films were from outside the US, with the highest ranked US film being #6 THERE WILL BE BLOOD. | Read more »

Can you believe we're a decade into the new Century already?  Ten years ago, as part of the coming of the new millennium, Chlotrudis members selected their 200 for 2000 -- the Society's picks for the best 200 films of the 1900s.  Now it's 2010, and we're going to update that list by adding our top films from the last decade. Chlotrudis members are encouraged to send in their personal Top 50 films released between 2000 and 2010, ranked in order. Shortly after the New Year, we will post the combined list here.

In the meantime, what do you think the top film will be? Feel free to make your guesses in the comments section. Any film released between 2000 and 2010 is eligible!

Tonight Tracy Wright's final film premieres at theToronto International Film Festival. It's also the premiere of the Bell Lightbox Theater, the new center for the Festival that has been under construction for the past couple of years. Bruce McDonald's TRIGGER tells the story of a rock duo who reunite after their band call it quits, and stars Tracy and another Chlotrudis favorite, Molly Parker. Wish I could be there, but Beth C. is there and will report back to us. We're hoping to screen TRIGGER in Boston sometime, but until then you can enjoy this terrific short but awesome trailer for the film. | Read more »

The Film Collaborative has picked up the Peruvian film UNDERTOW for U.S. release.  Many Chlotrudis members will remember that UNDERTOW was the surprise hit of the Provincetown International Film Festival.  Everyone we talked to loved the film, and for so many reasons.  There is the gorgeously shot location, the emotionally powerful story that doesn't take the easy route, the fine acting, and the fact that the central secret of the film wasn't spoiled beforehand!  (Okay, the two incredibly handsome lead actors didn't hurt either... especially in Provincetown.)  Apparently non-Chlotrudis members loved the film as well because it tied for the HBO Audience Award for Best Narrative.  | Read more »

The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is excited to announce that World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation has picked up Danish film APPLAUSE for U.S. release in early December, and we are working with the distribution company to spread the word.  Chlotrudis members will want to see Paprika Steen's show-stopping, performance as a popular actress struggling to control her alcohol addiction. Members saw the film at last year's Toronto International Film Festival, and the raves for Steen herald a potential Chlotrudis Award nomination.  | Read more »

Hello Chlotrudis Members!

There is a lot going on this week... so many films to chose from and so many different speical events going on. This week's hosts, Gil and Amanda, have decided to keep the weeknights clear in case you want to go to any of the Coolidge Award activities on Monday or Tuesday, so please join them for a very special Chlotrudis Sunday Night at the Movies when they will head to the Harvard Film Archive to see director Bong Joon-ho present his latest film, MOTHER. Bong Joon-ho has thrilled Chlotrudis members in the past with his Buried Treasure nominated MEMORIES OF MURDER and his surprise hit THE HOST. Tickets go on sale at 6:15pm for this 7pm show, so do plan on arriving early.

Mother (Maedo)
Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Appearing in Person
With Kim Hye-ja, Won Bin, Jin Ku
South Korea 2009, 35mm, color, 129 min. Korean with English subtitles

Bong Joon-ho’s latest film is at once a murder mystery, a portrait of a small Korean town and, above all, a meditation on the dark complexity of the ambivalent bonds binding parents and children. Kim Hye-ja brings a riveting, desperate energy to her portrayal of the title character, a woman trying to prove that her son has been coerced into confessing to a murder he did not commit. As her investigation continues and expands, it unearths ever-darker layers in the community and in the relationship between mother and son. Bong’s talent for conjuring a sense of menace from landscape, color and framing suggests a rich hybrid of Hitchcock’s crisp storyboarded world and Imamura’s ribald animism. Kim’s character ultimately reveals her Imamuran ancestry - earthy, potentially violent, and seemingly indomitable.

Check out the trailer:

Many people have already enjoyed CHILDREN OF INVENTION during it's area premiere at the Independent Film Festival of Boston, but at long last this made-in-Boston movie gets a theatrical run at the Brattle Theatre. Director Tze Chun and Producer Mynette Louie will be present at the Friday and Saturday 7:30pm screenings, and I can't recommend this film highly enough. If you haven't seen it yet, DON'T MISS IT! This film will definitely be among next year's nominations... as the Buried Treasure at the very least. It's a fine, fine film and an amazing, local achievement. Go see it.

Check out the trailer:

**editor's note: So I just watched the trailer again when I went to get the link to post it and now I have to go see the film again. It's that good.

Speaking of the Independent Film Festival of Boston, they've got a couple of free sneak preview screenings this week that you might want to check out. On Wednesday, March 3, 7:30pm at the Kendall Square Cinema, join the IFFB for a free screening of the documentary THE ART OF THE STEAL. Director Don Argott will appear in person for a Q&A immediately after the screening. On Thursday, March 4, 7pm at the Somerville Theatre, the IFFB presents the Danish thriller TERRIBLY HAPPY, which opens on Friday at the Kendall Square cinema. This is a great opportunity to see a few great sneak previews. Admission is free, but you will need a flyer to get in. Go to the IFFB website and print out the flyers.

Check out the trailer for TERRIBLY HAPPY:

Boston Jewish Film Festival has a sneak preview screening taking place this week as well. On Tuesday, March 2, 7pm at the West Newton Cinema, join them for a special screening of PROTEKTOR. PROTEKTOR is a stylish thriller, well-acted. The Boston Jewish Film Festival is pleased to present this film from the Czech Republic, currently without U.S. distribution -- in other words, see it now. The year is 1938; the country, Czechoslovakia. Hana has her first big success in film – and the German Occupation, or Protectorate, begins. As a Jew, Hana’s dreams for a successful career are smashed. Her non-Jewish husband Emil, a radio reporter, collaborates with the Nazis more and more. Running late to work, he grabs a stray bicycle on the street, one that looks a lot like that used by the would-be assassin of the Reich Deputy Protector Reinhard Heydrich. Winner, Krzysztof Kieslowski Award, Best Feature Film, Denver International Film Festival and Czech Republic entry for Best Foreign-Language Film at Academy Awards, Tickets are $15 general admission; $12 discounted for students, seniors 65+, and members of The Boston Jewish FIlm Festival and WGBH. Purchase tickets online with a credit card by clicking here or purchase at the West Newton Cinema box office, daily from 1PM to 8PM.

The Coolidge Corner Theatre has chosen internationally acclaimed director Jonathan Demme as the recipient of the 2010 Coolidge Award. Demme will arrive in Brookline to accept the honor and to participate in related public programs on March 1 – 2. On March 1, 2pm the Coolidge will hold a special benefit screening of Demme's documentary THE AGRONOMIST, which will be a fundraiser Haiti earthquake relief efforts. That same night, March 1 at 8pm, the Coolidge will feature the New England premiere of NEIL YOUNG TRUNK SHOW, with introduction and Q&A with Jonathan Demme. Tuesday, March 2 at noon will feature a MELVIN AND HOWARD screening and panel discussion with Demme and key cast and crew members. Then the big event takes place Tuesday night at 6:30pm with the Coolidge Award reception and ceremony. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit the Coolidge website.

At the Brattle Theatre, get ready to party in style at their 10th Anniversary Oscar Party! This annual staple is one of the best parties of the year (I would say second only to our very own celebration)! This year, to celebrate the 10th anniversary, their Special Pre-Party & Fundraiser will feature special guest, producer/director James Ivory! Support the Brattle Film Foundation and the Brattle Theatre by attending their exclusive party and silent auction fundraiser and meet director James Ivory. Then stay and watch the awards! The festivities kick off at 5:30pm on Sunday March 7. I'm part of the Oscar Party's Host Committee, so I do hope you will join me for a great time and an opportunity to support the Brattle as well. Your $75 ticket will admit you to the special pre-party for some delicious hors d'oeuvres, open bar, and attendance at the official Oscar broadcast, as well as an opportunity to participate in the Brattle's Silent Auction and win some really terrific prizes. More information can be found at the Brattle website.

See you at the Movies!
Michael

Playing this week, February 26 - March 4, 2010.

Brattle Theatre, Cambridge
Special Engagement! Area Premiere!
Children of Invention Director Tze Chun and Producer Mynette Louie will be present on Fri. and Sat.
The Films Of Jacques Tati
Playtime
Return Engagement!
Antichrist
A Benefit for Hands On Disaster Response (Haiti)!
Happiness Is (Sun.)
Harvard Bookstore Presents
Jodi Picoult (Wed.)

Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline
Shutter Island
2010 Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts
2010 Oscar Nominated Live Action Shorts
The Last Station
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsburg and the Pentagon Papers
Midnight Madness!
Coolidge Award Screening Crazy Mama (Fri. & Sat.)
Coolidge Award Screening Caged Heat (Fri. & Sat.)
Special Coolidge Award Events
The Agronomist w/ Jonathan Demme (Mon.)
The Neil Young Trunk Show w/ Robyn Hitchcock Live! (Mon.)
Melvin and Howard w/ Jonathan Demme and special guests moderated by Elvis Mitchell (Tue.)
Reception w/ Jonathan Demme and special guests (Tue.)
2010 Coolidge Award Ceremony Honoring Jonathan Demme w/Jenny Lumet & special guests (Tue.)

FEI Theatres
Capitol Theatre, Arlington
The Young Victoria

Somerville Theatre, Somerville
Blood Into Wine
The Crazies
Broken Embraces

Harvard Film Archive, Cambridge
Night Visionary, Philippe Grandrieux's Adventures in Perception
Sombre Director Philippe Grandrieux in Person! (Fri.)
A Lake Director Philippe Grandrieux in Person! (Sat.)
Bong Joon-ho: The Pleasures and Terrors of Genre
Mother Director Bong Joon-ho in Person! (Sun.)
Memories of Murder Director Bong Joon-ho in Person! (Mon.)

Hollywood Hits Theatre, Danvers
The Last Station
The Young Victoria
A Single Man
Precious
An Education
The Hurt Locker

Landmark Theatres
Kendall Square, Cambridge
Red Riding: 1974
Red Riding: 1980
Red Riding: 1983
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
Ajami
The Last Station
The White Ribbon
Crazy Heart
A Single Man
An Education

Embassy Cinema, Waltham
Precious, based on the novel Push by Sapphire

Loew's Harvard Square, Cambridge
The Crazies
The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
The Making of Western Myth
Stagecoach (Fri.)
Cheyenne Autumn (Sun.)
History of Film: From Silent Movies to Social Networking
M (Fri. & Sun.)
Festival of Films on Art
Light, No Light (Fri.)
Nora preceded by Oslo Opera House (Sat.)
Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun (Sat.)
Karsh is History (Sat.)
Mort a Venise (Sun.)
Peepshow (Sun.)
Anthony Caro, Sculpture like Religion (Wed.)
Piotr Anderszewski (Wed.)
Photography on Film
Harry Callahan (Sat.)
New Films from Quebec
It's Not Me, I Sweaer (Thu.)

The Newburyport Screening Room, Newburyport
Broken Embraces

The Stuart Street Playhouse, Boston
Check the theatre's website.

West Newton Cinema, West Newton, MA
Check the theatre's website.

Michael R. Colford
Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film, President

Hello, Chlotrudis Members!

Gil and Amanda have chosen an outstanding selection of next week's Chlotrudis Monday Night at the Movies. Please take this opportunity to join them in screening Claire Denis' masterful 35 SHOTS OF RUM, at the Kendall Square Cinema, 7:25pm on Monday, November 2. This one's got lots of rave reviews on the Chlotrudis page, so check it out! Watch of an announcement about dinner before the movie at The Friendly Toast on Monday.

Set among a small circle of friends and neighbors in a Parisian suburb, 35 SHOTS OF RUM is a gloriously delicate and sublime new film from the great French filmmaker Claire Denis (BEAU TRAVAIL, CHOCOLAT). Lionel (Alex Descas), a metro conductor, lives with his daughter Josephine (Mati Diop), a beautiful university student, in a bustling apartment complex. They have been sharing the same space for many years and have grown accustomed to one another's company. Josephine has begun spending time with Noé (Grégoire Colin), a handsome young neighbor, while Lionel is being drawn into a romance with a longtime friend, taxi driver Gabrielle (Nicole Dogué). As their lives are pulled in different directions, father and daughter realize they must confront a painful aspect of their past in order to embrace what lies ahead. Sumptuously shot by frequent Denis collaborator Agnès Godard, this warm, funny and enchanting film casts a lovely spell unlike any other movie this year. Original music by Tindersticks (Denis's TROUBLE EVERY DAY and NENETTE AND BONI). (Fully subtitled)
Director: Claire Denis
Cast: Alex Descas, Mati Diop, Nicole Dogué, Grégoire Colin, Jean-Christophe Folly, Djédjé Apali, Eriq Ebouaney

Check out the trailer:

Has a year gone by already? The 21st Annual Boston Jewish Film Festival kicks off next week on Wednesday, November 4 with the Massachusetts premiere of ELI & BEN, 7pm at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. As usual, the BJFF serves up an incredible line-up of films playing at 9 different venues in Greater Boston. I'm also please to announce that Chlotrudis is a community partner once again, this time working with the BJFF on the film THE WOLBERG FAMILY.

THE WOLBERG FAMILY (LA FAMILLE WOLBERG)
Thursday, November 5, 7:45 pm, Institute of Contemporary Art
Thursday, November 12, 9:00 pm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
East Coast Premiere
Director: Axelle Ropert, France, 2009, 80 min., Narrative, 35mm
A highlight of this year’s Directors’ Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, The Wolberg Family is actress and screenwriter Axelle Ropert’s first feature film. She labels it a “family melodrama.” Simon Wolberg is mayor of a French provincial town, crazy in love with his wife, a nosy father to his lovely young daughter and dorky son and a bit of an annoyance to his own father. Will his obsession with family cause him to unravel? When is it time to let go – or to leave? French with subtitles

I also want to mention a couple more films playing the festival that you should make note of. Playing on Saturday, November 7, 9:30pm at the Coolidge Corner Theatre is JAFFA, directed by Keren Yedaya, who was responsible for one of my favorite films of 2005, OR (MY TREASURE). JAFFA again stars the magnificent Dana Ivgy and the multiple Chlotrudis-nominee Ronit Elkabetz, this time in an Israeli/Palestinian Romeo & Juliet. I caught this film in Toronto, and it's pretty powerful stuff. THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN is the latest film by André Téchiné (WILD REEDS; STRAYED; CHANGING TIMES) who returns with a family drama starring Catherine Deneuve and Emilie Duquenne. Ronit Elkabetz is also featured in this film that's sure to be a thought-provoking work. THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN plays Sunday, November 8 at the Institute of Contemporary Art, and Thursday, November 12 at the Kendall Square Cinema. Finally, you should check out the animated Australia film MARY AND MAX, featuring the voices of Toni Collette and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It's a comical claymation feature film that spans 20 years and 2 continents. Look for MARY AND MAX on Thursday, November 12 at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. It's a great line-up... do yourself a favor and check it out!

See you at the Movies!
Michael

Playing this week, October 30 - November 5, 2009.

Brattle Theatre, Cambridge
Special Engagement! Theatrical Premiere!
Trick R Treat (Fri. & Sat.)
Special Family Event! Brattle Trick or Treat!
It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (Sat.)
Special Engagement!
Evil Dead 2 (Sat.)
Special Live Music Event! World Music/CRASHarts Presents!
The Hidden Cameras w/ Gentleman Reg! (Sun.)
Special Engagement! Area Premiere!
American Casino (Wed. & Thu.)
Classic TV on the Big Screen! 50th Anniversary!
The Twilight Zone (Wed. & Thu.)

Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline
An Education
A Serious Man
The Yes Men Fix the World
The Beaches of Agnes
No Impact Man
The Darkness Within (Thu.)
Midnight Madness!
The Thing (Fri.)
9th Annual Halloween Marathon: The Blob, Night of the Creeps and four others! (Sat.)
Kid's Film
Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit (Sat.)
Europe's Grand Operas!
Maria Stuarda (Sun.)
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Film Series
Hear and Now (Tue.)
Boston Jewish Film Festival
Opening Night Film: Eli & Ben (Wed.)
Hello, Goodbye (Thu.)
He's My Girl (Thu.)

FEI Theatres
Capitol Theatre, Arlington
(500) Days of Summer
The September Issue
The Hurt Locker (Mon. - Thu.)
Bombay Cinema
Aladdin (Fri. - Sun.)

Somerville Theatre, Somerville
Zombieland

Harvard Film Archive, Cambridge
Debonair: The Films of Stanley Donen
Movie Movie (Fri.)
Staircase> (Fri.)
Bedazzled (Sat.)
Damn Yankees (Sat.)
John Marshall’s Explorations in Ethnography
Selection of short films of the !Kung Bushmen - Introduction by Cynthia Close, Documentary Educational Resources (Sun.)
Selection of Short Films from the Pittsburg Police - Introduction by Brittany Gravely, Documentary Educational Resources (Mon.)

Hollywood Hits Theatre, Danvers
Amelia
A Serious Man

Landmark Theatres
Kendall Square, Cambridge
35 Shots of Rhum
The Boondock Saints II: All Saint's Day
The Canyon
An Education
Antichrist
A Serious Man
Amelia
Capitalism: A Love Story
Coco Before Chanel

Embassy Cinema, Waltham
The Damned United
Capitalism: A Love Story
An Education
More than a Game

Loew's Harvard Square, Cambridge
Zombieland

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Halloween Program
American Movie (Fri. & Sat.)
Hagstone Demon (Fri. - Sun.)
Jon Springer Shorts (Sat.)
Boston Palestine Film Festival
Curfew (Sun.)
Laila's Birthday (Sun.)
Women in Film
She is the Matador (Thu.)
Documentary
Crude (Thu.)
Boston Jewish Film Festival
Room and a Half (Thu.)

The Newburyport Screening Room, Newburyport
Paris

West Newton Cinema, West Newton, MA
Amelia
Paris
A Serious Man
Bright Star
Coco Before Chanel
Heart of Stone

Michael R. Colford
Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film, President