Winning an unprecedented five ‘Trudies’ during Sunday’s 11th Annual Chlotrudis Awards held at the Brattle Theatre, French director Lucas Belvaux found it simpler after a while to leap directly from his chair to the stage, rather than take the stairs, for his acceptance speeches. His intertwined threesome of films (AN AMAZING COUPLE, AFTER THE LIFE and ON THE RUN), together called THE TRILOGY, received accolades for Best Film, Director, Cast and Original Screenplay.
The night’s festivities kicked off with a rollicking multimedia musical number performed by members of the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film (CSIF), which set the tone for the rest of the evening’s celebrations. Presenters and guests included many members of the Boston film community, among them longtime Chlotrudis friend Gerald Peary, film scholar and critic for The Boston Phoenix, Ty Burr, Boston Globe film critic, local film-makers Lucia Small and Robert Patton-Spruill, as well as representatives from the Independent Film Festival of Boston, the Boston Jewish Film Festival and the Roxbury Film Festival.
Mr. Belvaux, in addition to winning every category for which THE TRILOGY was nominated, was also one of three special award recipients who were honored by Chlotrudis this year, receiving the Body of Work Award. Vermont filmmaker John O’Brien received the society’s Maverick Award, which honors those filmmakers who best exemplify true film independence. Mr. O’Brien was awarded a second Trudy when his latest film, NOSEY PARKER, won for Buried Treasure, a category for films that Chlotrudis members feel have been unduly overlooked.
On the rise acting sensation Ellen Page received the third award of distinction, the Breakthrough Award. Chlotrudis this year broke somewhat with tradition to award Ms. Page in anticipation of near-future career success, having spotted the young Canadian actress hold her own in MARION BRIDGE and her Genie-nominated turn in WILBY WONDERFUL (both written by previous Trudy winner, Daniel MacIvor), Members have no doubt that, once her latest film, HARD CANDY screens nationwide later this year, Ellen Page’s name will be on the lips of many. The film made a splash at Sundance, where it generated controversy, much conversation and universal acclaim for her lead performance.
Despite the strong showing among this year’s nominations, only one Asian film made the jump to Chlotrudis Award winner, receiving two awards that both ended in ties. South Korea’s SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER’AND SPRING, directed by Ki-duk Kim, shared in Best Cinematography and Best Film honors. Other notable winners were Gael Garcia Bernal (BAD EDUCATION) for Best Actor, Imelda Staunton (VERA DRAKE) for Best Actress, and TARNATION for Best Documentary. A complete list of award winners can be found here.