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.
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I hope those of you who attended last weekend’s 11th Annual Chlotrudis Awards Ceremony had a terrific time! I’ve heard comments such as, “the best Chlotrudis Awards ever!” to multiple comments on the “best after-party ever!” It’s great to hear that kind of feedback, despite the fact that we were woefully under-attended. Still, it was a terrific audience, and those of you who couldn’t make it, I hope to see you at next year’s event (and lots of times in between!) Our three guests, Lucas Belvaux, Ellen Page, and John O’Brien were absolutely delightful, and all our guest presenters, and Chlotrudis participants did an outstanding job. You can get a sneak preview of some of the terrific photos taken by ace photographer (and all around sweet guy) Brandon Constant on your left. That’s Kate Pike, Emily Pike (on video), Michael Colford, Scot Colford, Merri Lavine, and Janet Young (in the foreground) during the opening multimedia extravaganza. Look for results and the rest of the pictures on the web over the weekend!
The real excitement is coming up this weekend, with the Chlotrudis Society of Independent Film’s WILBY Weekend and 11th Annual Awards Ceremony! The weekend kicks off on Friday and Saturday when Chlotrudis and the Brattle Film Foundation co-present 
collect the Breakthrough Award, won last year by the fabulous Kerry Washington. Other guests include Belgian writer/director/actor Lucas Belvaux, whose films 
To celebrate the young actress’ auspicious beginning, the Chlotrudis Society will also present Ellen Page with its Breakthrough Award as part of its 11th Annual Chlotrudis Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 20th. In addition to the astounding work Ms. Page has evidenced in her Canadian features, CSIF is looking to the near future when she surprises American in HARD CANDY, a raw and controversial film that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. The public is invited to attend – festivities begin at 5pm, and admission is $15. Ms. Page joins French director Lucas Belvaux (
Join us this Sunday, March 13 for the Sunday Eye Opener, 11:00 a.m. at the Brattle Theatre. This week’s screening features the lovely documentary, SUNSET STORY. Lucille Alpert and Irja Lloyd are the main subjects of SUNSET STORY, a wonderful documentary by Laura Gabbert that may make you laugh and cry ‘ and may change your mind about age and aging. You probably won’t find two more fascinating camera subjects, two livelier conversationalists or two richer, more rewarding, more engaging and inspiring companions in any movie, fiction or non-fiction, this year. SUNSET STORY has been shot with minimal resources but with maximum heart and soul. It’s a film ‘ and a pair of people ‘ you won’t soon forget.
This week we’re thrilled to feature this provocative new documentary that covers an unseen aspect of the U.S. war in Iraq. GUNNER PALACE reveals the complex realities of the situation in Iraq not seen on the nightly news. Told first-hand by U.S. troops, GUNNER PALACE presents a thought provoking portrait of a dangerous and chaotic war that is personal, highly emotional, sometimes disturbing, surprisingly amusing … and thoroughly fascinating. Filmmaker Michael Tucker, who lived with 2/3 Field Artillery, a.k.a. “The Gunners” for two months, captures the lives and humanity of these soldiers whose barracks are the bombed-out pleasure palace of Uday Hussein (nicknamed Gunner Palace), situated in the heart of the most volatile section of Baghdad. With total access to all operations and activities, Tucker’s insider footage provides a rare look at the day-to-day lives of these soldiers on the ground — whether swimming in Uday’s pool and playing golf on his putting green or executing raids on suspected terrorists, enduring roadside bombs, mortar attacks, RPGs and snipers.
Chlotrudis will present John O’Brien its Maverick Award, given to a member of the film community who best exemplifies that description. Based in Vermont, O’Brien has mined his hometown of Tunbridge for inspiration, location shooting and even casting for his last three movies, including this year’s 
Lucas Belvaux, on the other hand, opted for the highest degree of difficulty with his threesome of films by adding actor to his job description along with writer/director. Moreover, 
Korean cinema has really come into it’s own. At the same time, the Asian “hair horror” genre has taken the U.S. by storm, spawning American remakes left and right.