Chlotrudis news

Thanks to all the filmmakers who submitted films to the Chlotrudis Short Film Festival! The Call for Entries is know officially closed. The selection process has begun, with the nominees for Best Short Film to be announced in January. Look for the Call for Entries for the 5th Annual Chlotrudis Short Film Festival to be announced in March, as the Festival will be moving to the fall beginning in 2004. The 4th Annual Chlotrudis Short Film Festival will take place Monday, February 16 at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. Keep your eyes on this page for more details!

Just in time for Halloween, the members of CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY FOR INDEPENDENT FILM (CSIF) have created a list of the 50 BEST SCARY FILMS OF ALL TIME. This list ranges from classics like Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari to recent films such as Blair Witch Project and this year’s 28 Days Later. While the top 10 focuses on many standards of the genre, lesser-known films from around the world fill out much of the remainder of the list.

The horrific story of a young girl possessed by the devil has terrified film buffs for several decades in William Friedkin’s The Exorcist. Few were surprised by its prominent ranking on a list of scary films. More surprising was the inclusion at #9 of Italian filmmaker Dario Argento’s cult classic Suspiria. Two films made the list twice, in different versions. The Japanese horror flick Ringu makes an appearance at #17, while The Ring, its American remake from 2002, shows up at #43. The Thing from Another World from 1951 is ranked at #45, while John Carpenter’s remake from 1982 called The Thing shows up at #34. Three films on the list are currently screening as part of the Boston Fantastic Film Festival at the Brattle Theatre: Alien: the Director’s Cut at #4, the remastered print of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre at #10, and The Haunting at #14. The full list is available here.

CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY FOR INDEPENDENT FILM (CSIF) offers a series of exciting events throughout the year, including the beloved annual Chlotrudis Awards black tie event, the short film festival held every year at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline and much more. An exciting line up of film premieres, special events and member discounts herald the celebration of its tenth year as an organization, including this release of the organization’s picks of the 50 best scary films of all time.

The horror genre has traditionally found its roots in the world of independent film since the time of midnight movies. ‘Although special effects can be costly, an independent minded filmmaker can create terror on a low budget by simply be able to tap into what truly scares people,’ explains Ivy Moylan co-director of the Brattle Film Foundation at the Brattle Theatre and Chlotrudis board member. ‘Plus, horror films are able to critique current societal issues without ruffling feathers because of the ‘otherworldly’ nature of the genre. And since independent filmmakers have tended to subvert popular culture and comment on current norms, horror ends up being a natural place for independent filmmakers to go.’ By creating lists of challenging and well-made films, Chlotrudis hopes to encourage film buffs to educate themselves about the history of film. ‘This is a great list to bring to the video store, or to help create your rental list from Netflix,’ says Chlotrudis President Michael Colford.

Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film began its tenth year on July 1, 2003. Chlotrudis members receive discounts on certain nights at the Coolidge Corner and Brattle Theatres. CSIF recently teamed with the Brattle Film Foundation to present The Sunday Eye-Opener, a special sneak preview series with an educational discussion component. Chlotrudis members receive early copies of its quarterly newsletter, Chlotrudis Mewsings, as well as opportunities to travel with other like-minded movie buffs to various Film Festivals. Members also enjoy discounts to all Chlotrudis events, such as the Short Film Festival held in February 2004 at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, and the annual Awards Ceremony at the Brattle Theatre. Chlotrudis is developing relationships with national organizations as well, extending member benefits to those who don’t live in the Boston area.

The best benefit of membership in CHLOTRUDIS SOCIETY FOR INDEPENDENT FILM is the privilege to vote in the annual Awards for your favorite indie films and stars. Your voice counts, after all, that’s how the organization got started in the first place.

On Saturday, September 27, the Chlotrudis Society’s founding Boston-chapter held a member-appreciation cocktail party in Cambridge. Board member Esm’reen (pictured left along with new member Robert Stanhope, and his friend David) hosted the party at her Harvard Square apartment. The fete was organized by Green, along with Chlotrudis Membership Committee Chair, Georgette Gagne, and Chlotrudis President, Michael Colford. A lively group of over 30 members and their friends enjoyed Cosmopolitans, Dark & Stormies, Manhattans, and Martinis while socializing, playing a terrific game of Chlotrudis bingo (created and run by the Coolidge Corner’s Clinton McClung) and doing a bit of fund-raising as well. Check out some terrific photos from the party here. The Chlotrudis Society would like to thank Chris Perry for his terrific bartending skills, Emily Neill’s Closet Smarts, The Charlesmark Hotel, the Brattle Theatre, the Coolidge Corner Theatre, the Landmark Theatre, Greenwood Wine & Spirits in Wakefield, MA, and the Chltorudis Board of Directors, for making this delightful event possible. We hope to do it again in the future. Hope you can join us!

See what Chlotrudis members think of some of the latest releases on the Chlotrudis Reviews page. Newly posted reviews include ALL THE REAL GIRLS, ANYTHING ELSE, CABIN FEVER, LOST IN TRANSLATION, MELVIN GOES TO DINNER, MY LIFE WITHOUT ME, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO, and WILBUR WANTS TO KILL HIMSELF.

Many Chlotrudis members are fans of Richard Kelly’s film, DONNIE DARKO, which was nominated for four Chlotrudis Awards in 2003 (Best Movie, Director, Actor, and Original Screenplay.) The film went on to win Actor (Gyllenhaal) and Original Screenplay, but more notable was the number of presenters at the ceremony who cited the film as their favorite of the year. Now Boston-area fans of Kelly’s cult film have an opportunity to see a stage adaptation performed by the American Repertory Theatre Institute.

For those who don’t know, DONNIE DARKO is a science fiction, psychological thriller about a suburban teen coming face-to-face with his dark destiny. Donnie is a possibly delusional high school student visited by a demonic rabbit with eerie visions of the past and deadly predictions for the future. This stage adaptation of the film written by Richard Kelly is being directed for the Institute by Marcus Stern. Performances at the Zero Church Street performance space, corner of Church Street and Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard Square take place on October 3, 4, & 5.

The Institute is q two-year, five-semester professional training program that includes a three-month residency at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia. During the academic year, the actors and directors enrolled in the Institute for Advanced Theatre Training present a series of performances for the general public. Tickets cost $10; $8 for subscribers and $5 for students, and can be purchased in advance through the Loeb Drama Center box office at 617-547-8300.

The Chlotrudis 4th Annual Short Film Festival will take place in February 2004, at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA. We are currently accepting films of all genres, under 30 minutes in length, for consideration. The Chlotrudis Short Film Screening Committee will review all submissions and select the nominees for the Best Short Film Award to be announced at our annual Awards Ceremony. The nominees will be screened at the Festival, where Chlotrudis members will vote for their choice of Best Short Film of the Year. In addition, an Audience Award will be given to the favorite of non-members. Check out the eligibility requirements and fill out our NEW on-line submission form at the Short Film Festival page.

The Chlotrudis Society was shocked and saddened to hear about John Ritter’s sudden death Thursday on the set of his sitcom, “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.” Of course we all remember Ritter so well from the ’70’s sitcom “Three’s Company,” with Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers. But surely Chlotrudis members will reserve a very special place for Ritter for his wonderful, nuanced portrayal of Vaughn Cunningham, a closeted gay man, in Sling Blade. Ritter earned a Chlotrudis Award nomination for that role. He also appeared in several other independent films, including Greg Araki’s Nowhere, the little seen Montana, with a fascinating cast including Kyra Sedgwick, Stanley Tucci, Robin Tunney, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Panic, with William H. Macy and Neve Campbell.

Most recently on the indie scene, Ritter appeared as Stanley Grubman in Tadpole. His intellectual academic played Tadpole’s father, whose new wife played by Sigrouney Weaver, is the object of his stepson’s crush. Chlotrudis members will have a couple more chances to see Ritter on the indie film scene. Manhood is a new film co-starring Janeane Garafalo, which premiered this year at the Sundance Film Festival, and just completed is Terry Zwigoff’s Bad Santa, which stars Billy Bob Thornton.

Thanks for making us laugh, and showing us your dramatic talents as well in independent film… we’ll miss you, John Ritter

The Brattle Film Foundation, the non-profit corporation that runs the Brattle Theatre, and the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film, have joined together to launch an exciting new screening series with a distinctly independent and edgy attitude. This weekly Sunday morning event kicks-off on September 14 at 11:00 a.m.

Dubbed “The Sunday Eye-Opener” this series will feature independent and foreign films in an intimate environment that will encourage discussion. While classics that contribute to an understanding of independent film will occasionally be screened, most sessions will feature advance or sneak preview screenings. Each film will be screened at 11 am with a historical and/or cultural context provided by an intro from a Brattle staff person or Chlotrudis Board member. When available the theatre will be provided as a place for discussion after the film.

In addition to some of the latest independent releases coming to town, the Sunday Eye-Opener will feature cutting-edge films that are seeking distribution, as well as the work of local filmmakers who often seek a local screening. When possible, filmmakers will be invited to attend the screenings and participate in the discussions.

‘The Brattle Film Foundation and the Chlotrudis Society share an educational component to their mission statements, and this is an exciting way to create a forum for our members, ‘ says Ned Hinkle, Program Director for the Brattle Film Foundation. ‘We’re hoping that this is a series that can grow; a series where people will be able to sneak a peak at upcoming indie films well ahead of the pack. We think of this as a sort of semi-private, ongoing film festival.’

‘This will be a place to share knowledge and opinions,’ adds Chlotrudis President, Michael Colford, ‘We’re particularly excited about the prospect of screening some of the films that we see at festivals that never make it into a regular distribution network and hope that we will be able to form some real, ongoing bonds with emerging filmmakers.’

The Sunday Eye-Opener is a subscription-based series and will be broken up over the year into several 10 – 12 week ‘semesters.’ The cost of each semester will be $50 for the general public, $25 for Brattle members, $15 for Chlotrudis members and FREE for those who are members of both organizations. Subscriptions may be purchased anytime during the run of the semester, but only at the prices listed above.

This is a huge perk for Chlotrudis members, who will be potentially screening 12 preview films for a mere $15.00. That alone is worth the cost of a Chlotrudis membership. Even better is the deal for members of both organizations, who can attend the series for free. Take a look at the Chloturdis membership page, and visit the Brattle Film Foundation homepage to find out how to become a member of these organizations.

To enroll, interested individuals may simply e-mail ned@brattlefilm.org or call 617.876.6838. Once subscribed, participants will receive a weekly e-mail notification letting them know the title of the week’s upcoming screening. Only subscribers will receive this information. Occassionally, depending on the nature of the film being screened, an individual screening may be opened to day-of-sale tickets, but subscribers will always have a seat set-aside for them. More information is available at the Brattle Theatre website.