The historic Somerville Theatre celebrates the grand opening of its brand new 35 seat microcinema with an engagement of Mary Stuart Masterson’s directorial debut, THE CAKE EATERS starring Kristen Stewart (TWILIGHT) and Aaron Stanford (TADPOLE, X-MEN). This new Microcinema is devoted to exhibiting smaller, independent and foreign films as well as complimentary live programming in an intimate setting with a continuing commitment to the local community.

THE CAKE EATERS premiered locally at IFFBoston 2008. Ms. Masterson was in attendance at festival screenings at both the Somerville and Coolidge Corner Theatres. Below is the description of the film from our program guide.

The return of prodigal son Guy (Jayce Bartok, who also penned the screenplay) sets off an emotional chain of events for the Kimbrough family, in the heartfelt directorial debut of actress Mary Stuart Masterson (FRIED GREEN TOMATOES). Grieving after the recent death of his mother, young Beagle (Westford, MA native Aaron Stanford) sinks into sullen resentment, angered not just by his brother’s absence at the funeral, but also at having to carry the burden for his father, Easy, played here in a wonderfully warm performance by the legendary Bruce Dern (COMING HOME). Beagle’s morose manner hides an artistic bent and secret soulfuless, noticed only by a terminally ill, free-spirited high school student played by Kristen Stewart (INTO THE WILD).

As Guy sets about making amends with the family and friends he abandoned in their hours of need, Beagle begins grappling with adulthood, and Easy must the consequences of a secret long ago betrayal. Masterson displays a deft feel for the cadences of this small town in upstate New York, allowing what remains unsaid to speak volumes as the Kimbrough family finally discovers the meaning of forgiveness.

-Vincent Archer

Don’t miss this opportunity to see this heartfelt film.

For information and tickets:
www.somervilletheatreonline.com

Date:
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Time:
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location:
Brattle Theatre
40 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA

For over a decade, our friends over at the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film have highlighted their commitment to independent and foreign film in style by holding their own black-tie CHLOTRUDIS AWARDS ceremony in early spring. The public is invited to join Chlotrudis members, nominees and special guests in the celebration. Tickets are $20 ($15 for members.)

In addition to the competitive categories, Chlotrudis also presents special awards that honor individuals or films for particular distinction. Past recipients Ellen Page (Breakthrough Award ‘05), Kerry Washington (Breakthrough Award ‘04), Don McKellar (Body of Work Award ‘07) 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 recipient is Danish actress Paprika Steen (OPEN HEARTS, DANCER IN THE DARK, THE SUBSTITUTE)

We will be there and hope that you will join us.

for more info check out www.chlotrudis.org
Tickets can be purchased at the Brattle Theatre (www.brattlefilm.org)

Hello​ Frien​ds,​

Why insul​t the objec​t of your affec​tion by merel​y givin​g them a card embel​lishe​d with doves​,​ heart​s and cupid​s or a bunch​ of flowe​rs.​ Magni​fy your displ​ay of love by takin​g him/​her to this kicka​ss actio​n film from the direc​tor of Ong Bak.

CHOCO​LATE will scree​n one time only at the histo​ric Somer​ville​ Theat​er in Davis​ Squar​e on Frida​y,​ Febru​ary 13 at 11:​59pm.​ Ticke​ts are $8 and will be avail​able at the Somer​ville​ Theat​er Box Offic​e.​ More infor​matio​n is avail​able at http:​/​/​scree​nings​.​ iffbo​ston.​ org.

The direc​tor of Ong-​Bak:​ The Thai Warri​or,​ Prach​ya Pinka​ew,​ showc​ases with his new proté​gé,​ “Jija​” Yanin​ Vismi​stana​nda,​ who train​ed for five years​ for this role.​ Jija plays​ Zen, an autis​tic girl who grows​ up next to a Muay Thai boxin​g studi​o and is raise​d on a stead​y diet of choco​late and marat​hon viewi​ngs of Tony Jaa and Bruce​ Lee films​.​ Zen’s​ fathe​r,​ a Japan​ese gangs​ter,​ has been drive​n out of the count​ry by a rival​ Thai gang,​ forci​ng her mothe​r to raise​ her alone​.​ It soon becom​es evide​nt that Zen has mirac​ulous​ly absor​bed formi​dable​ Muay Thai techn​iques​ from watch​ing the boxer​s next door and repea​ted viewi​ngs of marti​al arts class​ics.​ When Zen’s​ mothe​r is diagn​osed with cance​r and the cost of treat​ments​ prove​ overw​helmi​ng for the famil​y,​ Zen sets out with her cousi​n on a viole​nt missi​on to colle​ct debts​ from the corru​pt gangs​ters that owe her mothe​r money​.​ Featu​ring death​-​defyi​ng stunt​s,​ heart​ pound​ing actio​n and a charm​ing newco​mer who is sure to blow the minds​ of marti​al arts fans every​where​,​ CHOCO​LATE repre​sents​ a fitti​ng follo​w-​up to Prach​ya’s smash​ hit Ong-​Bak.​

check​ out the trail​er:​
http:​/​/​www.​ youtu​be.​ com/​watch​?​v=​Voccb​DV5NO​I

The Independent Film Festival of Boston (IFFBoston) invites you to a Valentine's Day Massacre-- the exclusive area theatrical presentation of Prachya Pinkaew’s CHOCOLATE as the February selection of IFFBoston's monthly screening series. This unique series showcases Boston premieres of exciting, cutting-edge independent films in one time only screenings or short runs throughout the year.

CHOCOLATE will screen one time only at the historic Somerville Theater in Davis Square on Friday, February 13 at 11:59pm. Tickets are $8 and will be available at the Somerville Theater Box Office. More information is available at http://screenings.iffboston.org.

The director of Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior, Prachya Pinkaew, showcases with his new protégé, “Jija” Yanin Vismistananda, who trained for five years for this role. Jija plays Zen, an autistic girl who grows up next to a Muay Thai boxing studio and is raised on a steady diet of chocolate and marathon viewings of Tony Jaa and Bruce Lee films. Zen’s father, a Japanese gangster, has been driven out of the country by a rival Thai gang, forcing her mother to raise her alone. It soon becomes evident that Zen has miraculously absorbed formidable Muay Thai techniques from watching the boxers next door and repeated viewings of martial arts classics. When Zen’s mother is diagnosed with cancer and the cost of treatments prove overwhelming for the family, Zen sets out with her cousin on a violent mission to collect debts from the corrupt gangsters that owe her mother money. Featuring death-defying stunts, heart pounding action and a charming newcomer who is sure to blow the minds of martial arts fans everywhere, CHOCOLATE represents a fitting follow-up to Prachya’s smash hit Ong-Bak.

check out the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoccbDV5NOI

In the April edition of MOVIEMAKER Magazine, IFFBoston was listed as one of the Top 25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.


The entire list can be found midway down on this page:
http://archive. constantcontact. com/fs059/1101987855602/archive/1102103744440. html

or on this blog:
http://oregonindependentfilm.blogspot.com/2008/05/top-25-film-festivals-worth-entering.html



We are honored for our inclusion on such an important list.

Hey friends,

We are now accepting submissions for our April 2009 event.

Information about how to enter your film can be found at our website: http://www.iffboston.org/2009/index.php

Hope to see some interesting work and bring it to our fair city!

Cheers.

Don't forget to set your Tivos for the TODAY SHOW on friday, June 20th to see our alumni filmmakers, Sara Taksler and Naomi Greenfield (also an IFFBoston volunteer for a number of years) support their film, TWISTED on national, morning television. Watch out Kathie Lee your balloon likeness is going to freak you out!

Good Luck, Sarah and Naomi. The world definitely needs to see this film.

Hi everyone,

Well, we've been remiss on the blog since the last festival, but we promise to be better from now on! What have you missed? Advance screenings of BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD, MANDA BALA, ROCKET SCIENCE, MARGOT AT THE WEDDING, and NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN w/ a Q&A by star Josh Brolin! Well, it was all emailed out to everyone subscribed to our festival email list so if you missed out on all this then click here to sign up on our email list: http://www.iffboston.org/global/list.php .

Now for the current news. We've received well over a thousand submissions for this year's festival and we are a mere two weeks away from the announcement of our official lineup for the 2008 Independent Film Festival of Boston. It is going to be an amazing festival this year so get your passes and tickets early. Many, many shows will sell out.

Can't wait to tell you all about it. Talk with you soon!

The 2008 IFFBoston is slated for April 23-29th, 2008. We are accepting submissions of all lengths and genres for a limited period of time with 3 convenient, rolling deadlines. And the best reasons why you should submit your magnum opus to us come from the alumni filmmakers that have attended our festivals...

IFFBoston has redefined the term "filmmaker friendly" for every producer, director, editor, cinematographer, composer and actor that has been lucky enough to experience the Festival. The audiences are passionate and intelligent, which is every filmmaker's dream.
—Joe Swanberg, director of HANNAH TAKES THE STAIRS and LOL

My first two trips to the IFFBoston single-handedly justified my decision to start making independent films. IFFBoston's organizers have a very special gift, because I haven't talked to anyone who hasn't had a great time attending the festival, whether it be as a filmmaker, juror, audience member, or volunteer. If you make a film, submit it to the IFFBoston. And if you love movies, attend the IFFBoston. You won't regret it.
—Michael Tully, director of SILVER JEW and COCAINE ANGEL

IFFBoston is one of the most filmmaker friendly fests out there. IFFBoston also challenges its viewers by showing original, creative, and challenging work from directors all over the world. We make it a point to be there with or without a film every year.
—Ashley Sabin, director of KAMP KATRINA

I know you've heard it a bunch, but you all really created something special there, it feels like no other festival- extremely encouraging. thanks for your hard work and letting us be a part of it
—Azazel Jacobs, writer/director/star of THE GOODTIMES KID

That was one great festival this year. You guys really know how to throw a party.... More importantly, the films were really impressive—diverse, idiosyncratic, truly independent. And I'm glad THE PAPER was part of it.
—Aaron Matthews, director of THE PAPER

Your festival is EXACTLY what a film festival should be. It blows my mind that it's only 5 years old. It was a blast and I am so honored to have been a part it.
—Nate Meyer, director of PRETTY IN THE FACE

It's by far and away one of the best festivals [director] Cullen [Hoback] and I have ever been to, and we've been making the rounds lately!
—Aaron Douglas, producer of MONSTER CAMP

An excellent supporter of independent film in Boston!
—Emily Woodburne, Director of Theatrical Sales for IFC First Take

To find out more about submitting your film:
CLICK HERE

Directed by: Julian Goldberger
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Michelle Williams, and Michael Pitt

Thursday, May 24 - 7:30pm
Somerville Theatre - 55 Davis Square
Tickets are $8*

George Gattling is a man out of place in the world and out of place in his own skin.
An auto-upholsterer by trade, he lives with his divorced sister Precious, and her 20 year-old autistic son, Fred. He's also the unwitting case study of a "life-gone-wrong" for Betty, a young psychology student who works at his shop.

George seeks salvation in hawks. He dreams of capturing and training the noble birds of prey. An ancient art that requires precision, falconry is the obsession he shares with Fred. In the quiet pre-dawn tracking of the birds, George Gattling feels like a man temporarily freed from the absurdity of civilized life.

After several years of failed attempts, George and Fred capture the most magnificent bird they have ever seen—the red-tailed hawk. That night, George experiences a tragedy greater than he's ever known. Grief stricken, George sees his only chance to survive tied together with the bird. He becomes determined to tame her—and to do that he will not eat or sleep, nor will she, until it's all over. At his weakest moment, George locks himself into a battle of wills with the only creature on earth that would rather die than submit.

To the rest of the world, it appears George has gone mad; the closer he gets to achieving success, the crazier his family thinks he's become. Betty is the only one who realizes that George must take himself to the bottom to truly be saved. She watches as George succumbs to a world where the senses are awakened and emotions are unchecked…a world where one can see and feel the "blood of things."

THE HAWK IS DYING is based on the book by Harry Crews, one of America's great contemporary authors.