The post-Academy Awards season is rarely a glorious time for mainstream cinema. This year, most of the highest-grossing films have been received with scathing reviews from movie critics across America. When Hollywood blockbusters simply aren't giving audiences the proper entertainment they're paying 10 bucks for, it's time to give independent films a better look. A variety of festivals in select cities bring enlightened movie-goers an alternative to the often disappointing and formulaic wide-releases that flood the box office.
The fifth Independent Film Festival of Boston kicked off last night at the Somerville Theater with its screening of Hal Hartley's "Fay Grim" (2006). The six-day event will showcase over 75 narrative features, documentaries and short films throughout the Greater Boston Area from April 25-30.
The three main theaters hosting IFF Boston are the city's major landmarks of independent film, notably the Brattle Theater in Harvard Square, the Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline and, of course, the Somerville Theater in Davis Square. However, the festival is not limited to movie screenings; a series of Q and A discussion panels and exclusive parties for pass-holders will also be held around town, providing a great opportunity for students to interact with the independent film community in Tufts University's own backyard.
IFF's small size doesn't stunt its
popularity
IFF Boston is relatively young compared to other high-profile film festivals. Nonetheless, it has become Beantown's premiere film event in the short five years of its existence. In 2003, it reeled in over 10,000 people. Since, attendance has increased every year, reaching 18,000 in 2006. The number of submissions has also skyrocketed from 500 to 1,500 since the festival's birth. Meanwhile, more and more volunteers and sponsors are getting involved, thereby promoting its economic development and media coverage. Sundance and South by Southwest, among the most prestigious festivals in the country, have been around for decades, allowing them to slowly build their reputations. IFF Boston has been following in their footsteps by getting bigger and better each year.
The organization of the festival is a year-round process involving seven core staff members with specialized roles in putting on the event. They are all volunteers, who offer their time and effort outside of their regular jobs. Adam Roffman, the program director, spoke to the Daily about how the festival works and who participates in it. He explained that IFF Boston is a nonprofit organization; each year the staff "puts the money they make back into the festival." Eventually, they do hope to get some sort of financial benefit for their continuous hard work, but not until the festival becomes more widely recognized.
Filmmakers from Greece to Boston get involved
From Aug. 1 to Feb. 13, any and all submissions were accepted for a screening committee, as long as they fit the basic requirements. The committee only picked entries that were narrative features, documentaries or shorts. There are no regional restrictions, meaning both foreign and domestic films will be screened during the festival. The international flicks on the schedule represent a diversity of countries, such as "Monkey Warfare" (2006) from Canada, "Kinetta" (2005) from Greece, and "Black Sheep" (2006) from New Zealand.
Nonetheless, most of the entries for the festival are American films, including a handful made by New England natives. The world premiere of "On Broadway" (2007) has generated a lot of buzz because it was mostly made by crew members and actors from Boston.
"We try to find the best films, period," said Roffman. The program director described the selection as a "long, grueling process," but showed excitement about this year's lineup. Sifting through hundreds of movies in search of the most exceptional work is no easy task, especially when the submissions aren't always of top-notch quality. There are obvious highlights of the festival because the staff has managed to attract a lot of movies with big name directors and actors. However, even the smaller films will offer more entertainment than the blockbusters opening on any given Friday night at your local AMC Loews or Showcase Cinemas theaters.
Sports fans and film lovers rejoice: David Ortiz to attend
"Rumbo a Las Grandes Ligas" (2007) is a documentary directed by Jared Goodman about baseball in the Dominican Republic. The filmmaker takes a look at the impact of the game on the Caribbean island, where star players like David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez first learned to play.
"Rumbo," which will be shown on Monday, April 30 at the Somerville Theatre, is perfect for sports aficionados who wish to learn more about where some of their favorite athletes grew up. Ortiz is one of the numerous celebrity guests that will be attending the festival.
Another highlight is the New England premiere of "The Ten" (2007), the latest comedy from David Wain, one of the creators of Stella and "Wet Hot American Summer" (2001). The movie incorporates 10 parodies of the Ten Commandments, with an all-star cast including Winona Ryder, Jessica Alba, Adam Brody and Tufts alum Oliver Platt. Those with a knack for satire should enjoy this twisted, yet humorous depiction of the fundamental rules of Christianity.
If only there were a film about the Daily
"The Paper" (2007) chronicles the hectic lives of student reporters who run the Daily Collegian at Pennsylvania State University. Director Aaron Matthews exhibits the challenges of old media: finding relevant content on a daily basis, while also keeping up circulation in a world where most people have turned to the Internet for their main source of information.
IFF Boston is showcasing a long list of interesting documentaries with a wide range of subject matter, from video game record holders to balloon twisting conventions.
"Twisted: A Balloonamentary" (2007), directed by Naomi Greenfield and Sara Taksler, takes a closer look at the lives of eight different characters and their experiences making sculptures from balloons. Greenfield is a Somerville resident and Newton native who actually spent a semester at Tufts before she transferred to Washington University in St. Louis, where she met her co-director.
The documentary includes funny animation narrated by Jon Stewart about the history of balloon twisting. The debut directors, who have "dabbled in balloons" since they were young girls, shot the film over a period of three and a half years, whenever they had free time outside their ordinary jobs. After finally finishing the project, they hit the film festival circuit, starting with South by Southwest, then Newport Beach. "It's been great! An amazingly fun experience," Greenfield said, adding she is "very excited about Boston."
IFF is up and coming in the realm of film festivals
Since 2002, IFF Boston has steadily gained exposure and recognition on the independent film festival circuit, bringing viewers the chance to watch some uniquely fresh movies. According to Roffman, its goal is "to promote film - going and filmmaking in Boston." The films that are well-received by audiences may benefit from higher distribution in other parts of the country and acknowledgment at award ceremonies.
IFF Boston will give out a total of three prizes (Grand Jury Prize, Special Jury Prize and Audience Award) for each category - narrative feature, documentary and short film. There are two screenings for most movies and a majority of the filmmakers will be holding Q and A discussion panels.
All in all, the festival is a good way to catch some worthwhile cinema during Hollywood's dry spell after the Oscars. IFF Boston puts Beantown back on the map, and proves that New York isn't the only place for access to independent film in the Northeast.
