#iffboston

[greensparty]

Movie Review: The Holdovers

Alexander Payne is truly the master of combining comedy and tragedy! His first few films Citizen Ruth, Election, and About Schmidt truly announced him with smart comedies that often times challenged the viewer. What really blew me away was his 2004 film Sideways. The comedy about two middle-aged friends in the Wine Country for a week before one gets married was such a LOL funny comedy one minute, sad about their mid-life trajectory the next. But in the end, it was about accepting where you are in life, not where you aren't. I out and out loved it! His next film 2011's The Descendants was a very multi-layered family drama set in Hawaii. I included it in my 10 Best Movies of the 2010s. I liked his 2013 father-son road movie Nebraska, but there was some pushback from audiences. God forbid a director tries to make a black and white slow burn! But I appreciated the ensemble cast and what he was going for. 2017's Downsizing was a misstep for Payne. I was all for him trying something different and stepping into wild Michel Gondry-territory, but the story was a little uneven. Now Payne has made a serious return to form with The Holdovers, which was actually filmed in Massachusetts last Winter, and reunites Payne with Sideways star Paul Giamatti. I got to attend a special IFFBoston Post-Fall Focus screening at Somerville Theatre and Payne himself attended for an intro and Q&A. There was actually a scene that was filmed at the Somerville Theatre and now the finished film was playing there!?!

movie poster

Set in Barton Academy, a private boarding school for boys, in 1970 New England just before Christmas break, Giamatti plays Paul Hunham, an unpopular curmudgeonly teacher. He gets stuck supervising students who are unable to go home for the holidays. Hence the name The Holdovers. Also there during the break is lunch lady Mary (played by Da'Vine Joy Randolph, a scene-stealer from Dolemite Is My Name and the High Fidelity TV series). After all of the other students go away with one of the student's rich father, an unpopular student Angus Tully (played by newcomer Dominic Sessa) is left with Mr. Hunham and the two form an unlikely friendship.

This is easily one of the best movies of the year and one I'm sure is going to become better and better with each viewing during the holiday season. There is a serious early 70s influence, most prominently from Hal Ashby (Payne was among the interviewees in the 2018 documentary Hal about Ashby). But beyond the influences, this truly feels like the kind of movie that would have been released in the early 70s: the look, the feel, the sound, and the way the characters carry themselves. But like all of Payne's films, this balances comedy and tragedy. Without getting into spoilers, there is a sense of loss for these characters that is heightened by being alone during a holiday break. But that connection that is made is truly special. Sessa is a revelation. Payne has a knack for casting newcomers who swing it out of the park and Sessa is going places. Randolph is exceptional as a grieving mother. But it is definitely Giamatti's show. He's been consistently good in countless films since Sideways, but this is a part tailor-made for him. Someone who is highly intelligent, yet so antisocial. Payne isn't known for working with actors more than once, but we can only hope this is the start of more collaborations. All hail Payne!

For info on The Holdovers

4.5 out of 5 stars

Intro and Q&A:

The screening I attended, Payne gave an intro. He noted that this was the first screening on 35mm. After the film, critic Ty Burr (a friend and colleague of mine) moderated a Q&A. Here are some of the takeaways:

Burr and Payne at the Somerville Theatre

Local Crew: He had tons of positive things to say about the Massachusetts based crew that worked on the film. He mentioned of all the films he made outside of the state of Nebraska (i.e. The Descendants in Hawaii and Downsizing in Toronto), this is the one that has stayed in touch the most. In the audience at this screening were a ton of local crew members. You could hear cheering during certain scenes, locales and cast members. Payne mentioned that he didn't know New England, beyond visiting Dartmouth and some Ivy League colleges as a teen.

Somerville Theatre: in addition to being a location, Payne mentioned that they screened some 70s films for the crew in the cinema. He also added that the film had played festivals and had opened in NY and LA but this was the first screening on 35mm.

He talked about what he's been doing since Downsizing. He apparently flirted with directing The Menu and The Burial.

Screenplay: Five years ago he received a TV pilot from David Hemingson that was set in a boarding school in New England. Payne called him and said he didn't want to do the pilot but wanted him to write a screenplay in the same universe. This marked the first time he had directed a screenwriter as opposed to writing with a co-writer or getting a completed screenplay from a writer.

Casting: After not finding the right actor from a casting call, they began searching private boarding schools in Massachusetts. That's how Sessa was cast.

This event was a part of IFFBoston. For more info go here.

#the holdovers #alexander payne #movie review #film geek #somerville theatre #iffboston fall focus #iffboston #2023 IFFBoston Fall Focus

[rodspurethoughts]

Independent Film Festival Boston Celebrates 20 Years with Diverse Lineup of Films and Discussions

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Independent Film Festival Boston, a celebration of independent cinema that brings together audiences, filmmakers, and industry professionals from around the world. The festival was founded in 2003 and has since become a major event in the Boston film scene. From April 26 to May 3, the festival will showcase a diverse lineup of 90 films, including…

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#Boston #documentaries #dramas #film festival #filmmakers #IFFBoston #independent cinema #Independent Film Festival Boston #industry professionals #international films #local films #movie lovers.

[festiveninja]

Two Science Fiction films, and a documentary

A few SF film recommendations from screenings at IFFBoston: The Pod Generation an amiable satire about technology, nature, parenting and relationships. A high performing manager (Emilia Clarke) receives a promotion, and a benefit–access to The Womb Center, where you have a kid without burden or stress marks, thanks to portable artifical wombs called pods. While she values the quality of this…

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[ravenbeakx]

#i actually named this in my folder #the fucking pinnacle of gender.png #who could've thought this came out of a video #this right here is it i want whatever he got going on #i would attempt to paint this but all my painting skills left me a long time ago #they were never here to begin with tbh #bo burnham #eighth grade #IFFBoston #2018 #my edit

[brian-in-finance]

Remember… Boston has had an Irish population since the first four shiploads from Ulster arrived in 1718.

#Tait rhymes with hat #Good times #BelfastMovie #FallFocus #22 October 2021 #Brattle Theatre #Independent Film Festival Boston #IFFBoston #20 - 24 October 2021 #Somerville Massachusetts USA #Belfast #In cinemas 12 November 2021 #Canada & USA #In cinemas 25 February 2022 UK & Ireland #Worldwide 2022 #Twitter

[uomo-accattivante]

Il materiale di origine: Shawn Fitzgerald / Oscar Isaac onstage at Independent Film Festival Boston Q&A screening of Inside Llewyn Davis at Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, MA. (7th November, 2013)

#oscar isaac #inside llewyn davis #screening #coen brothers #independent film festival boston #iffboston #brattle theatre #cambridge

[dailydaveeddiggs]

Q&A: Daveed Diggs & Rafael Casal on BLINDSPOTTING (IFFBoston 2018)

Following our Narrative Spotlight screening of BLINDSPOTTING at the 2018 Independent Film Festival Boston, co-writers and stars Daveed Diggs & Rafael Casal were interviewed by The Lily’s Monica Castillo and answered audience questions.

#daveed diggs #rafael casal #blindspotting #film #iffboston #iff boston 2018

[dixiecotton]

Repost from @robsfootsteps Living in/near BOSTON MA/USA? The Claire Denis’ movie HIGH LIFE will be screened at the INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2019 on Monday, April 1st at the Brattle Theatre, 07:00pm. The admission is FREE (first come first served). You can print your pass at the source. Director Claire Denis will appear in person for a Q&A after the screening Source: http://iffboston.org/high-life/ #robsessed #robpattinson #robertpattinson #robsfootsteps #pattinson #highlife #clairedenis #juliettebinoche #miagoth #andrebenjamin #scarlettlindsey #scifi #iffboston #filmfestival #boston ##brattletheatre #film #movie #cinema #cinephile #cinephilecommunity #indiefilm #independentfilm #filmmaker #freeadmission @iffboston #qanda @brattletheatre https://www.instagram.com/dixiecotton1/p/BuuLEVjHOXS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1edauhefi8d8p

#robsessed #robpattinson #robertpattinson #robsfootsteps #pattinson #highlife #clairedenis #juliettebinoche #miagoth #andrebenjamin #scarlettlindsey #scifi #iffboston #filmfestival #boston #brattletheatre #film #movie #cinema #cinephile #cinephilecommunity #indiefilm #independentfilm #filmmaker #freeadmission #qanda

[elephant-in-the-pride-parade]

Dolores Huerta

Is like a true superhero of workers rights - co-founded the farm workers union in 1962. invented "Sí Se Puede." Continues to fight for human rights causes (as an OCTOGENARIAN). Is a negotiator and a community organizer and amazing. And I had barely ever even HEARD her name until 2017 when I picked her documentary to bring my date to. WHY THE HELL DIDNT WE LEARN ABOUT HER IN SCHOOL!!!! School really fails at it's whole "educating" shtick i stfg. Go. learn about her. Watch "Dolores." it is an amazing and well researched film!

#dolores huerta #iffboston

[oneunderproects]

1923 Independent Film Festival Boston (IFFBoston)

#Independent Film Festival Boston (IFFBoston)

[greensparty]

Preview: 2024 IFFBoston

Forget about Xmas, this is the most wonderful time of the year!  It is now my favorite time of year in Boston! My favorite film festival in Boston, in Massachusetts and possibly the world is Independent Film Festival Boston (read my coverage here).  I have a special place for this festival: in 2014 my documentary Life on the V: The Story of V66 had its World Premiere at the festival, and in 2015 I was on the Documentary Jury. The 2024 festival is at Somerville Theatre (Somerville), Brattle Theatre (Cambridge), and Coolidge Corner Theatre (Brookline) from Wed. May 1 to Wed. May 8, 2024!

2024 IFFBoston logo

Here are just some of the Official Selections that are on my radar:

Wed. 5/1/24:

The Opening Night Film is the recent Sundance hit Ghostlight, about a construction worker who joins a theater group!

Thurs. 5/2/24:

One of the most highly-anticipated movies of this year is I Saw the TV Glow about two teens who bond over their fandom of a mysterious TV show. I caught director Jane Schoenbrun's last film We're All Going to the World's Fair when it was was at the 2021 IFFBoston and while I had a mixed response to the film, I'm excited to see their follow up.

In a festival first, they are going to be doing their first episodic screening with the first episode of a 3-part documentary series Ren Faire airing on HBO later this year. While IFFBoston is very much a film festival and not a TV festival, I think it's kind of cool they are expanding their reach to include this doc about a Texas renaissance faire.

Fri. 5/3/24:

In the recent Sundance hit My Old Ass, an 18-year-old's mushroom trip brings her face-to-face with her 39-year-old self played by Aubrey Plaza (who makes everything she's in better).

Sat. 5/4/24:

In addition to all of the shorts package programs, it's always exciting to see IFFBoston do a Students Short Showcase made up of student films.

After my friend Michael Gill passed away in 2022, my hope was that his long in the works documentary about Billy Ruane, owner of legendary Boston rock club The Middle East (actually Cambridge, but a big part of the Boston music scene), would somehow get completed and released. I met up with Gill a few times before he moved around 2017 as I had heard about his doc and there was a lot of overlap with his doc and my doc Life on the V: The Story of V66 in terms of interviewees and subject matter. I am thrilled to see that co-director Scott Evans completed The Road to Ruane and it is finally premiering. The fact that the doc features loads of Middle East archival footage and interviews with members of Dinosaur Jr., The Lemonheads, Buffalo Tom, Letters To Cleo, Morphine has my attention too!

Sun. 5/5/24:

In the comedy Tallywacker, a two-member rock band's friendship is tested when one of them gets a gig touring with a major rock star.

My friends director Dan Habib and editor James Rutenbeck were at the 2018 IFFBoston with the great doc Intelligent Lives. Now they are back with a new doc The Ride Ahead co-directed by Dan's son Samuel about his own personal journey to becoming an adult. “But no one tells you how to be an adult,” Samuel says, “let alone an adult with a disability.” I've been hearing a lot of great things about this doc!

The always good Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a comic genius, but she's flexed her dramatic muscles in films like You Hurt My Feelings. In Tuesday she plays a mother who must confront death with her teenage daughter in the form of a talking bird.

Mon. 5/6/24:

My friend Mark Phinney's film Fat was at 2014 IFFBoston when I was there with Life on the V: The Story of V66. We've remained good friends since then and I'm super excited to see his new feature Fear of Flying about a man struggling with his anxieties while trying to maintain his relationships.

Earlier this year I got to cover the Oscar-nominated Short Films and one of the nominees for Best Documentary was Nai Nai & Wai Po from director Sean Wang. Without missing a beat, Wang is back his with his Sundance award-winner Didi.

Tues. 5/7/24:

In My Own Normal, director Alexandre Freeman turns the camera on himself: living with cerebral palsy since age two he is now an adult about to become a new father and how his parents react to this. This is produced by Friends producer Kevin S. Bright, Oscar-winner Chris Cooper and my friend Ariana Garfinkel (she's an IFFBoston alum having produced Best and Most Beautiful Things, You Don't Nomi, and On These Grounds).

Sing Sing stars recent Oscar nominee Colman Domingo as a prisoner who is involved with a theater troupe for inmates. This movie actually walks the walk and features the majority of its cast made up of formerly incarcerated members of the real life theater troupe the film is based on.

Wed. 5/8/24:

The Closing Night Film is the comedy Thelma starring Oscar-nominee June Squibb as an elderly woman who is scammed by a caller claiming to be her grandson and goes on a city-wide quest to get back what's hers. I've been hearing a lot of good things about this one!

For tickets and info to IFFBoston

#independent film festival boston #IFFBoston2024 #iffboston #ghostlight #i saw the tv glow #ren faire #my old ass #the road to ruane #michael gill #the ride ahead #tuesday #fear of flying #mark phinney #didi #sing sing #thelma #film geek #film festival #tallywacker

[roadtripnewengland]

Even though it might not be the traditional festival as we’re used to it (and how deeply and dearly we miss the Somerville, Brattle, and Coolidge, and are anxiously anticipating their return), we’re just extremely grateful that there will be an Independent Film Festival Boston — better known around these parts as IFFBoston — this year. Running digitally from May 6 through 16, the quality of IFFBoston’s programming remains top-notch and offers a full buffet of narrative features, documentaries, and short film programs for your consumption (hell, you might actually be able to see every film at the festival this year if you’re able to budget your time right). You can check out the full line-up at the IFFBoston website, but we’ve picked out eight titles that we think are must-sees, and we strongly encourage you to check them out.

#film festival #boston #independent film #cinema #movies #indie movies #indie film #watch the show #watch this

[popcornnroses]

BSAF2020/COVID-19 UPDATE: IFFBoston postpones indefinitely

BSAF2020/COVID-19 UPDATE: IFFBoston postpones indefinitely #IFFB #IFFBoston #eCinemaBoston #BostonSpringsAFethival2020 #PNRNetworks #Coronavirus #COVID-19

From the press release:

IFFBOSTON 2020 UPDATE

Due to the public health concerns posed by COVID-19 (Coronavirus), it is with a heavy heart that we have made the difficult decision to postpone the upcoming IFFBoston, previously scheduled for April 22-29, 2020.

The long term well-being of our community is our highest priority. Our continuing mission will be to celebrate stories and storytellers when…

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#Boston Springs A Fethival #Cinema #CoronaVirus #Covid-19 #eCinemaBoston #Fethival Flash #film #Film festival #Independent Film Festival Boston #Movies #PNR Networks

[rosalyn51]

Official Secrets is Narrative Spotlight at the Independent Film Festival Boston. Photo: Boston IFFBoston.

Official Secrets Film Fest Schedule

April 14 PFF SpringFest Philadelphia Film Society Closing Night Film April 21 SSFILM San Francisco Film Fest Closing Night Film  April 29 IFFBoston Independent Film Festival Boston

In select theaters August 23.

Cast incl. Keira Knightley (Katharine Gun), Matt Smith (Martin Bright), Matthew Goode (Peter Beaumont), Ralph Fiennes (Ben Emmerson QC), Rhys Ifans, Adam Bakri, John Heffernan, Jeremy Northam, Clive Frances, MyAnna Buring, Indira Varma, Conleth Hill, Tamsin Greig, and Jack Farthing. Director Gavin Hood.

#matthew goode #keira knightley #matt smith #ralph fiennes #official secrets #adam bakri #john heffernan #jeremy northam #jack farthing

[brian-in-finance]

Remember… you will get hoots and hollers from the folks who are alright with easy parables and depictions of country life, and Branagh… knows this and is alright with settling. — Vanyaland Well shucks, young Nicky, we’re wicked happy Sir Kenneth kept it simple for us old folks. I just hope we manage to stay awake to see the ending.

#Tait rhymes with hat #Good times #Brian’s crabbit #BelfastMovie #Review #Vanyaland #26 October 2021 #Brattle Theatre #22 October 2021 #IFFBoston #Boston International Film Festival #Somerville Massachusetts USA #20 - 24 October 2021 #Belfast #In cinemas 12 November 2021 #Canada & USA #In cinemas 25 February 2022 UK & Ireland #Worldwide 2022 #Twitter

[uomo-accattivante]

Il materiale di origine: Shawn Fitzgerald / Oscar Isaac onstage at Independent Film Festival Boston Q&A screening of Inside Llewyn Davis at Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, MA. (7th November, 2013)

#oscar isaac #inside llewyn davis #screening #coen brothers #independent film festival boston #iffboston #cambridge