This year, the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film bestowed the most
accolades upon Asghar Farhadi’s THE PAST at its 20th anniversary
Chlotrudis Awards ceremony, held at the Brattle Theater this past Sunday.
The French Iranian film took home Best Movie, while Farhadi won Best
Director and Best Original Screenplay. The only other repeat winner of
the night was AS I LAY DYING, which won Best Adapted Screenplay for its
writer/director James Franco, and Best Ensemble. Both of the film’s
awards were accepted by returning Chlotrudis winner Beth Grant, who
costarred in the film and was thrilled on the cast’s behalf to have won
the Trudy. Grant says, “Chlotrudis Society is an extraordinary group of
intellectuals who are rabid film buffs. Their commitment to watching,
evaluating, discussing, deliberating, and debating each and every
independent film that qualifies makes winning these awards a true honor.
They take independent film seriously!”
The rest of the Trudies were generously distributed. In the acting
categories, Brie Larson won Best Actress for a career-defining role as
Grace in SHORT TERM 12, and Mads Mikkelsen received Best Actor for his
harrowing role of a man accused in THE HUNT. Jared Leto added a Trudy to
his award collection for his work in DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, and June Squibb
captured Best Supporting Actress for her memorable turn in NEBRASKA.
Character actress Dale Dickey (WINTER’S BONE, Justified, SUPER 8) and
Canadian actress/singer Rebecca Jenkins (STORIES WE TELL, MARION BRIDGE)
were present to accept the Chlotrudis Career-So-Far awards, and were
joined by returning honorees director Thom Fitzgerald (THE HANGING GARDEN)
and actress Beth Grant (The Mindy Project, DONNIE DARKO). Honored in
absentia with the Breakout Award was Ahna O’Reilly (FRUITVALE STATION, THE
HELP), with an assist from a fellow AS I LAY DYING cast member, Beth
Grant, who accepted the Trudy on Ahna’s behalf.
The heart-breaking Belgian drama THE BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN won the most
coveted prize of the night, the Buried Treasure. In order to be eligible,
Buried Treasure nominees must have earned less than $250,000 in US box
office. Chlotrudis created the category in order to shine a spotlight on
those films the group feels deserve wider attention and a second look.
Clips from all nominated Buried Treasure films were shown throughout the
evening.
Finally, throughout the night the audience was treated to musical salutes,
beginning with a medley of past Chlotrudis songs, a clip package of some
of the group’s greatest hits (‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, Sondheim’s Company, and
ABBA), and a rousing finale set to Hairspray’s infectious ‘You Can’t Stop
the Beat’. Presenters and guests included many members and friends of the
Boston film community, among them indie film producers, film critics Peter
Keough & Gerry Peary, programmers from the Independent Film Festival of
Boston, the Boston Jewish Film Festival & the Boston GLBT Film Festival
and Boston Irish Film Festival; and consulate staff of the French Cultural
Center and the Goethe Institut.
The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit
group that teaches people to view film actively and experience the world
through independent film, and encourages discussion. The group works with
film festivals, local art-houses and theatres, production companies,
directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of
audiences and film-lovers. Visit http://www.chlotrudis.org, join us at
Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
FULL LIST OF TRUDY WINNERS:
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE CAST
As I Lay Dying
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Alain Bainée for Blancanieves
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Bradford Young for Mother of George
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
As I Lay Dying, screenplay by James Franco and Matt Rager, based on the
novel by William Faulkner
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Past, screenplay by Asghar Farhadi
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
June Squibb for Nebraska
BEST ACTOR
Mads Mikkelsen for The Hunt
BEST ACTRESS
Brie Larson for Short Term 12
BEST DIRECTOR
Asghar Farhadi for The Past
BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Act of Killing
BEST MOVIE
The Past
BURIED TREASURE
The Broken Circle Breakdown