THE RETURN OF BOSTON'S BIGGEST INDIE FILM FEST
In just seven short years, the Independent Film Festival of Boston (www.iffboston.org) has grown to become an indie-cinema juggernaut. For the 2009 installment, which runs April 22–28, IFFB’s organizers have pulled together a program that includes nearly 60 feature-length films, plus events all over town. If this all sounds a bit daunting to you, don’t be overwhelmed — the IFFB has a little something for everyone, whether you’re looking to scope out the latest Rachel Weisz/Adrien Brody film (The Brothers Bloom), get some face time with rising indie talent, or schmooze with fellow cinephiles. We chatted with managing directors Nancy Campbell and Brian Tamm to get the skinny on this year’s fest.
What films will be getting their official premiere at the 2009 IFFB?
Nancy Campbell: There’s a number of premieres, especially local premieres, like the cheerleading documentary Blood, Sweat & Cheers. Brian Tamm: And we have a couple world premieres. We just try to find the best films and bring them to people in Boston who might not have had a chance to see them. We try to bring a lot of music docs in. We have a Johnny Cash doc [Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison]; that’s local.
NC: We also have The Sweet Lady with the Nasty Voice, about Wanda Jackson, which I think is extremely exciting, because she’s being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame [on April 4]. It’s really cool, because it has all these celebrity testimonials in it, and she influenced a lot of people that range from, like, Bruce Springsteen to Lemmy [of Motörhead].
I still can’t believe that the IFFB is so young. You feel like such an institution at this point.
NC: There’s definitely a thirst for it in this town. It’s a cultural hunger.
BT: People come from all over the country and all over the world to really see what a great place Boston is. And when they come, they see the Brattle and the Coolidge and the Somerville, and what beautiful theaters they are. And this year, we’ve got the ICA, which is obviously breathtaking.
NC: We’re working all year long, and doing it just because we felt like this city deserved it. We love Boston — especially in springtime.
This fest really is at the perfect time of year.
NC: Exactly. I think that people are really tired of the hibernation. I think what’s also part of the excitement is that we really do come right at the right time of year, where everybody’s ready to go out and do this thing.
BT: It’s about going out and interacting with people.
Do you have any director appearances lined up?
BT: We have a few definites that are confirmed. Our opening-night film is The Brothers Bloom, and the director, Rian Johnson [Brick], is coming out. Our closing-night film is World’s Greatest Dad, directed by Bobcat Goldthwait. He’s going to be here.
In addition to the screenings, do you guys have other events that are going on as part of the IFFB?
NC: We have a number of parties. Our opening-night party is at Orleans in Davis. Friday and Saturday, we have parties at the Liberty Hotel.
BT: Some of the filmmakers put on their own parties. The people doing the Johnny Cash doc are doing a thing at Johnny D’s. So yeah, it’s definitely a full experience — it’s movies, it’s panels, it’s parties. It’s a real festival.
