SFFS Awards Night

On May 1st, right in the middle of the 57th annual San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF57), the San Francisco Film Society (SFFS) held and awards night gala, honoring some of the industry’s most vital filmmakers and contributors. It was a star-studded event, with Richard Linklater, John Lasseter, Jeremy Irons, screenwriter Stephen Gaghan, and more receiving awards presented by young stars including Zooey Deschanel, Josh Gad, and Parker Posey. Check out pics from the red carpet below:

The Skeleton Twins

On the same night, a few blocks away in Japantown, Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig were in attendance to introduce their dramedy (heavy on the drama) collaboration with director Craig Johnson, The Skeleton Twins. Hader, ever the entertainer, had fun with the press on the red carpet, pretending to cough to screw with photographers (I still managed to snap a couple good ones), and even conducting almost an entire interview in an Australian accent. Check out the hilarity below:

Palo Alto

Adding to the illustrious Coppola family legacy at SFIFF57 was Gia Coppola, niece of Sofia and granddaughter of Francis, with her gritty slice of teen life Palo Alto. Based on a book of short stories written by James Franco (who also acts in the film), it’s the best representation of modern day teens I’ve ever seen, an impressive outing for a first time filmmaker. Coppola and star Emma Roberts made an appearance on the red carpet at the Kabuki, both looking gorgeous as usual. (Photo credit: Adam Clay)

Last Weekend

Taking over the red carpet this past weekend were the directors and stars of Lake Tahoe-set family drama Last Weekend, which made its world premiere at the festival. Many of the ensemble cast were in attendance, including Patricia Clarkson, Joseph Cross, Chris Mulkey, Alexia Rasmussen, Devon Graye, and Fran Kranz. First time co-directors Tom Dolby and Tom Williams (lovingly referred to by the cast members as “Tom-Tom”) celebrated the film’s successful launch on the red carpet with their stars, as well as on a second carpet at the film’s after party. (Photo credit: Adam Clay)

She & Him announced that they would be releasing a new album as well as tour dates. Considering their first two full lengths were titled Volume One and Volume Two, it is of little surprise that this new one will be called Volume Three. The new album will be available on May 7th and will feature 11 original songs along with three covers from the M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel super-duo.

Volume 3 tracklist:

“I’ve Got Your Number, Son”
“Never Wanted Your Love”
“Baby”
“I Could’ve Been Your Girl”
“Turn to White”
“Somebody Sweet to Talk To”
“Something’s Haunting You”
“Together”
“Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”
“Snow Queen”
“Sunday Girl”
“London”
“Shadow of Love”
“Reprise (I Could’ve Been Your Girl)”

2013 Summer Tour dates of She & Him:

June 13: Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
June 15: Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theater at Grand Prairie
June 16: Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theatre
June 18: Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theater
June 19: Las Vegas, NV – The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
June 21: San Diego, CA – SDSU Open Air Theatre
June 22: Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre
June 23: Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
June 25: Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Gardens
June 27: Council Bluffs, IA – Hurrah’s Stir Cove
June 29: Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom
July 01: Ann Arbor, MI – Hill Auditorium
July 03: Montreal, Quebec – Montreal Jazz Festival – Symphony Hall
July 04: Toronto, Ontario – Toronto Urban Roots Festival
July 06: New York, NY – Central Park Summerstage
July 09: Philadelphia, PA – Mann Center for Performing Arts
July 10: Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion
July 11: Vienna, VA – Filene Center at Wolf Trap

She & Him Volume 3 Album cover:

Writer/actress Zoe Kazan stars in Ruby Sparks as the title character that is created out of Calvin’s (Paul Dano) mind as he is writing his latest novel. In addition to Kazan, Way Too Indie outlines our other favorite “Indie Film Pin-Up Girls” that include; Brit Marling, Zooey Deschanel, Elizabeth Olsen, Miranda July and more.

Brit Marling

Unofficially dubbed the Sundance Darling a couple years back, this blonde-haired beauty has written and starred in two sci-fi-esque Fox Searchlight films: Sound of My Voice and Another Earth. In the latter, she stars as Rhoda Williams, a young girl whose entire life is thrown for a loop when she crosses paths with a composer in a tragic accident. In Sound of My Voice, she portrays the mysterious Maggie, a cult leader who claims to be from the future. Now, she’s working on her latest outing with Voice director Zal Batmanglij, The East, which stars Marling alongside Ellen Page, Alexander Skarsgard and Patricia Clarkson.

Every life is death, and most deaths are suicides. Some are just more gradual than others. — Maggie

Miranda July

If Brit Marling is to indie than Miranda July would be to arthouse. She portrays herself (as she stars/directs/writes) in her directorial debut masterpiece Me and You and Everyone We Know; a quirky but creative artist who often struggles to fit in. July’s second film The Future is another prime example of her adorable yet slightly flawed character.

If you really love me, let’s make a vow – right here, together… right now. — Christine

Zooey Deschanel

It is impossible to have a indie pin-up girl feature without including everyone’s favorite, Zooey Deschanel. Zooey turned heads when she starred in the hit romantic comedy (500) Days of Summer alongside Joseph Gordon–Levitt as Summer, a girl not sold on true love. The bright-eyed comic talent is now starring in the popular sitcom New Girl on Fox as another quirky and offbeat chick with a sense of humor trying to figure out life in her early thirties.

You weren’t wrong, Tom. You were just wrong about me. — Summer

Elizabeth Olsen

The other Olsen sister has been busy making a name for herself with smaller, critically acclaimed films, like the tense and dramatic Martha Marcy May Marlene. In the film, Olsen plays Martha, a traumatized ex-member of an abusive cult trying to separate her past’s memories from her current day-to-day. Olsen has several films in the works including Theresa Raquin and Very Good Girls.

I am a teacher and a leader. — Martha

Parker Posey

Deemed the “Queen of Indies” in the 90’s by none other than ‘Time’ magazine, Parker Posey certainly deserves to be mentioned on this list. Even though she has been doing independent films for a while now, she still is as busy as ever appearing on TV Shows (recently on New Girl with Zooey Deschanel) as well as several films.

I watch soap operas. I bake brownies. Normalcy is coursing through my veins. — Jackie-O

Jessica Chastain

2011 was the year of Jessica Chastain as she starred in seven films, including The Help, The Debt and The Tree of Life. In The Tree of Life, Chastain stars opposite Brad Pitt as Mrs. O’Brien the matriarch of a family in Texas in 1956. Told through the eyes of her eldest son, Jack, the story revolves around the family’s struggles and hardships that leave lasting impressions on their children. Chastain has not slowed down since last year and can be seen in next year’s Mama and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby.

Grace doesn’t try to please itself. Accepts being slighted, forgotten, disliked. Accepts insults and injuries. — Mrs. O’Brien

Zoe Kazan

The granddaughter of famed filmmaker Elia Kazan, Zoe Kazan had movie making in her blood at a young age. After acting in several movies like It’s Complicated and Happythankyoumoreplease, Kazan wrote her first feature film this year with Ruby Sparks. Kazan also stars as the title character in the movie that tells the story of famed writer Calvin Weir-Fields (Paul Dano) as he creates the love of his life on paper, and she miraculously comes appears in his apartment. Kazan has several films in the works that she stars in, including the newest from Joss Whedon – In Your Eyes.

Just don’t tell me how it ends, okay? — Ruby

Debuting on Blu-ray and DVD Oct. 30
From the directors of Little Miss Sunshine comes a “charming and delightful” (Marshall Fine,Huffingtonpost.com) romantic comedy starring Paul Dano and writer-actress Zoe Kazan. Struggling with writer’s block and a lackluster love life, once-famous novelist Calvin (Dano) creates a beautiful fictitious character named Ruby (Kazan) who inspires him. But not only does this bring his work to life- it also brings Ruby to life- literally! Face-to-face with an actual relationship with his once virtual girlfriend, Calvin must now decide whether to pen this love story or let it write itself. Also starring Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas and Elliott Gould, Ruby Sparks is a smart coming-of-age story that proves true love can be remarkably magical.

An indie romantic comedy with a hint of drama revolving around a young mattress salesman and confused girl with a rich daddy. Directed by Matt Aselton, Gigantic deals with some fairly common life problems like dealing with family, friends, relationships and taking a close look at what you want in life.

Brian Weathersby (Paul Dano) a 28-year-old mattress salesman, has a life long dream. This is not a normal dream for a young single man like opening a coffee shop or starting a band. No, since he was a young boy he has wanted to adopt a baby from china. The adoption process is long and grueling and to make matters worse he keeps getting viciously attacked by a homeless man (Zach Galifianakis). Now that we have established that Brian is a not so normal boy, let’s talk about a not so normal girl. Harriet or Happy (Zooey Deschanel) is the daughter of a wealthy customer of Brian’s (John Goodman). Happy works for her sister but doesn’t know what she is doing or where she is going in life. So boy meets girl, girl distracts boy from his life goals then girl freaks out and screws everything up when she realizes that they’re relationship might really mean something.

I don’t know how this movie flew under my radar for so long, but I’m glad it finally made its way to me. After seeing Paul Dano in There Will Be Blood, I knew he was someone to watch. The character he plays is very likable but different and I think he was perfect for this part. Zooey Deschanel is VERY well liked in the indie world, for her singing and most of all just because she is so darn cute, but her acting has always been well… dull. So I was pleasantly surprised to see her do such a range of emotions. This was by far the best acting I have seen from her ever. John Goodman was amazingly funny and makes you feel like this part was written with him in mind. Really there wasn’t a bad performance in the movie. Well written and well directed, Matt Aselton executed this movie like a pro.

If you are looking for a movie with depth and emotion that will still make you laugh, Gigantic is it. A truly way too indie film.