If you can’t decide what movie to catch this weekend, why not choose to support some local filmmakers? Playing this week only at the Brattle Theater, Daddy Longlegs, is a film crewed by mostly Boston University graduates.
Screened at both the Cannes Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival, Daddy Longlegs is about a busy, sidetracked and constantly late dad, played by Ronnie Bronstein, who every year spends a couple of weeks with his two young sons. After months of being sad and alone, he cherishes these moments with his kids, not capable of being a stern parent but only a lovable buddy, inventing myths and somehow living them, all while working overtime in the big city. In these two weeks, a trip upstate, visitors from strange lands, a mother, a girlfriend, “magic” blankets, and a complete lawlessness seem to take over their lives.
With a fluid style, directors Josh and Benny Safdie capture the magic of parenthood, invoking memories of their inventive dad from their own childhood. They describe Daddy Longlegs as a swan song to excuses, irresponsibility, fatherhood and self-created experience.
Although hailing from New York City, Josh and Benny Safdie have a history of shooting in and around the New England area. Their previously acclaimed feature film The Pleasure of Being Robbed was filmed near Fenway Park and in Connecticut.
The filmmakers will be in person Thursday night showing their first feature film, The Pleasure of Being Robbed along with a selection of their short films at the Brattle Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance on the Brattle Theater website.
Check out the Brattle Theater website for Daddy Longlegs tickets and screening information. For more information on Josh and Benny Safdie and their upcoming projects, check out their film collective, Red Bucket Films.
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