Tuesday, March 23, 2010

The Boot Cake Screens in Sydney and the Charlie Circle Gear Up for Charlie's Birthday

The Boot Cake screens at Sydney's Dendy Opera Quays on Thursday 25th March 2010 at 3.00 as part of the Chaplin Day at the 'Young at Heart' Film Festival.

I'll be there to introduce the film and do a Q and A afterwards. One of my own Chaplin favourites Modern Times is showing beforehand - at 12.30 on the same day. A local Chaplin imitator will be in attendance, too.

At this time of year, Doctor Aswani and the Charlie Circle of Adipur are gearing up for Charlie's birthday festivities on April 16th. Doctor Aswani writes that he has had some recent surgery on his knees and will have to sit this year's parade out. However, I am sure he will be out and about again in no time and as active as ever in organising Charlie's Saints' Day with his fellow Charlie Circle members.


The Charlie Circle go from strength to strength and at last count had 235 members including 17 women. Members are aged from 18 months to 73 years. The Times of India recently ran an article about Doctor Aswani and the activities of the Charlie Circle - Charlie's Angels of Adipur.


The Charlie Circle have an excellent website of their own with a gallery of photographs and some information about the founding of the Circle, its philosophy and activities and their members.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The Boot Cake Screens at Dungog Australia

The Boot Cake has been stepping out over the last few months.

The film has been selected for more festivals around the globe including:


Palm Beach International Film Festival, Chinh India Community Film Festival, International Film Festival Egypt, Honolulu International Film Festival (where it was awarded an Aloah Accolade for Excellence in Film-making), Mexico International Film Festival (where it received a Gold Palm Award) and the Czech Republic's prestigious Film Festival Zlin for Children and Youth. The Boot Cake also screened recently at NZ Docs 'Focus'. More screenings in the US and Europe coming up soon ...

From the Americas to Asia, to Europe, the Middle East and New Zealand, and now--Australia's very own 2009 Dungog Film Festival which celebrates independent cinema.

The Boot Cake screens Sunday May 31st 4.45 in the James Theatre. See you there...

Monday, March 23, 2009

Chaplin Statue Causes Commotion in India

Hindu activists in Baindur, near Udupi, have blocked an attempt to put up a 20 metre statue of Charlie Chaplin for a film shoot. They claimed that locating a monument of a non-Hindu close to their temple was offensive.

A local politician from the main opposition Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party said there was no place for Charlie Chaplin in his area.
'If the locals are against the statue, I am also against it', he told The Times of India. 'Why should one bother so much about Charlie Chaplin, who was not even an Indian?'

In contrast, Jamalya, actor and president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, said 'How can anyone discriminate against an artist on the basis of religion or caste? Chaplin belongs to all.'

The message of the Charlie Circle of Adipur leads the way...

Indian based arts journalist Priya Ramani notes approvingly that the Charlie Circle in Gujarat have never had a problem with Charlie...

Monday, October 27, 2008

THE BOOT CAKE screens at Pordenone, Chicago and Sao Paulo

THE BOOT CAKE recently screened at Pordenone Silent Film Festival, in the Docufest competition for feature documentaries at Chicago International Film Festival and at Sao Paulo International Film Festival.

I was able to attend both Pordenone and Chicago where the film provoked much discussion at our Q and A's.

THE BOOT CAKE was very warmly received by audiences. Here are some responses.

"An irresistably endearing documentary, but also an astonishing testimony to the far-reaching influence of silent film...In Dr. Aswani we discover a man of charm and wisdom and great compassion...A film that is consistently sweet and funny, but essential viewing to understand the full spiritual potency of art."

David Robinson, Film critic and Director, Pordenone Silent Film Festival


"Allowing herself to get swept up in Chaplin's aura, Millard uses title cards reminiscent of silent films and shows vintage clips, commercials and animations from the actor's storied career.... The geniality of her subjects and a positively buoyant score add a very special bounce to an already unique documentary....A moving film about life's small pleasures."


Jesse Berkowitz, Documentary Programmer, Chicago International Film Festival

"We ponder the spiritual resonance felt by so many people for the battler with his toothbrush and baggy pants."
32nd Mostra Internacional de Cinema

"Entertaining ..Millard does a good job of conveying the lasting power of film and how it can touch people across the world."

Peter Sobczynski EFilmcritic.com

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Welcome to The Boot Cake Blog

Stay tuned for more updates and responses to the "The Boot Cake" documentary.

In the meantime, view our website here.