Hubbub

Outtake: Brattle Royale

For a beloved movie house that’s given local cinephiles so much — annual Bogie marathons, exclusive David Lynch premieres, hometown gems, gritty midnight flicks, and a zillion first dates — the Brattle Theatre (40 Brattle Street, Cambridge) doesn’t ask a whole lot from us. Since the thought of a Harvard Square without our favorite cozy, rear-projectin’ theater is a bleak one indeed, we’re mighty inclined to cough up the cash for its swank annual gala, held at the Charles Hotel (One Bennett Street, Cambridge, 617.864.1200) on November 16. To sweeten the deal, attendees will have the chance to meet indie-film legend (and occasional Green Goblin) Willem Dafoe, whom the Brattle is honoring alongside longtime Boston Phoenix scribe Gerald Peary. Tickets start at $150; call 617.876.8021 or visit www.brattlefilm.org.

Monday, October 13 – Wednesday, October 22: The Boston Muslim Film Festival

Since ancient times, Muslim cultures have valued the arts in all their multimedia glory. So it’s little surprise that the Art Under Fire! The Boston Muslim Film Festival will showcase films about a variety of artists. Democracy in Dakar is about politically-minded Senegalese underground hip-hop artists, who will perform live at the screening on October 20, at Boston University’s George Sherman Union (755 Comm Ave, Boston, 617.353.2921). Iranian-American stand-up comedians are the focus in the documentary Stand Up; you can catch them live, too, on October 15, also at the George Sherman Union. The festival’s theme this year is “Art Under Fire,” so expect to find films that address issues of censorship and hostility toward Muslim creative types. Screenings take place at various theaters and universities around town. The festival kicks off with Operation Filmmaker with Liev Schreiber on October 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Brattle Theatre (40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, 617.876.6837). As expression should be everywhere, the events are free. Visit www.muslimfilm.org for the full schedule.

Independent Film Festival of Boston at the Somerville Theatre, the Brattle Theatre, and the Coolidge Corner Theatre

Dumped chumps