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Welcome to Kicking the Seat!

Ian Simmons launched Kicking the Seat in 2009, one week after seeing Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia. His wife proposed blogging as a healthier outlet for his anger than red-faced, twenty-minute tirades (Ian is no longer allowed to drive home from the movies).

The Kicking the Seat Podcast followed three years later and, despite its “undiscovered gem” status, Ian thoroughly enjoys hosting film critic discussions, creating themed shows, and interviewing such luminaries as Gaspar Noé, Rachel Brosnahan, Amy Seimetz, and Richard Dreyfuss.

Ian is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. He also has a family, a day job, and conflicted feelings about referring to himself in the third person.

Ep946: IndieSeen: Indie Discovery L.A. Comes to Chicago!

Ep946: IndieSeen: Indie Discovery L.A. Comes to Chicago!

Ian Simmons

Why should Los Angeles have all the fun? This Wednesday night, friend and filmmaker Sujewa Ekanayake brings his Indie Discovery L.A. film series to Chicago, with a special one night only event at Facets!

In this special edition of IndieSeen, Ian welcomes back Sujewa and actor/director Raphael Sbarge, whose respective films, Cosmic Disco Detective Rene and Only in Theaters, will screen on November 29th--along with Pierre Guillet's Bristol Fashion.

Watch as the guys look at what it takes to put on movie events across the country in support of independent film--including navigating distribution deals; the ups and downs of streaming; and balancing creating art with promoting it (while still maintaining a life!).

Scroll down for tickets, showtimes, and more info about each of the movies. Oh, and did we mention that Ian will be hosting an Only in Theaters Q&A with Raphael following the 7pm show? We'll see you there!

Subscribe, like, and comment to the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel, and check out kickseat.com for multiple movie podcasts each week!

Show Links

Trailers

Event Info

  • Learn more about Indie Discovery L.A., and Wednesday's Chicago screenings at Facets!

  • Purchase tickets directly for Indie Discovery L.A. Chicago: Bristol Fashion (5pm)

  • Only in Theaters (7pm featuring Q&A w/ director Raphael Sbarge)

  • Cosmic Disco Detective Rene (9pm)

Support Indie Discovery L.A.

  • Donate to IDLA Chicago event.

  • Donate to Cosmic Disco Detective Rene via GoFundMe (for future distribution work).

  • Can't make it to Chicago this Wednesday?

    • Rent/Buy Only in Theaters digitally on Amazon!

    • Fans of physical media can also buy the extras-packed Only in Theaters DVD from Kino Lorber!

    • Rent The Secret Society for Slow Romance (the predecessor to Cosmic Disco Detective Rene)

    • Rent Cosmic Disco Detective Rene on Vimeo!

Creator Links

  • Keep up with all of Sujewa's projects.

  • Follow Sujewa on X.

Previous Interviews

  • Watch Ian and Sujewa's discussion with Only in Theaters Raphael and subjects Greg and Tish Laemmle!

  • Watch Ian's interview with Sujewa and Cosmic Disco Detective Rene star Alia Lorae!

Ep947: Beyond Hammerland: FRIGHTMARE (1974)

Ep947: Beyond Hammerland: FRIGHTMARE (1974)
Ep945: THANKSGIVING (2023) - Round Table Review

Ep945: THANKSGIVING (2023) - Round Table Review