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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 NoéRachel BrosnahanAmy 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.

Ep1185: IndieSeen: 3I/Atlas Film Festival Preview

Ep1185: IndieSeen: 3I/Atlas Film Festival Preview

Much like the interstellar phenomenon that inspired it, the 3I/ATLAS Film Festival is coming your way!

Sujewa recently launched a mixed streaming/in-person showcase of independent films--some new, some vintage, all waiting to be discovered (or re-discovered)! There's also a brand-new compilation of Ian and Sujewa's ongoing debate about the merits of Hong Sang-soo's filmography! In this preview episode, the guys talk about what movie lovers can expect from the festival, whose "At Home" offerings are available now, and whose theatrical events kick off this Friday (12/12) at Film Noir Cinema in Brooklyn.

Filmmaker and past IndieSeen guest Steve Martini will be on hand to present his semi-autobiographical farce, Bittersweet, and participate in a Q&A.

Next spring will see screenings or Amir Motlagh's Young Ali, Sujewa's upcoming 53 Spaceships, and others. For complete festival details as they drop, including lineup and venue info, click here.

And for tickets to Friday night's Bittersweet event, you can order directly from EventBrite here.

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Show Links

  • As mentioned in the show, Sujewa recently interviewed Steve Martini and Casey Makes a Mixtape writer/director Blake Calhoun. Check out that conversation here.

  • Support Sujewa's new film project, 53 Spaceships, the latest adventure of Cosmic Disco Detective Rene!

  • Watch Sujewa's latest film, Cosmic Disco Detective Rene for free on YouTube!

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

  • Follow Sujewa on X.

  • Check out all the episodes in our “IndieSeen” Playlist!

Ep1186: Jay Kelly (2025) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1186: Jay Kelly (2025) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1184: Eternity (2025) - Movie Review

Ep1184: Eternity (2025) - Movie Review