The first monthly "indie" film fest at Brookfield Old Town Hall kicks off on Thursday, June 22nd at 7 pm, with "The Babushkas of Chernobyl," a story of three unlikely heroines living in the radioactive Dead Zone surrounding Chernobyl's Reactor No. 4. This defiant community of women scratches out an existence on some of the most toxic land on Earth. They share this hauntingly beautiful but lethal landscape with an assortment of interlopers--scientists, soldiers, and even 'stalkers'--young thrill-seekers who sneak in to pursue post-apocalyptic video-game inspired fantasies. Why the film's central characters, Hanna Zavorotyna, Maria Shovkuta, and Valentyna Ivanivna, chose to return after the disaster, defying the authorities and endangering their health, is a remarkable tale about the pull of home, the healing power of shaping one's destiny and the subjective nature of risk. http://thebabushkasofchernobyl.com/ The four films in this year's monthly film fest are generously supported by Gibson Engineering Co., Inc. Admission is $5/person and will go towards maintenance and restoration of the Old Town Hall.

How about "dinner and a movie" on the 22nd? Ariel's Restaurant, just 3 doors down from the Old Town Hall on scenic Sunset Lake featuring the famous Floating Bridge, will be offering a $30 pre-set three-course menu that evening, with $5 going towards your movie admission. Seatings are at 5:30 and 6 pm, featuring community tables for those attending the film. The menu for this exciting event, based on traditional Russian Cuisine: Chilled Beet Borscht, Varyeniki (potato and cheese dumplings) served with caramelized onions and sour cream, and Blini (buckwheat crepes filled with berries, with rhubarb sauce and ice cream). Join us for this special opportunity to dine at one of Vermont's finest restaurants, enjoy the beautiful views, and discuss the film with other diners. Please make reservations by calling Chef Lee Duberman and Sommelier Richard Fink at 276-3939. http://www.arielsrestaurant.com/