Cambridge plays itself in the works of Egleson, complete with a turn by 9-year-old Ben Affleck. When the subject of great Boston films is discussed, a handful of titles inevitably rise to the top, from “The Friends of Eddie Coyle” and “Good Will Hunting” to last year’s “The Holdovers.” But arguably no filmmaker has ever captured Boston (or, for that matter, Cambridge) on film quite like Jan Egleson. A stage actor with the Theater Company of Boston in the 1970s (he has a bit part in “Eddie Coyle” as a gun dealer), Egleson turned his eye to cinema, making a string of raw, low-budget films concerning primarily the Boston working class. Egleson will be on hand this weekend at The Brattle Theatre for a series titled simply “Six Films by Jan Egleson.” Of particular interest to readers of the Day will be Egleson’s first film, “Billy in the Lowlands” (1979), which features some incredible vintage location footage of Harvard Square and the Fresh Pond Mall (check out that sign for Zayre!), and its follow-up, “The Dark End of the Street” (1981), featuring a 9-year-old Ben Affleck in his film debut. Though perhaps not as well known as some of his fellow independent filmmakers of the 1970s, Egleson’s work is no less vital, and essential for anyone with an interest in Massachusetts on film. (Check The Brattle’s website for the series’ full schedule and ticket info.)
