How long can the Bay Area go without film festivals? Obviously not that long. These festivals will (hopefully) delight local cinephiles in early 2011:
German Gems, January 14 – 16, Castro. Berlin & Beyond may be gone, but this new festival (only the second year) seems to filling its slot—both on the calendar and in the Bay Area’s ethnic makeup. Nine films from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, all in German with English subtitles. Subjects in Mahler and Freud, surfing, and homicidal teenagers. I plan to preview the opening night film, Mahler On the Couch, so I can tell you about it.
Noir City, January 21- January 30, Castro. Twelve b-movie double bills shot on the dark side of Hollywood. This year’s theme is crazy, "all kinds of crazy–born crazy, driven crazy, and not as crazy as they seem," according to the press release. Most of the titles are obscure (the only one I’ve seen is Sorry, Wrong Number), and almost all have not been released on DVD, so you’re bound to get some pleasantly unpleasant surprises.
Silent Film Festival Winter Event, February 12, Castro. Silent films, great prints, and terrific live musical accompaniment. What better way to spend the Saturday before Valentine’s Day? And should your main squeeze insist on doing something romantic, the festival ends with King Vidor’s version of La Bohème, with Dennis James on the Wurlitzer (presumably playing Puccini). Also included are a trio of Chaplin shorts and Marcel L’Herbier’s L’Argent.
Cinequest runs March 1 – 13, but as of yet, nothing else has been announced.
Bayflicks 