A A Brand New Life Disclaimer: I've got an economic incentive for praising this movie. It's not a big one, and I don't think it will effect my opinion. I'll explain it at the end. It takes guts to make a feature totally dependent on a child's performance, and writer/director Ounie Lecomte has those guts. … Continue reading SFIFF: A Brand New Life
Category: SFFilm (San Francisco International Film Festival)
SFIFF: The White Meadows
B+ The White Meadows I'm sort of live blogging here, writing this on a Mac in the San Francisco International Film Festival press lounge, just after watching the movie. If this seems unpolished, there's a reason: I'm writing this and posting it quickly. Before this strange and beautiful Iranian fantasy screened, a staff member told … Continue reading SFIFF: The White Meadows
What’s Screening: April 23 – 29
The San Francisco International Film Festival continues through this week at various locations. My festival-related blurbs are at the bottom of the newsletter. I’m also devoting a special section to the Castro’s Stanley Kubrick section. Roots of Animation, Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, Saturday night, 7:30. This collection of silent cartoons starts with a short … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 23 – 29
SFIFF Previews
I've now screened three films that will play this year's San Francisco International Film Festival. Here they are, starting with the best. And speaking of the best, I’m giving a little more than my usual paragraph to the one that most deserves it. A The Day God Walked Away, Clay, Monday, May 3, 6:45; Kabuki, Tuesday, … Continue reading SFIFF Previews
A Couple of Quick Updates
Totally unconnected to each other: A new, 35mm print of The Red Shoes plays the Castro this Wednesday and Thursday night. I didn’t mention this in the newsletter because I haven’t seen this movie in decades, and didn’t really appreciate it then (I suspect I’d like it more, now). But even if you don’t care … Continue reading A Couple of Quick Updates
SFIFF: James Schamus to Receive Screenwriting Award
I’ve just received a press release regarding the upcoming San Francisco International Film Festival (April 22 - May 6). Frequent Ang Lee collaborator James Schamus will receive this year’s Kanbar Award for excellence in screenwriting. In addition to writing or co-writing most of Lee’s films, Schamus also runs Focus Features, making him a art-house studio … Continue reading SFIFF: James Schamus to Receive Screenwriting Award
Soul Power
Music Documentary Directed by Jeffrey Levy-Hinte In 1974, many of the greatest African and African-American musicians alive came together in Zaire for a big all-star concert attached to the legendary Muhammad Ali/George Foreman fight. The fight was delayed, but the concert went on as scheduled. But the film version of the Zaire ‘74 concert was … Continue reading Soul Power
SFIFF Report: Last Day
I caught two screenings on the last day of the San Francisco International Film Festival: Speaking in Tongues. Let me start with a confession. I'm monolingual. Horribly monolingual. I hate being an English-only individual, and after seeing Speaking in Tongues, I suspect that if I had been part of an immersion program in elementary school … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Last Day
SFIFF Report: Wednesday, May 6
I got to the Festival in time to see two films yesterday. I liked both of them, but wasn't blown away by either. Can Go Through Skin. After barely escaping an attempted murder, Marieke (Rifka Lodeizen) moves to the country to find peace and quiet. She finds a warm and friendly community, and even an … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Wednesday, May 6
SFIFF Report: The Lost World & Dengue Fever
Completely free of cold symptoms, I finally got back to Festival attendance last night, making my way to the Castro for the screening of the 1925 version of The Lost World. The Cambodian-American alternative indie band Dengue Fever provided the live musical accompaniment. The event was as much about Dengue Fever as it was about … Continue reading SFIFF Report: The Lost World & Dengue Fever
Bayflicks 