SF International Film Festival (4/21-5/5)
April 13, 2011 April is one of my favorite months of the year. Part of the reason is that the 54th annual San Francisco International Film Festival takes place this month. For two weeks the entire city will be privy to 188 amazing foreign films from nearly 50 countries. If you're lucky you might even spot a celebrity or two. The following films are some of my picks - get your tickets soon as many screenings will sell out.
A scene from Mike Mills' Beginners. Courtesy of the Focus Features. Opening Night: The festival kicks off on April 21 with director Mike Mills' film, Beginners. With stellar cast members like Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, and Mélanie Laurent, this comedy/drama can't be missed. A universal contemplation of chances and choices in life, this charming autobiographical tale was inspired by Mills' own father’s decision to come out late in life. Mills and McGregor are expected to attend and participate in a post-screening Q&A.
A scene from Koji Fukada's HOSPITALITé. Courtesy of the San Francisco Film Society. HOSPITALITé: This Japanese dark comedy takes place inside a seemingly normal home within a quiet Tokyo neighborhood. A tongue-in-cheek examination of xenophobia, the story takes on some hilarious twists as a hardworking family hires a new employee for their printing business. Their lives are soon inundated with a host of problems as the eccentric stranger invades their household with a bunch of visitors. The nosy neighbors, meanwhile, are taking lots of notice of all the comings and goings of everyone in this farcical treat.
A scene from Mathieu Amalric's On Tour. Courtesy of the San Francisco Film Society.
Closing Night: Mathieu Amalric is one of my favorite French actors and I'm excited to see him presenting On Tour (Tournée), his directorial debut feature on American burlesque performers. Almaric plays Joachim, a disgraced TV producer who accompanies his sexy burlesque troupe on a tour along the quiet towns of France's west coast. An intimate and comical look at the New Burlesque world, these empowered female entertainers are clearly performing for themselves. Several of the performers are expected to attend the screening.
To get tickets and screening schedules, go to fest11.sffs.org.
Reader Comments (1)
This is another reason why I need to live in San Francisco, rather than an hour south. ;)