The San Francisco International Film Festival is in full force. As tiresome as festivals, films, internationals, and san franciscos can be, it’s really the source of the best moving pictures for the weekend. Screwing everything else, here are a few highlights for the coming days:
Ferlinghetti – Kabuki and The Roxie
Lawrence Ferlinghetti co-founded the iconic City Lights Bookstore at Columbus & Broadway. His longtime friend, Christopher Felver, portraitizes the local painter, pacifist, and 90 year veteran of Earth with this documentary. Featuring testimonials from Allen Ginsburg, Dave Eggers, my favorite cowboy Dennis Hopper, and plenty of other noteworthy names, Ferlinghetti celebrates his town, his past, and his self. Appeal writer Rain Jokinen reviews it here. Plays Thursday, April 30, 4:00 at the Kabuki and Wednesday, May 6, at 6:30 at the Pacific Film Archive and starts May 1 at The Roxie. Info.
The Rain People – The Castro
Press says, “George Lucas, Walter Murch and Matthew Robbins Join Founder’s Directing Award Recipient Coppola Onstage at the Castro Theatre for a Wide-Ranging Discussion of Cinema.” The night also includes a screening of his 1969 work, The Rain People, and a clip from his upcoming film, Tetro. Happens Friday, May 1, 7:30 PM. Info.
500 Days of Summer – Kabuki
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zoe Deschanel listen to The Smiths in an elevator Saturday night. Blah blah blah, I will be in attendance. Plays Saturday, May 2, 7:45PM. Info.
Moon – The Castro
Sam Rockwell stars in this science fiction movie directed by Duncan Jones (aka David Bowie’s son). Ziggy Stardust mentions aside, I saw this last week and it’s an excellent new entry into the canon. Well aware of its place in the tightly walled genre of critically accepted science fiction movies, Moon deserves a spot alongside classics like Silent Running and Outland. Plays Sunday, May 3, 9:00PM. Info.
