Tag Archives: San Francisco International Film Festival

SFIFF56: Habi La Extranjera by María Florencia Álvarez

This first feature film by the talented María Florencia Álvarez is a breath of fresh air: perfectly-paced, funny, kind, observant and sympathetic to the ways in which we play with different identities. Ms. Álvarez has a wonderful instinct for that … Continue reading

Posted in Now Playing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SFIFF56: The Last Step (Peleh Akhar) by Ali Mosaffa

A sophisticated piece of storytelling: Mr. Mosaffa shows us how it’s done. He has a sure hand, confident in his non-linear storytelling and in the rich emotional world his actors create. This film is a sophisticated meditation on the stories … Continue reading

Posted in Now Playing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SFIFF56: Chimeras by Mika Mattila

First-time filmmaker Mika Mattila did not intend to make a documentary “about China.” As a foreigner, and in particular as a Westerner, he did not feel comfortable making a film “about China,” even as he resided and worked there for … Continue reading

Aside | Posted on by | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SFIFF56: Memories Look at Me by Song Fang

Song Fang’s first feature film honors the most simple yet necessary of human endeavors: maintaining family ties. That Miss Song films her own family is both moving and familiar – by the end you start to feel like a part … Continue reading

Posted in Now Playing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SFIFF56: Mai Morire by Enrique Rivero

Enrique Rivero’s second feature film takes us back to Mexico, this time to the beautiful landscape and waterways of Xochimilco, where boats are the main mode of transportation. We are reminded of the river Styx and its ferrymen carrying people … Continue reading

Posted in Mise-en-scene, Now Playing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Less is More: Animated Shorts at SFIFF56

The distinction between “form” and content” is not useful in this category. Which came first? Which informs what? Which is the story or the design? And indeed in several shorts (“The Deep End,” “Model Starship”) there isn’t a story – … Continue reading

Posted in Now Playing, On | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

SFIFF 56: Much Ado About Nothing by Joss Whedon

The bright spots: Nathan Filion as Dogberry; the Britanick guys playing Dogberry’s minions; a beautiful rendition (arranged by Joss Whedon) of “Sigh No More;” a fun, spontaneous and Shakespearean feel; and, wonderful, contemporary design direction – muted black-and-white, bossa nova, … Continue reading

Posted in Now Playing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SFIFF 56: State of the Cinema by Steven Soderbergh

The prolific and ever-curious Steven Soderbergh has made 28 feature films in his almost 30-year career, most which are critically-acclaimed and/or financially successful films: the Ocean’s trilogy, Traffic, Out of Sight, Contagion, Che, and my favorite, Sex, Lies and Videotape. … Continue reading

Posted in Directors, Now Playing, On | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

San Francisco International Film Festival – Festival Picks

…and it’s back! With a mob-themed World Cinema Spotlight, a State of the Cinema talk by Steven Soderbergh, a great Shorts program, and lots of films from Asia. Buy your tickets now! Festival runs from 27th April through 9th May.

Posted in Now Playing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

SF International Film Festival: Parting Shots (II)

This gallery contains 4 photos.

Gallery | Tagged | Leave a comment