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SFIFF52—Michael Hawley Anticipates the Line-up
The Evening Class — Bay Area cinephiles will be obsessively checking their in-boxes this Friday, awaiting e-mail instructions on how to access the program for the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF52). The line-up won't be officially announced until the March 31 press conference, but for the third year in a row, ...

Every Little Step
YNOT at the Movies — ... not only brings me into tears, it also breaks down the casting team captured by the film, even they have heard the same lines for thousands of times. If anybody is not moved by Jason Tam's monologue, I will refund your ticket myself. Regardless whether you like musical or not and whether you have seen A Chorus Line or not, this terrific documentary will inspire you as well as entertain you. "Every Little Step" will be shown at the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival. ...

SFIFF 52 Full Program Announced
Hell On Frisco Bay — The San Francisco International Film Festival had the press conference for its 52nd edition (running April 23 - May 7) this morning. Though a number of programs had been announced in the preceding weeks (summarized handily by ...

SFIFF52—The Late Show (Thrills & Chills From Around the World)
The Evening Class — Now that the lineup for the 52nd edition of the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF52) has been officially announced, it's time to take a look at what's being brought to the Bay Area this year. The festival—which Executive Director Graham Leggat describes as "a vibrant portrait of contemporary society as it's coming into being"—boasts 151 films from 55 countries. In recent years, one of the festival's most popular sidebars has been "The Late Show" programmed by San Francisco Film Society programmer ...

Tongzhi in Love (彼岸浮生)
YNOT at the Movies — ... these three characters share their opinions, their struggle, their sacrifices, their sorrow, and most importantly, their love for their parents. The film captures the heavy burden in these Tongzhi's mind and shows how they walk the thin line between pursing happiness and pleasing their parents, especially when the two cannot go hand in hand. These Tongzhi are in love, but not without pain. "Tongzhi in Love (彼岸浮生)" will be shown with "City of Borders" at the 52nd San Francisco ...

Ten Intriguing Films
Hell On Frisco Bay — Between April 23 and May 7, the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival will be bringing nearly 150 films and videos to Frisco Bay, from over 50 countries. No, I didn't go through the program and count them; I'm just taking the word of festival director Graham Leggat, who supplied those numbers in his program guide welcome message. The same message announces plans to build something called the San Francisco International Film Center as part of the ...

Artemisia (艾草)
YNOT at the Movies — ... embraces family, love, and the turbulent journey of understanding and accepting each other in a changing society. Either coming from her own or influenced by directors Edward Yang and Hou Hsiao-Hsien, the film definitely has a resemblance in the storytelling style to films by Yang and Hou. The film's engrossing story and lively characters are naturally developed and effortlessly win over our hearts. "Artemisia" will be shown at the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival on ...

The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival - Part 1
YNOT at the Movies — ... With more than 150 films from more than 50 countries, the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival (SFiFF52) will take place April 23 - May 7 at ...

The Rep Report (April 22 -- April 29)
The Screengrab — ... way back and were rewarded for it with a minor breakthrough: the top prize winner, Let the Right One In, emerged as a cult hit and counts as the closest that Tribeca has come to putting its stamp on a emerging success, which is seen by many as the mark of a major festival. This year Tribeca has scaled back even further, which people are hoping will result in a tighter focus. The opening night selection is Woody Allen's Whatever Works. SAN FRANCICSO: The The San Francisco International Film Festival runs from April 23 to May 7.

Michael Hawley Looks Ahead
The Evening Class — ... With the 52nd SF International Film Festival kicking off tomorrow evening at the Castro Theatre, it seems almost gluttonous to be peering past May 7. But several Bay Area venues and festivals have announced upcoming film programs which merit an immediate look-see. ...

The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival - Part 2
YNOT at the Movies — ... of my list of films that I am looking forward to at the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival (SFiFF52), April 23 - May 7: ...

52nd San Francisco International Film Festival Opens
Movies — ... Atom Egoyan's newest film Adoration is the best one I've seen so far. The story of an orphaned boy who reimagines his dead parents as players in a terrorist bombing plot, this intriguing film combines technology and post-9/11 hate into a searing examination of cultural identity. So heavy with things to say about the future that it dwarfs its own plot, but Egoyan makes it work beautifully. Fans of The Sweet Hereafter wouldn't want to miss this one. ...

The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival - Part 3
YNOT at the Movies — ... of my list of films that I am looking forward to at the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival (SFiFF52), April 23 - May 7: ...

SFIFF52—For The Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism
The Evening Class — ... has been officially announced (and it's downright thrilling), and second and most immediately, because the 52nd edition of the San Francisco International Film Festival launches this evening at San Francisco's majestic movie palace The Castro Theatre with the West Coast premiere of Peter Bratt's ...

400 Screens, 400 Blows - San Francisco International Film Fest, Part I
Cinematical — ... This week begins the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival. It's the oldest film festival in the world, and one of the largest, though it never gets as much publicity as Cannes or Sundance for two reasons: one is that it doesn't usually have the world premieres of the latest Hollywood blockbusters, and two is that it doesn't choose a "winner." No matter. Each year I choose my own winners, such as the following two. ...

SFIFF52 Day 2: Lake Tahoe
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival has begun and runs through May 7th. Each day during the festival I'll be posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. Starting today. ...

SFIFF52 Day 3:
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival has begun and runs through May 7th. Each day during the festival I'll be posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. ...

SFIFF52 Day 4: a Woman Under the Influence
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival has begun and runs through May 7th. Each day during the festival I'll be posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. ...

SFIFF52 Day 5: Empress Hotel
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival has completed its first weekend; it runs through May 7th. Each day during the festival I'll be posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. ...

SFIFF52 #1: The Weekend
VINYL IS HEAVY — by Mark Haslam readings I spent a good week staring at the line-up for the San Francisco International Film Festival , trying to decide what to see, what to skip. Making the decision to not see something, however, was near-impossible, especially with some 150 films from across the globe screening. So, as the fest kicked off last Thursday, I chose to not choose, to not plan. Instead, I'll wake up each morning, see what's playing, and, with perhaps some light research, pick a film to see. I'll report back here with my thoughts and my hopes that you in the Bay are enjoying the ...

SFIFF52 Day 6: Le Amiche
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival is going strong; it runs through May 7th. Each day during the festival I'll be posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. ...

SFIFF52 Day 7: The Lake
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival is approaching its halfway mark; it runs through May 7th. Each day during the festival I'll be posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. ...

SFIFF52 Day 8: California Company Town
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival is at the halfway mark; it runs through May 7th. Each day during the festival I'll be posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. ...

SFIFF52 Day 9: 35 Shots of Rum
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival is halfway over; it runs through May 7th. Each day during the festival I'll be posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. ...

SFIFF52 Day 10: A Week Alone
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival is in it's final weekend; it runs through May 7th. Each day during the festival I'll be posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. ...

An Evening with Francis Ford Coppola and Friends
YNOT at the Movies — ... Godfather: Part II" (USA 1974, 200 min.), and "The Godfather: Part III" (USA 1990, 162 min.) continuously. I was completely captivated into a world that the legendary director Francis Ford Coppola creates in these films. It was a magical day that I will never forget. Coppola has been one of my favorite directors. To celebrate his outstanding contribution to cinema, Francis Ford Coppola is honored with the Founder's Directing Award at the 52nd San Francisco International ...

SFIFF52 Day 11: Once Upon A Time In The West
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival is wrapping up its final weekend; it runs through Thursday, May 7. Each day during the festival I'll be posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. ...

SFIFF52 Day 12: Home
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival is in its final few days; it runs through Thursday, May 7th. Each day during the festival I'm posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. ...

SFIFF52 Day 13: The Lost World
Hell On Frisco Bay —

SFIFF52 Day 14: Photograph of Jesus
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival ends tomorrow, May 7th. Each day during the festival I've been posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. ...

SFIFF52 Day 15: Unmade Beds
Hell On Frisco Bay — The 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival ends tonight. Each day during the festival I've been posting about one film I've seen or am hotly anticipating. ...