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March 28, 2007
The 50th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 26 – May 10) features several special film programs with live musical accompaniment at the historic Castro Theatre. From iconic rocker Jonathan Richman debuting an original score for a 1921 silent Swedish classic to a 13-piece ensemble performing to Guy Maddin’s latest avant-garde feature narrated live by Joan Chen, the International seeks to let audiences experience film in new ways. The SFIFF music and film scene wraps with a party at Mighty featuring musical multimedia performances by local favorites Halou and Tarentel.
The Phantom Carriage with Jonathan Richman
Friday, April 27
7:00 pm Castro Theatre
Death’s wheels are driven by the last sinner to die before year’s end in master Swedish director Victor Sjöström’s surrealistic silent film classic, which rides again with a new score composed and performed live by local music icon Jonathan Richman. This suspenseful, visually arresting classic will be screened in a gorgeous new 35mm print specially created for world cinema distributor Janus Films’s 50-year anniversary.
Notes to a Toon Underground
Saturday, May 5
8:30 pm Castro Theatre
In this unique program, musicians will unveil world premieres of newly composed scores to historic and contemporary animated shorts. Featuring 13 animated films made between 1912 and 2005 by six different directors, and with 11 musicians providing live accompaniment, it’s safe to file this program under “This Will Never Happen Again.” The lineup includes Marc Capelle, Devin Hoff (of Good for Cows), Jason Lytle (of Grandaddy) Ches Smith (of Good for Cows, Xiu Xiu and Ceramic Dog), Jamie Stewart and Caralee McElroy (of Xiu Xiu), Carla Fabrizia (of Gamelan Sekar Jaya ), Tommy Guerrero, Monte Vallier and Gadget (of Jet Black Crayon) and avant-garde legend William Winant.
Brand upon the Brain!
Monday, May 7
8:00 pm Castro Theatre
Joan Chen will narrate SFIFF favorite Guy Maddin’s faux-autobiographical masterwork, which mines the rich territories of his youth and spins them into a fantasy of familial discontent. The film’s original score will be performed live by a 13-piece ensemble, with foley artists and a “castrato” adding to the fun. Special support for this program generously provided by the Consulate General of Canada.
Halou, Tarentel and the GreenWorld
Wednesday, May 9
9:30 pm Mighty (119 Utah Street, near 15th)
Beloved local bands Halou and Tarentel take the stage for contrasting and intense multimedia performances that merge electronic and psychedelic music with dreamy visuals. Videos made by the winner and finalists of the GreenWorld online video contest will be screened as well. Ages 21 and up only. Halou, Tarentel and the GreenWorld is sponsored by Jumpcut and Yahoo! Video and Heart of Green.
Tickets for the music events at the Castro are $20 general/$15 San Francisco Film Society members. Tickets for the party at Mighty are $12 general/$9 SFFS members. |
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