April 29, 2005

Back to the table of Contents Page

Classifieds

Palo Alto Online

Downtown goes international

by Tyler Hanley

According to Mapquest it takes 39 minutes to drive from downtown Palo Alto to San Francisco's Castro Theatre, where the 48th annual San Francisco International Film Festival kicked off April 21.

But a three-minute walk also can give downtown denizens a flavor of the festival's eclectic lineup.

Beginning this weekend, 10 of the festival's assorted features -- including imports whose origins range from Norway to Indonesia -- will be showcased at Palo Alto's Aquarius Theatre, marking the festival's first downtown Palo Alto appearance since 1989.

Presented by the San Francisco Film Society (SFFS), the Aquarius' 10 offerings are only a snippet of the festival's smorgasbord of international material: 185 films from 49 countries, with 35 documentary features and 14 world premieres. Hilary Hart, director of publicity for SFFS (and former manager of Palo Alto's Aquarius and Varsity theaters), said she's enthusiastic about the festival's return to downtown.

"I think it's absolutely great. There's a big audience for international films in Palo Alto. I'm delighted," she said.

Hart noted there is a very strong international representation this year, which will hit the Aquarius screen at noon Sunday and runs through Wednesday evening. All films will be presented in their native language with English subtitles. Here's what Palo Altans can expect to see from overseas:

My Mother, the Mermaid (South Korea, 2004; 119 minutes) This romantic fantasy from South Korea is reminiscent of the 1986 Kathleen Turner vehicle "Peggy Sue Got Married." Young postal clerk Na-Young ventures to her mother's hometown of Jeju. While there she befriends a female diver whose deep adoration for the local postman has gone unrequited. Na-Young soon realizes she is in the past, witnessing the relationship between her parents blossom.

Hawaii, Oslo (Norway, 2004; 125 minutes) The lives of several strangers intersect (a la Robert Altman's "Short Cuts") during one hot summer night in Oslo, Norway. The characters are a motley crew of lost and lovelorn individuals, including a male nurse with clairvoyant visions, a former pop star who longs for the past and a married couple desperate to save their dying child.

King's Game (Denmark, 2004; 103 minutes) Aspiring reporter Ulrik Torp finds himself thrust into the world of political sabotage in this Danish thriller. A car accident that nearly kills Denmark's prime minister has Torp anxious to break the story. But when political spinmasters seize the opportunity to manipulate the inexperienced journalist, his life is irrevocably altered.

Chokher Bali: A Passion Play (India, 2003; 147 minutes) Based on the novel by noted Bengali author Rabindranath Tagore, "Chokher Bali" ("Sand in the Eye") teams acclaimed director Rituparno Ghosh with popular Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai. Young widow Binodini (Rai) moves in with family friends during the tumultuous political climate of India in 1902. Binodini's life -- including the developing relationship with her resident family -- is paralleled in the country's struggle for independence.

Of Love and Eggs (Indonesia, 2004; 90 minutes) This whimsical comedy from Indonesia is set in a small Jakarta market near the Muslim holiday of Labaran. The story centers on three children in disparate family struggles. Rindu loses contact with her brother after being evicted, Asih prays for the return of her missing mother and Bimo develops a bond with the girl his older brother fancies.

Champions (Czech Republic, 2004; 83 minutes) A group of tough hockey fans frequent a bar in the Czech Republic. The men disregard family life and financial prospect, electing to focus solely on studying the Republic's hockey chances. They soon realize that a barfly named Bohous can predict the hockey matches' outcomes -- when he's completely inebriated. This black comedy takes its cues from filmmakers such as Todd Solondz ("Happiness") and Neil Labute ("In the Company of Men").

In the Battlefields (France/Belgium/Lebanon, 2004; 90 minutes) Beirut, 1983. Lina, a 12-year-old Lebanese girl, lives with her family in the home of a cruel aunt. Although a civil war rages outside, the family threatens to tear itself apart inside -- thanks mostly to Lina's violent father. Only Lina's relationship with her aunt's 18-year-old Syrian maid, Siham, offers any respite from the turmoil. First-time feature director Danielle Arbid provides an unflinching glimpse at one girl's maturity and hardship.

The Riverside (Iran, 2004; 72 minutes) While Iraqi Kurds converge on the Iran/Iraqi border to flee the 2004 war, a beautiful, veiled bride steps on a mine -- which will detonate if she steps off. Her bridegroom travels to the next village in search of help while a plethora of refugees, including a grandmother carrying children and a young man hauling weapons, sympathize with the traumatized bride. From a distance they attempt to comfort her with tunes and tales.

Shepherds' Journey into the Third Millennium (Switzerland, 2002; 124 minutes) This documentary from Switzerland highlights the lives of Swiss itinerant shepherds. Thomas tends the sheep around Lake Lucerne during the winter, joining his family on their farm the rest of the year. Meanwhile, Michel and his partner, Bea, care for the sheep during the summer. Director Erich Langjahr portrays the striking variance in these routines through use of ambient sound and suggestive music.

Days and Hours (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2004; 96 minutes) Bosnia and Herzegovina's official Academy Award entry for Best Foreign Language Film follows the genial Fuke, whose old uncle Idriz is burdened by past sorrow. Idriz has become estranged from his daughter-in-law, although her daughter is his greatest joy. The pain that courses through this family in the Balkans reverberates throughout the close-knit neighborhood.

Assistant to the Editor Tyler Hanley can be e-mailed at thanley@paweekly.com.

What: The local portion of the San Francisco International Film Festival.
When: Sunday through Wednesday.
Where: Landmark's Aquarius Theatre, 430 Emerson St. in Palo Alto.
Cost: Tickets are $12 regular admission; $10.50 for seniors/student/disabled persons; $7.50 for weekday matinees (showtimes Mon.-Fri. up to and including 5 p.m.). Tickets may be purchased online at www.sffs.org or by calling (925) 866-9559. Day-of-show tickets may be purchased at the Aquarius Theatre.
Info: Please visit www.sffs.org.

San Francisco International Film Festival Local Schedule
Sunday, May 1:
"My Mother, the Mermaid," noon. "Hawaii, Oslo," 2:30 p.m. "King's Game," 5:30 p.m. "Chokher Bali: A Passion Play," 8 p.m.
Monday, May 2:
"Of Love and Eggs," 6:30 p.m. "Champions," 9 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3:
"In the Battlefields," 7 p.m. "The Riverside," 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4:
"Shepherds' Journey into the Third Millennium," 7 p.m. "Days and Hours," 9:30 p.m.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.