Long before I decided to become a filmmaker or freelance journalist, it was The San Francisco International Film Festival that nurtured my hunger for cinema. That was back in 94 as a film buff, and now fifteen years later, I find myself at the 52nd edition of the film festival in a different role but in the same atmosphere: what a pleasure it is to return to this very public-friendly fest for lovers of cinema.
Apart from the competition films, the festival also gives the public: a legend or two to meet up close for an intimate chat. Amongst other notable guests, this year Francis Ford Coppola and Robert Redford get life time achievement awards. The festival opened with local drama “La Mission” by the Bratt family that includes Peter the director and the acting couple of Benjamin and Talisa Soto and will close with the another Sundance film festival “Unmade Beds” by Argentinean Alexis Dos Santos. The 12 day festival has a vast supply of films from around the world with many assured to never see the day of light in U.S. theaters. Among the better selections we have Aida Begic‘s profound and poetic film “Snow,” Souad El-Bouhati‘s identity and coming-of-age drama “French Girl,” Dante Lam‘s heartpounding thriller “The Beast Stalker,” Esther Rots‘ psychological drama that “Can Go Through Skin,” Gael Metroz‘s stunning documentary “Nomad’s Land,” and finally, the award-winning rom com from Marc Webber called “500 Days of Summer“. The Festival’s 52nd edition runs from the 23rd of April until May 7th.
