You know the Bollywood movies, right? They’re like soap operas + romcoms + Janet Jackson videos all in one tidy package. So you all ought to show up at the Japantown Peace Plaza this Saturday night:
“Saturday, November 13, 2010 – 7 PM FREE FOR EVERYONE!
Peace Plaza in Japantown, Post Street at Buchanan Street
Early arrival highly suggested. Seating is first-come, first-served. Rain or Shine”
Then you can see if Nerdlinger gets the girl. And, bonus, they’re also going to show Tokyo Godfathers and Shaolin Soccer before winter’s over. And there’s a Karaoke Contest or two coming up as well. Deets below.
Bollywood Classic RAB NE BANA DI JODI (A Match Made by God, रब ने बना दी जोडी)
Have you ever stopped to wonder if the most ordinary, uninteresting, unobtrusive man you know might have a love story to tell?
Join us for a free outdoor screening of Bollywood Classic RAB NE BANA DI JODI in the Japantown Peace Plaza. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll want to dance!
Film Overview: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Have you ever stopped to think if the most ordinary, uninteresting, unobtrusive man you might see on the road or around you might have a love story to tell?
Maybe not! How can an ordinary man have a breathtaking, goose flesh igniting, awe inspiring love story of all things to tell?
But guess what – love does not differentiate between the ordinary and exceptional, the uninteresting and interesting, the unattractive and attractive. Because love knows no distinction. It can happen to anyone and once it does it engulfs us into it completely and gives us those miraculous experiences that only love can yield.
This is what happened to Surinder Sahni (Shahrukh Khan) – a simple, clean hearted, honest man working for Punjab Power, leading a humdrum life, when he meets his total opposite and finds love in the flamboyant, fun-loving, vivacious – Taani (Anushka Sharma) for whom the whole world is her canvas and she paints her own life with the colours of rainbow all until unforeseen circumstances changes it all and brings them together. What follows is a journey filled with laughter, tears, joy, pain, music, dance and a lot of love. A journey that makes us believe that there is an extraordinary love story in every ordinary jodi.
Saturday, November 13, 2010 – 7 PM
FREE FOR EVERYONE!
Peace Plaza in Japantown, Post Street at Buchanan Street
Early arrival highly suggested. Seating is first-come, first-served.
Rain or Shine
9/11 Truth Film Festival Friday, 9/10 – Sunday 9/12
Join VIZ Cinema for the 9/11 Truth Film Festival and delve into the investigations and efforts to uncover what really happened on September 11, 2001. Tickets are $10.00 for each film.
Opening Night: Double Feature with Q&A, Friday, September 10th
9/11: Press For Truth (Q&A with filmmakers to follow)
(Directed by Ray Nowosielski, 2006, 75min, Digital, English Language)
The political becomes personal in 9/11: Press for Truth, which examines the World Trade Center attacks from the perspective of the families that lost loved ones.
Hypothesis (Directed by Brett Smith, 2010, 48 min, Digital, English Language)
Hypothesis is a short documentary on Dr. Steven Jones and his 9/11 research on the destruction of the Twin Towers and WTC 7. The film tells Dr. Jones’ story in his own words and reflects the explosive controversy that ensued which resulted in everything from threats and bribes to academic suspension.
Double Feature of 9/11: Press For Truth and Hypothesis will also be screened on Sunday, September 12th.
Zero: An investigation to 9/11, Saturday, September 11th
(Directed by Francesco Tre, Franco Fracassi, 2007, 104min, Digital, Italian w/ English subtitles)
This feature documentary from Italian production company Telemaco explores the new scientific evidence and reveals dramatic new eyewitness testimony which directly conflicts with the U.S. Government’s account. Featuring presentations from intellectual heavy weights, Gore Vidal, and Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo, the film challenges many assumptions surrounding the attacks.
Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup, Saturday, September 11th
(Directed by Dylan Avery, 2009, 99min, Digital, English Language)
With the departure of the Bush Administration and the arrival of an era of transparency, new information has been disclosed that sheds more light on the events that took place before and after 9/11. Dramatically narrated by Daniel Sunjata of FX’s Rescue Me, and an outspoken advocate for the First Responders, Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup presents a wide array of evidence both known and unknown…until now.
War Promises, Saturday, September 11th and Sunday, September 12th
(Edited by Frank Hofer, 2009, 75min, Digital, German with English Subtitles)
In German documentary War Promises, insiders and whistleblowers try to bring what they know about to the public, including Annie Machon, who was a spy with the British MI5, and Andreas von Bülow and Jürgen Elsässer, who possess enormous insider knowledge from their membership in the parliamentary committee supervising the secret services.
False Flag, Saturday, September 11th and Sunday, September 12th
(Edited by Frank Hofer, 2007, 75min, Digital, German w/ English subtitles)
False Flag focuses on the inconsistencies in the official version of the events and the evidence that has been suppressed regarding 9/11. It also seeks to answer why we still know nothing about it and why we are being deceived – as well as in Europe.
(Hey, speaking of nutty conspiracy theories, did you know that Oliver Stone totally messed up his point about Lee Harvey Oswald (you know, that “patsy” who, on his own, also shot at other authority figures both before and after he killed JFK on his own) not having enough time to get off three shots? Well, take a look.)
An incredible man will shrink for your pleasure up at the Presidio‘s Film in the Fog series come October 2, 2010. That’s just one of the events that the San Francisco Film Society has planned for you before year’s end.
“SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY ANNOUNCES EXPANDED SLATE FOR FALL SEASON 2010, LAUNCHING SEPTEMBER 24 WITH NY/SF INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL
Six Festivals, Outdoor Screening, Pitch Forum, Polanski Shorts and the Mountain Goats Live Enrich the Bay Area Cinematic Calendar
San Francisco, CA — The San Francisco Film Society will present an ambitious, expanded Fall Season 2010, commencing September 24 with the inaugural NY/SF International Children’s Film Festival and closing December 14 with a newly commissioned score performance of Sir Arne’s Treasure with the Mountain Goats.
NY/SF International Children’s Film Festival September 24 – 26
Landmark’s Embarcadero Center Cinema
A celebration of diverse, enlightening, inspiring and entertaining films for kids ages 6-18 and their families
Film in the Fog: The Incredible Shrinking Man
October 2
Main Post Theater in the Presidio
Free family-friendly outdoor screening of a sci-fi classic
Film Arts Forum: Pitch Perfect
October 4
Mezzanine
A panel and networking event focusing on the mechanics of effective pitching for documentaries and narrative features
Taiwan Film Days
October 22 – 24
Viz Cinema
A showcase of the best contemporary Taiwanese cinema
French Cinema Now
October 28 – November 3
Landmark’s Embarcadero Center Cinema
Significant new works from one of the world’s most renowned filmmaking countries
Sneak Preview: Nice Guy Johnny
November 4
Roxie Theater
Indie director Edward Burns presents his new film in person
Cinema by the Bay November 5 – 8
Roxie Theater and the Lab
Celebrating the passion, innovation and diversity of Bay Area filmmaking
Polanski + Sza/Za
November 10
Premier Theater at Letterman Digital Arts Center
Rarely seen early short films by the master director with live musical accompaniment by the Warsaw-based electro-acoustical duo Sza/Za
San Francisco International Animation Festival
November 11 – 14
Landmark’s Embarcadero Center Cinema
The boldest and most exciting animated films from around the world
New Italian Cinema November 14 – 21
Landmark’s Embarcadero Center Cinema
Celebrating the rich cinematic tradition of Italy and its newest generation of filmmakers
Sir Arne’s Treasure with the Mountain Goats December 14
Castro Theatre
Mauritz Stiller’s classic Swedish silent film with live music by one of indie rock’s most distinctive voices
San Francisco Film Society is a nonprofit arts and education organization dedicated to celebrating the world of film and media in four core areas: Internationalism and Cross-Cultural Exchange, Educating and Inspiring Bay Area Youth, Showcasing Bay Area Film Culture and Exploring New Media. Its activities are organized via three major program areas: Exhibition, Education and Filmmaker Services.
The Film Society shows the best of world cinema year-round on its SFFS Screen at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas; presents the longest-running film festival in the Americas, the SF International (April 21-May 5, 2011); and presents the San Francisco International Animation Festival, New Italian Cinema, Cinema by the Bay, Taiwan Film Days and French Cinema Now each fall. SFFS presents more than 300 days of programming each year, reaching a total audience of more than 100,000 people. Its acclaimed Youth Education program introduces international cinema and media literacy to more than 10,000 teachers and students annually.
SFFS publishes a daily online magazine, SF360.org, with broad-ranging news and features on Bay Area film culture and provides crucial support to the Bay Area filmmaking community through Filmmaker Services, including FilmHouse Residencies, Fiscal Sponsorship, SFFS/KRF Filmmaking Grants, Hearst Screenwriting Grant, Djerassi Residency Award/SFFS Screenwriting Fellowship, SFFS Film Arts Forums and professional-level filmmaker classes.”
White Light/Black Rain, by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki, presents an unblinking look at the first time nuclear weapons were used in war. After 60 years, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, continue to inspire argument, denial and myth. Featuring interviews with fourteen atomic bomb survivors (known as hibakusha ), many who have never spoken publicly before, and four Americans intimately involved in the bombings, White Light/Black Rain provides a detailed examination of the bombings and their aftermath. Winner of 2008 Emmy® Awards. “Compelling and compassionate… a stirring and heart-wrenching statement of the horrible powers that mankind holds in its fist.”
-The Hollywood Reporter
8/6 Fri 7:00pm : Tickets – $15 Premiere Night Event with reception and Q & A with Friends of Hibakusha.
8/7 Sat 12:15pm : Tickets – $10 Regular screening. No discounts apply.
★Part of the ticket sales will be directly donated to Friends of Hibakusha in Japantown. The U.S. does not currently offer free medical treatment programs for atomic bomb-affected individuals; Japan does.
VIZ CINEMA PRESENTS THE POIGNANT DOCUMENTARY WHITE LIGHT / BLACK RAIN TO COMMEMORATE THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATOMIC BOMBINGS OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI
Academy Award Winning Director Steven Okazaki Captures Emotional Stories Of Extraordinary Resilience; Film Premiere To Present A Special
Q & A Session With Survivors And The Friends Of Hibakusha Organization
San Francisco, CA, July 28, 2010 – VIZ Cinema, the nation’s only movie theatre dedicated to Japanese film, is proud to present a screening on August 6th and 7th of Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki’s White Light / Black Rain, a moving documentary about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that brought about the end of World War II.
Tickets are now available to attend a special Premiere Event for White Light / Black Rain on Friday, August 6th at 7:00pm that will also include a Q&A session with several survivorsand the Friends of Hibakusha, a San Francisco organization dedicated to supporting U.S. citizens and Japanese-American survivors of radiation exposure from the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A portion of ticket sales will be donated directly to the Friends of Hibakusha.
GIANT MONSTERS INVADE SAN FRANCICSO. THE BIGGEST CELEBRITY FROM JAPAN – GODZILLA – CRASHES VIZ CINEMA FOR SPECIAL FILM AND DISCUSSION EVENTS IN MAY
VIZ Cinema Hosts Kaiju Shakedown! Godzillathon! And TokyoScope Talk Vol. 3 Features War Of The Giant Monsters Discussion And Prize Raffle Of New Gamera DVD
San Francisco, CA – NEW PEOPLE and VIZ Cinema welcome the 3rd and latest installment of TokyoScope Talk – War of the Giant Monsters – on Friday, May 7th at 7:00pm. Join Otaku USA Editor-in-Chief Patrick Macias, Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters author August Ragone, and Japanese film critic Tomohiro Machiyama at the Bay Area’s hottest film venue for a fun and lively discussion on the “kaiju” (monster) movies featuring rare images and clips of Godzilla, Mothra, Gamera and other iconic creatures from classic Japanese sci-fi cinema. General admission tickets are $10.00.
TokyoScope Talk – War of the Giant Monsters will feature a special raffle giveaway of premium monster collectables including the brand new DVD release from Shout! Factory of Gamera: The Giant Monster (1965). The revered classic features the original Japanese version of the film presented with fresh English subtitles and anamorphic widescreen produced from an all-new HD master created from original vault elements.
VIZ Cinema is located inside the NEW PEOPLE building at 7146 Post St. in the heart of San Francisco’s Japan-town.
More details at www.vizcinema.com
VIZ Cinema also invites Bay Area monster fans to a 5-day Kaiju Shakedown: Godzillathon!, running Saturday, May 8th thru Thursday, May 13th. Featured will be rare screenings of the Big G’s 4 most-loved films including Godzilla vs. Hedora (1971), Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972), Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973), and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974).
Don’tmiss a rare chance to see the beauty and enormity of Godzilla in stunning 35mm prints with English subtitles and a premium THX®-certified sound system!
These events may sell-out. Ticket prices: General Admission: $10.00; Senior & Child: $8.00. Advance tickets on sale at: http://www.newpeopleworld.com/films/films-5-2010/#godzillathon
VIZ Cinema is the nation’s first movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime. The 143-seat subterranean theatre is located in the basement of the NEW PEOPLE building and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX®-certified sound system.
Here’s the new Queen for 2010 – Arisa Hiroi, a student at UC Davis:
And here’s the entire 2010 Court at the end of last night’s program: Ayae Yamamoto, Corey Yasuye Fujioka, Arisa Hiroi, Ashley Kiyoko Nakatani, Jennifer Kiyomi Tanaka:
Name: Ayae Yamamoto Sponsor: Nikei Lion Club of San Francisco
Education: BA from UC Berkeley
Employer/Position: University Eye Center (Berkeley)/Patient Services Assistant
Goals: Become a physician (OB/GYN) volunteering in third world nations
Age: 23
Parents/Residence: Taashi and Masako Yamamoto / San Francisco, CA
Name: Corey Yasuye Fujioka
Sponsor: Takara Sake USA Incorporated
Education: BS in Food Science from Cal Poly State University
Employer/Position Held: Sweet Earth Chocolates (SLO)/Chocolate Production
Goals: To change the way we eat: physically, mentally, environmentally and financially healthy
Age: 22
Parents/Residence: Rober Masami and Diance Keiko Fujioka / Fremont, CA
Name: Arisa Hiroi
Sponsor: Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California
Education: BA expected in 2010 from University of California Davis in Japanese and Sociology AB/Minor in Education
Employer/Position held: UCD East Asian Languages & Cultures Dept/Japanese Dept Reader
Goals: To become a Japanese teacher in US
Age: 19
Parents/Residence: Kunikiko and Mari Hiroi / San Francisco, CA
Name: Ashley Kiyoko Nakatani Sponsor: Nikkei West
Education: BA June 2010 from University of California Davis double Major in International Relations and Communications with a Minor in Writing
Employer/Position Held: UC Davis Washington Program/Student Advisor and Minato Japanese Restaurant/Server and Hostess
Goals: Pursue a career in the field of International Relations with companies doing business in Japan
Age: 22
Parents/Residence: Neal Kanji Nakatani, Patricia Kiyoko Sakauye / San Jose, CA
Name: Jennifer Kiyomi Tanaka
Sponsor: Golden Gate Optimists Club of San Francisco
Education: BS in Health Science/Minor in Psychology form Dominican University of California, MS i Occupational Therapy expected from Dominican University of California
Employer/Position Held: Knowledge Learning Corporation-Champions/After school Science Instructor
Goals: Knowledgeable and innovative therapist-advocate and empower on personal and community level
Age: 22
Parents/Residence: Harry Hidejiro Tanaka (HI), Susan Hisako Tanaka (SF) / San Francisco, CA
“The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival now celebrating its 43rd year, is one of California’s most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions. Each year, over 150,000 people attend this dazzling display showcasing the color and grace of the Japanese culture and the diversity of the Japanese American Community. Please join us and become a sponsor of this popular Japanese American community event.
This year’s Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday April 10-11 and April 17-18, 2010. All are welcome to join in the festivities as we celebrate Japanese and Japanese American culture in San Francisco’s Japantown!
The festival will be held on Post Street between Laguna and Fillmore Streets. There will be food booths, cultural performances, martial arts, live bands, the annual Queen Program, and more. The Grand Parade will be held on April 18, beginning at City Hall and concluding in Japantown.
The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is said to be the second largest festival outside of Washington, D.C. to celebrate the blooming of cherry blossoms; and held at one of three remaining Japantowns in the United States.
When?
Festival: Saturday and Sunday, April 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 2010
Grand Parade: Sunday, April 18, 2010
Queen Pageant: Saturday, April 10, 2010
Where?
Festival: Japantown (@ Post & Buchanan Streets), San Francisco
Grand Parade: Begins at San Francisco City Hall and ends at Post & Fillmore
The Queen Program (don’t call it a pageant) will occur on Saturday, April 10th in conjunction with the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. More deets to come when they get everything posted. Anyway, here are the candidates for 2010:
Name: Jennifer Kiyomi Tanaka
Sponsor: Golden Gate Optimists Club of San Francisco
Education: BS in Health Science/Minor in Psychology form Dominican University of California, MS i Occupational Therapy expected from Dominican University of California
Employer/Position Held: Knowledge Learning Corporation-Champions/After school Science Instructor
Goals: Knowledgeable and innovative therapist-advocate and empower on personal and community level
Age: 22
Parents/Residence: Harry Hidejiro Tanaka (HI), Susan Hisako Tanaka (SF) / San Francisco, CA
Name: Ayae Yamamoto Sponsor: Nikei Lion Club of San Francisco
Education: BA from UC Berkeley
Employer/Position: University Eye Center (Berkeley)/Patient Services Assistant
Goals: Become a physician (OB/GYN) volunteering in third world nations
Age: 23
Parents/Residence: Taashi and Masako Yamamoto / San Francisco, CA
Name: Arisa Hiroi
Sponsor: Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California
Education: BA expected in 2010 from University of California Davis in Japanese and Sociology AB/Minor in Education
Employer/Position held: UCD East Asian Languages & Cultures Dept/Japanese Dept Reader
Goals: To become a Japanese teacher in US
Age: 19
Parents/Residence: Kunikiko and Mari Hiroi / San Francisco, CA
Name: Corey Yasuye Fujioka
Sponsor: Takara Sake USA Incorporated
Education: BS in Food Science from Cal Poly State University
Employer/Position Held: Sweet Earth Chocolates (SLO)/Chocolate Production
Goals: To change the way we eat: physically, mentally, environmentally and financially healthy
Age: 22
Parents/Residence: Rober Masami and Diance Keiko Fujioka / Fremont, CA
Name: Ashley Kiyoko Nakatani Sponsor: Nikkei West
Education: BA June 2010 from University of California Davis double Major in International Relations and Communications with a Minor in Writing
Employer/Position Held: UC Davis Washington Program/Student Advisor and Minato Japanese Restaurant/Server and Hostess
Goals: Pursue a career in the field of International Relations with companies doing business in Japan
Age: 22
Parents/Residence: Neal Kanji Nakatani, Patricia Kiyoko Sakauye / San Jose, CA
Things start off with Fortapàsc tonight and end with the intense Vincere (nobody doesn’tlove this film) on Sunday, November 22. And they’ll have nine more movies in between, seven of which are up for the City of Florence Award, so check it out and get your tickets now. Plus, free four hour parking at any of the Embarcadero Center parking garages. Bonus!
Benito Mussolini’s squadristi are all over the place in Vincere, the film from Marco Bellocchio. (It turns out that Mussolini secretly got the equivalent of $10,000 a week (as a reporter!) from British MI-5 back in the day – that might have played a part in his political transformation, which features prominently in Vincere. Just saying. Anyway…)
See you there!
November 15–22, 2009
Copresented with New Italian Cinema Events and the Italian Cultural Institute, New Italian Cinema celebrates the rich cinematic tradition of Italy and brings the country’s newest directors and films to audiences in San Francisco. A prestigious jury selects the best Italian entries from the year’s major European film festivals to compete for the City of Florence Award. Attendees enjoy not only a vibrant cinema showcase, but an immersion into Italy’s rich and storied culture with directors present to illuminate their work in lively question-and-answer sessions.
Landmark’s Embarcadero Center CinemaOne Embarcadero Center, San Francisco
Free four-hour validated parking is available after 5:00 pm Monday-Friday and after 10:00 am Saturday & Sunday at any Embarcadero Center parking garage. With validation, reduced rates apply at all other times.
The mise-en-scene. This street festival has all the usual suspects, such as quack “doctors” and the dude who wants you to subscribe to the New York Times. But it also has a lot of unique things. It’s not just another S.F. streetfest:
OMG, it’s your new car! The Corolla you’ll win after you enter the raffle will look something like a green fish, and it will have orange tires – you’ll have to change those out to black if you want to avoid trouble from the authoritahs, however.
Six candidates for 2009 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen were introduced in San Francisco Japantown. It was noted that this year, for budgetary reasons, there will be no talent segment. Organizers hope to bring it back next year.
The six candidates are Margaret Cheney, 24, of Los Gatos, Stephanie Masako Hata, 24, of El Cerrito, Sarah Naomi Kasuga, 24, of Burlingame, Mari Masuko, 23, of San Francisco, Eri Tagaya, 24, of Mill Valley and Yurika Vu, 25, of Fremont.
