Cinema Sunday by the Bay: SF Int'l Animation Fest, New Italian Cinema, ILFF VIP Brunch

Last Sunday, November 16th, I spent 12 wonderful hours in San Francisco. Although I was a bit sedated from not having received enough sleep on Saturday night, I was truly excited to journey to the Bay, and I had one of my dearest friends (and I regard her as my Filipina-Mexican sister), Jessica, join me on this journey. So, I had good company and my energy level was sugar high. We took off from Stockton around 9:30AM. Because it was a Sunday morning, we made a smooth trip through the mountains, hills, island, and bridges - and arrived at the Embarcadero Center One at 11AM.

Today's schedule:
• 11AM International Latino Film Festival's Filmmaker and Juror Brunch
• 1PM San Francisco Int'l Animation Festival - "Idiots and Angels"
• 3:30PM San Francisco Int'l Animation Festival - "Waltz with Bashir"
• 5:30PM Dinner
• 8:00PM New Italian Cinema Opening Night Reception
• 9:00PM New Italian Cinema Opening Night Film Napoleon and Me

The first thing that I wanted were the tickets to the San Francisco Int'l Animation Festival and the New Italian Cinema Opening Night. As soon as we got them, after roaming around the maze-like Embarcadero Center One (or was it Two, Three, or Four?), we rushed in the car up and down the hills and arrived at Regalito Rosticeria for the International Latino Film Festival's Filmmaker and Jurors Brunch. As soon as I got into the restaurant, I rushed to give Sylvia Perel (the fest's founder) a big hug, and she kindly introduced me and Jessica to the people there. I felt so much at home as we got acquainted with each other. We talked about our love for cinema and cinema festivals. I got to hear of June's experience as an instructor of language and ESL (English as a Second-Language), Damian's involvement with the ILFF for five years now while he still lives in Vallejo, and Sylvia's love for the piano because it was the music and passion of her father. I shared with them a bit of my growing-up stories, my hopes, my dreams, mixed with some humor. It felt like Thanksgiving dinner! The atmosphere of the Rosticeria was very quaint, and the food served was quite memorable: I had roasted chicken in molé sauce with Spanish rice and beans, along with a zesty juice made from fresh-squeezed lime. Of course, we couldn't resist taking photographs with each other, as these precious moments ought to be remembered. Thank you to Sylvia, Mischa and my friends at the International Latino Film Society for this awesome rendez-vous!

(P.S. The fabulous 12th International Latino Film Festival continues closes today in San Jose. Please attend if you are near. For more information: latinofilmfestival.org )


ILFS's Mishca MacLaird, Sophoan Sorn Director Ann Kaneko
(top pic: Sophoan S. and Jessica Hernandez)


Sophoan Sorn and Damian

After hugs, kisses, and goodbyes, Jessica and I rushed through the streets of S.F. and arrived at the Embarcadero Center around 1:15PM for the 3rd San Francisco International Animation Festival. We knew we were late, and as I looked up at the sign, we had parked in Embarcadero Center Four, instead of Embarcadero Center One, three blocks away. So, we power walked our way through the promenades lined with red cyclamen and Christmas decorations. I made a quick stop at the SFFS Box Office to get a pair of tickets for a friend who will join us later on in the evening. Then, we rushed up two stories to the entry of the Embarcadero Center Cinema.

We arrived in time to experience IDIOTS AND ANGELS, a new animated feature film by Oscar®-nominated, Indie Animation King, Bill Plympton.

Synopsis: Angel is a selfish, abusive, morally bankrupt man who hangs out as his local bar, berating the other patrons. One day, Angel mysteriously wakes up with a pair of wings on his back. The wings make him do good deeds, contrary to his nature. He desperately tries to rid himself of the good wings, but eventually finds himself fighting those who view the wings as their ticket to fame and fortune.

I sat there in amazement. It was so original, so different, so intense, and so memorable. It was a "Plymtoonian," masterpiece of animated film noir. Bill Plympton is admired by aspiring animators and cinema aficionados worldwide, for his captivating, raw talent and artistry. Bill has been known to draw every, single frame for his animated films, and he surely did for every, single frame of the 78-minute IDIOTS AND ANGELS. If I remember correctly, I think he said it was over 200,000 drawings!

You can watch trailers and clips at its official website at idiotsandangels.com

In this video, taking from a Q&A after the film screening, Bill shares a bit about the impetus and inspiration for him to create "Idiots and Angels."



I had a delightful conversation with Bill later on. I had to wait for a bit, because the entry to the theatre was buzzing with his beloved fans. He was so generous to give each one of them, including me, a signed postcard of "Idiots and Angels" with his autograph and a drawing of his famous Guard Dog.

And, of course... a photo-op. Bill, what a character!


Indie Animation King Bill Plympton and Sophoan Sorn

At 3:25, Jessica and I were in our seats, ready to experience Ari Folman's WALTZ WITH BASHIR (Israel, Germany, France), an immensely captivating, "animated documentary" about the 1982 invasion of Lebanon. WALTZ was the talk of the town at this year's Festival de Cannes, where it was in competition for the Palm d'Or. Many predicted that it would take home the prize, but unfortunately it did not. Regardless, it was a cinematic masterpiece worthy of many accolades and prizes. I was fascinated that it was not a "conventional war story." There was a scene in the film that showed a targeted car being chased. As the car sped through towns and villages, innocent bullets would hit innocent civilians, as houses and buildings were being blown up. Meanwhile, this car escaped every bullet and bomb. This film is like a portrait of war painted with unique colors, patterns, strokes, and emotions. BASHIR was so candid, deeply personal, affecting, and unforgettable.

Synopsis: One night at a bar, an old friend tells director Ari Folman about a recurring nightmare in which he is chased by 26 vicious dogs. Every night, the same number of beasts. The two men conclude that there's a connection to their Israeli Army mission in the first Lebanon War of the early eighties. Ari is surprised that he can't remember a thing anymore about that period of his life. Intrigued by this riddle, he decides to meet and interview old friends and comrades around the world. He needs to discover the truth about that time and about himself. As Ari delves deeper and deeper into the mystery, his memory begins to creep up in surreal images. (official website: waltzwithbashir.com)

Jessica and I went for a walk in search of a restaurant. For some odd reason, we did not need head east towards the Pier. We seriously thought that we were close to Chinatown, so we kept walking westward. It was Sunday night, and most of the establishments, including restaurants were closed, in our part of the city. We managed to arrive at The Banana, a restaurant serving Thai food. To be safe at Thai restaurants, I always order Pad Thai. Bear in mind that, at this moment, I was very tired and sleepy, so I grabbed a set of condiments and spiced up my meal with lots of dried and Thai pepper crumbs and soy sauce. I knew that we still had one more engagement to attend - the Opening Night of the 12th New Italian Cinema festival, also presented by the venerable San Francisco Film Society.

After a rush to the garage for a quick change, we were once again at Landmark Cinemas. Jessica and I were waiting for a call from Soco Aguilar, a producer from Mexico who was in the Bay Area to attend the screening of her animated film THE LEGEND OF THE NAHUALA (Mexico), which played at the Pickleweed Community Center in San Rafael, as part of the Int'l Latino Film Festival. I told her about tonight's Opening Night even and film, and she was excited and wanted to attend, as well. We had a wonderful time acquainted at the morning's brunch, and now we were all going to mingle again.

Moments later, Jessica and I were joined by Soco and Francisco. We walked through the doors into the reception, which was alive with excited, cinema aficionados. The Opening Night film of the 12th New Italian Cinema festival was NAPOLEON AND ME, starring Daniel Auteuil, Elio Germano, and the gorgeous Monica Bellucci - a film by Italian director Paolo Virzì. Paolo Virzì was honored with a Tribute this year at New Italian Cinema, with retrospective screenings of his directorial debut LIVING IT UP (1994) and HARDBOILED EGG (1997). He was there at the Opening Night. NAPOLEON AND ME was very entertaining, charming, historical, funny, and a bit tragic.

Synopsis: Elba island, 1814. Martino is a young teacher, idealist and strongly anti Napoleon, in love with the beautiful and noble Baroness Emily. The young man finds himself serving as librarian to the Great Emperor in exile, whom he deeply hates, yet soon begins recording Napoleon's memoirs, getting to know and learning to value the man behind the myth. Among seductions and affairs, expectations and fears, he will craft a precise portrait that nevertheless will not manage to hide a final, inevitable, disappointment. (source)

The reception had some scrumptious and delightful foods, including some pita bread and tomato garnish that left me coming back for more, about three times. Of course, it was delightful having conversations. In my conversation with Soco Aguilar, among many things, I discovered that she's a dear friend of Sebastian Silva, the director of NONNA'S TRIP (Mexico), the film that opened our 2008 San Joaquin Film Festival.

Later in the evening, right before we headed into the theatre for the screening of NAPOLEON AND ME, I had a wonderful chat with Graham Leggat, the Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Society. We had met for the first time, very briefly, at the Opening Night gala of the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival in April. I told him about my admiration for him, for his work, for his leadership; and how inspired I am by the amazing San Francisco Film Society.


Graham Leggat, Executive Director of SFFS, and Sophoan Sorn


Producer Soco Aguilar and Sophoan Sorn


Francisco C., Soco Aguilera, Graham Leggat, Sophoan Sorn, Jessica Hernandez
(photo credit: Justin Wambolt-Reynolds)

All in all, it was a fabulous Sunday by the Bay. Thank you Jessica for joining. Thank you to everyone who made my November 16th a "November to Remember..."

I'll be back (very soon)!