A red letter date on the local calendar, and one of the most important silent film fests in the world, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival turns 20 this year, expanding to five days and 20 programs at the famous Castro Theatre, itself a veteran of the age of silent movies. Continue reading
by Lincoln Spector and (augmented and updated by) Gary Meyer
I love the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, but it can wear a body down. Especially this year, with 21 programs and a party over the course of four days and five nights. For three of those days, the first screening starts at 10:00 a.m., and the last one starts at 9:30 p.m. The human body isn’t built for that much fun sitting down. Continue reading
by Thomas Gladysz
William Gillette was not the first actor to play Sherlock Holmes on film—that honor goes to the anonymous lead of a brief nickelodeon-era flicker produced in 1900 by the American Mutoscope & Biograph Company. Gillette, however, is the most important. Continue reading
by Victoria Haggblom
When the San Francisco Silent Film Festival screens at the Castro Theatre in late May, Swedish composer and pianist Matti Bye will perform with his ensemble for the sixth time. Continue reading
by Paul F. Etcheverry
Can anyone question the value of humor in the early days of the seventh art? In its 19th edition, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival (May 29–June 1) offers up belly laughs and bemusements amidst its diverse programming in the historic Castro Theatre. The festival includes 17 wonderful silent-era features in preserved and restored prints, one program of extraordinary silent shorts and rarities, and the ever-popular “Amazing Tales From the Archives” program. 19 programs in all, and you won’t want to miss one! Not to mention that all films are accompanied by live music! Here’s a rundown of some of silent cinema’s most comic, culinary moments. Continue reading
by Brian Darr
If there’s a filmmaker who more exemplifies the cliché of “living and breathing cinema” than Craig Baldwin, it’s hard to imagine who it might be. The Oakland-born cineaste’s conspiratorial works like Tribulation 99 and Mock Up On Mu are radically collaborative both with the image-makers of the past (infused as they are by clips from industrial films, science-fiction touchstones, and all manner of other reclaimed reels), and with current kindred filmmakers like Bill Daniel and Sylvia Schedelbauer, who have played large roles in their creation. Continue reading
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