Film Fests & City Sleuthing

BY CAROLE BARROW

A certain tinsel-toned neighbor to the south is best known for its film industry, but residents of San Francisco are at least as movie-mad as any aspiring actors (a.k.a. waiters) with stellar views of Sunset Boulevard. Our film festivals are as diverse and quirky as we are.

On January 25, the 10-day Noir City festival brings gun-toting gangsters, vampy dames and sneering private dicks back to the Castro Theatre (429 Castro) for a sixth run. Presented by the Film Noir Foundation, whose mission is to “rescue and restore America's noir heritage,” this year's festival continues its tradition of unearthing cinematic rarities. Film historian and “Czar of Noir,” Eddie Muller will return as master of ceremonies.

Muller has also incorporated a darkly entertaining literary event into the fest. On Saturday, Jan 26, the festival will launch A Hell of a Woman: An Anthology of Female Noir, edited by Megan Abbott. The collection features 26 short stories by celebrated contemporary crime writers-many of whom will be at the Castro to sign what's already being hailed as the best collection of noir fiction in years.

Other highlights of Noir City 6 include a double bill (Tuesday, January 29) of rarities from 20th Century Fox, Hangover Square and Dangerous Crossing, a publication party for Alan Rode's new book, Charles McGraw: Biography of a Film Noir Tough Guy, featuring a double shot of McGraw: Reign of Terror (1949) and Border Incident (1949); and a night of “neo-noir” featuring the Coen Brother's 2001 homage The Man Who Wasn't There. So dust off your fedora, sharpen those stilettos and head to the Castro for a weekend of glamour and sin on classic celluloid. Visit www.filmnoirfoundation.org for schedule and ticket information.

One of San Francisco's most acclaimed cinematic events hits a milestone this year. The tenth annual SF Independent Film Festival (IndieFest), features more than 80 independent films and videos. The entertainment extravaganza kicks off February 7-20, at Bay Area theatres including the Roxie Cinemas, 3117 16th Street; Victoria Theatre (2961 16th St) and Castro Theatre (429 Castro). On February 7 the Castro will overflow with Indie cred' as the much-lauded Shotgun Stories opens the Festival. Jeff Nichols’ film tracks a feud that erupts between two sets of half brothers following the death of their father. The tale of filial vengeance cost a mere $500,000 to produce; a mere pittance compared to the morbidly obese budgets of mainstream Hollywood flicks. Nichols will attend the festival and will provide insight into the film-making process.

The festival closes with the latest cinematic meditation from the master of surreal reels, Gus Van Sant. Paranoid Park is the tale of Alex, a teenage skateboarder, who accidentally kills a security guard in the vicinity of Portland's tough skate park. Van Sant, who is currently in town shooting a highly anticipated Harvey Milk biopic, will also attend the screening. The closing night party, following the film, will take place at 12 Galaxies and feature live performances by The Bar Feeders, RubberSideDown and The Midnight Bombers. Show starts at 9p. $5 or free with any IndieFest ticket stub, $3 Redhook beer, 21 up. Tickets are $10 for each screening and $25 for Opening Night (including the after-party), $15 for Closing Night (including party). For tickets and complete festival line-up, call 820-3907 or visit www.sfindie.com. 

If the Noir City festival piques your interest in P.I.'s, one event designed to unleash your inner gumshoe, test your knowledge of the City by the Bay, and celebrate the Chinese New Year, is not to be missed. The 18th annual Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt, a mobile puzzle of exploration set on the windy and winding streets of the City's iconic northeastern neighborhoods begins at 4:30 pm, on Saturday, February 23. The snooping starts in Justin Herman Plaza, located at the foot of Market Street at the Embarcadero and races through Chinatown, North Beach and Telegraph Hill.

Over 1,600 amateur sleuths will explore obscure alleys and hidden lanes solving clues created by local private eye Jayson Wechter. Players have four hours to solve sixteen clues that lead to sites few tourists and many residents have never noticed. The annual Chinese New Year Parade, with its dancing dragons, popping firecrackers, and half a million spectators, adds a vibrant and stimulating backdrop to the Hunt. For more information, visit www.sftreasurehunts.com or call 564-9400.

A few iconic losses...

A North Beach icon, Washington Square Bar and Grill (1707 Powell), which temporarily morphed into Cobalt Tavern when purchased by Guy and Rose Ferri in 2000, before it changed back to its more geographically-specific name, two years later, closed its doors on January 1st.

And in the Civic Center area, Trader Vic's (555 Golden Gate), closed before the holidays. Where will the City Hall elite exchange Mai-tai-fueled pleasantries now? I'm willing to wager that our Mayor will favor hot-spots without convenient bike parking. Operations in Emeryville and Palo Alto remain open.