Wild, urban parrots, Sept, 15, 2006
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The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, a film by Judy Irving, documents the remarkable, true story of a flock of wild parrots that live and breed in the urban landscape of San Francisco and Mark Bittner, a self-styled “darma bum” whose life is changed forever by the relationships he forms with these intelligent birds. “Beautiful, dramatic and intensely emotional” is how the film has been described by critics.
Irving is a Sundance- and Emmy-Award-winning filmmaker whose previous credits include Dark Circle, a feature film about the nuclear industry, and Out of the Way Café, an hour-long drama. Her recent six-film documentary series about the San Francisco Bay Area’s wildlife and open spaces led to her interest in the wild parrot flock flying the city’s north waterfront.
Tula, Toltec vision of the cosmos
| Tula,
Mirror of the Sky, Monday, September 18, 5pm Teatro Santa Ana, Insurgentes 25, 50 pesos |
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Based in the archeological site of Tula, Tula, Mirror of the Sky discusses the pre-Hispanic view of mirrors. The ancient site itself reconstructs the cycle of Venus and so condenses in its architecture the central myths of Toltec vision of the cosmos. The purpose of this representation is to have participants recognize themselves in the cycles of nature.
This approach to pre-Hispanic culture includes the landscape of the site as a part of the whole. The focusing on the landscape has allowed us to “read” the site from the Borgia Codex, a pre-Hispanic pictographic document. The site and the codex can be put side by side so that it is the Codex itself that guides us through the symbolism and ritual sense of the site. Of central importance in the Codex is the exploration of the human body as a natural base for transmutation. Understanding this, we can go further to glimpse how the first Spaniards in the “new world” viewed the indigenous religion.
The film is based on a book by Alberto Davidoff who, together with Protula, A.C., has promoted this view of Tula. They have also published an illustrated map and guide to the site that has been approved by the INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History).
The film lasts 45 minutes and is followed by a discussion with the filmmaker.
Cinemateca
José Luis’s Pick and Tips:
The pick: Favela Rising
This movie speaks to all cultures from all nations, and its message is inspirational and moving. It shows hope in the darkest of all ghettos and will inspire everyone who watches it. The incorporation of music to motivate and inspire the people of the "favela" is genius and is expressed brilliantly in this movie.
The tips:
Please note that in order to provide the best viewing experience, the show times for some movies may be adjusted to accommodate their length. So double-check the times in your schedule. Also, please remember our new ticket price is 50 pesos.
Discount cards are 400 pesos for 10 shows.
On Monday after 4pm, buy your tickets for any selection of the week. Don’t take the risk of being locked out! Nos vemos en el Cine….
Tula, Mirror of the Sky
Monday, September 18, 5pm
English, 45 minutes
Filmmaker and lecturer: Alberto Davidoff; question and answer afterward
Based in the archeological site of Tula, this movie discusses the pre-Hispanic view of mirrors. The site itself rebuilds the cycle of Venus and so condenses in its architecture the central myths of Toltec cosmic vision. The purpose of this representation is to have participants recognize themselves in the cycles of nature.
Classic Cinema Special
Boudu Saved from Drowning (Boudu Sauvé des Eaux, 1932)
Tuesday, September 19, 4pm
Thursday, September 21, 5pm
French with English subtitles, 84 minutes
Director: Jean Renoir
Cast: Michel Simon, Jean Daste, Marcelle Hainia, Charles Granval, Max Dalban, Jane Pierson
Overcome with grief after losing his dog, a homeless man named Boudu (Michel Simon) throws himself into the Seine. But his suicide is interrupted when Edouard Lestingois (Charles Granval), a compassionate book dealer, spies him drowning and saves his life. Taking Boudu into his bourgeois home, Edouard hopes to give him a makeover. But the vagabond's unexpected effect on Edouard's family makes the Samaritan reconsider his good deed.
My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
Tuesday, September 19, noon
English with Spanish subtitles, 100 minutes
A discussion follows the movie; donation requested
This program runs every Tuesday at noon until October 3
Director: Daniel Petrie
Cast: Gary Sinise, James Woods, JoBeth Williams, James Garner
Based on the inspiring true story of the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, this moving drama stars James Woods in an Emmy-winning performance as Bill Wilson, a successful stockbroker who loses everything in the 1929 stock market crash. After succumbing to depression and drink, he eventually sobers up with the help of fellow recovering alcoholic Dr. Bob (James Garner). With newfound hope for the future, the two create the now-famous support group.
Broken Flowers (2005)
Tuesday, September 19, 6pm
Wednesday, September 20, 7pm
English with Spanish subtitles, 105 minutes
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Cast: Bill Murray, Sharon Stone, Jessica Lange, Frances Conroy
After being dumped by yet another girlfriend (Julie Delpy), Don Johnston (Bill Murray) vows he'll be alone forever. But when a mysterious, unsigned letter arrives in the mail, he's surprised to learn he has a 19-year-old son. With no idea who the mother could be, Don sets out on a cross-country journey to confront his past, surprising a series of old flames (Frances Conroy, Jessica Lange, Sharon Stone and Tilda Swinton) along the way.
Cinemateca for Mexican Youth
Cronos (1993)
Wednesday, September 20, 5pm
Spanish with English subtitles, 92 minutes
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Cast: Federico Luppi, Claudio Brook, Mario Ivan Martinez
Vampires and villains rule the roost in this thriller that tells the tale of the "Cronos Device," a 14th-century golden scarab that holds the key to eternal life. Nightmarish and surreal, the film, directed by Guillermo del Toro, nonetheless manages to score on the tongue-in-cheek humor meter as its characters (Margarita Isabel, Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman and Tamara Shanath) battle for control of the insidious device.
Cinemateca Series:
The Singing Detective (1986) Chapter 2: Heat
Every week we show one chapter; ticket per show is 50 pesos, or all 6 chapters for 200 pesos; discount cards accepted.
Friday, September 22, 4pm
Director: Jon Amiel
Cast: Michael Gambon, Imelda Staunton, Joanne Whalley, David Ryall, Janet Suzman and more
Mystery writer Philip E. Marlow (Michael Gambon) is suffering a debilitating bout of arthritis in a British hospital. Unable to move without pain, he escapes into his imagination, plotting out a murder tale in which he's both a big-band singer and a super-sleuth. Mix in flashbacks of Marlow's youth and his unhappy marriage, and you have a gripping murder mystery and a lavish musical rolled into one.
Favela Rising (2005)
Friday, September 22, 6pm
Monday, September 25, 5pm
Portuguese with English subtitles, 80 minutes
Director: Matt Mochary, Jeff Zimbalist
Cast: Anderson Sa, Jose Junior
Co-directors Jeff Zimbalist and Matt Mochary's acclaimed documentary charts the growth of Rio de Janeiro's AfroReggae movement, a grassroots effort to combat the soul-crushing oppression of the city's most notorious slum. Led by former street thug Anderson Sa, the nonviolent program celebrates Afro-Brazilian culture, drawing on hip-hop music and dance to unite the impoverished neighborhood against the ubiquitous drug pushers and corrupt cops.
Kids' cartoons and video-opera programs on September 23 are cancelled due to the Sanmiguelada