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Friday, April 22, 2011

THE SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (APRIL 21-MAY 5)
The 54th San Francisco International Film Festival Takes Off With "Beginners" For Starters


Rachel Rosen, S.F. Film Society Festival programmer and moderator, actor Ewan McGregor and "Beginners" director Mike Mills during a post-screening Q&A at the Castro Theatre on opening night of SFIFF54 last night.  Omar P.L. Moore

by Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com        FOLLOW
Friday, April 22, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO

Last night the 54th San Francisco International Film Festival kicked off its 15-day movie extravaganza at the Castro Theatre, getting off to a rousing start with the opening night comedy-drama 'Beginners', directed by Mike Mills, who was born a short distance from here just across the Bay Bridge in Berkeley.

San Francisco Film Society executive director Graham Leggat was met with a huge round of applause by the Castro Theatre capacity audience of more than 1,400 as he rang in the Festival, which runs through May 5. 

"I'm deeply, deeply embarrassed but also hugely grateful for your kind words, for your leadership," Mr. Leggat said to board members, Film Society staff and the audience. 

Mr. Leggat announced that British actor Terence Stamp would be receiving the Festival's Peter J. Owens Acting Award and proudly introduced the audience to his family and his girlfriend.

Cracking jokes and exuberant throughout his remarks, Mr. Leggat cited the standing ovation that accompanied him to the dais perched on the grand Castro Theatre stage.

"Obviously you all need to get out a little more often."

Mr. Leggat's playful comments set the stage for last night's events as 'Beginners', the exquisite bitter-sweet romance drama enjoyed its San Francisco premiere, drawing an enthusiastic response from patrons. 

Taking place across three different time periods, with flashbacks and some clever narrative devices, 'Beginners' stars Christopher Plummer as Hal, a terminally ill man who has come out of the closet after 75 years.  Ewan McGregor plays Oliver, Hal's son, a straight man trying to make sense of his own life through his late father's as he tries to find romance.  'Beginners' also stars 'Inglourious Basterds' actress Mélanie Laurent.

With his wife, the actress-filmmaker Miranda July (who has her film 'The Future' at this year's Festival), Mr. Mills beamed on the red carpet, taking pictures of the cameramen and women who were taking pictures of him.


Actor Kai Lennox of "Beginners" on opening night of SFIFF54
last night in San Francisco.  Omar P.L. Moore

"It isn't fiction, it is my dream", Mr. Mills said after the screening of 'Beginners', referring to the autobiographical aspects of the film, and the conversations he had with his own father who was gay and also had a terminal illness.

"I invite you all to go back and try to remember something really pivotal and key in your life and really look at your memory," Mr. Mills commented in response to a question from Rachel Rosen, the Film Society's Festival programming director.

"And I think you'll join me in being startled at how fragmentary and elusive they are.  The more you try to look at it, the more it runs away."

Mr. McGregor, who has not yet seen 'Beginners', was en route to the Castro Theatre, delayed by a plane from France he had been on which had some mechanical issues.  He ultimately missed the chance to see 'Beginners' last night but arrived in the middle of the post-screening Q&A to a loud response.

"There was a gas leak pouring out of the wing", Mr. McGregor said.  "They sent us back to the airport and cancelled the flight."

Nonetheless, the actor made it to the Castro Theatre before the event was over, and audience members sounded as if Mr. McGregor's sudden, dramatic arrival made their night.

The 54th San Francisco International Film Festival continues through May 5

Read this story here, which includes a photo slideshow

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