With 2006 SFIAAFF fully launched, it's great that several programs have already sold out! I haven't been this excited about a festival in a long time!
Received email from Todd Angkasuwan whose film No Sleep Til Shanghai is among those that have sold out (congratulations, Todd!!) and which The Evening Class capsuled a while back. He gracefully concurred with my criticism that the "muddied" club ambience deterred from Jin's masterful hiphopmanship but advised that subtitles have been added for tonight's screening, which will allow all those there to see Jin "destroy his opponent in full comprehension!!!" Rush tickets are still available!
The Greencine Daily has a great write-up on the festival, profiling festival fare that have secured awards elsewhere, namely Sundance jury prize winner Eve and the Fire Horse (whose first screening has sold out; some tickets still available for the second); Sundance jury prize winner Dear Pyongyang; Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story, which won the Slamdance Audience Award; and Conventioneers, which won the John Cassavetes Independent Spirit award.
The San Francisco Bay Guardian has picked out a handful—Café Lumiere, The Crimson Kimono, Grain In Ear, Linda Linda Linda, and Rules of Dating—to review and allowed Chuck Stephens to revisit the Peter Principle and reminisce on Citizen Dog. Further, Kimberly Chun reviews Kieu, which has sold out both of its screenings with only rush tickets available, and Cheryl Eddy scans the documentary offerings.
I, myself, am off to see Letter From An Unknown Woman and Linda Linda Linda this evening at the Pacific Film Archives and will be sure to let you know what I think. Enjoy the festival, everyone!!