Jul 6, 2012
SFFILM
James and the Giant Peach (USA 1996), an extraordinary live action/animation adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s classic book, directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, plays one time only 11:00 am, August 11 at San Francisco Film Society Cinema (1746 Post Street). The screening will be followed by a Q&A and show-and-tell with artists who worked on the film-and some of the puppets and props they used-and who are currently working with Selick on his next stop-motion project. Special matinee price of $8 for adults and children alike.
Originally released 16 years ago, this made-in-San Francisco production directed by stop-motion master Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton combines live-action, stop-motion animation and computer-generated special effects in a delightful film for the whole family. Adapted from Roald Dahl’s classic book of the same name, the film follows our young hero James, who has been living a life of misery with his horrible aunts who have unwillingly taken custody of him after his parents’ untimely demise. Following the daring rescue of a spider, James gains possession of a bag containing magic crocodile tongues from a mysterious stranger. When they accidentally spill in the garden, an enormous peach sprouts out of the ground nearly crushing their house. Sensing a possible escape from his dreary surroundings, James climbs inside, where he meets an astonishing menagerie of insects and embarks on a magical journey full of thrills and adventure. Featuring the music of Randy Newman and an all-star cast including Simon Callow, Richard Dreyfuss, Joanna Lumley, Pete Postlethwaite, Susan Sarandon, David Thewlis and young Paul Terry debuting as James. Written by Karey Kirkpatrick, Jonathan Roberts, Steve Bloom. Photographed by Pete Kozachik, Hiro Narita. 79 min. Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.
Recommended for ages 7 and up. Viewing guides will be provided online with pre- and post-viewing discussion questions and activities for parents to share with their kids.
Showtime 11:00 am
All Tickets $8. Box office opens July 9 online at sffs.org and in person at SF Film Society Cinema.
To request an interview contact hhart@sffs.org.
To request screeners contact bproctor@sffs.org.
For photos and press materials visit sffs.org/pressdownloads.
At SF Film Society Cinema, the stylish state-of-the art theater located in the New People building at 1746 Post Street (Webster/Buchanan) in Japantown, the San Francisco Film Society offers its acclaimed exhibition, education and filmmaker services programs and events on a daily year-round basis.
More upcoming San Francisco Film Society programs
Continuing on consecutive Saturdays through July 21: The Story of Film: An Odyssey
Through July 7: KinoTek: Adriane Colburn: Ways, Points and Means
Through July 5: Corpo Celeste
Opening July 6: Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present
Opening July 13: Ballplayer: Pelotero
Also opening July 13: Bonsái
July 14 only: The Storytellers Show
July 19 only: Dark Horse Filmmaker Todd Solondz in Person
Opening July 20: A Burning Hot Summer
July 20-August 11: KinoTek: Nate Boyce
Opening July 27: Sacrifice
Opening August 3: The Devil, Probably Constructed as a flashback from news reports of a young man’s suspicious suicide, Robert Bresson’s splenetic 1977 drama puts the post-1968 world on trial and judges it unlivable.
Opening August 10: The Moth Diaries Mary Harron’s modern gothic thriller, based on the novel by Rachel Klein, skirts the line between horror film and psychological study while making full use of the atmospheric possibilities of its boarding school setting.
Also Opening August 10: Battle Royale If the plot about a group of teen-agers murdering each other in a gladiatorial contest sounds familiar, just be aware that this film came out eight years before Suzanne Collins wrote The Hunger Games.
Opening August 17: Love in the City
August 24: Master Class: Les Blank on Documentary
September 15-October 20: KinoTek: Brent Green, sculpture and animation
December: KinoTek: Kota Ezawa, animation