Mar 14, 2018
Festival
San Francisco, CA — SFFILM today announced that Closing Night of the 2018 San Francisco International Film Festival will be Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot, Gus Van Sant’s biopic of cartoonist John Callahan starring Joaquin Phoenix. Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot will screen at the historic Castro Theatre on Sunday, April 15 at 7:00 pm, followed by the Closing Night Party at Public Works. Director Gus Van Sant and composer Danny Elfman are expected to attend.
“We are delighted to welcome Gus Van Sant to the SFFILM Festival to celebrate his latest film,” said Executive Director Noah Cowan. “Gus has a knack for placing everyday tragedies into thoughtful, artistically daring, and often very funny milieu. This film, among his most irreverent and touching, will be a spectacular way to end a festival that emphasizes our diversity with a light and hopeful heart.”
Caustic and wickedly funny, celebrated quadriplegic Portland cartoonist John Callahan had a knack for depicting taboo subjects—especially people with physical disabilities—without political correctness. With an engrossing and shape-shifting performance by Joaquin Phoenix as Callahan, accompanied by scene-stealing support from Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, and Jack Black, Gus Van Sant’s (Milk, My Own Private Idaho) newest film follows the life of this troubled alcoholic who journeys from rock-bottom to an oddball AA group to ultimately channeling his demons into sometimes shocking and always humorous profane art.
Gus Van Sant made his feature directing debut with Mala Noche (1986), and went on to make Drugstore Cowboy (1989), My Own Private Idaho (1991), To Die For (1995), Good Will Hunting (1997), Finding Forrester (2000), Elephant (2003), Milk (2008), and more. Van Sant was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for Good Will Hunting and Milk, and both films also received Best Picture nominations. Elephant won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and Van Sant also received the festival’s Best Director Award. Van Sant’s films are often inhabited by outsider and marginalized characters, which was noted as he received the Oregon ACLU Freedom of Expression Award, for his films that “let us see inside the lives of individuals we don’t often get a glimpse at.” He has also directed music videos for such artists as David Bowie, Chris Isaak, Elton John, and Tracy Chapman. In addition to directing, Van Sant wrote the screenplays for several of his earlier works, recorded two music albums, published a book of his photography, and is the author of a novel entitled Pink.
The screening will be followed by a festive Closing Night Party at 9:00 pm at Public Works (161 Erie Street), where festival goers will gather to dance, drink, snack, and revel in an incredible celebration of two weeks of cinematic adventures.
Tickets to Closing Night: Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot
Film & Party: $60 member / $70 general
Film Only: $25 member / $30 general
VIP Film & Party: $120 member / $140 general
Box office is now open online at sffilm.org for SFFILM members and opens March 16 for the general public.
For general information visit sffilm.org/festival
To request interviews or screeners, contact your Festival Press Office representative.
For photos and press materials visit sffilm.org/press
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2018 San Francisco International Film Festival
The longest-running film festival in the Americas, the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM Festival) is an extraordinary showcase of cinematic discovery and innovation in one of the country’s most beautiful cities. The 61st edition runs April 4-17 at venues across the Bay Area and features nearly 200 films and live events, 14 juried awards with close to $40,000 in cash prizes, and upwards of 100 participating filmmaker guests.
SFFILM
SFFILM is a nonprofit organization with a mission to champion the world’s finest films and filmmakers through programs anchored in and inspired by the spirit and values of the San Francisco Bay Area. Presenter of the San Francisco International Film Festival, SFFILM is a year-round organization delivering screenings and events to more than 75,000 film lovers and media education programs to more than 10,000 students and teachers annually. In addition to its public programs, SFFILM supports the careers of independent filmmakers from the Bay Area and beyond with grants, residencies, and other creative development services.
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