Nov 2, 2011
Artist Development
The City Dark (USA 2011), Ian Cheney’s humorous, searching, poetic introduction to the science of darkness plays December 6 at San Francisco Film Society | New People Cinema (1746 Post Street) as part of the Film Society’s new monthly Doc Day programming.
For most urban dwellers, a starry night is often impeded by the bright lights of the big city. Yet throughout history, the stars have inspired some of the greatest poets, philosophers and painters. In The City Dark, filmmaker Ian Cheney seeks to discover what we lose when we lose the night. The myriad implications of a planet glittering with artificial lights are explored, from increased health risks to a generation of kids deprived of the wonders of the universe. Featuring stunning astrophotography and a cast of eclectic scientists, historians and lighting designers, The City Dark is a cautionary tale of light pollution and the disappearance of the night sky. Photographed by Ian Cheney, Taylor Gentry. 84 min. Distributed by Argot Pictures.
Showtimes 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 pm.
Tickets $9 for SFFS members, $11 general, $10 senior/student/disabled. Box office opens October 31 for SFFS members and November 7 for the general public: online at sffs.org and in person at San Francisco Film Society | New People Cinema.
To request screeners contact hilary@sffs.org.
For photos and press materials visit: sffs.org/pressdownloads.
At San Francisco Film Society | New People Cinema, the supremely stylish state-of-the art theater located in the ultra-contemporary 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. For complete up-to-date information on all SFFS | NPC programming, including buying tickets, visit sffs.org.
Upcoming San Francisco Film Society programs
October 27-November 2: French Cinema Now The weeklong annual Festival brings the most significant new work from international francophone cinema to discerning Bay Area audiences.
November 3-6: Cinema by the Bay New work produced in or about the San Francisco Bay Area provides a compelling window into Bay Area film culture and practice at its best.
November 7-9: Octubre With moments of light comedy, Octubre is a rich character portrait of a brusque and graceless man who comes to care about something other than money.
November 10-13: San Francisco International Animation Festival A four-day celebration of the Bay Area’s preeminence as a hub for one of the most creative forms in cinema.
November 13-20: New Italian Cinema Fifteenth edition of popular festival includes work by prominent Italian directors, a tribute to Daniele Luchetti and eight features by up-and-coming directors.
November 15: Artist in Residence Federico Veiroj: A Useful Life A man who has spent his entire adult life working in a film archive faces a new beginning with the threatened closure of the institution.
November 17: California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown An intimate documentary on the life and work of Governor Edmund G. (Pat) Brown directed and produced by his granddaughters.
Opening November 18: Curling Combining creepy atmosphere and stark landscapes with moments of odd humor and tenderness, Curling shows the dangers of overly hermetic lives and gently proposes a way out for its compelling protagonists.
Opening November 25: The Swell Season After starring in the indie hit Once and winning an Oscar for Best Original Song, folk rock musicians Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova go on tour in this mesmerizing black-and-white documentary.
December 2-3, 9-11: The Dardy Family Home Movies by Stephen Sondheim by Erin Markey The newest KinoTek program is the world premiere of a live performance with video projection by fearless actress/playwright Erin Markey.
December 5: SFFS Film Arts Forum: Pitch Perfect Panel discussion focusing on tried and true strategies for pitching a film project to industry decision makers.