What We're Talking About This Week

Like everyone else, we can't believe how many incredible talents we have lost in 2016.  Prince is gone much too soon, and we'll miss his singularity as an artist and a man - these stories help us to remember the very unusual qualities that made us love him.

While SoCal has amazing tacos, San Francisco is the leader in the burrito game.  This Lucky Peach article explains exactly why the mission burrito is so good.

 LA's food scene has been going from strength to strength, and many of their hottest spots have some delicious off the menu items - you'll definitely want to try some of these.

With the success of the musical Hamilton, there has been extra pressure to keep the founder of the Treasury Department on the $10 bill, and this week the Treasury Secretary responded in kind.  The first US note to feature a woman will now be the $20 bill, with Andrew Jackson being bumped in favor of Harriet Tubman.

San Francisco International Film Festival's 59th season kicked off last night with a screening of Whit Stillman's Love & Friendship, starring Kate Beckinsale and Chloë Sevigny, at the Castro Theatre.  We were there, and if this movie and q&a were any indication, this is set to be a great festival - we are buying up more movie tickets here.

San Francisco International Film Festival

The San Francisco International Film Festival kicked off on April 23rd, and there are so many films we are excited to see.

City of Gold
This documentary tells the story of Pulitzer Prize winning food critic Jonathan Gold as he explores the culinary scene in Los Angeles. The director, Laura Gabbert, is expected to attend on the 28th.

NN

This film tells the story of a Peruvian widow convinced her husband is among remains recovered by forensic investigators. They have to decide whether to give her closure or the truth.

Iris

This documentary is renowned director Albert Maysles's final film. It paints a portrait of fashion icon Iris Apfel.

Saint Laurent

This film depicts the life of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent from 1968-1976. The director Bertrand Bonello and actor Gaspard Ulliel are expected to attend.

Theory of Obscurity: A Film About the Residents

This documentary about the anonymous artists known as the Residents includes footage from San Francisco in the 60's. Creative and kooky, their influence has been far-ranging. The director, Don Hardy, is expected to attend.

The Wolfpack

This documentary tells the story of 7 boys who grew up entirely within a New York apartment, conditioned to be afraid to leave the house. They spend their free time reenacting films line by line, shot by shot. The film's director, Crystal Moselle is expected to attend.

We are also excited for:

7 Chinese Brothers - A low key existential comedy about a man who drifts through life and whose closest companion is a French Bulldog.

The End of the Tour - David Foster Wallace and a journalist for Rolling Stone magazine take a road trip together.

Welcome to Me - A woman with borderline personality disorder wins the lottery and is able to fulfill her television ambitions.

To see the full selection of films screening at this year's festival, visit the San Francisco Film Society's website.