46TH SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TO PRESENT LIVE MUSIC ACCOMPANIMENT FOR CLASSIC 1920's SILENT FILMS


D.W. Griffith's ORPHANS OF THE STORM and F.W. Murnau's SUNRISE Put to Music

The 46th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 17 - May 1) is presenting two compelling silent film revivals paired with live music performances at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco on April 18 and April 20.

"F.W. Murnau's SUNRISE and D.W. Griffith's masterpiece ORPHANS OF THE STORM are rarely seen on the big screen. The Castro screenings of both films, one redefined with the soothing sounds of Nashville's Lambchop and the latter with its original score performed by the legendary Dennis James are two must-see events during the 15 days of the Festival," said Carl Spence, Director of Programming.

The Nashville-based band Lambchop will play their score for the screening of SUNRISE on Friday, April 18 at 7:00 pm. Winner of the first Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Cinematography in 1928, SUNRISE is considered F.W. Murnau's finest work. Murnau's films are often referred to as musical compositions unto themselves. While his earlier horror film NOSFERATU is hailed as a symphony, SUNRISE's full title is "A Song of Two Humans." In a dreamlike fashion, the film tells the story of how a big city seductress sabotages the marriage of a simple peasant couple. Lambchop brings its distinctive hybrid of country, jazz and Memphis soul sound that is as brilliantly original as the film it accompanies. Forging a bridge between country and avant-garde, Lambchop adds a layer of aural poetry to the proceedings with its expressionist lyrics and dazzling display of instrumental sounds ranging from guitars to xylophones and clarinets to paint cans. In another world, perhaps Murnau and Lambchop would have teamed up themselves. Sponsored by Cricket Cola.

Dennis James will perform Louis Gottschalk's original score on the Castro's mighty Wurlitzer organ for the screening of ORPHANS OF THE STORM on Saturday, April 19 at 3:00 pm. The Festival offers film enthusiasts the rare opportunity to enjoy cinema pioneer D.W. Griffith's sumptuous classic ORPHANS OF THE STORM, a story of two sisters played by silent era heroines Lillian and Dorothy Gish set during the French Revolution. Dennis James is a perfect complement to the film, having toured extensively with silent film stars, including Lillian Gish, to provide musical accompaniment on national tour revivals of their motion pictures.

The 46th San Francisco International Film Festival runs April 17-May 1, 2003 at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres "The Home of the Festival", the Castro Theatre, the Pacific Film Archive Theater in Berkeley and the CinéArts at Palo Alto Square in Palo Alto. Advance ticket packages and Festival passes go on sale beginning February 17. Individual tickets for San Francisco Film Society members will be available beginning March 25, with individual tickets for the general public available starting March 31. To purchase tickets and for ticket information log on to www.sffs.org or call 925-275-9490. The Main Box Office, located in the atrium of the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres at 1881 Post Street will open for Film Society members on March 25 and for the general public on April 1. There will also be a Satellite Box Office at Crocker Galleria, 50 Post Street, second floor, opening on March 26. For up-to-date Festival information log on to www.sffs.org or call 415-931-FILM.

The 46th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 17-May 1, 2003) is presented by the San Francisco Film Society, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to lead in expanding the knowledge and appreciation of international film art and its artists by showcasing the most compelling, thought-provoking international films, special tributes, major restorations and today's brightest stars.