THE 45th SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TO OPEN WITH JILL SPRECHER'S THIRTEEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ONE THING

Smart, Imaginative American Independent Second Feature

The 45th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 18 - May 2) is set to open on Thursday, April 18, 7:00 pm at the historic Castro Theatre with Jill Sprecher's richly ironic and engaging second feature THIRTEEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ONE THING.

Roxanne Messina Captor, Executive Director of the San Francisco International Film Festival, said, "THIRTEEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ONE THING is a remarkably smart American independent feature that explores contemporary ideas about true happiness, karma and hope poignantly and imaginatively."

THIRTEEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ONE THING, the new film by the director of CLOCKWATCHERS, Jill Sprecher, revolves around fate and the effects of seemingly random events on the lives of both lovers and strangers. The intricately structured screenplay by Sprecher and her sister/writing partner Karen Sprecher examines the dramatic impact of chance encounters gradually revealing surprising connections and revelations. Sprecher elicits exquisite performances from Matthew McConaughey, Clea DuVall, John Turturro, Alan Arkin and Amy Irving playing contemporary New Yorkers facing both monumental and seemingly inconsequential changes in their lives.

After the screening of THIRTEEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ONE THING, the Opening Night Party begins at 9:30 pm in the soaring atrium of San Francisco Design Center Galleria. Entertainment will be provided by Super Diamond, renowned for their high-energy salute to Neil Diamond and Tijuana StripClub, a San Francisco based alt-folk group.

Tickets for the Opening Night festivities are $75 regular / $70 SFFS members.

The 45th San Francisco International Film Festival is presented by the San Francisco Film Society, a nonprofit arts 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 and major restorations and today’s brightest stars.

The 45th San Francisco International Film Festival runs April 18–May 2, 2002 at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres, the Castro Theatre, the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley and Landmark’s Park Theatre in Menlo Park. Advance ticket packages and Festival passes go on sale beginning March 6. Individual tickets for San Francisco Film Society members will be available beginning March 27, with individual tickets for the general public available starting April 2. To purchase tickets and for ticket information call 925.275.9490 or log on to www.sffs.org. 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 27 and for the general public on April 2. There will also be a Satellite Box Office at Crocker Galleria, 50 Post Street, second floor, opening on April 2. For up-to-date Festival information, call 415-931-FILM.