Italian Cinema

Luce Cinecitta and The Italian Cultural Institute Of San Francisco present a weekend of contemporary films 22–24 November 2019 at the Vogue Theatre in San Francisco.

The eight features scheduled are: The Traitor directed by Marco Bellocchio (Italy/France/Germany/Brazil) 2019, The Invisible Witness directed by Stefano Mordini (Italy) 2018, Vivere directed by Francesca Archibugi (Italy) 2019, Volare directed by Gabriele Salvatores (Italy) 2019, The First King: Birth of an Empire directed by Matteo Rovere (Italy) 2019, Food Makers directed by Enrica Cavalli (Italy) 2018, The Vice of Hope directed by Edoardo De Angelis (Italy) 2018, and Ordinary Happiness directed by Daniele Luchetti (Italy) 2019.

For more information contact Italian Cultural Institute.

copyright © 2019 by N. A. Diaman, all rights reserved

www.nikosdiaman.com/

NICE 2018

New Italian Cinema Events returns to the Vogue Theatre in San Francisco 30 November to 2 December 2018.

This year’s lineup of films from Florence include: As Needed directed by Francesco Falaschi (2018) Italy, Easy directed by Andrea Magnani (2017) Italy/Ukraine, Hotel Gagarin directed by Simone Spada (2017) Italy, Manuel directed by Dario Albertini (2017) Italy, and The Last Prosecco directed by Antonio Padovan (2017) Italy.

For more information and tickets contact New Italian Cinema 2018.

copyright © 2018 by N. A. Diaman, all rights reserved

http://www.nikosdiaman.com/

Greek Films

The 15^th San Francisco Greek Film Festival runs from 12 – 21 October 2018.

Opening night this year will be at Lucas Film in the Presidio and closing night at Dolby Cinema on Market and Ninth Streets. All other films will be shown at Delancy Street Screening Room, 600 Embarcadero Street, San Francisco.

I look forward to seeing Djam directed by Tony Gatlif (2017) France, Xanou directed by Clio Fanouraki (2016) Greece, Jamaica directed by Andreas Morfonios (2017) Greece, and Polyxeni directed by Dora Masklavanou (2017) Greece.

Contact San Francisco Greek Film Festival for more information and tickets.

copyright © 2018 by N. A. Diaman, all rights reserved

www.nikosdiaman.com

Greek Film 14

The 14^th Annual San Francisco Greek Film Festival takes place 14 – 22 October 2017 at Delancey Street Screening Room, 600 The Embarcadero, San Francisco.

Many of this year’s films contain violence. Perhaps it’s indicative of the social tensions related to the current economic crises and the humanitarian disaster driving people to flee the ongoing wars in the adjoining region.

My picks for the most appealing features are Afterlov, a comedy directed by Stergios Paschos (2016) Greece, screening Wednesday 18 October 2017 and Roza Of Smyrna, a drama directed by George Kordellas (2016) Greece, screening Friday 20 October 2017. All programs begin 7:30 PM.

For a complete schedule see Greek Film Festival.

copyright © 2017 by N. A. Diaman, all rights reserved

www.nikosdiaman.com

Frameline 40

The premier international LGBTQ film festival turns forty this year. Opening night is 16 June 2016 in the legendary Castro Theatre in the heart of San Francisco.

There are ten films originating from four Mediterranean countries. France: Being 17; Paris 05:59: Theo & Hugo; and Summertime. Israel: One Last Night and Who’s Going To Love Me Now? Italy: Arianna; Irrawaddy Mon Amour; and Me, Myself And Her. Spain: Girl Gets Girl and Victor XX.

For more information and tickets contact www.frameline.org.

copyright © 2016 by N. A. Diaman, all rights reserved.

www.nikosdiaman.com

SFIFF 57

The Two Faces Of January directed by Hossein Amini (UK/USA/France) 2014 is the opening night film of the 57^th San Francisco International Film Festival. The film, based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith set primarily in Greece and Turkey, will screen Thursday 24 April 2014 at the Castro Theatre.

Four of the eleven narrative features competing for the 2014 New Directors Prize are: The Blue Wave directed by Zeynep Dadak and Merve Kayan (Turkey/Germany/Netherlands/Greece) 2013, The Dune directed by Yossi Aviram (France/Israel) 2013, Salvation Army directed by Abdellah Taïa (Morocco) 2013, and South Is Nothing directed by Fabio Mollo, (Italy/France) 2013.

Other narrative features are: Abuse Of Weakness directed by Catherine Breillat (France/Belgium/Germany) 2013, Chinese Puzzle directed by Cédric Klapisch (France/USA) 2013, Eastern Boys directed by Robin Campillo (France) 2013), If You Don’t I Will directed by Sophie Filliéres (France) 2013, Tip Top directed by Serge Bozon (France/Belgim/Luxembourg) 2013, Tonnerre directed by Guillaume Brac (France) 2013, The Trip To Italy directed by Michael Winterbottom (UK/Italy) 2014, Young And Beautiful directed by François Ozon (France 2013), and Yves Saint Laurent directed by Jalil Lespert (France) 2013.

Documentary features include: Agnès Varda: From Here To There directed by Agnès Varda (France) 2013, Coast Of Death directed by Lois Patiño (Spain) 2013, and School Of Babel directed by Julie Bertuccelli (France) 2013.

Contact San Francisco Film Society for more information and tickets.

copyright © 2014 by N. A. Diaman, all rights reserved

www.nikosdiaman.com

Verdi Requiem

Mayor Luigi de Magistris of Naples visited San Francisco for the signing of three agreements of cooperation linking Naples and San Francisco, as part of his Unite The Two Bays initiative. The three major areas of interest are human rights, science and research, and technology.

In attendance at the ceremonies were Italian Consul-General Mauro Battocchi; Michael Sweet, chair of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission; Dr. William De Grado of UCSF; Professor Angela Lombardi of UNINA; and California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano.

The day’s celebration will conclude with a joint performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem by the San Francisco Opera and Naples’ Teatro San Carlo at the War Memorial Opera House on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco this evening.

Several young entrepreneurs and technology students will arrive from Naples to study at the Mind The Bridge Startup School.

Mayor de Magistris initiated civil unions in Naples and championed equal rights for all children born in Italy regardless of their parents’ origin. His city will host the Italian national LGBT pride celebration in 2014.

image & text copyright © 2013 by N. A. Diaman, all rights reserved

www.nikosdiaman.com

California Cooking

The doors open October 2012 at the San Francisco Cooking School, a new enterprise with an impressive roster of instructors. It promises a fresh, new approach to culinary training inspired by California cuisine and its progressive food values. And the school offers externships for graduates at a dozen local, top-rated restaurants.

The instructors include writers, chefs, cooks, and bakers. Viola Buitoni from Perugia, Umbria is a direct descendant of a family known as premier producers of pasta and chocolate. David Groff is a graduate of both the California Culinary Academy and Tante Marie’s Cooking School. Jodi Liano, Catheine Pantsios, and Kelly Whalen are also associated with Tante Marie’s, either as instructors or graduates. Samin Nosrat and Kathy Whalen worked at Chez Panisse while C. C. Sofronas worked at Palio d”Asti.

Among the fall line-up are classes in Pizzeria Pizza At Home; Regional Italian Series; Fall In Rome; and Macaroons Italian, French, & Coconut; as well as a book signing and demonstration by Matthew Accarrino of SPQR.

copyright © 2012 by N. A. Diaman, all rights reserved

Flamenco Festival

The Seventh Annual Bay Area Flamenco Festival, part of Festival Flamenco Gitano USA 2012, includes four performances by musical artists from Spain, a couple of films, and workshops in dance and guitar.

Guitarist Diego Del Morao will play at Yoshi’s Oakland on Wednesday 26 September 2012 at 8:00 PM; the Fiesta Jerez Gypsy Flamenco All-Stars will appear at the Palace of Fine Arts Thursday 27 September 2012 at 7:00 PM; Jose Merce performs at the Palace of Fine Arts Friday 28 September 2012 at 8:00 PM; and Farruco Family appears at the Palace of Fine Arts Sunday 30 September 2012 at 7:00 PM.

For more information see the festival web site.

copyright © 2012 by N. A. Diaman, all rights reserved

Jewish Film Fest

The 32^nd San Francisco Jewish Film Festival opens Thursday 19 July 2012. The screenings will take place at seven Bay Area venues in San Francisco, Berkeley, Palo Alto, San Rafael, and Oakland.

Festival films include: Gypsy Davy directed by Rachael Leah Jones (Israel, France) 2011, Life In Stills directed by Tamar Tal (Israel) 2011, The Day I Saw Your Heart directed by Jennifer Devoidère (France) 2011, and The Other Son directed by Lorraine Lévy (France) 2011.

For more information and tickets contact SFJFF.

copyright © 2012 by N. A. Diaman, all rights reserved