New Italian Cinema

Local cinephiles, this is your last change to experience great foreign films for the rest of the year. The SF Film Society is presenting their 15th annual New Italian Cinema this Sunday, and it's packed with great screenings. The eight-day series will pay tribute to acclaimed director Daniele Luchetti, as well as offer new works from up-and-coming filmmakers.

"Our Life," with Elio Germano. Courtesy of San Francisco Film Society.

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Pink Martini 1969 and A Retrospective

Pink Martini, one of my all-time favorite groups, just released two new albums today. The first one, 1969, is a special collaboration with legendary Japanese singer Saori Yuki. If you own their third album Hey Eugene!, you'll also know that Yuki sang the original version of "Taya Tan." 

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French Cinema Now

One of my favorite film events of the year, the fourth annual French Cinema Now, is starting tomorrow. Venerable actresses like Emmanuelle Devos, Audrey Tautou and Cecile de France are all starring in new works so I'm excited. To add more fun actor Mathieu Amalric also directed a modern adaption of a 17th century play.

 Audrey Tautou in "Beautiful Lies."

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Taiwan Film Days

I just love fall. It's the perfect season to head indoors and catch some great foreign flicks. The San Francisco Film Society is hosting a few small festivals for October and November, and the third annual Taiwan Film Days is starting this Friday evening.

 The three-day celebration will showcase eight new films from Taiwan's best and brightest film makers. Dark comedy "Formosa Mambo" will have its international premiere on opening night while "The Coming of Tulku" is a meditative documentary on 90-year-old poet Zhou Meng-Die.

"Pinoy Sunday," courtesy of San Francisco Film Society.

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The Hedgehog

Having read Muriel Barbery's book, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, I was rather curious about "The Hedgehog" ("Le Hérisson"), the film adaptation by director Mona Achache. It focuses on Paloma Josse (Garance Le Guillermic), an overly precocious 11-year-old girl who decides to end her life on her twelfth birthday. As she plots her impending suicide she befriends Renée Michel (Josiane Balasko), the prickly and grumpy concierge of Paloma's luxury Parisian apartment building, and Kakuro Ozu (Togo Igawa), the mysterious and wealthy Japanese tenant.

Josiane Balasko and Garance Le Guillermic in "The Hedgehog." Courtesy of Neoclassics Films Ltd. 2011.

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SF International Film Festival (4/21-5/5)

April is one of my favorite months of the year. Part of the reason is that the 54th annual San Francisco International Film Festival takes place this month. For two weeks the entire city will be privy to 188 amazing foreign films from nearly 50 countries. If you're lucky you might even spot a celebrity or two. The following films are some of my picks - get your tickets soon as many screenings will sell out.

A scene from Mike Mills' Beginners. Courtesy of the Focus Features.

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New Italian Cinema Festival 11/14-11/21

The San Francisco Film Society is presenting yet another great film festival this weekend. If you're a lover of all things Italian you should definitely check out New Italian Cinema. This eight-day film series will showcase the newest Italian films and directors, including a Ferzan Ozpetek Retrospective. Here are a few highlights:

Raoul Bova and Giovanna Mezzogiorno in Ferzan Ozpetek's Facing Windows.

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French Cinema Now Festival 10/28-11/03

SF cinephiles will want to check out the upcoming French Cinema Now, which takes place this week (10/28-11/03) at the Landmark's Embarcadero Center Cinema. Devoted to the latest contemporary French films, this week-long festival will showcase ten new films that will spotlight compelling performances by Isabelle Huppert, Juliette Binoche and Catherine Deneuve. I'm excited to see so many great actors on the big screen.

Lolita Chammah and Isabelle Huppert in Copacabana (Courtesy of San Francisco Film Society).

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Change of Plans at the Sundance Kabuki

I'm always grateful for the vibrant film scene in San Francisco. One of my favorite theaters, Sundance Kabuki, has a regular SFFS Screen program (with the SF Film Society) that showcases independent films that aren't released to the mass theater chains.

A scene from "Change of Plans," opening on SFFS Screen September 10. Courtesy of San Francisco Film Society.

This weekend they're premiering "Change of Plans (Le code a changé)," an entertaining and deftly crafted French choral comedy by acclaimed director Danièle Thompson. Thompson has turned out a few witty gems (Avenue Montaigne, Jet Lag, La Bûche) and I was happy to see her latest release. The stellar cast includes Emmanuelle Seigner (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Karin Viard, Dany Boon (Micmacs), Marina Hands, Marina Foïs and Patrick Bruel (A Secret). Her son Christopher Thompson also co-wrote the script and stars in the film.

Danièle Thompson's "Change of Plans." Courtesy of SF Film Society.

This is slightly darker than her previous films but Thompson manages to maintain a pretty light tone throughout the story as the characters deal with family, extramarital affairs, divorce, illness and the usual banalities of everyday life. It's an interesting and fun glimpse into the privileged lives of several Parisian friends. As a nod to Roman Polanski (Seigner is his wife), they even share his Bigos recipe within the credits. It was referenced in the film and you too can make this Polish stew.

These films only play for a week, so make your plans accordingly and get your tickets soon at sffs.org and sundancecinemas.com.

Lancôme Beauty: Christina Hendricks at Emmys

Christina Hendricks, Supporting Actress nominee for “Mad Men,” was stunning as usual at last night's Emmy Awards. Wearing a lilac Zac Posen gown, her makeup was inspired by Mia Farrow’s iconic character from “The Great Gatsby.” Celebrity makeup artist Vanessa Scali dished about the Lancôme look for Christina. See below for all the expert tips!

Christina Hendricks at the 2010 Emmy Awards. (Getty Images)
Face: Vanessa prepped the skin with Lancôme La Base Pro. To perfect Christina’s already luminous skin, she used the new Teint Miracle Lit-From-Within Makeup. “It has an amazing transparent quality that leaves the skin looking flawless and luminous without being shiny,” said Vanessa. “I applied it with a brush and then blended with my fingers.” Blending with fingers heated up the foundation, which allowed a seamless finish. She followed with Effacernes Concealer under the eyes, which is her all-time favorite concealer.

Cheeks:For a fresh pop of color Vanessa used Lancôme Blush Subtil Shimmer in Pink Pool on the apples of her cheeks. Dabs of Giorgio Armani Beauty’s Fluid Sheer #2 highlighted Christina’s cheekbones.

Eyes: The eye shadow was mix of YSL’s Ombre Solo Eyeshadow in Cashmere Brown and Midnight Black. “I applied these all over her lid, under the bottom lashes and blended it out past her natural lash line to softly elongate the eye,” reported Vanessa. To define and elongate the lash line, Vanessa lined the eyes with Lancôme’s Le Crayon Khôl in Black. “I used a touch of liner under her bottom lashes but smudged it for a softer look,” she said. For added depth, she also used Artliner Precision Point Eyeliner in Noir at the very base of Christina’s lashes.

Mascara: Several generous coats of Lancôme Définicils Waterproof Mascara in Black were used on the top and bottom lashes.
 
Lips: Christina’s lips were a mix of Lancôme lip colors for an effect that Vanessa described as “red with a little dash of pink.” A sheer coat of Color Design Matte Lipstick in Corset was topped by La Laque Fever Lipshine in Cyber Coral.

Image credit: Getty Images