Film festival puts accent on English
San Francisco’s Mostly British Film Festival is marking its 10th anniversary, so expect a little bit of Britain, a little bit of Ireland, a little bit of Australia — and even a little bit of Scotch whisky.
The festival, which runs Feb. 15-22, has also amped up its star power this year, with both Bob Geldof (of Boomtown Rats fame) and Joanne Froggatt (“Downton Abbey”) making appearances with their new films.
The international, yet neighborhood festival maintains its secret sauce: almost no subtitles. All the foreign films come from Englishspeaking countries, and all are screened in the comfy confines of the Vogue Theatre, an oldfashioned, single-screen gem in lower Pacific Heights.
Here are 10 events worth checking out, including some whisky tasting:
Allure: Evan Rachel Wood (“Westworld”) gives a powerhouse performance in this provocative drama about an emotionally troubled woman who befriends an impressionable 16-yearold girl disenchanted with her parents. It’s a trail of broken families and relationships — culminating in a snowy
finale that will stay with you. 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, Canada.
The Death and Life of Otto Bloom: This mockumentary, which opened the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2016, concerns a memory-challenged man in Australia who lives in a reverse time frame. The screening here will be particularly poignant in the wake of the unexpected passing of firsttime director Cris Jones, who died at age 37 in September. 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, Australia.
Mad to Be Normal: The opening-night film, this biopic follows the adventures of Dr. R.D. Laing, whose communal, holistic, offbeat treatment of the mentally ill made him a counterculture figure during the 1960s. David Tennant delivers a transformative performance as Laing, while Elisabeth Moss, Gabriel Byrne and Michael Gambon round out a strong cast. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, United Kingdom.
A Fanatic Heart: Geldof on Yeats:
This entertaining literary documentary follows the life of poet W.B. Yeats, with Irish singer and activist Bob Geldof serving as our very able tour guide. Even nonfans of poetry will be engaged by the beautiful images of Ireland and the magnetic readings, particularly one delivered by Liam Neeson. As part of the presentation, Geldof will appear on stage for an interview. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18. Ireland.
Una: The centerpiece film features Rooney Mara, who portrays an emotionally scarred woman who seeks answers from a sexual predator (Ben Mendelsohn) who victimized her when she was 13. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, United Kingdom.
Joanne Froggatt tribute:
After becoming famous by playing Anna Bates on the hit TV series “Downton Abbey,” Joanne Froggatt has continued to show her acting chops, whether it’s playing a serial killer or a victim of date rape. At the festival, she will be feted for her career accomplishments, including her latest turn in the festival entry “A Crooked Somebody,” in which the British actress plays an American grifter. Froggatt will appear before the screening for an onstage interview, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16. The film will follow at 8:40 p.m.