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IPO
Daniel Gamburg
2004, color, dv cam, 90 min, SF PREMIERE
Co-presenter: Barewitness Films
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7:00 pm
Friday, November 12
Roxie Cinema
$8/Film Arts members $10/general |
 Just in case you have forgotten how crazy San Francisco was during the dot-com boom, here is a film to bring it all back in harrowing detail.
Riding that fine line between reality and satire, IPO uses hand-held digital
video and beautifully improvised acting to take us inside the frenzied
atmosphere of a loft-style dot-com office, providing an intimate look at
the skewed human dynamics among a group of barely-exaggerated characters.
If not for the nature of this particular startup—Hot Tot.com, which
promises the Internet-savvy, prepared-to-parent customer the ability to
choose the genetic characteristics of their child—the cinema verité style
might lead you to mistake it for a serious documentary on dot-com excess.
CEO Susan and backers Kip and Jeff energetically promote their
“baby” to their employees and potential customers with absolute conviction
while, privately, their relentless squabbling reveals a desperate
insecurity. Meanwhile, starry-eyed employees, urged onward by declarations
of filial love and promises of high return, give Hot Tot their all.
Maria has invested a considerable percentage of her paycheck back
into the company, over the objections of her police-officer husband.
Charlene immerses herself in workaholic hours to avoid an otherwise
empty life. Sophia actually wants to help people achieve their family planning
dreams, as she also tries to help her lost-soul sister, Kachina,
get off the streets by arranging a job for her at Hot Tot. Joe, Kachina’s
homeless ex-boyfriend, worms his way into a management position at
the company to try to win Kachina back. The “we’re one big happy family”
façade crumbles when the company enters its downward spiral and employees learn just how far loyalty goes in the gold rush mentality of the dot-com world.—Jennine Lanouette
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QUALITY OF LIFE
Benjamin Morgan
2004, color, 35mm, 85 min, SF PREMIERE
SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING
Co-presenter: Start Soma
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9:15 pm
Friday, November 12
Roxie Cinema
$8/Film Arts members $10/general |
 In this narrative, Michael “Heir” Rosario and Curtis “Vain” Smith are the
most prolific and talented graffiti artists from San Francisco’s Mission
district. At age ten, in a desperate search for fame and identity, the young
friends began writing their names on the surrounding urban landscapes.
More than a decade later, the duo has evolved into a brilliant team of
street artists. When Heir and Vain are arrested for painting, their creative
outlet is abruptly severed. Faced with restitution fines and the prospect
of jail, the two struggle to maintain their creative passion. The paths they
each choose threaten to unravel their lifelong friendship and, ultimately,
their lives.
AFTER PARTY
Come kick it with Quality of Life and Film Arts after the screening at Elixir, 3200 16th St. (corner of 16th and Guerrero) FREE!!! |
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