The San Francisco Silent Film Festival returns to the newly renovated Castro Theatre May 6 through 10 for a trip back in time and history, with screenings of newly restored and classic movies from around the worlld. These films transport viewers into a dream world of beauty and feelings, capturing humanity at its best and worst.

All films feature live accompaniment by talented musicians from around the globe, including Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, Stephen Horne, Frank Bockius, Guenther Buchwald, and Wayne Barker, along with detailed introductions by authors and archivists involved with saving and promoting them.

Guide to the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.

Both full passes and individual tickets may be purchased online at www.sfsff.org.

Several recently restored and presrved movies screen at this festival including Milestone Entertainmen’s restored and above-the-top Queen Kelly, lush, operatic, and the sensual; James Mockoski’s and Robert Harris’ newly restored salute to Hollywood’s “It” girl, Hula exuding as much charm as the dazzling star. Japanese Paper Flim Project introduces newly discovered Japanese animated paper prints, while Gloria Swanson’s mostly forgotten but entertaining The Hummingbird iis one of the final projects for former Milestone Enteratinment founders, Amy Heller and Dennis Doros before sailing into retirement. Universal’s freshly restored William Wyler’s western Blazing Days salutes hard-riding early cowboys, Hoot Gibson.

These entertaining movies add emotional heart, resonance, and rhythm, creating a moving live cinema experience. Authors, archvists, and and filmmakers provde detailed inroductions before each movie in the newly restored Castro Theatre, the last remaining movie palace in San Franciso but which the City’s Cultural Heritage Commission failed to totally protect. Many of the films screened offer pointed commentary and reflecion on issues relevant even today.

As the festival’s website states, “True art transcends time,” and these silent movies illuminate culture and resonate emotionally even today.