While the recently concluded 27th SFSFF moved from the beautiful vintage Castro Theatre to a new barnlike structure adjacent to the remaining structure from the 1915 Panama Pacific Intl. Exposition, it once again featured diverse programming offering an emotional, humanistic punch. Covering such themes as pirates, alienation and anxiety, damaged individuals, the end of life, and glimpses of the shadow self, movies provided an intimate look to the troubles and problems we still face today. Stylistic flourishes such as silhouettes and shadows capturing the darker side of life, avant-garde touches like dissolves and wipes, and even tight, isolationist framing played up separateness and aloneness.
The Festival kicked off with a beautifully restored two-strip Technicolor print of Douglas Fairbanks’ rousing “The Black Pirate,” a joyous celebration of action and derring do. Featuring great stunts like sliding down giant sails while slicing them in half, navy seal-like soldiers flying ala the “Wizard of Oz” monkeys but through water, and a celebratory climb by Doug via raised hands, the film saw a strong, athletic Fairbanks overcome a rogue band of pirates and save the lovely Billie Dove’s honor. The restored print highlighted the gold and brownish hues intended to represent woodcuts. Donald Sosin provided a lilting score but this film calls for a rousing, Erich Korngold-like composition.