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Dozens of indie movies, including docs and short-film programs, are screening at the 18th San Francisco Independent Film Festival—now through Friday, February 25th. The Mission plays host, with the Roxie, Alamo Drafthouse and Brava Theaters serving as main venues. The fun (with a capital F) event is often referred to as San Francisco's version of Slamdance.
With 40-plus films playing over the next 10 days, it can be overwhelming trying to narrow down your picks. To help get you started, here are three we want to see (always enjoyed with a giant sugary drink and truffle popcorn).
#BeRobin The Movie: Tonight at 7pm, Roxie. This documentary follows Margaret Cho around the streets of SF as she busks and hangs out with the homeless in order to raise money, and generally advocate for them. It's her way of paying respect to her friend and fellow comedian Robin Williams after his untimely death.
Lady Psycho Killer: Saturday, February 20th, 9:30pm, Alamo Drafthouse. Not sure if this official "Far Out Pick"—starring Michael Madsen, Malcolm McDowell, Daniel Baldwin and porn-legend Ron Jeremy—plays it straight or campy, but we're in. The quick synopsis: Ella, a "doe-eyed" co-ed, aims to wow her psych professor with her first assignment, which challenges students to break a sexual norm. She winds up killing a strip-club owner—an act that unleashes her inner Dexter. Hmm.
Stinking Heaven: Friday, February 19th at 9:15pm/Tuesday, February 23rd at 7pm, Roxie. A dark comedy set in the '90s, it focuses on happily-marrieds and former addicts Lucy and Jim as they run a sober-living commune out of their suburban New Jersey home. Anyone else getting flashbacks to Dawn Wiener and Welcome to the Dollhouse?