Spring 2022 marks a return to ~normalcy~, with most mask mandates lifted in the Bay Area. This change has led theatergoers back to one of their most sacred grounds: the movies. What better way to celebrate the return of the silver screen than with the 2022 San Francisco International Film Festival? Here is a shortlist of films, documentaries, and tributes to check out.

892 

Directed by Abi Damaris Corbin | Runtime: 103 min | Admission: $35
Wednesday, April 27th @ 7:30 PM – CASTRO 

Actor John Boyega stars as a disgruntled Marine Veteran, Brain Brown-Easley, whose disability check fails to arrive. He decides to take matters into his own hands by choosing to hold up a Wells Fargo in hopes of gaining the attention of the Veterans Affairs to correct their wrongs. 892 is a commentary on how the bureaucracy of a country regularly mistreats Veterans. Yet, veterans are habitually risking their lives for that same group. This film also marks the final performance of the late Michael K Williams.

Linoleum

Directed by Colin West  | Runtime: 101 min | Admission: $18
Tuesday, April 26th @ 7:30 PM – VICTORIA

Winner of the SF Film Festival Sloan Science on Screen Award, Linoleum follows Cameron Edwin (Jim Gaffigan). He hosts a failing public access science show for children that attempts to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut. A series of strange events occur that causes Cameron to question his existence as he tries to reach the stars. 

A Tribute to Michelle Yeoh: In Conversation with Sandra Oh

Admission: $35
Friday, April 29th @ 6 PM – Castro Theater

Actress Michelle Yeoh is poised to have an extremely successful 2022 with A24’s Everything Everywhere All at Once, a role in James Cameron’s Avatar sequels, and roles in Paul Feig’s The School of Good and Evil and The Witcher Blood Origin for Netflix. The event will be hosted by Emmy winner Sandra Oh in which they will discuss the highlights of Yeoh’s career and the barriers she had to face being a woman of color in a predominantly white industry. Following their discussion will also be a special screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. 

We Feed People

Directed by Ron Howard | Runtime: 90mins
Saturday, April 23rd @ 5:30 PM – VOGUE

Academy Award Winner Ron Howard follows world-renowned chef José Andrés and his non-profit World Central Kitchen. World Central Kitchen dedicates its time and resources to feeding people who natural disasters have impacted. Without a doubt, this will be an uplifting documentary highlighting the generosity and coming together of people from all different cultures and backgrounds.

TikTok, BOOM

Directed by Shalini Kantayya | Runtime: 90mins  
Saturday, April 30th @ 3:00 PM – VICTORIA

Tik Tok is one of the most popular social media platforms in which users can curate and create personalized content. TikTok, Boom examines the dark side of the popular application, including censorship and data mining, that leaves its community primarily made up of Gen Zers vulnerable. 

I Didn’t See You There

Directed by Reid Davenport | Runtime: 76mins
Friday, April 29th @ 6:00PM – VICTORIA | Saturday, April 30th @ 3:00PM BAMPFA

Winner of Sundance’s Directing Award for US Documentary, Oakland’s own Reid Davenport reflects on visibility, family, and more from a first-person perspective. Davenport uses his experiences to rebuke the notion that disabled people are often seen and not heard. 

Check out some of these films if you’re in the area. If there are any films you’re excited to see on the slate, let us know and share your experiences by tagging us @411inthe510!