The San Francisco International Film Festival inaugurated it¹s 43rd year on April 20 at the Castro Theatre with the opening of writer/director Sofia Coppola's Virgin Suicides. How apt to have Ms. Coppola's first feature length film as the initial one. She and members of her illustrious family have been among the first Hollywood folk to make the San Francisco Bay Area their home as well as their place of work. Her father is Director Francis Ford Coppola of The Godfather fame and Uncle August - father of Nicholas Cage - served as Dean of the Creative Arts Department at San Francisco State University.

A festive ambiance reigned outside this historic landmark Theatre. Underneath a crisp blue sky, the now famous rainbow banner (symbolizing this largely gay neighborhood) waved in a chilly spring wind as an independent musician atop a flatbed truck across the street regaled the enthusiastic patrons with his brand of sound. Eager film buffs anxiously awaited the arrival of writer/director Sofia Coppola, whose first feature film, Virgin Suicides was to be premiered inside. As she and husband Spike Jonze (director of Being John Malkovich) stepped from their car along with her Mother, Eleanor Coppola, scads of video and still photographers closed in on her. She remained dignified and gracious and was even willing to patiently sign autographs for several stage-door-Johnnys. The "crew" followed her into the packed house, where every seat was filled including the ample balcony section. She made her appearance on stage after introductions by Executive Director Amy J. Leissner and Artistic Director Peter Scarlet along with the flamboyant and impeccably dressed Mayor Willie Brown who commented that San Francisco is a movie going town per excellence.

Ms. Coppola, in her sweet and modest way, thanked all who attended her film and went on to introduce her producer Julie Costanzo. They are among the 40% of women filmmakers being represented in the festival. This is the twenty seven year olds debut feature film, although she wrote and directed the short, Lick the Star. She acted in Godfather III, playing the part of Mary Corleone. Her other artistic endeavors have included costume design and photographer.

Virgin Suicides stars Kathleen Turner, James Woods, Danny DeVito and Kirsten Dunst. It is based on Jeffrey Eugenides' novel of the same name. The story revolves around an American family living in the suburbs during the 1970's. A family named Lisbon where the controlling parents, (Turner and Woods) of five beautiful daughters wreak havoc on their collective lives as well as upon the young men around them.

FilmFestivals.com reporter
Yvonne Walters