Berliner Film Fest at Legion of Honor
By Bruce Bellingham

To honor the state museums of Berlin and the legacy of arts patron James Simon, the Cinema Supper Club is presenting a film series at the Palace of the Legion of Honor over a five-week period that began Oct. 18 and continues through Nov. 20.

James Simon is arguably the most important patron Berlin has ever known. Over 150 works, borrowed from nine separate museums, spanning from the third millennium B.C. to the 18th century A.D. are part of the special exhibition galleries at the Legion of Honor that continues through Jan. 18, 2009.

The Berliner Film Fest series includes a special dinner menu in the cafe and extended viewing hours for the exhibit.

Here is the film schedule and highlights for November:
Nov. 6: Grand Hotel (1932) 112 min. Greta Garbo, John Barrymore and Joan Crawford star in this film set in a plush hotel where the lives of its disillusioned occupants and staff intertwine. Family members of the film’s writer, Vicki Baum, will present an introduction prior to the film screening.

Nov. 13: Run Lola Run (1998) 81 min. Fate controls the outcome in three different ways when a woman tries desperately to save her boyfriend, who has carelessly lost a great sum of money. 

Nov. 20: Wings of Desire (1987) 127 min. Le Jazz Hot, a gypsy swing quartet, plays World War I German and French music beginning at 6 p.m. The film screens at 8 p.m., and is set in a bleak but beautiful Berlin. Two angels provide comfort to humans until one falls in love with a circus performer and wants to become human himself. Don’t we all?

Berliner Film Fest: Florence Gould Theater, Palace of Legion of Honor, Lincoln Park, 34th Avenue (at Clement); Oct. 18–Nov. 20. Films begin at 8 p.m., the Museum Store and special exhibition galleries are open from 5:30–9 p.m., the cafe opens at 6 p.m. Film and special exhibit tickets $20 (members $10); special exhibit-only tickets $15 (members free); dinner not included (reservations recommended at 415-750-7633.); 415-750-3600, www.legionofhonor.org