Discovered Treasures Fundraising Event is November 4
If you haven't already done so (and over 150 of you have), please call to get tickets to our one-of-a-kind fundraiser for SF Village. It's called Discovered Treasures and will be held this Friday, November 4th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at the St. Francis Yacht Club on San Franciso's beautiful waterfront. Come and enjoy each other's company, feast on delicious treats and beverages, check out all the wonderful donated items to the silent auction, and bid on your favorites. Our website shows a list of all the items (www.sfvillage.org). Some tickets are still available. Call us at 415-387-1375 to purchase your ticket(s). We hope to see you there.
Movie Reviews by SFV Member Ralph Beren
Movie Magic: Reviews by Ralph Beren of SF Village
This month, I am recommending two films. One is about the relationship between two women, while the other explores the relationship between two men.
The first film is “Love/Crime,” a French film focusing on two female executives who work for the same company in Paris. One woman is played skillfully by Kristin Scott Thomas. She is unscrupulous, conniving and brutal. No one of either sex is spared her venom. She will take advantage of any company employee for her personal gain.
Her main adversary is a younger woman, who is innocent, sensitive, loyal and highly creative. She comes to the firm with a normal attitude: She wants to do well and to be loyal to her boss.
When Thomas takes credit for several of the young woman’s ideas, the proverbial handwriting is on the wall. After several public humiliations by her boss, the young woman plots her revenge. Quite a revenge it is! This is not just a battle of wits. It also entails obsession, a love-hate relationship, and the place of women in the corporate world.
The film is so skillfully executed that the plot and time seem to pass quickly. Certain aspects of the story may be lost to the casual viewer, but do not fret! You will still understand the force and meaning of “Love/Crime,” with its typical French attention to detail.
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The second film is entitled, “Together.” This is one of a small number of films about a gay male relationship that has considerable feeling and depth.
Although there is graphic sex, the crux of this beautifully made film addresses what each person brings to a relationship.
The writer-producer was apparently concerned that this movie would be too verbose for most audiences, but I do not feel that way. The differences, conversations and disagreements between the two men are delineated deftly. Each man has a unique view of the nature of relationships, including their own.
The two men pick each other up in a bar, then go home to have sex. Though their relationship begins as a “one-night stand,” as the plot unfolds it becomes clear that these two men have completely differing views.
One of them is shy, warm, considerate and somewhat closeted. He has a working-class background and is employed as a lifeguard. His circle of friends is eclectic, and he has ties to a multi-generational family.
The other man is an iconoclastic artist who throws his gay lifestyle in other people’s faces whenever possible.
Their one-night stand develops into a longer, deeper and quite unlikely relationship. Their interactions are fascinating and moving. “Together” raises questions which we all have had to face.
Volunteer of the Month: Sarah Goldman
Sarah Goldman
By Mary Moore Gaines
Sarah is an active, interested and creative member of San Francisco Village. She has a Master of Social Work (MSW), so it is not surprising that Sarah is very much into helping people. Shortly after Sarah became a member, she realized that her landlady, an elderly and independent woman who was living alone, needed help with daily chores. Sarah knew that her neighbor wouldn’t accept an outright offer of help. So, with the help of her nephew and SFV, we devised a plan. The nephew came to the door one Saturday morning with an experienced home help representative. He announced quietly that the woman had come to clean house and help with cooking. His aunt was startled but allowed the woman in. They became fast friends and the mission was accomplished.
Sarah is an avid play reader who has gathered a group of SFV members to read plays together. This group is large and growing and remains open with newcomers welcome. The group selects the plays to be read and meets at one another’s homes regularly to read the play together and react. The Play Reading Group is a good place for new members to get acquainted and participate.
Sarah’s latest venture is forming another group with Glady Thacher. This group meets regularly and talks about ”Things That Matter.” The first topic was about our feelings and our reactions as we move from being a parent to being parented.
Thank you, Sarah. We couldn't get a long without you.
