53rd San Francisco International Film Festival

The 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival (April 22–May 6) announces a programming highlight and audience favorite of each year’s Festival, the presentation of an epochal silent film accompanied by live performance of an original score by a contemporary music artist. For SFIFF53, the remarkably gifted and prolific tunesmith Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields will do the honors in the service of director Stuart Paton’s 1916 epic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at the historic Castro Theatre on Tuesday, May 4 at 8:30 pm.

Marine biologist Professor Arronax scans the seas from the naval ship Abraham Lincoln. He seeks out a mysterious and dangerous sea creature, but finds much more when the Lincoln is attacked by nothing less than . . . a machine! Arronax and his compatriot, the strapping whale harpoonist Ned Land, are brought aboard the submarine Nautilus, a new type of sea vessel. Built in secret, Nautilus is helmed by the enigmatic Captain Nemo, who roams beneath the waves seeking to evade the tyranny of civilization. Thus begins this wondrous silent film adaptation of the classic 1869 Jules Verne novel, which in true Hollywood fashion introduces embellishments to Nemo’s backstory that are both ludicrously campy and revealing of the era’s sensibilities. The new 35mm print—struck from a nitrate negative housed at the UCLA Film & Television Archive—promises renewed appreciation for the film, which includes beautiful (and by today’s standards, humorous) undersea photography, conspiratorial intrigue and, yes, even love.

“It may go without saying, but when Stephin Merritt agreed to present a new score at the Festival, I was excited,” said Film Society Programmer Sean Uyehara. “When he chose the silent version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, I became more enthused. But, when he revealed his intention to utilize the Castro’s historic Mighty Wurlizter and said that he would ask Castro organist David Hegarty to participate, I knew that this was going to be special.”

The film and story are perfectly suited to notoriously wry singer/songwriter Merritt, who will perform the world premiere of his original score live at the Castro Theatre. With his unique gift for memorable melodies, lovelorn lyrics and inventive musical stylings that blend classic Tin Pan Alley with postmodern grooves, Merritt has distinguished himself as one of contemporary pop’s most beloved and influential artists. Merritt records and performs as a solo artist and also leads numerous alternative bands including Future Bible Heroes, the Gothic Archies, the 6ths and, most famously, the Magnetic Fields, whose 1999 three-disc opus 69 Love Songs is widely considered a masterpiece of traditional songcraft and irresistible synthpop. Merritt will be joined by an ensemble including Castro organist David Hegarty, frequent Merritt collaborator and author Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket, and others to be announced.

Born in Glasgow in 1883, the prolific director Stuart Paton made nearly 70 films between 1915 and 1940, including B-movie gems Fangs of Destiny, Forest Havoc and The House of Fear. His higher-profile projects include the Lon Chaney vehicle The Mark of Cain (as a writer) and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Paton died in Los Angeles in 1944.

Tickets are $17 for San Francisco Film Society members and $22.50 for general admission. For tickets and information visit www.sffs.org or call 925-866-9559.

The world premiere of Stephin Merritt and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is presented with support from Esurance.