Director Cristián Jiménez brings a keen comic sense to Alejandro Zambra’s novella Bonsái, crafting an existential romance with deep insight into the psychology of love, finding meaning through literature and the care of sensitive plants. Making several leaps forward and backward in time, Bonsái follows its protagonist Julio (Diego Noguera, in a wonderfully restrained performance) in his sincere but deadpan fumbling through early adulthood. Bonsái strikes the perfect balance of humor and angst, wisdom and folly, and brings home a universal emotional truth—though the story Julio tells may be idealized, delusional, and partially fictional, nothing has more power to move his soul. Gustavus Kundahl
Written by Jiménez. Photographed by Inti Briones. With Diego Noguera, Natalia Galgani, Gabriela Arancibia, Trinidad González. (95 mins)
55th San Francisco International Film Festival @ BAM/PFA
BAM/PFA is honored to once again be the exclusive East Bay venue for the San Francisco International Film Festival. Join us for forty-two films—features, shorts, documentaries, experimental films—from over thirty countries. We expect additional filmmakers and other special guests in person: go to bampfa.berkeley.edu for the latest updates.
Special Pricing
BAM/PFA members, San Francisco Film Society members, UC Berkeley students: $11
General admission: $13
Non-UC Berkeley students, seniors, and disabled persons: $12
Please note that our second-feature discount does not apply to these programs. Tickets are nonrefundable, and may not be exchanged. CineVouchers may not be redeemed in person at the PFA Theater.
