The Opening Night Gala of the 42nd San Francisco International Film Festival will kick off 15 days of festivities to "Celebrate Being in the Dark." It all gets underway Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 pm at the historic Castro Theatre with the world premiere of David Mamet's THE WINSLOW BOY. The latest work by the famed director, screenwriter and playwright is an adaptation of the powerful 1946 play by Terence Rattigan, previously brought to the screen by Anthony Asquith in a 1950 British film of the same name. THE WINSLOW BOY recounts the real-life story of a young naval cadet accused of petty thievery in pre-WWI England, and stars Sir Nigel Hawthorne, Jeremy Northam and Rebecca Pidgeon.

"We're extremely proud to be presenting the world premiere of David Mamet's latest work," the Festival's Artistic Director Peter Scarlet notes, "especially as it comes on the heels of his THE SPANISH PRISONER, which topped many ten-best-of-1998 lists. At first glance, seeing David Mamet tackle a Terence Rattigan play might seem as unexpected as imagining Joe Pesci cast in a Merchant-Ivory film, but he brings off this risky gamble in spades."

THE WINSLOW BOY depicts the heavy toll on a family during its strenuous legal battle to prove the younger son's innocence. Sir Nigel Hawthorne (THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE) gives an understated performance as Arthur Winslow, the father whose relentless drive to clear the name of his son consumes his family's wealth and disturbs its tranquility. Gemma Jones (SENSE AND SENSIBILITY) plays Grace, the family matriarch who remains unflinchingly dignified as her home life begins to come apart at the seams. Their independent modern daughter is played by Rebecca Pidgeon (THE SPANISH PRISONER) in a direct and self-assured performance. Jeremy Northam (EMMA) is poignantly reserved as the calculating and gifted lawyer retained to defend the young boy. Neil North, who played the Winslow boy in the original 1950s film, resurfaces in Mamet's new work in a supporting role.

Capturing the media frenzy that engulfed the country, the film questions long-standing legal notions and raises the issue of justice for the "little man" in Edwardian society. This meticulously crafted film carries with it Mamet's signature style of scrutinizing intricate interpersonal relationships. As the director remarks, "When does a fight for justice become an arrogant pursuit of personal rectitude? At what point does one give up the fight for an abstract principle?" Director David Mamet, accompanied by his wife Rebecca Pidgeon, Sir Nigel Hawthorne and Jeremy Northam, are expected to attend the Festival. THE WINSLOW BOY is distributed by Sony Pictures Classics.

The world premiere screening of THE WINSLOW BOY will be followed by the Opening Night Party at the magnificent, newly renovated Regency Building at 1300 Van Ness. With three floors of early 20th-century opulence to inspire them, cavorters will be transported to the Edwardian era of THE WINSLOW BOY to celebrate the start of the Festival. "The Opening Night Gala at the majestic Regency Building will be unsurpassed," declares Amy Leissner, Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Society. "There's no better way to jump into the spirit of the Festival than an indulgent evening which will transport the reveler back to the turn of the century." The grand setting, unique entertainment and sumptuous treats from San Francisco's finest restaurants mean that attendees will remember this evening for years to come.

Tickets for the Opening Night Gala are $65 general/$60 San Francisco Film Society and Berkeley Art Museum / Pacific Film Archive members, seniors and students. Purchase a GlamPass by April 3 and save $20 compared with regular-priced admission to the Opening & Closing Night Galas. GlamPasses are $110 general / $99 San Francisco Film Society and Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive members, seniors and students. After April 3, GlamPasses will be $125 & $110 respectively. The Opening Night Gala is sponsored by Bank of the West.