LOCATION: Cinematheque

Dir. Judy Irving | 83 mins | 2005 - USA

* Special presentation introduced by the director Judy Irving

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, an award-winning feature documentary about the remarkable relationship between a homeless street musician and a flock of wild parrots in San Francisco, is the fourth highest-grossing documentary about animals — after March of the Penguins, Winged Migration, and Grizzly Man.

“It is that rare documentary that has romance, comedy, and a surprise ending that makes you feel as if you could fly out of the theatre,” said Bruce Newman of the San Jose Mercury News. The film has become a San Francisco classic, and the wild parrot flock - now numbering about 200 birds - has tourists “flocking” to Telegraph Hill, hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous red-and-green birds.

Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post describes the subtheme of the film that most people don’t expect from an animal documentary: “A thoroughly absorbing portrait of one man’s discipline and commitment - and, yes, spiritual transformation… Quite simply, a beautiful film, in both form and content. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. And your heart is guaranteed to soar.”