And on to Mezzanine Thursday night for the SFIFF closing night party -- with a surprise performer . . . . but before the final sendoff, we headed over to the Castro Theater for what turned out to be one of the best films that we think we’ve ever seen, French or otherwise – La Vie en Rose, or La Mome (which means “little sparrow”). The “little sparrow” is Edith Piaf, and the film by director Olivier Dahan, is intended to present more of a portrait of Piaf’s life rather than a biography, according to Dahan.

We were a little nervous about the length of the film, which is approximately 140 minutes, but it turned out that we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Because the film will be out in theaters in a few weeks – June 8, 2007 (take note) – we’ve been asked not to give away too much. Let’s just say that it was tremendously moving, and not in a cheesy, overdone way, and that we cannot overstate the strength and character of Edith Piaf herself, or that of the incredible actress who portrayed Piaf, Marion Cotillard.

After the jump, SFist Wendy hits the SFIFF closing night party -- pictures, desserts, dancers in cages, and a surprise punk pop band to close the fest!

That's it for the SFIFF this year! As SFist Wendy wraps up SFist's coverage with part 2 of her marathon week, congratulations to the San Francisco Film Society for two weeks of great cinema and we're already looking forward to the 51st!