Film: Raul Ruiz’s “The Wandering Soap Opera” + Surrealist Shorts

100 Years of Surrealism
Sunday, 4/27/2025
1:00 - 4:30
Koret Auditorium
Main Library

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

415-557-4400

We conclude SFPL’s 100 Years of Surrealism film series with a screening of selected surrealist short films, followed by a screening of the feature film, The Wandering Soap Opera, by Franco-Chilean director Raul Ruiz.

The Wandering Soap Opera is a dreamily interconnected series of surreal vignettes that spoof telenovela conventions while reflecting Ruiz's feelings upon returning to his native Chile after more than 15 years away.

“In The Wandering Soap Opera, reality itself is reimagined as an interlocking set of interminable melodramas, crime stories and romances. The seven chapters — one for each day of the week, as they might unfold on television — are presented in sequence, but they also nest inside one another like matryoshka dolls. If the dolls had been designed by Max Ernst or Salvador Dali.” –  A.O. Scott, The New York Times

NR, 78 mins., 2017. In Spanish with subtitles in English. 

100 Years of Surrealism programs:

World Literature Book Club Discusses André Breton’s Nadja – April 3, 6 p.m., Virtual Library

Film: David Lynch’s Blue Velvet (1986) – April 9, 5:30 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, Lower Level

Activity: Paper Dreams & Strange Scenes – April 12, 2 p.m., Main Library, Steve Silver Music Center, 4th Floor

Film: Salvador Dali: In Search of Immortality (2018) - April 13, 1 p.m., Main Library, Latino Room, Lower Level

Presentation: The Prague Surrealist Group - April 13, 4:30 p.m., Virtual Library

Film: Jan Švankmajer’s  Alice (1989) + Surrealist Shorts - April 20, 1 p.m., Main Library, Latino Room, Lower Level

Film: Raul Ruiz’s The Wandering Soap Opera  (2017) + Surrealist Shorts - April 27, 1 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, Lower Level

Presentation and Activity: SF Ballet’s Frankenstein - April 29, 6 p.m., Main Library, Latino Room, Lower Level

100 Years of Surrealism exhibits:

Book Display: Surrealist Poetry and Prose, March 1– April 30, Main Library, Humanities Center (3rd Floor)

Book Display: The Legacy of Surrealism, March 1– April 30, Main Library, International Center (3rd Floor)

Book Display: Surrealist Art, March 1–April 30, Main Library, Art, Music & Recreation Department (4th Floor)

100 Years of Surrealism

This April, San Francisco Public Library celebrates 100 years of Surrealism with film screenings, displays, curated book lists and special events.

Film & Video

Watch party and film discussions. 

¡VIVA!: Latinx Interest

Connect to engaging discussions and performances related to the Latinx community.

¡VIVA! at the Library is a celebration of Latinx heritage, cultures and traditions. San Francisco has a rich Latinx heritage that is highlighted in a diverse array of exciting programs for all ages, from Spanish/bilingual storytimes to cooking classes, author talks to art and cultural presentations.

Spotlight

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.

Public Notice and Disclaimer

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The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.