The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

The evening begins with an optional social hour and pot luck supper at 6:00 pm,
followed by the film at 7:30 pm, followed by a discussion at the end of the film.

THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL

This local film tells the true story of a Bohemian St. Francis and his remarkable relationship with a flock of wild red-and-green parrots. Mark Bittner, a dharma bum, former street musician in San Francisco, falls in with the flock as he searches for meaning in his life, unaware that the wild parrots will bring him everything he needs. This is a little gem of a movie that deftly combines beautiful photography with a touching story that gains depth as the film progresses. The comic acting of the parrots and Mark Bittner, their caregiver, bring us an amusing narrative that keeps the film fun and touching,

Mark is a gentle soul, homeless, looking for some direction in his life and became inspired by a poem by Gary Snyder to seek the nature around him. He sees parrots! This is his story, consorting with wild birds living on their wits in the jungles of San Francisco. The fact remains that these wild parrots of Telegraph Hill have become neighborhood superstars. And Mark became their biggest fan. He drifted to San Francisco with dreams of being a musician. He's quiet, gentle, and has been living off the kindness of friends and strangers for his length of time in the city by the bay. When we meet him he's been living rent-free for three years in a cottage that's a part of another property. The owners just couldn't find it in their hearts to tell him to go. After all, he feeds the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill and that's made him a bit of a celebrity himself.

Wheelchair accessible around the corner at 411 28th Street

$5 donations are accepted