Film: “The Bitter Stems” + Film Noir Presentation and Q&A

Presented by Velvet Notes magazine and SFPL
Sunday, 6/29/2025
1:00 - 4:00
Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room A
Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room B
Main Library

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

415-557-4400

Velvet Notes, a San Francisco-based independent arts, culture and politics magazine, in partnership with the San Francisco Public Library, presents a rare screening of The Bitter Stems (Los Tallos Amargos, 1956), a classic noir film from Argentina. The screening is accompanied by a presentation on film noir by author Rafael Pineda and by a post-screening discussion and Q&A with Rafael Pineda, Velvet Notes editor Eugene Rodríguez and SFPL’s Latinx Center Librarian Luis Gonzalez. 

Film: The Bitter Stems (Los Tallos Amargos, 1956) 

Alfredo Gasper, a dissatisfied Buenos Aires newspaperman (Carlos Cores), partners with Paar Liudas, a clever Hungarian refugee (Vassili Lambrinos) who needs money to bring his family to Argentina. Together they create a bogus correspondence school, exploiting the hopes of would-be journalists. As their scheme succeeds beyond their wildest dreams, a mystery woman from Liudas’ past sparks Gasper’s suspicion: his charming colleague may be playing him for a sucker. Soon Gasper finds himself plotting the perfect crime – but fate has many twists in store. 

Director: Fernando Ayala 

NR, 93 mins., 1956. In Spanish with subtitles in English. 

Presentation: "A Bitter World: Film Noir Across the Americas"

How far do the shadows of noir reach and why do they continue to provide inspiration in troubled times? 

Rafael Pineda is a writer and cinephile with a profound passion for film noir. He writes an ongoing column for Velvet Notes. 

Eugene Rodríguez is the editor of Velvet Notes and a multi-disciplinary artist. His work examines how popular media promotes a thin and anemic interpretation of history and simultaneously influences how we see each other, the world, ourselves and the future. 

Connect  

Eugene Rodríguez – Website 

Velvet Notes – Website 

Author Readings & Lectures

Engage with your favorite writers and discover your next read.

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

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This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

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