Scroll down for more in this section	April 20 - 26, 2001

	San Francisco International Film Fest By Justin Lowe A controversial opening night film can create a public relations dividend for a festival, producing plenty of buzz before the screening and afterward as partygoers dissect the hype. This year the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF) generates a bit of that ado by premiering Wayne Wang’s new digital feature, The Center of the World, a techno-inspired tale of sexual fixation and exploration. The film initially gained attention because of distributor Artisan Entertainment’s decision to release Center un-rated, after the motion picture ratings board slapped it with an NC-17 designation, owing to a number of sexually explicit scenes “To me, controversy is provocative,” says Rachel Rosen, SFIFF associate director of programming. “I think controversial films make for good opening night parties because they incite discussion.” COMPLETE STORY...		Elaine Chao Visits the Valley (in National News) Beware Rogue Immigration Consultants! (in Bay Area News) Aftermath of the Spy Plane Standoff (in Business) Emil Amok: The Puckheads Think They're Funny (in Opinion)

Also In Arts & Entertainment

The Buzz: Getting Trophies, Insight, Reel The Trophy Girl: The glamorous, tall, Asian woman escorting the stars across the stage and handing each one their precious gold statuettes at the most recent Academy Awards was none other than Yan Yan Zhang, a 5'11" model with L.A. Models. “It was very exciting to be at the Academy Awards,” recalls Zhang. “Everyone was very nice and professional.” Zhang, born in Beijing, was a recognized runway model in Asia and Europe before landing in the United States. For the past two years, she has been one of the preview designer models for the Academy Awards, and also a runway model for San Francisco’s Macy’s “Passport” events. Married with two children, Zhang is working on her acting skills and hopes to star in a traditional Chinese period film. COMPLETE STORY...

The Last Dance: 70-minute performance installation extends the Japanese American internment experience to portrayal of universal tragedies of war, prejudice, injustice and destruction. Social Notes: Too Sexy for the Catwalk, and More. Columnist Carolyn Gan attends celebrations around the city. A&E Calendar Arts, entertainment, and community events around the country, listed alphabetically by region and category.

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