SAN FRANCISCO — One of the movies most closely associated with Union Square is coming back to the square itself Saturday night.
Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation will screen in Union Square on Saturday, Sept. 26 as part of Cinema on the Square. The organizer lists a 5 p.m. preshow and a 7:15 p.m. film start. The program is part of Union Square’s free public programming.
What time does The Conversation start in Union Square?
The movie is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. The preshow begins at 5 p.m., so people coming only for the movie should not mistake the earlier time for the film start.
The organizer gives the film a runtime of 113 minutes. If the screening starts on time and runs without an intermission or delay, that puts the approximate ending at 9:08 p.m. That ending time is SF News Today’s calculation, not an announced event schedule.
Why is Union Square part of the story?
The setting is unusually appropriate. Union Square Alliance describes the 1974 Francis Ford Coppola film as a classic movie filmed in Union Square.
That gives Saturday’s screening a stronger San Francisco connection than a typical outdoor-movie night: the audience will be watching the film in the same downtown setting the organizer highlights as one of its filming locations.
Is the Union Square screening free?
Yes. Cinema on the Square is listed under Union Square’s free programming. The organizer does not list a movie ticket or paid admission requirement.
Seating is limited, however, so free admission does not guarantee one of the available seats. People who want a particular viewing spot should plan to arrive before the 7:15 p.m. movie start.
What should you bring?
The organizer recommends a low chair or blanket and warm layers. Very limited seating is available in the plaza.
The movie will be shown with English subtitle captions. Union Square is described by the organizer as fully ADA accessible. Pets must be kept on leash.
What happens before the movie?
The preshow begins at 5 p.m., about two hours before the film. Cinema on the Square says its preshow programming can include movie trivia, prizes, performances and popcorn while supplies last. Drinks from the bar are sold separately.
That makes 5 p.m. useful for people who want the full event rather than simply arriving shortly before the opening credits.
How do you get to Union Square?
Public transit is the more predictable option for a Saturday evening downtown. Union Square is a short walk from Powell Street BART and Muni Metro, and numerous Muni routes serve the surrounding streets.
The organizer explicitly encourages public transit. Drivers can use nearby garages, but parking availability and rates vary, and a busy Saturday can make a short downtown drive take considerably longer than the map suggests.
What should you check before leaving?
The organizer notes that program schedules can change. Anyone making a special trip should recheck the Union Square programming page Saturday, particularly if weather or other downtown conditions change.