It’s about Walter Salles in SFFF

Acclaimed Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles crafts personal, socially conscious stories that are emotional without being manipulative and simple without being simplistic. Among them: the gritty “Terra Estrangeira (Foreign Land),” the earthy fable “Abril Despedacado (Behind the Sun)” and “Linha de Passe,” which earned Sandra Corveloni the best actress award at Cannes. “Central do Brasil (Central Station)” collected dozens of prizes and received Oscar nominations for best foreign-language film and lead actress (Fernanda Montenegro); “Diarios de motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries),” the story of a cross-continental trek that shaped Ernesto (Che) Guevara, was an international hit and major award winner.

The 54-year-old, twice a BAFTA honoree, will receive the Founder’s Directing Award on Thursday at the San Francisco International Film Festival.

Mexico in San Francisco www.mexico2010sf.com

These events are designed to appeal to anyone interested in Mexican culture and history in the San Francisco area. A special Web site, Mexico 2010 – San Francisco (www.mexico2010sf.com), has a calendar with further details, as well as background on the bicentennial of Mexican independence and the centennial of the Mexican Revolution, plus a section on Mexico’s role in shaping Northern California.

A performance of Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández in Marin and an appearance of Mexican poet/environmentalist Homero Aridjis at City Lights Bookstore have already taken place; here’s a sampling of events coming up.