Did everyone make it through Memorial Day weekend with plenty of sun and SIFF? I know that I did — a particular favorite was the always overbooked Paris je t’aime . The whole collection was great, but the one featuring Natalie Portman was my favorite. As was the fact that the vampire flick wasn’t the one directed by Wes Craven. And of course, a dose of gay-themed miscommunication from Gus Van Sant. Keep an eye out, the collective film opens at a Landmark theater near you next month.

And now, a few SIFF selections for your consideration …

Bajo Juarez, the City Devouring Its Daughters - [siff] - When I first heard that hundreds of women near the US/Mexico border had gone missing or been found dead, I thought that I’d misheard–the number couldn’t be that high, could it? Sadly, as this documentary by José Antonio Cordero & Alejandra Sánchez illustrates, the number is that high. Told from a woman’s point of view, Bajo Juarez tells a tale of sorrow, shame, outrage and corruption that reaches the highest level of government. Thursday, May 31, 9:30 PM; Saturday, June 02, 11:00 AM (ZG)

Black Irish [siff] - Michael Angaro, well on his way to becoming the greatest actor of his generation, leads the cast in director/screenwriter Brad Gann’s debut feature about a kid from Southie (South Boston) struggling to both survive and save his family. Friday, June 01, 9:30 PM; Sunday, June 03, 6:45 PM (ZG)

The Fever of ‘57 [siff] - Fifty years ago Sputnik’s launch into space was a mixed blessing, ushering in an era of unlimited possibilities both wonderous and terrifying. On the one hand, Sputnik offered hope of scientific advancement to benefit mankind; on the other, it helped inspire a frightening arms race. Director David Hoffman takes a look back at both sides and will provide a post-screening Q&A. Friday, June 01, 7:00 PM; Sunday, June 03, 11:00 AM - (ZG)

Orange Revolution [siff] - Four years after Americans collectively shrugged as dangling chads and botched recounts were shuffled under the rug by our highest courts, the Ukraine had an admittedly more questionable election of their own. In the face of stolen presidency, a million orange-clad protesters took to the streets in inspirational demonstrations to put scarred and poisoned Viktor Yushchenko into office. Tuesday, May 29, 7:00 PM, Egyptian Theatre; Friday, June 01, 4:00 PM, Harvard Exit (j)

Eagle vs. Shark [siff] I have no idea if this movie is any good, but just look at the title and try to come up with a way that it couldn’t be worth your time. No, it isn’t an awesome nature flick pitting predators against each other for all time supremacy. Instead, it’s a family-friendly cutiepants indie flick about geeks and nerds falling in love. And wearing animal costumes, if the production stills are to be believed. Thursday, May 31, 7:00 PM, Neptune Theatre; Friday, June 01, 4:00 PM, Neptune Theatre (j)

Black Sheep [siff] Is there any movie that I’m more crushed about missing than this one? Last year’s killer cow midnight adrenaline feature (Isolation) was among my festival highlights. This one comes with special effects by the same people who made Gollum and all of the other drool-worthy trickery for Lord of the Rings and King Kong plus the trainers who got the sheep to behave for Babe . With that kind of creativity and computational power behind a pack of genetically-engineered bloodthirsty ovisanthic sheep, there’s no better hilariously terrifying reason to visit the Eastside or stay up late. Thursday, May 31, 9:45 PM, Lincoln Square Cinemas; Saturday, June 02, MIDNIGHT, Neptune Theatre (j)

2 Days in Paris [siff] - Julie Delpy brings another American to Paris for frustrated romantic adventures. It seemed to work well when she and Ethan Hawke collaborated with Richard Linklater; it will be interesting to see how this turns out with Delpy in charge of the writing and directing and Adam Golberg as her romantic foil. (Gala Screening), Saturday, June 02, 8:30 PM, Egyptian Theatrel Tuesday, June 05, 7:00 PM, Lincoln Square Cinemas (j)

Kurt Cobain: About a Son [siff] - Directed by the same team who made They Might Be Giants even more endearing, this one’s a no-brainer for Seattle audiences hungry for more about one of our city’s most iconic rock stars. Previously unheard original recordings of conversations between Cobain and Michael Azerrad are paired with an original score by Steve Fisk and Ben Gibbard. Saturday, June 02, 9:30 PM, Neptune Theatre (j)

Dans Paris [siff] - The other Romain Duris film in this year’s festival. This one has the advantage of being set in the present and having the following phrase included in its brief description: “invokes the jazzy highs and bridge-jumping lows of love, family and reading in bed.” If you’re a sucker for New Wave inspired melancholy, this seems like a safe bet. Duris is reliably engaging — think The Beat That My Heart Skipped, L’Auberge Espagnol, and Russian Dolls — plus Variety [#] liked it. - Sunday, June 03, 9:00 PM, Lincoln Square Cinemas; Thursday, June 07, 9:30 PM, SIFF Cinema (j)

Fido [siff] - In small town Willard, the sun shines every day, everyone knows their neighbor and zombies deliver the mail. It seems a cloud of space dust passed over the earth years ago and caused the dead to rise. There was, of course, a war, and a new corporation, ZomCon was born. ZomCon defeated massive amounts of zombies and domesticated the rest of them. So when Timmy wants a pet, his family’s answer is Fido - a six foot tall housebroken zombie. This sounds like another film best enjoyed after a couple drinks. Oh, and I might skip the popcorn. Wednesday May 30, 9:30 pm, Neptune; Saturday, June 2, 9:15 pm, Lincoln Square Cinamas (PJ)

The Ferryman [siff] - The midnight movies have been taken over by New Zealand this weekend. Both Black Sheep and The Ferryman hail from there. In The Ferryman, three couples set off on a cruse from New Zealand to Fiji. They encounter a derelict ship in the middle of a mysterious fog bank. Ok, can everyone say it with me? “Who in their right minds boards a derelict ship in the middle of a mysterious fog bank?!?” But, as there wouldn’t be a movie if the three couples didn’t fall prey to this horror movie cliche, they rescue the lone survivor. This one’s at the Egyptian again, so make sure and get yourself some Frites before the movie! Friday, June 1, Midnight, The Egyptian; Monday, June 4, 9:45 pm, Lincoln Square Cinemas (PJ)

Captain Blood [siff] - One of the things I love about SIFF is that we don’t just get to see new movies. Captain Blood is an Errol Flynn movie from 1935. A physician is sold into slavery in Jamaica, but escapes and becomes a gentleman pirate. Oooooooh, pirates. Aaarrgghh! Saturday June 2, 1:00 pm, SIFF Cinemas (PJ)

Related posts:

1. SIFF Watch: Recommendations for the final week
2. SIFF watch : recommendations for week #2
3. SIFF Recommendations: May 30-June 2
4. siff: recommendations for week 3
5. SIFF Recommendations: May 26-May 29