User reviews

I liked the storyline which was very interesting and how the story developed was engaging. The character of Murphy was great. He was believable and was able to express his emotions in the scenes very well. How the cowboy meets Paris in the club was fun and interesting. I really liked the old vibes of San Francisco bars which were chosen to shoot the film. I had never been to Edinburgh Castle and was amazed to see this old gem in Tenderloin. It has a great character to look at. The go go dancer in Powerhouse was funny. Film was a good insight into the weirdness of San Francisco and misfits who live here. I have met these characters in the streets of San Francisco. Seems like the director wanted to present San Francisco as a very accepting city. The cowboy getting emotional in the climax was very believable. I will watch it again.

Amazingly addictive storyline That kept me at the edge of my seat throughout the entire movie. I never knew what would happen next. Bunny Stewart , Who plays Paris was perfect for the role. She had a great heart and also her own tragic story that kept her very relatable to other main character Josh. All the scenes were completely in line with eachother . Nothing came at the wrong time. This was the best way to portray the San Francisco nightlife and the characters all flowed with eachother in all scenes . I especially liked Murphy's role. It was actually believable that a mother in that line of work could actually scar a child that way . It was entertaining to say the least . I will come to the Sacramento premier to see this movie again !! And I will refer it to friends and family .

Hassan has made a real treasure with this sweet film. The actors are very good, and Jimmy Darling shows an aching and trusting vulnerability as the man in search of his mother. I enjoyed the familiar scenes of San Francisco.

My hats off to Hassan, who I've known for several years. He lives his life to make these films with an unflinching commitment. This is his first film made in the United States, and it's a big shift from his previous work, showing the kinky underside of San Francisco, instead of the more conservative themes of his films made in Pakistan. I'm looking forward to what comes next.

I had the opportunity to attend the premiere of Hassan Zee or Doc Zee as he is also known's new feature film San Francisco Cowboy this past weekend at the Balboa Theater. Guest had the opportunity to sip wine, listen to a Q & ,A featuring the cast, and enjoyed an authentic Bollywood dance performance.

The film had a creative storyline that unfolded in a truly unexpected turn of events. The story follows the innocence of a rural cowboy who comes to the city of San Francisco in search of a lost love so to speak. Hassan used the nostalgia of 80s dramatic Soap Opera's music during intense reveal scenes which at times added to an underlying intended, or perhaps unintended humor. Whatever the intention, the audience found themselves enamored with the sense of purity within the cowboy and the juxtaposition of that virtue with the city grit, and in the end we all found ourselves rooting for his sucessful search. More than anything the film is a loveletter to several San Francisco iconic neighborhoods.

As my friends who attended with me James and Evelyn expressed, "it was like nothing we had ever seen before."

The film is already getting some buzz on the independent circuit, and I encourage you to support one of our local independent film makers.

San Francisco Cowboy is a film of misfits trying to find themselves in the big city of San Francisco, as many of us are faced with when coming to make it in "a big city." Visually San Francisco Cowboy's cinematography is beautiful, full of colors, and exciting to watch for local landmarks: Castro, Powerhouse, Edinburgh Castle, Chinatown, Mt. Davidson, and more. Local Indy Director Dr. Zee did another job well done. I liked the touches of John Waters camp. And a huge round of applause to Bunny Stewart, Jimmy Darling, Dano Jason, Kristin Jacques, and all of the cast for their heart-felt performances in bringing the characters to life.

I really enjoyed San Francisco Cowboy. Great shot composition throughout. Really great drone shots of beautiful countryside. Great music.

The cast did awesome. Jimmy Darling did great at making Josh believably innocent and good hearted. Bunny Stewart did well as Paris. I thought she and Jimmy had good chemistry. Dano Jason as Murphy had me laughing out loud. I was really impressed with Kristin Jacques as Madam Dallas. I enjoyed touring the San Francisco locales populated with such interesting people.

The story had me engrossed from start to finish. I was thoroughly entertained, not knowing what twist or turn awaited me around the next bend.

"San Francisco Cowboy" is a Bay Area produced Drama/Thriller with a fantastic cast, eye popping costumes and iconic locations. Despite being set in the seedy underbelly of the SF sex trade, the film centers around a very genuine and touching story about love, perseverance and second chances. While the entire cast of colorful characters who populate this bizarre world are definitely fun to watch, look for are breakout performances by JIMMY DARLING as Josh, BUNNY STEWART as Paris, KRISTIN JACQUES as Madam Dallas and DANO JASON as Murphy. This film is a fun "fish out of e water" story with a heartfelt message that will undoubtedly leave you smiling.

I throughly enjoyed the twists, turns and kinks in the plot of this upbeat movie of reconciliation and love.

There are lots of scenes of San Francisco and its edgy nightlife as well as some beautiful drone shots of almond blossoms in the Central Valley.

Some great acting and humor as well as pathos.

I recommend it to anyone with an open mind and heart!

The director has a history of cutting-edge independent movies on social themes, sometimes exploring cultural disconnects or moral dilemmas. Each is quite different to the others but they all have clever twists and surprises that keep you engaged.

Keith B.

San Francisco Cowboy is a very well produced & directed movie, with amazing actors & actresses. The storyline is relatable by most people, including me. I relate to it through my mother's experiences. When a person comes into a new country or city, with only the clothes on his or her back and not knowing anyone, it is very intimidating and scary. You are a person out of your comfort zone and there are little nuances that can make life challenging. It is through perseverance and hard work, as well as making the right connections, that one succeeds. This is both with my mother & the character in the movie. The beautiful thing is watching the journey, as everyone's journey is a bit different. This movie is colorful and filled with adventure. This is truly a movie worth seeing with a friend or family.

This film presents astonishing views of San Francisco, from Chinatown to Castro. As a long time San Francisco resident, I was delighted to see how the director portrayed the city. The cinematography had unique angels to make it very interesting. The characters in the films are real. You emotionally connect to them as you see the story unfold. The dialogues were fun and heartwarming. The character of Murphy got my attention, he is handsome, dynamic and versatile actor. I expect his film career will take off. The scenes he was in were very powerful. The character of Madam of Dallas hotel was corky and a good side kick. If you love Indie movies, you must see this one.

Families are very complicated, and this film compassionately depicts very real human foibles in modern times. People make bad choices and then make more bad choices just to survive the earlier ones. But that does not make them bad people. Sometimes people do things they know they shouldn't do to people who don't know any better. And their victims suffer the damage. And they suffer the guilt.

This film gives an honest look at the sloppiness of parenting and how people can come into the world under less-than-ideal circumstances. In this case, a young man is left estranged from his parents, believing one to be dead. But his mother is not dead after all. So, he goes on a mission to find her and learns even more tough life lessons along the way.

The best part of the film is its emphasis on the idea that redemption is possible, even with not just a bad start but being caught up in the years long consequences that follow. A mother's love is never-ending. And forgiveness can lead finally to peace and happiness.

Title: San Francisco Cowboy

Director: Dr. Hassan Zee

Genre: Coming of Age, Drama

"San Francisco Cowboy" takes audiences on a captivating journey through the colorful streets of San Francisco, blending the traditional charm of the cowboy culture with the vibrant and diverse backdrop of the city. Directed by Dr. Hassan Zee, this film tells the tale of a young, handsome, and slightly naive cowboy's unexpected adventure as he becomes entangled in the gender-fluid nightlife of San Francisco while searching for his long-lost mother.

The juxtaposition of the cowboy's traditional values against the progressive and open-minded atmosphere of San Francisco creates a fascinating contrast that drives the heart of the story. The director masterfully navigates these conflicting worlds, offering viewers a chance to reflect on the idea of self-discovery in the midst of unfamiliar territory.

The film's setting, the beautiful city of San Francisco, becomes a character in its own right, with its iconic landmarks serving as the perfect backdrop for the cowboy's transformative journey. The cinematography captures both the rural landscapes reminiscent of the cowboy's roots and the neon-lit streets that symbolize the city's nightlife.

The standout performance of the cast, especially the young cowboy who undergoes a profound transformation, lends authenticity and emotional depth to the narrative. The supporting characters from the gender-fluid community are portrayed with sensitivity and respect, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and understanding in a world that often clings to conventions.

Dr. Hassan Zee's direction skillfully balances moments of heartfelt introspection with lighthearted encounters, creating a narrative rhythm that mirrors the complexities of real life. The film tackles themes of identity, self-acceptance, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and child. These themes are woven seamlessly into the cowboy's journey, allowing viewers to connect on both a personal and universal level.

"San Francisco Cowboy"s overall impact is undeniably strong. The movie's ability to evoke a range of emotions, from laughter to introspection, is a testament to its powerful storytelling and compelling characters.

In conclusion, "San Francisco Cowboy" is a unique and thought-provoking film that beautifully captures the spirit of self-discovery in an evolving world. Dr. Hassan Zee's direction, along with the standout performances and the vivid portrayal of San Francisco, come together to create a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll. It's a movie that encourages us all to embrace our individual journeys, no matter how unexpected they may be.

I had a great time yesterday watching San Francisco Cowboy. Funny and entertaining, but at the same time with a poignant pathos, everyone who loves San Francisco will love this movie, with its astonishing views of the places in the city where torrid sex action takes place, and its revelation of the shady underground of demi-monde San Francisco, with its not always commendable characters. The film reminds me somewhat of Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin, but with a different take, because in Maupin's book and the film that was made from it, the action centers more on high class San Franciscans and newcomers to the city, but in Zee's movie it is mostly lower class people, and the central character is the son of a farmer from Nevada who comes to the city in search of his mother, a prostitute who abandoned him at birth. With a strong dosis of thrills and strong emotions typical of action movies, it might not be to everyone's taste, but I loved it.

A must see movie has a lot in it San Francisco from another prospective that captures the heart and soul of the city a man looking to connect to who he is finds himself in the middle of Others who themselves are looking at the same even if they do not have a specific person in mind You find yourself getting engaged in a very entertaining way that is both funny and sad it is telling a very human story which is heart felt it is a movie skillfully directed by Hassan Zee in a very unique way that has universal appeal .

I also loved being in the audience and connected to everyone there and exchanged Tel No and got a ride home that was a bonus .LOL Thanks Hassan Mary Mc Causland.

This Indie treasure brings together classic western tropes with modern characters in a fun coming of age story about finding yourself. The film does good service to highlighting the beauty and excitement the eponymous city has to offer with colorful aerial scenes of local landmarks. Pulling from personal experiences, the writer and director fleshes out the story with situations and personal issues the western immigrant city still harbors today. The cast is fantastic and fun, bringing talent and heartfelt emotion to give the film a pulse. If you love indie films, you can't miss with San Francisco Cowboy.

I attended the world premiere of San Francisco Cowboy. It was my first red carpet event of a movie premiere . As a filmmaker myself of a short documentary I know the excitement of having your film premiere. It is like having the debutante party of your child, your creation.

The evening started with a food and wine reception which put the audience in a festive mood. The sentiment seemed to be throughout the screening. There were numerous points through the movie that were humorous. The cinematography was excellent with scenes of San Francisco. I enjoyed the development the characters and the storyline. The actors were all excellent. I was surprised by the eventual ending or conclusion - not what I had anticipated but it was a happy conclusion for all the characters involved.

The cameo appearance of the director in the end was a surprise signaling that Josh ( Cowboy) and his mother can go on to help others.

The reaction to the Premier showing of this new independent feature film by Hassan Zee could not have been better. The audience was unanimously, positively responsive through out the show. A good time was had by all, watching the story of a small town guy who is searching for the most meaningful and important connection in his life.

The two stars Bunny Stewart and Jimmy Darling were unknown to me, but I am now a fan.

Both of them did the work of making their characters live and breathe with depth of feeling and meaningful emotional responses. They paired well together and were instantly Sympatico even though Mary Rose (Bunny) started out by taking advantage of Josh(Jimmy) who feels a connection right away.

We never know what form our karma will take and this is a very different kind of love story that is well worth seeing.

Notable guest performance by Steven Satyricon in an expository scene with Bunny and Josh as well as an appearance by a sister of perpetual Indulgence are not to be missed.

Two staples of the Northern California Indie scene are award-winning actress Bunny Stewart and prolific director Doctor Hassan Zee. Together, they are greater than the sum of their parts.

Doc Zee has directed a funny, dramatic, original work of art while Ms. Stewart commands the silver screen with her realistic, tender portrayal of a woman trying to pay the bills in the City by the Bay.

This is the story of an innocent, kind young man and his journey to find his real mother in a city full of rather unique characters.

Part "Midnight Cowboy" and part "Taxi Driver", this film will stand on it's own in the originality department and definitely satisfies on many levels.

As a San Francisco native, I must say that I was very impressed with the director's filming of my beloved city. This film tells the incredible journey of a young man in search for his roots, his identity, and what he's been yearning for: to meet his biological mother. And boy! What a crazy journey it is! Every character was absolutely relatable, and I felt sympathy for every single one of them. I absolutely felt every single emotion being brought out from every person in this film: joy, anger, sadness, frustration, compassion, malice, anxiety, relief, remorse, empathy, grief, fear, confusion, amusement, gratitude, curiosity, admiration, and most of all, love. Overall, this film is very heartwarming with a beautiful message of love, compassion, acceptance, inclusion, and most of all, forgiveness. I really do hope to see more work from Doc. Hassan Zee in the future as he has incredible talent in telling stories through film. Thank you for portraying San Francisco in a very realistic way!

San Francisco Cowboy is more than just an entertaining movie, it's also a great promotional piece for San Francisco, featuring some of the City's best sights (you'll have to see the movie to know which ones). Emotions in the film run the gamut from sadness, to pleasure and ultimately joy with a true happy ending. Director Zee adds in a few interesting quirks reflective of his style in yet another successful departure from his prior works which focused on Indian/Pakistani themes. It's a refreshing story from an entertainment industry that prefers to rinse and repeat with old content rather than take risks with true creativity or storytelling. This movie has been accepted into several film festivals. You'll need to watch it so see why!

I must say, for a guy who's lived in San Francisco since 1996 you'd think I should have known . . . And I have seen lots, mind you . . . But Hassan Zee's heartfelt paean to San Francisco introduced me to the best of the city. For all its faults--and boy howdy does it have exasperating faults--San Francisco is a refuge for the humbled, tortured, and reviled souls that Jesus himself broke bread with according to the gospel. That's not a gratuitous observation, BTW, because Jesus makes two appearances in this authentic tale of broken hearts, scourged bodies, and guilt-racked consciences. With only a few missteps (there are a number of melodramatic, under-written moments that loosen what might otherwise have been an even more poignantly told story) the film shares the story of a guileless ranch hand who comes to San Francisco looking for his recently resurrected (figuratively speaking) mother. The cowboy had been told she had died in childbirth. What he discovers is a concatenation of wild-side characters in wild-side places that he serenely interacts with like a latter-day Chauncy Gardner or long ago Alyosha (in Dostoyevsky's THE IDIOT). For the rest of the country--certainly for the Bible-brandishing, American exceptionalismists--San Francisco Cowboy will seem at first nothing but a dive into the wickedness of a Doom Loop city; however, observed with a splash of genuine Christian humility and a dose of critical-thinking, San Francisco Cowboy reveals the all-accepting divine love that alone can make sense of humanity's ubiquitous heartache and sure-to-come shattered spirit. At last, the film is Hassan Zee's love song to San Francisco, a place that took him in in his own troubled times, and a city that for all its faults--and, I repeat, those faults are manifold--has in so many ways and for so many people lived up to its namesake's reputation as a host for society's outcasts, discards, and refugees. At some point that's been all of us, hasn't it?

The film held my attention throughout. The music kept me engrossed in the film. This movie gets you immersed in the culture of San Francisco. I have been to San Francisco many times. If you see the movie you will recognize places like Chinatown , Castro theater and Mount Davidson. I stopped the movie and looked at the places where I have been in San Francisco, The actors were very good and kept my attention. The actors were quite convincing for playing these very interesting roles. A Josh, young man is on a quest to look for his mother. The actor who played Josh was quite successful in his role as a naive cowboy. He was very lucky to find another man, Murphy, who gives him a place to stay. Murphy was very good in his role. San Francisco is a place full of decent, kind and helpful people and that's what the movie showed.