Anaïs Nin, the iconic writer and diarist, is making her return to San Francisco nearly half a century after her death.
Although she is often associated with major cities like Paris, New York, and Los Angeles, Nin also spent time in San Francisco during the late 1940s when her lover Rupert Pole was studying at UC Berkeley.
In April, two significant projects honoring her legacy coincidentally open in the city.
The Marsh will host Lynne Kaufman’s two-hander play “Shameless Hussy,” which begins its three-weekend run on Saturday, April 26.
The following day, April 27, the Roxie Theater will showcase the Anaïs Nin Diary Film Festival, which features a collection of films inspired by Nin’s personal explorations.
Kaufman is excited about Nin’s resurgent relevance in today’s cultural climate.
“She was an icon, and in the ‘60s, she was sort of ahead of her time in women’s liberation, sexual liberation, being an artist, being self-reflective, choosing her own life, the freedom of it,” Kaufman explains.
She believes Nin’s story resonates now, particularly in light of contemporary socio-political changes.
“With our new administration’s reactionary, overly conservative insistence that women should be confined to the home and motherhood, this feels like a pushback,” Kaufman adds.
Nin’s defiance of traditional gender roles, as she chose to remain childless and pursue her passions, provides a compelling model for modern women.
“Right now, we need women models who are self-declared. ‘Don’t tell me who I am, don’t put me in a box, don’t limit what I can do,’” Kaufman states.
Shifting focus to Kaufman’s production, “Shameless Hussy” portrays Nin’s life from an early age, starting with her first notebook at 11 years old given by her mother.
The narrative weaves through the various stages of her life, with Arwen Anderson portraying Nin and Johnny Moreno taking on the roles of her lovers.
Kaufman, a seasoned playwright and novelist who has previously worked at The Marsh, drew inspiration for “Shameless Hussy” from her last production, alongside the chemistry of her cast.
“Their movement is intuitive, and they are hot and steamy together. Arwen is a dancer and acrobat, while Johnny is a dancer, boxer, and stunt guy.
They have these wonderfully tuned-in bodies to each other,” Kaufman explains.
For Kaufman, intimate theater is a passion, and the chemistry between her actors is central to the production’s thrill.
In contrast to Kaufman’s theatrical exploration of Nin’s life, the Anaïs Nin Diary Film Festival serves as more of a tribute to her enduring influence.
The festival features four films, including three shorts and one feature, providing a modern take on the themes in Nin’s work.
Audience members can also expect to see a 10-minute archival clip of Nin speaking about her views on the role of women.
Curated by San Francisco filmmaker Marjorie Sturm, known for her 2014 documentary “The Cult of JT LeRoy,” the festival coincides with a growing interest in personal and experimental storytelling within the cinematic landscape.
“Video diaries are just not something that’s going to get that much screening, and Anaïs’ whole thing is having agency,” Sturm explains.
During the festival, viewers will encounter a range of voices exploring personal narratives, similar to the way Nin articulated her own experiences.
The lineup includes Shantre Pinkney’s “After Mario,” described by Sturm as both poetic and horrifying, reflecting on the 2015 SFPD shooting of Mario Woods.
Nova Duarte Martinez’s “No Plan B,” which Sturm calls raw and open, depicts a consensual sexual relationship that takes an unexpected turn.
Kay Zheng’s “Who is Eileen?” focuses on the dynamics of women’s friendships as the filmmaker portrays the challenges faced by a jobless friend.
Sturm’s feature film, “Show Me What You Want to Show Me,” highlights her personal journey, intertwining themes of motherhood and activism through footage collected over two decades.
As she revisits this archive during the pandemic, Sturm integrates news footage to create an intimate narrative reflective of her life experiences and struggles.
Kaufman finds that the core theme of honesty and self-discovery resonates deeply with the essence of Nin’s work.
“There’s a line in my play where she is talking to the audience, and she says, ‘Well, there are people who don’t approve of me. I am not here to get the approval. That’s not why I’m in this world, but to become myself,’” Kaufman remarks.
This sentiment embodies the spirit of independence and self-exploration that Kaufman believes continues to inspire many artists today.
“Shameless Hussy” will be playing weekends from April 26 through May 11 at The Marsh located at 1062 Valencia St, with tickets starting at $25.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit The Marsh’s website.
The Anaïs Nin Diary Film Festival will take place at 12:30 p.m. on April 27 at the Roxie Theater located at 3125 16th St, with tickets priced at $10.
Further details about the festival can be found on the Roxie Theater’s website.
image source from：https://missionlocal.org/2025/04/dont-tell-me-who-i-am-s-f-artists-draw-inspiration-from-anais-nin/
