The ivory tower of power
by Hiya Swanhuyser

"The Elvis of cultural theory," as he's called by the esteemed journal the Chronicle of Higher Education, is a Slovenian philosopher named Slavoj Zizek. In the world of academia, young, smart, fashionable students flock to his lectures, and he's brought French theory to bear on aspects of popular culture from Hitchcock films to "the sexual practice known as 'fisting.'" He's often described as having a worldwide cult following, and he's coming to town.

Given his emphasis on movies (grad students went nuts for his analysis of The Matrix), it should be no surprise that someone has turned the camera on him. Dr. Zizek (pronounced ZHEE-zheck) doesn't look like a superstar, but director Astra Taylor followed him around the world for Zizek!, a documentary that's likely to draw well-read and well-coiffed hordes. The philosopher's own heroes are Marx, Lacan, and Hegel, but since he welcomes outsiders himself, we're guessing you don't even have to know who those folks are to enjoy the movie. "Elvis" is in the building for a Q&A session following a screening of the film, which begins at 8 p.m. at the Roxie Cinema, 3117 16th St. (at Valencia), S.F. Admission is $8; call 863-1087 or visit www.roxie.com.