Events By Title - A to B - All Sections - All Genres - All Venues 7 Days of the Week (USA, 2008, 2 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
A music video about how fun it is to never go to work and to stay home
and play the trumpet every day instead. Song by They Might Be Giants.
9mm Brush (USA, 2009, 6 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
An eccentric art student is ostracized by his classmates until he
decides to show them the kind of art he is really capable of -- by
bringing a gun to class.
About Elly (Iran, 2009, 119 min) Greetings from Tehran Thu, Jul 30th 6:00pm
Milliken Auditorium Sun, Aug 2nd 9:00pm
Old Town Playhouse
A group of college friends reunite with their families for an outing by
the Caspian Sea with the aim of setting up their recently-divorced
friend Ahmed with Elly, a young kindergarten teacher. Their seemingly
innocent holiday turns into a gripping mystery after Elly vanishes in a
troubling incident. The fourth feature from Iranian writer-director
Asghar Farhadi (whose last film "Fireworks Wednesday" played in
TCFF07), "About Elly" sheds light on the issues of class and gender in
middle-class Iranian society with a tight script and a superb cast led
by Mani Haghighi ("Men at Work," TCFF06). Farhadi's remarkable
storytelling abilities are on full display here as his characters weave
a web of deceit that leads to catastrophic consequences. Winner of Best
Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival. In Persian with English
subtitles.
Not Rated All of Me (USA, 2008, 12 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
A famous film director lives out his last days as he's visited by his son and an admiring nurse.
(USA, 2009, 96 min) American Independent Cinema Wed, Jul 29th 6:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium Thu, Jul 30th 3:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium Sun, Aug 2nd 9:15pm
State Theatre
Jeff Daniels stars as Arlen Faber, the reclusive author of a
best-selling spirituality guide titled "Me and God" who is still hiding
from his answer-seeking fans twenty years after the publication of his
wildly popular book. Faber is forced to admit that he might not have
all the answers when his life collides with Elizabeth, a chiropractor
and a single mother, and Kris, a fresh-out-of-rehab bookstore owner.
This sweet, smart romantic comedy had us laughing out loud several
times thanks in large part to a top-notch supporting cast including
Lauren Graham ("Flash of Genius," TCFF08), Lou Taylor Pucci, Kat
Dennings and Olivia Thirlby.
Rated R (USA, 2009, 10 min) Short Films Sat, Aug 1st Midnight
Old Town Playhouse Sun, Aug 2nd 9:00pm
City Opera House
Vincent Allen is an asshole. Unfortunately for Dr. Wong, assholes have to go to the doctor, too.
(Spain, 2009, 1 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
A man seeks shelter from the rain in this sand-on-glass animation.
(France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, 2006, 99 min) Kids Festival Wed, Jul 29th 9:30am
State Theatre
The critics have spoken about Michel Ocelot's animated film: it's
beautiful, mesmerizing, dazzling, impossibly gorgeous, every image
worthy of being framed and hung in an art museum. But it has a great
story, too! Winner of the Sprockets Kids Festival Audience Award for
Best Animated Film, among many other awards, "Azur and Asmar" tells the
story of a blond haired, blue eyed boy and a dark haired, dark eyed boy
who are raised by the same woman until they are forcefully separated by
their cruel father. The boys grow up and eventually cross paths again
on their way to fulfilling their destiny. It's the next great fairy
tale. It's sumptuous. It's in English. And it is recommended for ages 6
and up.
Not Rated (Germany, France, Czech Republic, 2008, 150 min) New Foreign Cinema Sat, Aug 1st Noon
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
The great German actor Bruno Ganz plays the head of the West German
police force charged with the capture of the 1970s Red Army Faction
(aka the Baader Meinhof Gang), radicalized children of the Nazi
generation who fought a violent war against "the new face of fascism:"
American imperialism supported by the German establishment. This
sprawling and compelling real-life action drama explores the minds and
motivations of the key figures in this group of domestic terrorists,
offering nuanced character studies while often moving at breakneck
speed through the fascinating lives of these political radicals and the
violent tactics they used to voice their message. This thoroughly
riveting and timely film by Uli Edel was nominated for Best Foreign
Film at this year's Academy Awards. In German, English, French and
Swedish with English subtitles.
Not Rated (Australia, 2003, 5 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
Ada passion for soccer! When her ball goes overboard, Ada jumps ship and finds herself washed ashore in a strange land.
(USA, 1988, 84 min) Free Movies at the Open Space Sat, Aug 1st 9:30pm
Open Space Outdoor Cinema
Great things would be expected of any film directed by Penny Marshall,
produced by James L. Brooks, and starring Tom Hanks, but something
magical happened when they came together to make this classic family
film. In the hands of Marshall and Hanks, the simple premise of a
13-year-old kid from New Jersey whose wish to be grown up is granted by
a mystical Zoltar machine takes on an innocent optimism and sense of
wonder that is uniquely American. Kids and adults will delight in
seeing life through each other's eyes in this delightful, funny and
sweet movie as the suddenly adult Josh lands a job in New York as a toy
tester, sets up a kid-friendly apartment for himself, and brings the
woman he falls for (Elizabeth Perkins) home after a party for a "sleep
over." We can't wait to see the giant piano at FAO Schwarz on the giant
Open Space screen.
Rated PG (USA, 2009, 88 min) American Independent Cinema Wed, Jul 29th 6:00pm
State Theatre Thu, Jul 30th 9:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
Comedian Patton Oswalt stars as Paul Aufiero, a working-class Staten
Islander whose life revolves around his obsession with the New York
Giants. Paul sees the opportunity of a lifetime when he spots the
Giants' star cornerback Quantrell Bishop at a nearby gas station, but
things take a turn for the worse after he follows Bishop to a Manhattan
night club. A misunderstanding results in Paul receiving a bad beating
from the player he idolizes. Paul's devotion is put to the test when
his family pressures him to take legal action against his hero, leaving
the fate of his beloved Giants' season squarely in his hands.
First-time director Robert Siegel -- a long-time editor of "The Onion"
and "The Wrestler" screenwriter -- infuses this dark drama about the
nature of obsession and America's sports culture with a good dose of
humor, striking a balance between comedy and character study. In
person: Patton Oswalt.
Rated R (USA, 1969, 105 min) Tribute to Paul Mazursky Thu, Jul 30th 3:00pm
State Theatre
Paul Mazursky's directorial debut is an insightful and humorous look at
an era of radical ideas about marriage and monogamy. Successful
documentary filmmaker Bob (Robert Culp) and his wife Carol (Natalie
Wood) attend a group therapy retreat with intentions of being passive
observers, only to return invigorated by novel ideas. The newly
liberated couple's friends Ted (Elliot Gould) and Alice (Dyan Cannon)
are initially less than receptive, but soon discover they're not as
conservative as they thought. The film that launched Mazursky's
Hollywood directorial career also earned him the first of many Oscar
nominations for his screenplay writing. In person: TCFF09 Tributee Mr.
Paul Mazursky.
Rated R (Germany, 2007, 3 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
A spider and a fly become unlikely partners in a musical duet.
(Denmark, 2008, 84 min) Dangerous Docs Thu, Jul 30th 3:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Sun, Aug 2nd 6:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
This stunning, fearless documentary tells the story of the Democratic
Voice of Burma, a network of underground video journalists (VJs) who,
equipped with nothing but hand-held cameras, risk their freedom and
livelihoods on a daily basis to record and smuggle out of the country
footage of oppression in their homeland of Burma. "Burma VJ" focuses on
a series of demonstrations by over 100,000 people led by Buddhist monks
in 2007 in opposition to the dictatorship that has kept the country
closed for 40 years -- the first major protests in Burma after 19 years
of near silence. "VJ" is a courageous look into a closed country and a
testament to the potential power of journalism and new media. In
person: VJ San Thar Aung. In English and Burmese with English
subtitles.
Not Rated (Mexico, 2008, 11 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
Fed up with his job as a line cook, will Gallo finally tell off his
boss and run away with the woman of his dreams? In Spanish and English
with English subtitles
(USA, 2009, 11 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
An immature twenty-something grows up and comes out.
(South Korea, 2008, 125 min) New Foreign Cinema Sat, Aug 1st Midnight
State Theatre Sun, Aug 2nd 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
In this gritty new crime thriller from South Korea, Jung-ho is a jaded
ex-cop turned pimp who is forced to dust off his detective skills when
his call girls begin to turn up missing without clearing their debts.
The local police are no help -- they seem more adept at thwarting
justice than serving it. When an accidental encounter leads Jung-ho to
believe that his missing girls have been murdered, he takes matters
into his own hands, racing against the clock to save the one that might
still be alive. A sweaty-palmed, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride, this
runaway hit in South Korea has already been picked up for a US remake
by the team responsible for "The Departed." Action film lovers can
catch the great original here at the TCFF. In Korean with English
subtitles.
Not Rated (France, 2008, 112 min) Dangerous Docs Wed, Jul 29th 3:00pm
Old Town Playhouse
One of the world's best-known intellectuals, Noam Chomsky has written
on everything from linguistics to psychology to anarchy, bringing
influential and often revolutionary ideas to millions of people.
Directors Daniel Mermet and Olivier Azam travel around the globe to
gain perspective on Chomsky's work and his influence on other
intellectuals, taking on issues like free speech, media marketing and
war propaganda. A celebration of critical thinking, this film proves
that Chomsky's fan club cannot, in fact, fit in a phone booth, and is
an accessible document on one of the most controversial and influential
thinkers of our time. In English and French with English subtitles.
Not Rated (USA, 1977, 137 min) Free Movies at the Open Space Wed, Jul 29th 9:30pm
Open Space Outdoor Cinema
Steven Spielberg followed up his breakout film "Jaws" with this smash
hit that was instrumental in setting the course of modern science
fiction film. After a close encounter with an alien spacecraft leaves
his face "sunburned" from the bright lights, Roy Neary (Richard
Dreyfuss) becomes obsessed with UFOs, and finds himself caught up in a
larger movement of people who are all inexplicably drawn to Devil's
Tower, Wyoming. Along the way he sculpts some mashed potatoes,
completely alienates his family, and meets a single mother (Melinda
Dillon) who is also called by the extraterrestrials. It all culminates
with one of the most famous pieces of movie music of all time, composed
by a French researcher (played by the celebrated French filmmaker
Francois Truffaut) who believes that we can use a musical language to
communicate with alien visitors. Featuring extraordinary special
effects, this film is epic in scope and size. Join us for a close
encounter of the TCFF kind as the iconic alien spaceships light up
Grand Traverse Bay.
Rated PG (180 min) Festival Parties and Events Sun, Aug 2nd 8:00pm
Village at Grand Traverse Commons
Historic Front Lawn at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, Rain or
Shine. Celebrate the last night of the fifth annual Traverse City Film
Festival in style. Enjoy a night of outstanding music, wine, beer, and
phenomenal food from the area's top restaurants, while recapping the
week's highlights and surprises. The Friends of the Film Festival Grand
Prize Drawing will also be held during the party. Tickets are $50. 2009
Friends of the Film Festival get half off party tickets.
(Ireland, 2008, 4 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
A young man nervously goes to confess his sins, but the priest seems to
be more interested in gossiping about the local women than granting him
absolution.
(USA, 2009, 96 min) Starring Planet Earth Wed, Jul 29th 9:30pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st Noon
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
Winner of the Audience Award at this year's Sundance Film Festival,
this riveting documentary exposes the disturbing practices of the
dolphin trade in Japan in dare-devil fashion. A gripping film that
plays as part heist thriller and part expose, "The Cove" follows
activist Richard O'Barry (the man who trained Flipper) on an "Ocean's
Eleven"-style operation as he and a team of fellow activists infiltrate
the cove in Taiji, Japan in order to document the fishing practices
that result in the death of tens of thousands of dolphins annually.
Director Louie Psihoyos's film accomplishes what a great documentary
should, acting as both a heartfelt and brutally honest expose as well
as a call to action. Already being discussed as a contender for an
Oscar, this documentary is not to be missed. In English and Japanese
with English subtitles.
Rated PG-13 (USA, 2009, 105 min) Starring Planet Earth Wed, Jul 29th Noon
City Opera House Sun, Aug 2nd 3:00pm
Old Town Playhouse
This sweeping doc travels to the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, where
a 17-year-old legal battle is being waged between one of the world's
largest oil producers and a group of over 30,000 of Ecuador's
indigenous people -- one of the largest and most controversial legal
cases on the planet. Acclaimed filmmaker Joe Berlinger's balanced doc
lays bare the complexities of global politics and corporate power in
conflict with the environmental movement and human rights issues. In
person: Joe Berlinger (Wednesday). In English, Spanish, A'ingae and
Secoya with English subtitles.
Not Rated (USA, 2009, 2 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
A stinky monster finds friends.
(Norway, 2009, 90 min) Salute to Norway Thu, Jul 30th Midnight
State Theatre
Embracing the campy gore-fest tradition of films like "The Evil Dead,"
this outlandish horror flick follows a group of Norwegian medical
students vacationing in an isolated cabin in the snowy Norwegian Alps.
Something or other goes terribly wrong, and the group is suddenly
overwhelmed by Nazi zombies who seem bent on finding successively more
clever ways of dismembering the campers. Creative special effects and
thoughtful compositions elevate this fun, splashy zombie flick above
typical B-moviedom and into the realm of essential genre viewing. In
Norwegian with English subtitles. Preceded by "Who's Hungry?"
Not Rated (USA, 2008, 7 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
A little girl writes a letter to her pet hamster 'Fatty,' wondering about its trip from running away home.
(Norway, 2008, 6 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
Two construction workers have a serious discussion about life's big
questions while the world falls apart around them. In Norwegian with
English subtitles
(Israel, 2009, 91 min) Dangerous Docs Thu, Jul 30th 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Sat, Aug 1st 6:00pm
City Opera House
In this bold and brave documentary, Israeli director Yoav Shamir sets
out to examine the issue of anti-Semitism in modern culture. Is
anti-Semitism still a global threat or is it a scare tactic used by
right-wing Zionists? The film surveys both ends of the spectrum on the
issue, from Anti-Defamation League head Abraham Foxman to the left-wing
historian Norman Finkelstein, author of "The Holocaust Industry." This
witty film travels the globe in search of an answer, from a half-Jewish
half-African American neighborhood to a concentration camp site in
Poland where Israeli high schoolers are taken on a field trip. In
person: Yoav Shamir (Saturday). In English, Russian and Hebrew with
English subtitles.
Not Rated (Japan, 2008, 130 min) New Foreign Cinema Thu, Jul 30th Noon
Milliken Auditorium
When "Departures" came out of nowhere to win the Best Foreign Language
Film Oscar at this year's Academy Awards over a field of exceptionally
strong nominees, everyone was surprised -- except the people who had
seen this poetic, stirring and often hilarious film from Japan. A story
about vocation, family, and the bonds between the living and those who
have passed on, "Departures" follows a recently unemployed cellist as
he moves from Toyko back to his hometown where he somewhat unwittingly
starts a new job as an "encoffiner", preparing corpses for cremation.
After overcoming his initial unease with the job, Daigo soon learns the
trade as a ceremonious way to bring dignity to death and solace to
those who mourn. A fascinating look into the lives and culture of the
Japanese. In Japanese with English subtitles.
Rated PG-13 (USA, 2009, 102 min) Starring Planet Earth Sat, Aug 1st Noon
State Theatre Sat, Aug 1st 9:00pm
Old Town Playhouse
Award-winning filmmaker Robert Stone charts the history of the modern
environmental crusade from its beginnings nearly four decades ago at
the first Earth Day in 1970. Interviews with a former secretary of the
interior, a biologist, an astronaut, one of the founders of Earth Day
and others create a deeply contemplative vision of the environmental
movement's efforts in recent generations. An elegiac documentary that
favors images over statistics in presenting an uplifting portrait of
our relatively newfound environmental awareness. In person: Robert
Stone.
Not Rated (France, Greece, Italy, 2009, 111 min) New Foreign Cinema Thu, Jul 30th 9:00pm
State Theatre Sun, Aug 2nd 3:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
If you are looking for a hidden gem amongst pearls, look no further
than this new film from the celebrated filmmaker Costa-Gavras ("Z",
"Missing"). Equal parts whimsical comedy and social statement, this
modern Odyssey follows a handsome, resourceful illegal immigrant named
Elias (Italian star Riccardo Scamarcio) as he voyages from a nameless
country in the Mediterranean to the promised paradise of Western
Europe. Forced to jump ship during a surprise immigration inspection,
he washes up on the shore of a clothes-optional beach of a luxury
resort on the Southern coast of France. Elias's initial naivete and
sense of wide-eyed wonder are confronted by the reality of police
raids, poverty and general ill-will from the upper class on his trek to
his chosen Eden. This stunning new film is both a near mythical fable
about a man journeying without a home and a lighter-hearted take on the
issues of immigrants and globalization. In English, French, German and
Greek with English subtitles.
Not Rated (Argentina, 2008, 6 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
A man performs his usual trip to work, immersed in a world where the use of people as objects is an everyday thing.
(UK, 2009, 90 min) Starring Planet Earth Wed, Jul 29th 3:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
In the last two decades, commercial fishing technology has advanced to
the point where our oceans' ecosystems can't keep up. At this rate,
scientists predict the world's seafood will run out by 2048. This
eye-opening documentary about the global problem of overfishing and the
demand for seafood aims to sound the alarm on this environmental
crisis. A precise, comprehensive, informative and overwhelmingly
chilling document of the state of our oceans that seeks to raise
awareness and offer solutions for the overfishing crisis.
Not Rated (USA, 1989, 119 min) Tribute to Paul Mazursky Wed, Jul 29th 6:00pm
City Opera House
Paul Mazursky's career-defining film is a drama of war, intrigue and
morality. A survivor of the Holocaust, Herman (Ron Silver) is haunted
by the loss of his wife and children. Years later, he's living in New
York and married to the woman who sheltered him during the war, while
secretly engaged in a passionate affair with Masha (Lena Olin), his
mistress in the Bronx. Herman is already struggling to maintain balance
in his life when the reappearance of his long-assumed deceased wife
Tamara (Anjelica Huston) threatens to put an end to his juggling act.
Featuring Oscar-nominated performances by Olin and Huston as well as a
nomination for best adapted screenplay, this haunting, sexy drama
stands as one of Mazursky's finest. In person: TCFF09 Tributee Mr. Paul
Mazursky.
Rated R (USA, 2009, 80 min) American Independent Cinema Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Milliken Auditorium Sat, Aug 1st 3:00pm
State Theatre
Abandoned by her husband shortly after bringing her two children from
Colombia to New York City, Mariana is left penniless on the streets of
Queens, struggling to keep the rest of her family together. With the
help of her resourceful 10-year-old son, her resilient daughter, and a
network of new-found allies, Mariana must learn navigate the daily
challenges of life in an unknown city. Based on the true experiences of
her mother's immigration to America, lead actress and director/writer
Paola Mendoza, along with co-director/co-writer Gloria La Morte,
delivers a stirring and deeply personal tale about perseverance, family
ties, and the immigrant experience in America. Features remarkable
performances by first time child actors Sebastian Villada and Laura
Montana. Tribeca Film Festival award winner. In person: Gloria La
Morte, Liliana Legge (Mendoza's mother), and Mendoza. In Spanish with
English subtitles
Not Rated (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, 2008, 131 min) New Foreign Cinema Wed, Jul 29th 3:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
A nostalgic reminiscence about domestic life in the early 20th century,
this exquisite Swedish film tells the story of Maria, a quietly
resigned mother of seven whose passion for life is renewed after she
discovers her hidden talent for photography. Maria's newfound celebrity
as the village photographer doesn't sit well with her abusive brute of
a husband as their marriage gradually feels the strain from Maria's
growing independence. This meticulously and tenderly crafted film sets
Maria's intimate story against a backdrop of profound historical scope,
placing her personal transformation against the larger social changes
taking place in that period. Famed Swedish director Jan Troell ("The
Emigrants," "The New Land") brings a poetic artistry and masterful eye
to this visually sumptuous period piece. In Swedish and Finnish with
English subtitles.
Not Rated (Canada, 2008, 88 min) Dangerous Docs Sat, Aug 1st 3:00pm
Old Town Playhouse
Witness intellectual gymnastic performances from some of the world's
top minds in this philoso-doc that pulls prominent scholars out from
their journals and classrooms and into places and spaces that hold
particular resonance for their ideas. Featuring such celebrities of the
cerebral realm as Cornel West (riffing on Plato and jazz from the back
of a cab), Peter Singer (on consumption on Fifth Avenue) and Slavoj
Zizek (who rants about environmentalism while wandering through a
dump), director Astra Taylor's documentary aims to offer a lively
introduction to the ideas of some of today's most influential thinkers.
The series of earnest, whimsical conversations captured for the film
encapsulates spans a wide range of modern critical thought.
Not Rated (USA, 2005, 7 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
An ill-fated and unconsummated romance between a fan and a flower magically creates a fairy-tail ending.
(180 min) Festival Parties and Events Sat, Aug 1st 8:00pm
Wade-Trim
Wade-Trim Parking Lot, Front Street and Park, downtown, Rain or Shine
We're inviting all of our visiting filmmakers to celebrate our fifth
anniversary downtown on Saturday night with a brand new filmmakers
party. As always, we'll have great food and great drink, plus
actor/comedian Jeff Garlin (I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With, TCFF07)
will be on hand to award prizes for best costume in the TCFF5K Fun Run.
Tickets are $50. 2009 Friends of the Film Festival and TCFF5K runners
get half off party tickets.
(USA, 2004, 1 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
An inventive fireworks display.
(USA, 2009, 3 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
A creative romp with a burning tennis ball.
(USA, 2008, 94 min) Starring Planet Earth Thu, Jul 30th Noon
Lars Hockstad Auditorium Sat, Aug 1st 6:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
A shocking, eye-opening expose of the dark side of our nation's
agri-business industry, "Food, Inc." builds on the works of authors
Michael Pollan ("The Omnivore's Dilemma") and Eric Schlosser ("Fast
Food Nation") to tear the veil off Big Agriculture. The film takes on
the business of food from farm to fork, showing the steps our food
takes to get from industrial feedlots to fast food chains and
supermarkets, as well as showing the political decisions that led to
the current state of affairs. Possibly the year's best horror film, and
a must-see for anyone who eats.
Rated PG (Germany, 2008, 86 min) Greetings from Tehran Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Milliken Auditorium
An exhilarating look at the first-ever match played by the Iranian
national women's soccer team in 2006, this empowering documentary
follows the efforts of the women in Tehran and an amateur club from
Berlin who joined forces to fight the Iranian bureaucracy for the right
to set up the match. Overcoming the sensitive problem of gender roles
in Iranian society, the women succeed in playing a match in front of a
crowd of over 1,000 exhilarated female fans who had previously never
been allowed to attend a soccer game in their native country. An
energetic, crowd-pleasing testament to the power of women's
determination, this uplifting documentary took home the audience award
and best documentary prizes at the Berlin Film Festival. (Finally, a
soccer movie at the TCFF that you can take your kids to see!) In
German, English and Farsi with English subtitles.
Not Rated (France, 2008, 8 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
In a fancy Parisian cafe, an uptight businessman is about to pay the
check when he finds out that he's lost his wallet. To save time he
decides to order more coffee...
(USA, 2008, 3 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
An apple and a pear discuss the meaning of life in a home-style fridge.
(USA, 2009, 2 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
The Pineapple King saves Princess Pear in this stop-motion animation.
(USA, 2008, 80 min) Starring Planet Earth Sat, Aug 1st 3:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
Nominated for Best Documentary at this year's Academy Awards, this
stirring film presents three years in the life of the nation's largest
urban community garden, located in South Central Los Angeles -- the
same neighborhood devastated by the 1992 Rodney King riots. After a
12-year run of overwhelming success in the hands of hardworking
farmers, the South Central Farm comes under threat by wealthy
developers and an unsupportive local government. Director Scott
Hamilton Kennedy deftly navigates the bureaucratic battle between the
farmers, developers and city hall in this fascinating document about
grassroots activism and the strength of community. In person: Scott
Hamilton Kennedy. In English and Spanish with English subtitles.
Not Rated (USA, 2009, 78 min) American Independent Cinema Wed, Jul 29th 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium Sat, Aug 1st Noon
City Opera House
Adult film star Sasha Grey stars as a high-class escort named Chelsea
in the latest addition to master director Steven Soderbergh's diverse
body of work. This film is nothing like any movie about a call girl you
have ever seen -- there's no sex, and no nudity either (unless you stay
for the credits). And Chelsea is no normal call girl -- for a price,
she provides not just sexual favors but a complete girlfriend
experience. We see her systematically running her business, meeting
with marketing and financial advisors, developing a web site, honing
her skills and assets. Soderbergh deftly analyses the tenuous balance
Chelsea must strike between her business and personal one with her live
in boyfriend, and the emotional toll of her self-inflicted
commoditization. But the film is much more than a portrait of the upper
echelon of the sex industry. Shot on the fly during the early days of
the current financial crisis -- just days before the 2008 Presidential
election -- the film also consciously functions as a snapshot of high
powered New York business people reacting to and functioning in a
collapsing economy. Grey gives a perfectly cool, detached performance
in her mainstream film debut.
Rated R (USA, 1985, 114 min) Free Movies at the Open Space Fri, Jul 31st 9:30pm
Open Space Outdoor Cinema
Steven Spielberg and Chris Columbus co-scripted this Richard
Donner-directed action adventure classic set in a small ocean-side
town. When a group of friends led by brothers Mikey (Sean Astin in his
first role) and Brand (Josh Brolin) find out that the homes in their
neighborhood are going to be demolished unless enough money is raised
to stop development of a golf course, their summer vacation turns
serious. Then Mikey stumbles on the treasure map of One-Eyed Willy, and
the band of friends who call themselves "The Goonies" pledge to find
the treasure. The adventure takes them through caves and treacherous
traps, and into the clutches of the notorious Fratelli gang, criminals
who are hiding out in the Goonies' home town of Astoria, Oregon.
Experience grand adventure 1980s style with a cast of thousands this
summer. Goonies never say die!
Rated PG (New Zealand, 2008, 12 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
When a janitor answers an unusual graffiti message, his life and the life of the mysterious author will never be the same.
(USA, 2009, 99 min) American Independent Cinema Fri, Jul 31st 3:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium Sun, Aug 2nd 9:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan give two of their best performances
ever as middle-aged parents whose lives are shattered when their oldest
son is killed. Shortly after the funeral, Bennett's classmate Rose
(Carey Mulligan) introduces herself and reveals that she's carrying
their late son's baby. This honest look at pain, grief and healing will
grab you immediately and carry you through to the other side. And we
will hear a lot more about newcomer Carey Mulligan ("When Did You Last
See Your Father," TCFF08), who is a revelation in her role as Rose.
Sundance called this first feature from writer-director Shana Feste
"one of the standout works" of their fest, and said it is "as fine a
debut as we can present." We concur -- we love this film.
Not Rated (USA, 1979, 121 min) Free Movies at the Open Space Thu, Jul 30th 9:30pm
Open Space Outdoor Cinema
Let the Sunshine In and revisit the revisit the Age of Aquarius in
Milos Forman's rollicking musical memoir, the award-winning film
adaptation of the hit Broadway show. It's the story of a naive farm boy
from Oklahoma named Claude Hooper Bukowski (John Savage) who heads to
New York City to enlist in the Army. Stopping in Central Park on his
way to the induction center, he meets a tribe of free-spirited hippies
including George Berger (Treat Williams) and a debutante (Beverly
D'Angelo). The merry pranksters follow him to boot camp in Nevada,
attempting to rescue him from a tour of duty in Vietnam. Along the way
audiences are treated to choreography by Twyla Tharp and performed by
the Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation and most of the famous songs from the
original musical, including "Donna," "Aquarius," "Easy to Be Hard,"
"Good Morning Starshine," and the title number, "Hair." This film was
rated PG by the MPAA, but we recommend that it is a movie for teens and
adults.
Rated PG(-13) (USA, 2009, 75 min) Straight Outta Austin Wed, Jul 29th Midnight
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
State Theatre
The latest film from director Robert Byington (whose film "Registered
Sex Offender" is also playing in this year's TCFF) is a crowd-pleasing,
quirky, sad-sack slacker comedy about a guy who seems to want nothing
more from life than to cultivate misery. Harmony (played by musician
Justin Rice) had his heart broken by his ex-girlfriend months ago and
he still masochistically refuses to let go of the pain. His only solace
comes from re-telling his tale of woe to the often deaf ears of his
oddball friends and family. Byington's sharply written script is chock
full of wryly witty, often absurd one-liners delivered by the
supporting cast of indie regulars including Pat Healy, Kevin Corrigan
and Alex Karpovsky. In person: Bob Byington, Justin Rice.
Not Rated (UK, Ireland, 2008, 88 min) New Foreign Cinema Wed, Jul 29th Noon
Old Town Playhouse
A beautifully restrained artistic triumph from first-time feature
directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor, this haunting film tells the
story of Helen, a 17-year-old girl living in a foster home. When
Helen's classmate Joy disappears and is presumed murdered, police cast
Helen to play the role of the missing girl in a reconstruction of her
last known moments. This visually stunning tale about impersonation and
assumed identity has drawn comparisons to the works of Antonioni and
Bresson, a mighty impressive feat for a debut feature. Preceded by the
short "Joy" from the same filmmakers.
Not Rated (USA, 2008, 88 min) Dangerous Docs Fri, Jul 31st Noon
State Theatre Sat, Aug 1st Noon
Old Town Playhouse
A must-see for art lovers, this charming documentary tells the story of
Herb and Dorothy Vogel, two aging Manhattan art enthusiasts who amassed
one of the world's major contemporary art collections in their small
one-bedroom apartment on the salaries of a librarian and a postal
clerk. The film tells the story of the unassuming couple's collection
of more than 4,000 pieces of minimalist and conceptual art -- which
they started together in the 1960s and have since donated to the
National Gallery of Art -- as well as offering interviews with the
artists discovered and supported by the Vogels, including Sol LeWitt,
Richard Tuttle, Chuck Close and Robert Mangold. In person: director
Megumi Sasaki.
Not Rated (USA, 2008, 6 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
A New Orleans native revisits his lost home by animating photos from his childhood.
(USA, 2009, 15 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
After agreeing to come to a classmate's house for a home cooked meal,
Colin finds himself trapped a strange world of Mormonism, shirtless
middle-aged men, and salad from the Garden of Eden.
(USA, 2008, 6 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
Bill Plympton's canine hero joins the fire company to save the world
from house fires and gain the affection he so richly deserves.
(USA, 2009, 94 min) American Independent Cinema Fri, Jul 31st Midnight
State Theatre Sat, Aug 1st 9:00pm
City Opera House
Ben (Mark Duplass) is a 30ish guy with a steady job, settling quietly
into married life. But when his globetrotting pseudo-Bohemian college
buddy Andrew (Joshua Leonard) shows up unannounced at his doorstep, the
two fall back into their old ways. Their natural spirit of
one-upmanship during a night of heavy drinking leads the guys to a
mutual dare to shoot and star in a film to be entered in an amateur
adult film festival. Their gimmick? To make a dude-on-dude "erotic art
film" featuring themselves -- two straight guys -- as the leads. Even
after sobriety kicks in the next day, the guys are too macho to back
down from their dare. Director Lynn Shelton pushes the boundaries of
bromance to the extreme in this uproariously funny, surprisingly
insightful and occasionally squirm-inducing indie flick. It's smart,
different and one of the best films we watched for the festival this
year.
Rated R (USA, 2008, 5 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
A lyrical and monstrous meditation on when the mundane becomes
gruesome, exploring what it means to lose that which we believe defines
us.
(USA, 2008, 4 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
An honest, encouraging and even humorous autobiographical description of a mother's escape from an abusive husband.
(USA, 2009, 13 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
Dave lives his life as a musical, and his girlfriend Sophia can't stand
it anymore. When Sophia breaks Dave's heart, his obsessed neighbor Amy
seizes the opportunity to fulfill her romantic fantasy.
(UK, 2009, 106 min) New Foreign Cinema Fri, Jul 31st 3:00pm
State Theatre Sat, Aug 1st 6:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
A minor slip of the tongue by a low-level politician sets off a
whirlwind of activity on both sides of the Atlantic, as US and UK
politicians to prepare to spin an imminent war in an unnamed country
that nobody really knew they were getting into. Long-time TV
writer-director Armando Iannucci delves into the absurd mechanizations
of the political machine with his motion-picture debut, bringing his
signature venomous, rapid-fire wit to the big screen. Bolstered by an
all-star ensemble cast that includes James Gandolfini, Tom Hollander,
Steve Coogan and Mimi Kennedy, this best of fest comedy ranks as one of
the top political satires to come out in ages.
Not Rated (USA, 2009, 128 min) Closing Night Sun, Aug 2nd 6:00pm
State Theatre Sun, Aug 2nd 6:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
The TCFF is honored to present the Midwest premiere of a film starring
America's greatest actress, written and directed by one of America's
most beloved filmmakers. Meryl Streep and Amy Adams star in Nora
Ephron's captivating film about the early days of renowned chef Julia
Child's career, and Julie Powell's attempt -- more than forty years
later -- to cook and blog her way through all 524 recipes in Child's
definitive "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" in just 365 days.
Child's sojourn to Paris in the 1940s where she fell in love with
cooking is set against Powell's modern life in Queens, New York. The
film weaves the two stories together, paralleling the lives of two
women who discover their passions using fearlessness and lots of
butter. Oscar-nominated writer-director Ephron ("When Harry Met Sally")
has created a beautiful adaptation of the writings of Child and Powell
that will delight foodies and non-epicureans alike. Stanley Tucci
costars as Julia's husband Paul Child in an incredibly poignant love
affair.
Rated PG-13 (Palestine, Tunisia, Netherlands, 2008, 71 min) Palestine and Vine Sat, Aug 1st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
Deftly balancing dramatic situations with a flair for absurdist comedy,
"Laila's Birthday" follows a day in the life of Abu Laila, a rare
law-abiding citizen in Ramallah, a city on the brink of chaos.
Prevented by bureaucracy from taking the bench he was invited home to
assume, the judge is forced to drive a taxi to make a living.
Cigarettes and AK-47s are banned in his cab, but his hardest job is
often getting his passengers to fasten their seatbelts. This tragicomic
film plays as a pitch-perfect portrait of the everyday absurdity of
life in the pressure cooker of the occupied West Bank, as Abu Laila
attempts to make good on his promise to bring a cake home for his
daughter's birthday. In Arabic with English subtitles.
Not Rated (Ireland, 2007, 70 min) Dangerous Docs Thu, Jul 30th 3:00pm
City Opera House Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Old Town Playhouse
Thomas Lynch is an Irish-American whose family has owned and operated
funeral homes in Southeastern Michigan for the three generations. He's
also a renowned writer whose poems and essays on the lives of those who
work with death have won numerous awards and served as the inspiration
for the HBO series "Six Feet Under." Visionary director Cathal Black
perfectly matches Lynch's personal stories and poetry from "The
Undertaking" with beautiful, eerie and often surreal imagery. In
person: Cathal Black, Thomas Lynch.
Not Rated (Israel, Germany, France, 2008, 106 min) Palestine and Vine Wed, Jul 29th Noon
Milliken Auditorium Sat, Aug 1st 3:00pm
City Opera House
Palestinian-French actress Hiam Abbass ("The Visitor") stars as Salma,
a middle-aged widow who tends her family's lemon grove in a small
Palestinian village on the border between the West Bank and Israel. Her
quiet life is turned upside down when the well-to-do Israeli defense
minister moves into a deluxe estate next to the grove. The minister's
guards decide the lemon grove planted by her great grandparents is a
security threat that must be removed, and Salma protests their action,
taking her case all the way to the Israeli Supreme Court. Winner of the
Audience Award at the Berlin Film Festival as well as seven Israeli
Film Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Hiam Abbass. In Arabic,
French, English and Hebrew with English subtitles.
Not Rated (UK, 2008, 10 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
A coming of age comedy about a teenage boy whose life is thrown into
chaos when he discovers adult magazines, girls and the embarrassment
that goes with both.
(Australia, 2009, 92 min) New Foreign Cinema Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
City Opera House Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
A moving film that combines eccentric wit and poignant sentimentality,
this decidedly adult animated feature tells the story of Mary Dinkle, a
lonely Australian schoolgirl who inadvertently becomes penpals with Max
Horovitz, an overweight middle-aged Jew living an isolated life in New
York. The two become the unlikeliest of friends as Mary shares tales of
her dysfunctional family and Max tries to overcome his anxiety, trading
letters and chocolate treats from opposite sides of the globe. Chosen
as Sundance's opening film, this excellent claymation film from
Oscar-winning filmmaker Adam Elliot is one of the funniest, most
inventive we have to offer this year. Voiced by Philip Seymour Hoffman
and Toni Collette.
Not Rated (USA, 2008, 12 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
When Ethan can't afford an engagement ring, his best friend insists they dig for one in a graveyard.
(UK, 1946, 104 min) Special Screenings Fri, Jul 31st Noon
City Opera House
What would you do with a second chance at life? Peter Carter (David
Niven) is a doomed English pilot whose plane is shot down while
returning from duty. Carter appears destined for death, but a mistake
on the part of one of afterlife's "Conductors" leaves him in limbo in
the earthly realm, giving him a chance to romantically pursue the radio
operator with whom he shared what he believed to be his last words. The
TCFF proudly presents this surreal romance from the masterful duo of
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger as the inaugural film in our new
series "Jeff Garlin's Gems," an annual presentation of classic films
selected by Jeff Garlin.
Not Rated (Israel, Germany, France, 2009, 90 min) New Foreign Cinema Wed, Jul 29th 9:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium Fri, Jul 31st 3:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
Herzl is overweight and still living with his mother. His diet group
isn't going so well either -- they've given him the boot after he
manages to gain 28 pounds in two months. After landing a new job as a
dishwasher in a Japanese restaurant, he discovers the world of sumo
wrestling and convinces three of his chubby chums to join him in
starting a sumo club. A lighthearted comedy about self-acceptance, this
festival fave has already been picked up for a Hollywood remake. In
Hebrew with English subtitles.
Not Rated (USA, 1997, 98 min) Free Movies at the Open Space Tue, Jul 28th 9:30pm
Open Space Outdoor Cinema
They are the best-kept secret in the galaxy. They monitor, license and
police all alien activity on the Earth. They're our best, last and only
line of defense. They are the Men in Black. Director Barry Sonnenfeld
("Get Shorty," and cinematographer of "Big," also playing in Open Space
this year) blends dark humor and amazing special effects in this
adaptation of a tongue-in-cheek sci-fi comic book. Agent "J" (Tommy Lee
Jones) and Agent "K" (Will Smith) are the quintessential comedy cop duo
as they secretly police the comings and goings of aliens on planet
Earth. We can't think of anyone else we'd rather have protecting us
against intergalactic terrorists. We celebrate the 40th anniversary of
the first moon landing with the classic summer blockbuster that made
Ray-Bans one of the most desired items of the 1990s, the perfect fit
for the giant screen at the Open Space.
Rated PG-13 (Germany, 1927, 93 min) Special Screenings Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
State Theatre
Fritz Lang's expressionist masterpiece takes its rightful place on the
State Theater's magnificent screen. One of the earliest science fiction
films, "Metropolis" tells the story of a futuristic city where the rich
and privileged live luxuriously in their elegant skyscrapers while an
oppressed class of workers toils below. A privileged young man must
overcome his prejudices and become a voice of reason to bridge the gap
between the two worlds. Come see this silent classic the way it was
meant to be seen, with full 16-piece orchestral accompaniment by the
Bijou Orchestra live at the State, presented by Hagerty Insurance.
German Intertitles with English Subtitles.
Not Rated (USA, 2009, 99 min) Special Screenings Sun, Aug 2nd 3:00pm
State Theatre
What Surprise does Mike have in store for us this year? Festival
founder and president Michael Moore will show up with... a sneak
preview of a big Hollywood movie? A buried treasure that the public
hasn't seen in years? A home movie? Nobody knows until the last day of
the festival, sometimes not even Mike. Whatever it may be, only the
curious and the brave should attend.
(UK, 2008, 10 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
A mother's attempt to prevent her son leaving home results in a charade of epic proportions.
(Germany, 2007, 5 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
All dogs chase their tails, but what would happen if one actually caught it?
(France, 2008, 6 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
A little girl describes how her autistic brother sees the world. In French with English subtitles
(USA, 2009, 90 min) Starring Planet Earth Sun, Aug 2nd 6:00pm
City Opera House
How much of your lifestyle would you give up to save the planet? This
entertaining environmental documentary follows Manhattan-based author
Colin Beavan as he pledges to put an end to his complacent consumerism
and make zero environmental impact for a year, living without
electricity, eating only locally grown food and even giving up toilet
paper. The only potential snag is that Beavan has to drag his
Starbucks-addicted, shopaholic wife and their toddler daughter along
for the ride. An insightful look at the power of the individual to
incite social change.
Not Rated (Norway, Germany, France, 2007, 90 min) Salute to Norway Wed, Jul 29th 9:00pm
City Opera House Fri, Jul 31st Noon
Milliken Auditorium
Writer-director Bent Hamer ("Factotum") has created a beautiful,
engrossing and sly Norwegian comedy about a pipe-smoking, regimented
train engineer named Odd Horten, a septuagenarian taking his
penultimate voyage from Oslo to Bergen while adjusting to a new
lifestyle after forced retirement from his life-long career. Without
the orderly precision of railroad timetables to structure his days, Odd
(deftly played by veteran actor Baard Owe) is forced to break routine.
Exploring the city, he finds that others are as disconnected as he
feels. Hamer's visually precise brand of offbeat humor has drawn
comparisons with Buster Keaton, Samuel Beckett and Jacques Tati in his
latest offering, a warm, whimsical portrait of aging and
post-retirement life. In Norwegian with English subtitles.
Rated PG-13 (USA, 2009, 114 min) Native American Matinee Sun, Aug 2nd 9:00am
State Theatre
The notorious Indian schools of the early 20th century are brought to
life in the harrowing tale of Charlie (Winter Fox Frank), a young boy
taken from his family and forced into internment. Brutally taught to
adopt Western tradition, Charlie runs away in an attempt to reclaim his
family and heritage. Sam Franklin (Wes Studi), a Native American who
conforms to white society by becoming a bounty hunter who hunts his own
people, is hired to bring the boy back to the school. Initially at
odds, the bounty hunter and his quarry must learn to trust one another
when they both become targets of a notorious Indian Hunter Sheriff
Henry McCoy (J. Kenneth Campbell). This sweeping and powerful film
expertly approaches our nation's troubled history from a fresh
perspective. In person: Wes Studi, director Kevin Willmott.
Not Rated (180 min) Festival Parties and Events Tue, Jul 28th 8:30pm
Wade-Trim
Wade-Trim Parking Lot, Front Street and Park, downtown, Rain or Shine.
Join your host Michael Moore to welcome the filmmakers from around the
world to this year's festival. Be the first to meet the people who make
the movies and bring a bit of Hollywood to northern Michigan. We'll
magically transform the outdoor space on Park Street, just around the
corner from the State Theatre, into a summer garden for the evening.
Join us for a film celebration, dance to some great music and enjoy
fabulous local food. Tickets are $50. 2009 Friends of the Film Festival
get half off party tickets.
(USA, 2009, 90 min) Dangerous Docs Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
City Opera House Sat, Aug 1st Noon
Milliken Auditorium
An indignant and provocative film about the hypocrisy of those in
power, "Outrage" aims to expose closeted politicians whose voting
records have actively gone against the gay community. Academy
Award-nominated director Kirby Dick (whose last documentary, "This Film
Is Not Yet Rated," played at TCFF07) thrillingly reveals the secret
lives of some of America's most powerful lawmakers, using evidence and
commentary from members of the gay community as well as prominent
politicians. Aiming to catch anti-gay-rights politicians with their
pants down, this controversial documentary explores the issue the right
to privacy for public officials when their policy actively oppresses
the community to which they secretly belong. In person: Kirby Dick.
Not Rated (USA, 2009, 99 min) Special Screenings Fri, Jul 31st 9:15pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
World Premiere! For the first time anywhere, festivalgoers in Traverse
City will see scenes that were too hot for the brand new comedy hit,
"Bruno." Director Larry Charles takes you behind the scenes and shares
clips no one will see anywhere else -- except at the TCFF. Security
will prohibit the videotaping of these never-to-be-released "Bruno"
excerpts. Only adults 17 years and older will be admitted.
Rated NC-17 Wed, Jul 29th 9:30am
City Opera House
It's been 40 years since Woodstock, 20 years since "Roger & Me,"
and great documentaries continue to be made. Again this year, some of
the best films in the festival are documentaries -- and you should see
the great docs we couldn't fit onto the festival schedule! We are
fortunate to have with us here in Traverse City some of the world's top
documentary filmmakers. They will talk about the history of their craft
and the world and times in which they work. In person: Aung Htun
("Burma VJ"), Joe Berlinger ("Crude"), Cathal Black ("Learning
Gravity"), Jim Czarnecki ("Soundtrack for a Revolution"), Michelle
Esrick ("Saint Misbehavin': The Wavy Gravy Movie"), Emily Kunstler
("William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe"), Kevin McMahon
("Waterlife"), Michael Moore ("Roger & Me")
Thu, Jul 30th 9:30am
City Opera House
We open this festival of substance with a panel about two of the best
films on this year's schedule: "Rachel" and "Salt of This Sea."
Palestinian film had a watershed year in 2009, sending the world
cinematic voices we rarely get to hear in the US. Rachel Corrie's
parents and Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir will talk about
making great art out of hard stuff. In person: Ossama Bawardi ("Salt of
This Sea"), Cindy Corrie ("Rachel"), Craig Corrie ("Rachel"), Annemarie
Jacir ("Salt of This Sea")
Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
City Opera House
Interested in the Michigan Film Industry? Want to learn more about how
the incentives are working to bring film development in Michigan? We're
bringing the bi-monthly meeting of the Governor's Michigan Film Office
Advisory Council right into the City Opera House so that you can take a
look at how government moves. The Council will conduct their business
in a public session, and then take questions from the audience at the
meeting's conclusion. See some of the brightest stars in Michigan's
film world in action and find out if they can make a governmental
meeting dramatic. In person: Emery C. King (Chair), Bill Black, Bob
Brown, Jim Burnstein, Xenia E. Castillo-Hunter, Hopwood DePree, Marcia
Fishman, Cory Jacobson, Danialle Karmanos, Sue Marx, Tim Magee, Michael
Moore, William P. O'Reilly, Marc L. Prey, Janet Lockwood (Director of
the Michigan Film Office)
Sat, Aug 1st 9:30am
City Opera House
Most years we have to struggle to find great comedies to include in the
festival line up. Although it initially looked grim, we ended up with
more than our fair share of great funny films for our Firefighter Jury
to judge. Enjoy an hour or two talking about laughing with some of the
filmmakers who lift us out of our national malaise and kick us in the
keister. In person: Robert Byington ("Harmony and Me," "Registered Sex
Offender"), Larry Charles ("Bruno"), Jeff Garlin ("Curb Your
Enthusiasm"), Ben Steinbauer ("Winnebago Man"), Wavy Gravy
("Woodstock," "Saint Misbehavin'")
Sun, Aug 2nd 9:30am
City Opera House
The Traverse City Film Festival is deeply honored to have the great
filmmaker Paul Mazursky in person at the festival this year. After
screenings of some of his best films at the festival this year, Paul
Mazursky will talk with Jeff Garlin about a life in the movies. In
person: Jeff Garlin, Paul Mazursky
(USA, 2007, 3 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
An origami tale about a skillful paper folder who can shape the world with his hands.
(Sweden, 2008, 103 min) New Foreign Cinema Sun, Aug 2nd 3:00pm
City Opera House
Happily married Swedish gay couple Sven and Goran are missing just one
thing: a child. So they decide to adopt. But a clerical error at the
adoption agency means that instead of the 1.5-year-old Patrik they were
expecting, they get a homophobic 15-year-old boy with a police record.
Will Patrik give up his tough-guy ways, or will he drive a wedge
through the happy couple's marriage? This dramatic comedy from Sweden
manages to avoid treading familiar romantic comedy territory, instead
offering an intelligent and nuanced look at tolerance and same-sex
couples adoption. In Swedish with English subtitles.
Rated R (UK, 2008, 7 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
Looking for photographs of Jesus, yetis and Hitler in 1948? Help is at
hand with this documentary-fantasy based on true stories of requests
for impossible images.
(USA, 2007, 9 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
An Elementary school guidance counselor wants seven-year-old Candace to
plan out her career. Is it ever too early to start planning?
(France, Belgium, 2009, 100 min) Palestine and Vine Wed, Jul 29th 6:30pm
Old Town Playhouse Thu, Jul 30th Noon
State Theatre
This powerful, emotionally and politically devastating documentary
tells the story of Rachel Corrie, a 22-year-old American activist who
was run over and killed while trying to prevent an Israeli bulldozer
from demolishing Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip. Filmmaker Simone
Bitton explores Corrie's death from all angles, offering a
comprehensive investigation by balancing interviews with members of the
Israeli Defense Forces and Corrie's colleagues in the International
Solidarity Movement, as well as excerpts from her diary. An important
document of the incident itself as well as a provocative exploration of
the complexities of political activism, "Rachel" is a film we wish
everyone could see. In person: Rachel's parents, Cindy and Craig
Corrie. In English, Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles.
Not Rated (2008, 120 min) Free Movies at the Open Space Sun, Aug 2nd 9:30pm
Open Space Outdoor Cinema
Any Open Space film canceled due to inclement weather will be rescheduled to Sunday, August 2nd.
(USA, 2008, 80 min) Straight Outta Austin Sat, Aug 1st Midnight
Old Town Playhouse Sun, Aug 2nd 9:00pm
City Opera House
Because they're so funny, Bob Byington has an unprecedented two new
films in TCFF09! This irreverent new comedy from the director of
"Harmony and Me" follows an unrepentant sex offender recently released
from prison as he struggles mightily against the efforts of others to
rehabilitate him. Byington follows the RSO (Gabriel McIver) as he
offends neighbors during his mandatory visits, gets fired from his job
for vulgarity, and mocks his timid group counselor (Kevin Corrigan).
Audiences have given this irreverent comedy standing ovations at film
festivals around the country. In person: Bob Byington.
Not Rated (Romania, 2007, 133 min) New Foreign Cinema Wed, Jul 29th Noon
State Theatre
A must-see film for any lover of cinema, this exuberant comedy tells
the story of the making of Romania's first feature film. In Bucharest
circa 1911, silent film is still seen as low class fare, with live
theatre reigning as the medium of choice for high society. But a young,
ambitious filmmaker seeks to change all that and bring cinema the
credit it deserves by shooting a two-hour epic about Romania's War of
Independence. This warm, intelligent crowd-pleaser is both a charming
underdog story and a respectful homage to the beginning days of cinema.
In Romanian and French with English subtitles.
Not Rated (Austria, 2008, 121 min) New Foreign Cinema Wed, Jul 29th 3:00pm
State Theatre Sat, Aug 1st 9:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
The lives of two couples -- one from the city, one from the countryside
-- become inextricably linked in this gritty, taut thriller from
Austrian director Gotz Spielmann. Small-town police officer Robert
lives a tranquil life with his wife in a village outside of Vienna,
trying to start a family. Ex-con Alex works as a low-level flunky for a
brothel owner in Vienna while dreaming of a better life with his
girlfriend Tamara, a Ukranian prostitute. After a botched bank robbery,
the lives of both couples are turned upside down. This darkly romantic
neo-noir was nominated for Best Foreign Picture at last year's Academy
Awards. In German and Russian with English Subtitles.
Not Rated (USA, 1989, 91 min) Special Screenings Sat, Aug 1st 9:00pm
State Theatre
This year the festival that Michael Moore founded and runs pays tribute
to his debut documentary, the film that forever changed the course of
documentary filmmaking. In his mid-30s, Moore ran bingo games in his
hometown of Flint to fund a movie about GM chairman Roger Smith and the
closing of a Flint factory that resulted in the elimination of over
30,000 jobs. Its 1989 Telluride premiere gave audiences their first
taste of the blend of scathing wit, moments of human tragedy and satire
that has become a signature of Moore's body of work. Sadly, Moore's
prescient portrait of a city in decline is even more relevant now than
it was twenty years ago. Special guests from the film will be present
at the screening.
Rated R (USA, Mexico, 2008, 102 min) New Foreign Cinema Thu, Jul 30th 9:00pm
City Opera House Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
In this rollicking screwball rags-to-riches fable, Diego Luna and Gael
Garcia Bernal star as Rudo and Cursi, two thickheaded stepbrothers who
are plucked from their rural life as banana pickers after being spotted
by a hotshot soccer recruiter. Rudo and Cursi struggle with their
newfound fame and the temptations of the big city, as one brother
pursues a career in pop music while courting a TV model and the other
gets entangled in the world of high-stakes poker. Director Carlos
Cuaron reunites with Bernal and Luna for the first time since mega-hit
"Y Tu Mama Tambien" to bring this energetic, exciting buddy flick to
the big screen. In Spanish with English subtitles.
Rated R (USA, 2008, 87 min) Special Screenings Fri, Jul 31st 3:30pm
Old Town Playhouse
The clown prince of peace, Wavy Gravy has been an institution for
decades. Securing his place in history with his unforgettable presence
at Woodstock, Wavy has been on a mission that reaches beyond political,
economic and cultural divisions. Director Michelle Esrick spent ten
years following Wavy Gravy around the globe and documenting the amazing
journey of this true servant to humanity. Much more than a Ben and
Jerry's flavor, Wavy Gravy is living proof that you can make the world
a better place and have fun doing it. In person: producer David Becker,
director Michelle Esrick, Wavy Gravy.
Not Rated (Palestine, Belgium, France, Spain, Switzerland, 2008, 108 min) Palestine and Vine Thu, Jul 30th 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
State Theatre Sun, Aug 2nd 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse
The first feature from Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir, "Salt of
This Sea" tells the story of Soraya (Suheir Hammad), a young
Brooklyn-born woman who makes a pilgrimage to reconnect with her
Palestinian roots and to collect money left by her grandfather in a
Ramallah bank before her family was exiled over sixty years ago. On her
journey she meets Emad (Saleh Bakri), a handsome young Palestinian man
who wants to leave his home country forever. Together they make a bold
play to exorcise their demons of frustration and yearning, running on
the lam through their troubled land. Annemarie Jacir's filmic vision is
brilliant, emotional, intense and fresh, and it is one of the must-see
films in this year's festival. In person: Ossama Bawardi and Annemarie
Jacir (Thursday and Friday only). In Arabic and English with English
subtitles.
Not Rated (USA, 2008, 4 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
A voodoo doll must find the courage to save his friends from being pinned to death.
(USA, 2008, 10 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
A twenty-something gay man finally comes out to his beloved Jewish
grandmother in the Jersey City, in spite of mounting pressure from his
domineering mother and West Village boyfriend.
(UK, 2008, 5 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
Under the hot glare of interrogation lights, who will Richard give up to save himself?
(France, Belgium, 2008, 125 min) New Foreign Cinema Sun, Aug 2nd 3:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
This remarkable film tells the real-life story of Seraphine de Senlis,
a poor middle-aged housekeeper in a small town in France with a hidden
talent as a self-taught painter. Seraphine's work was discovered in
1913 while she was cleaning the lodging of German art collector Wilhelm
Uhde, the man who first recognized Picasso's and Rousseau's talents.
The artist's sanity is tested as her professional relationship with
Uhde comes under pressure in the wake of World War I and the Great
Depression, while she copes with the newfound prospects of fame and
fortune. This provocative exploration of one of the world's most
enigmatic artists was a big winner at this year's French Academy
Awards. The exploration of art and madness took home seven Cesars
including prizes for Best Film and Best Actress. In French and German
with English subtitles.
Not Rated Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
Fourteen films for the price of one! We've gathered the best of student
shorts culled from the festival circuit and our own backyard in
Northern Michigan, films by budding filmmakers of all ages. From dark
comedies to quiet live action dramas to dazzling animation, from middle
school to college, this collection of films by talented student
filmmakers offers something for all tastes. Recommended for teens and
up.
Thu, Jul 30th Noon
City Opera House
From the University of Michigan's Film and Video Student Association,
these two shorts showcase some of our state's top young filmmaking
talent. Following the short films, there will be a presentation by the
students who made them. Recommended for ages 17 and up.
Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
These award-winning shorts from around the world were hand picked from
hundreds of submissions representing a grand spectrum of filmmaking
styles. With stories ranging from a man going through a mid-life crisis
over a scrabble game to an animated bat's bizarre journey of
self-transformation, these inventive films represent a veritable "best
of" list of animated and live action shorts from the nation's top
festivals. Some shorts are in foreign languages with English subtitles.
Recommended for ages 17 and up.
Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
We searched the globe for the best shorts made for kids, and came up
with 75+ minutes of the most enjoyable animated and live action film
you'll able to find anywhere. Recommended for ages 7 and up.
(USA, 2008, 82 min) Kids Festival Thu, Jul 30th 9:30am
State Theatre
Kids and parents alike will be enchanted by this magical, astonishingly
original musical and visual feast from first time writer/director Nina
Paley. Technically, it's a version of the epic Indian tale of Ramayana
set to the 1920's jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw. But you'll forget all
that when the opening sequence sweeps you away, and you'll smile all of
the way through this inventive interweaving of stories told in three
completely different animated styles. It's simply amazing. A tale of
truth, justice and a woman's cry for equal treatment, "Sita Sings the
Blues" earns its tagline as "The Greatest Break-Up Story Ever Told." In
English. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Not Rated (Australia, 2007, 8 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
A man struggles without his wife, a little girl loses her tooth and a
boy reacts the only way he knows how. Sometimes, small change can make
all the difference.
(USA, 2009, 99 min) Special Screenings Fri, Jul 31st Midnight
Old Town Playhouse Sat, Aug 1st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse
Famous funnyman and frequent guest of the festival Jeff Garlin ("Curb
Your Enthusiasm," "I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With," TCFF07) always
has something interesting to share with our audiences. In addition to
judging costumes and awarding prizes for the inaugural TCFF5K Fun Run
downtown on Saturday night, this year Jeff is bringing the TCFF a sneak
preview of something so special we can't even reveal what it is! Come
for a night of surprise entertainment and Jeff's trademark brand of wit
and charm.
(USA, 2009, 82 min) Dangerous Docs Thu, Jul 30th 6:00pm
City Opera House Thu, Jul 30th 9:00pm
Old Town Playhouse
This stirring, powerful documentary traces the essential role music
played in the civil rights movement in unifying protestors as they
fought for equal rights. Directors Dan Sturman and Bill Guttentag (a
two-time Oscar winner) combine powerful found footage from the era with
modern-day interviews with the men and women who fought to change the
country, highlighting the empowering songs sung by these protesters.
Featuring music from top contemporary artists, including John Legend,
Wyclef Jean, The Roots and Richie Havens. In person: producer Jim
Czarnecki.
Not Rated (USA, 2008, 114 min) American Independent Cinema Thu, Jul 30th 6:00pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
An immigrant story wrapped in a sports drama, "Sugar" follows teenage
Dominican baseball prospect Miguel "Sugar" Santos (played with
naturalistic ease by first-time actor Algenis Perez Soto) from a
training camp in his home country to a minor league team in Iowa as he
tries to make it to the big leagues and save his family from the cycle
of poverty. The second feature from Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the
writing/directing duo responsible for "Half Nelson," this gem of a
movie breaks from the traditionally triumphant arc of the sports movie
genre in favor of a more realistic portrait of the challenges faced by
a young man uprooted from home in pursuit of the America dream. Shot in
part on location in the Dominican Republic, this Sundance and Toronto
Film Festival official selection is one of the best films made in
recent years. In English and Spanish with English subtitles.
Rated R (Germany, 2007, 6 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
The sun rises as it does every morning, but today it discovers that it is not as welcomed as it had hoped to be.
(Denmark, Germany, 2008, 75 min) Kids Festival Sat, Aug 1st 9:30am
State Theatre
The TCFF Kids Fest grand finale on Saturday is the delightful tale of
an adventurous and optimistic worm at the bottom of the food chain,
employed in the compost industry. One day his father gives him an old
box with a vintage disco record buried deep inside, and from the moment
the first notes hit his ears, Barry's body starts to move and he's
completely hooked. Barry suddenly sees the light: he will star in the
world's greatest disco band, Sunshine Barry & the Disco Worms, and
play that funky music to stardom. True, he's got no rhythm, no band and
no arms, but, as Barry says, "We'll do it anyway!" In English.
Recommended for ages 7 and up.
Not Rated (2009, 180 min) Film School Wed, Jul 29th 1:00pm
CenterPointe
Jim Burnstein ("Ruffian," "Renaissance Man," "D3: The Mighty Ducks") is
one of the few working Hollywood screenwriters living in Michigan.
Burnstein heads the Screenwriting Program at the University of Michigan
Department of Screen Arts & Cultures, and will share his stories
about working in the loneliest area of the filmmaking biz. The TCFF
Film School is open to students of all ages 12 and up, from junior high
to the golden years. No application is needed. Interested students can
purchase tickets for just $3 per session beginning on July 18 online,
by phone, or at the box office. Maximum two per person. Located at
CenterPointe's Fourth Floor 100-seat Auditorium, 12935 S West Bay Shore
Dr, Traverse City Michigan (2.5 miles NW of the State Theatre on the
water -- hundreds of free parking spaces, follow the signs)
(2009, 180 min) Film School Thu, Jul 30th 1:00pm
CenterPointe
Canadian director Kevin McMahon ("Waterlife") edited two hundred hours
of footage that he shot all over the Midwest to create his TCFF09
documentary about the state of our Great Lakes. He will take time
during his stay in Traverse City to share his experiences with
students, covering all of the stages of filmmaking. One third of the
class will be left open so that Kevin can work with student questions,
giving students time to talk about their own projects and quandries.
The TCFF Film School is open to students of all ages 12 and up, from
junior high to the golden years. No application is needed. Interested
students can purchase tickets for just $3 per session beginning on July
18 online, by phone, or at the box office. Maximum two per person.
Located at CenterPointe's Fourth Floor 100-seat Auditorium, 12935 S
West Bay Shore Dr, Traverse City Michigan (2.5 miles NW of the State
Theatre on the water -- hundreds of free parking spaces, follow the
signs). For more information about Kevin McMahon and his filmmaking
experiences, see: http://www.greatlakestownhall.org/user/1966/recent
(2009, 180 min) Film School Fri, Jul 31st 1:00pm
CenterPointe
Between the two of them, Gloria La Morte and Paola Mendoza had a hand
in almost every aspect of the making of their film "Entre nos" -- they
worked together to get funding, collaborated to write and direct,
Gloria edited the film and Paola played the lead character. These two
filmmakers will share their knowledge of what it's like to get a movie
made outside of the studio system, and what it's like to be a woman
working in what is still, for the most part, a boy's club industry. The
TCFF Film School is open to students of all ages 12 and up, from junior
high to the golden years. No application is needed. Interested students
can purchase tickets for just $3 per session beginning on July 18
online, by phone, or at the box office. Maximum two per person. Located
at CenterPointe's Fourth Floor 100-seat Auditorium, 12935 S West Bay
Shore Dr, Traverse City Michigan (2.5 miles NW of the State Theatre on
the water -- hundreds of free parking spaces, follow the signs)
(2009, 180 min) Film School Sat, Aug 1st 1:00pm
CenterPointe
For the first time this year, the Traverse City Film Festival has
scheduled four shorts programs to play as part of the festival
schedule. From animation to live action, from middle school and
post-grad students to professional filmmakers, many of the directors
and producers behind this year's 50 short films will be in attendance
to talk about their films -- one of them all of the way from Australia!
They'll tell you about their films, how they made they, why they made
them, what distribution has been like, what they plan to do from here,
and they'll take questions from the audience. Anny Slater ("The Ball"),
Aaron Jaffe ("Trim"), Sarah Klegman ("Home Cooked Meal"), and others
will present. The TCFF Film School is open to students of all ages 12
and up, from junior high to the golden years. No application is needed.
Interested students can purchase tickets for just $3 per session
beginning on July 18 online, by phone, or at the box office. Maximum
two per person. Located at CenterPointe's Fourth Floor 100-seat
Auditorium, 12935 S West Bay Shore Dr, Traverse City Michigan (2.5
miles NW of the State Theatre on the water -- hundreds of free parking
spaces, follow the signs)
(2009, 180 min) Film School Sun, Aug 2nd 1:00pm
CenterPointe
The filmmakers behind three of the funniest films in the festival this
year, Robert Byington ("Harmony and Me," "Registered Sex Offender"),
and Ben Steinbauer ("Winnebago Man") will present a special class to
wrap up our inaugural TCFF Film School. Taking as their subject one of
the greatest American comedies of all time, the Coen Brothers' "Raising
Arizona," they will lead a lively class about funny business in the
movies. This session is rated PG-13 by the Austin Filmmakers
Association of America. The TCFF Film School is open to students of all
ages 12 and up, from junior high to the golden years. No application is
needed. Interested students can purchase tickets for just $3 per
session beginning on July 18 online, by phone, or at the box office.
Maximum two per person. Located at CenterPointe's Fourth Floor 100-seat
Auditorium, 12935 S West Bay Shore Dr, Traverse City Michigan (2.5
miles NW of the State Theatre on the water -- hundreds of free parking
spaces, follow the signs)
(USA, 2008, 12 min) Short Films Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
Old Town Playhouse
At a haircut appointment with her long-time stylist, Amelia has to make a choice to take control of her life.
(Norway, 2008, 115 min) Opening Night Tue, Jul 28th 6:30pm
City Opera House Tue, Jul 28th 7:00pm
State Theatre Tue, Jul 28th 10:15pm
State Theatre
Once in a rare while, a film is so beautifully made, so perfectly
conceived and executed, that it fills you with joy just to behold it.
Such is the case with this amazing film from director Erik Poppe about
a young man who has just been released from prison after serving eight
years for a terrible crime. A gifted organist, Jan is on a quiet path
to redemption, playing in a church and even winning the heart of the
church's pastor and her young son. But he is soon forced to confront
his past when a woman whose life has been forever scarred by his
actions visits the church with her class. Poppe masterfully structures
a dual narrative, telling the story from the perspective of both the
woman and the organist. We cannot think of a better film to open our
festival of "just great movies" than this intense drama about
forgiveness, redemption and the permanency of the decisions we make. In
person: Eric Poppe. In Norwegian with English subtitles.
Not Rated (USA, 1978, 124 min) Tribute to Paul Mazursky Fri, Jul 31st 3:00pm
City Opera House
Erica (Jill Clayburgh) has a nice Upper East Side home, a well-adjusted
teenage daughter, and a job in a Soho art gallery. But when her husband
of 17 years unexpectedly leaves her for a younger woman, Erica falls
apart. Venturing out into the world of 1970s singlehood on the advice
of her therapist, she realizes that she likes her freedom and
independence, finding solace in female bonding and even casual sex. As
a newly independent woman, Erica must strike a balance between the
pursuit of her career, her teenage daughter's need for a mother and the
affections of English artist Saul (Alan Bates). Mazursky's landmark
post-1960s feminist film was a hit with audiences and earned Oscar
nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Screenplay. In
person: TCFF09 Tributee Mr. Paul Mazursky.
Rated R (USA, 2008, 96 min) Dangerous Docs Sat, Aug 1st 6:00pm
State Theatre Sun, Aug 2nd Noon
City Opera House
Filmed during the last year of legendary Italian designer Valentino
Garavani's reign over the world of high fashion, this affectionate
documentary offers a glimpse into the beauty and opulence of
Valentino's haute couture lifestyle. Filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer gained
unprecedented access into Valentino's realm, following the designer
(and his troupe of five pugs) around the globe from yachts and private
planes to design studios as he prepares his final collection for a
lavish show in Rome. In person: director Matt Tyrnauer, producer Matt
Kapp, Ted Alexandre. In English, Italian and French with English
Subtitles.
Rated PG-13 (Israel, Germany, France, USA, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium, Australia, 2008, 87 min) Dangerous Docs Fri, Jul 31st Noon
Old Town Playhouse
A haunting, surreal examination of war and memory, this visually
stunning biographical documentary uses animation to tell the story of
the 1982 war between Israel and Lebabon through a series of interviews
and flashbacks. Director Ari Folman was a 19-year-old combatant in this
war. Folman investigates a murky corner of his own memories about the
war by interviewing his military comrades in an attempt to reconstruct
what happened during his time in service. The first animated film ever
nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards, this film ranks
as one of the most innovative documentaries in recent memory. In Hebrew
with English subtitles.
Rated R (Canada, 2009, 109 min) Starring Planet Earth Wed, Jul 29th Noon
Lars Hockstad Auditorium Wed, Jul 29th 6:00pm
Milliken Auditorium Thu, Jul 30th 6:00pm
State Theatre
From Michigan's neighbor to the north comes this exploration of the
current state of the Great Lakes -- the last vast fresh water supply on
earth. Canadian director Kevin McMahon combines gorgeous cinematography
with revelatory computer imaging to present a tour of the beauty and
ecological distress of each of the five lakes, from the northern tip of
Lake Superior all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. A breathtaking,
all-encompassing look at the threatened state of our state's most
precious natural resource that will forever change the way you see the
waters of Michigan's lakes. In person: Kevin McMahon.
Not Rated (UK, 2007, 3 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
When his forecasting machine malfunctions, the weatherman's life takes a turn for the worse.
(USA, 2009, 2 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
An animated celebration of spring in pastels and watercolors.
(USA, 2009, 2 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 9:30am
State Theatre
Everyday household objects have never looked tastier than in this stop-motion short.
(UK, 2008, 2 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
Sometimes little questions need big answers.
(USA, 2009, 21 min) Short Films Thu, Jul 30th Noon
City Opera House
A month after a university shooting took eight lives, three students
return to campus: Jaden mourning his lost love, Charlene wants her life
back, and Bobby wants to understand what happened.
(USA, 2009, 83 min) Dangerous Docs Thu, Jul 30th 3:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
This riveting documentary follows the harrowing stories of several
children who train-hop through Mexico hoping to reach and cross the
border in search of a better life. Told from several different points
of view, "Which Way Home" documents the life-threatening adventures of
the children who risk thousands of miles riding on top of trains under
constant threat from the police and crooked smugglers, only to
encounter new struggles at the end of their journey as they attempt to
cross the border via river and desert. This haunting documentary sheds
light on the issue of illegal immigration from Latin America to the US,
presenting an inside perspective on the struggles of the children who
put their lives at risk for uncertain and potentially unattainable
rewards. Possibly the most revealing and moving look at the tragic
conundrum of illegal immigration ever made. In Spanish and English with
English subtitles.
Not Rated (USA, 2009, 5 min) Short Films Thu, Jul 30th Midnight
State Theatre
A brother and sister's happy summer afternoon takes a sudden turn for
the worse and an unforgettable night follows in this twisted animated
short.
(USA, 2009, 86 min) Dangerous Docs Wed, Jul 29th 3:00pm
City Opera House Thu, Jul 30th Noon
Old Town Playhouse
One of the most famous and controversial lawyers of the 20th century,
William Kunstler defended everyone from the Chicago 8 to the man
accused of masterminding the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Kunstler's daughters directed this unbiased portrait of their father,
charting his work in civil rights through to his controversial criminal
law cases. An absorbing history lesson, personal investigation, and
exploration of a family legacy. In person: Emily Kunstler, Tracy
Bunting, Yusef Salaam.
Not Rated (USA, 2009, 87 min) Straight Outta Austin Thu, Jul 30th Midnight
Old Town Playhouse Sat, Aug 1st 3:15pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium
A superstar on the internet but almost unheard of elsewhere, Jack
Rebney had a bit of unwanted fame thrust upon him when outtakes of his
profane tirades from RV sales videos shot over 20 years ago found their
way online. Writer/director Ben Steinbauer's fascination with these
viral videos and his quest to track down the somewhat reclusive Rebney
are the subject of this hilarious new documentary. A thought-provoking
investigation of the effects of unintended internet stardom, this
honest, intelligent and uproariously funny film captures and examines
the power of the online video boom. Expect a spectacular amount of
creative swearing and a whole lot of laughter. In person: producer Joel
Heller, writer/producer/editor Malcolm Pullinger, and director Ben
Steinbauer.
Not Rated (USA, 1970, 228 min) Special Screenings Tue, Jul 28th 1:00pm
State Theatre Wed, Jul 29th 9:00pm
State Theatre
Forty years ago, half a million people of all colors, shapes, sizes,
ages and sexes attended the Woodstock Music and Art Fair at Max
Yasgur's dairy farm in rural New York. The little fair became rock 'n'
roll's most famous event, an iconic representation of a generation's
ideals. We'll recreate this seminal time and place with the magnificent
restoration of the Director's Cut, the Oscar-winning documentary that
completely and poignantly captures the landmark music celebration. Jimi
Hendrix, The Who and Janis Joplin are just a few of the greatest
performers in history preserved in this film. In person: Wavy Gravy
(Wednesday only), Paul Kanter (Wednesday only), Country Joe McDonald.
Rated R (USA, 2009, 20 min) Short Films Thu, Jul 30th Noon
City Opera House
Rory Sampson, a former figure skating prodigy on a self-destructive
path ala Tanya Harding, gets a second shot at glory. Ultimately, she
discovers her self-worth is the most important prize of all.
(France, 2009, 13 min) Short Films Fri, Jul 31st 6:00pm
Old Town Playhouse Fri, Jul 31st 9:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
A tragicomedy about a man going through a midlife crisis over a game of scrabble. In French with English subtitles
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